Masyaf

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.

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Masyaf is a mountain city located in Syria, which served as the base of operations of the Assassin Order during the Third Crusade. Here, Assassins underwent educational and physical training for the trials they were to endure in the land outside.

History

Third Crusade

Masyaf acted as the headquarters for the Syrian sect of the Assassin Order. In 1176, the fortress came under seige from Saladin, who hoped to prevent the Assassins from making a third attempt on his life. On the second night of the seige, Umar Ibn-La'Ahad infiltrated the Arabic Warlord's tent, leaving a feather as warning; he was forced to kill a Saracen nobleman however, during his escape. Heeding the warning, Saladin left Masyaf, his only condition being the head of the one who had killed the nobleman. At first the Assassin's refused, though eventually relented.

During the Third Crusade the city was, for the most part, unscathed by the wars ravaging the Holy Land, as neither the Crusaders and Saracens were directly associated with the Order, although aware of their existence. In 1191, Al Mualim used the Apple of Eden to enslave the population of Masyaf, placing all the citizens in a trance like state. However, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was able to thwart his master's plan and return the population back to their original state of mind.

Following the death of Al Mualim during the Retaking of Masyaf, Altaïr gained the position of Grand Master of the Assassin Order.

In 1257, the fortress was visited by Niccolò and Maffeo Polo to interview and learn about the life of Altaïr. Eventually, Altaïr decided that the Order should abandon the fortress in order to expand the Order throughout the world. Eventually the fortress was invaded by the Mongolians, wanting revenge for their part in Genghis Khan's murder. Though limited in numbers, the Assassins held the Mongols at bay long enough for the Polo brothers to escape. It was unknown what came of Altaïr and the remaining Assassins after the Mongol siege.

Renaissance

During the early 16th century, over 250 years after the fortress was abandoned, the Mentor of the Assassin Order, Ezio Auditore, traveled to the mountain castle, to discover more about the Order's history. However, the village was crumbled and the castle was overrun with Templars. The Templars planned to gain an ancient artifact buried under the city, which could only be obtained using a set of five seals.

Layout

Masyaf was built onto a mountain nestled in the Orontes Valley, with a village at its base, and the Assassin fortress at the peak.

The village

The village was composed of several dozen small cottages at the far end of the village and a built on several slopes. While the village market was at its lower end, along with several resources for civilains: areas to store grain, basket weaver, etc. It appeared to also offer sanctuary to the citizens loyal to the Assassins' cause. Along with regular citizens, several Assassin scholars roamed the village, as well as patrolling Assassin guards.

The Fortress

File:5445488769 3a4b522de4 b.jpg

The Assassin's fortress.

At the peak of the mountain lay the Assassin fortress. Within the fortress there is a training ring in which the Assassins practiced combat. In addition to the training ring, the fortress housed Al Mualim's personal library as well as a magnificent garden. Inside the fortress library, one could witness the true scholarly habits of the Order, wherein instructors constantly maneuvered the shelves, seeking books to further their education on worldly politics, as well as the "Assassin's Creed." Al Mualim as well, delved into these books on a daily basis, constantly seeking knowledge to properly guide and educate the fearsome political warriors that faithfully served under him.

The fortress also housed accomodations for all the Assassins that resided there, as well as the Master's private chamber from the top of the fortress temple. Addtionally, several watchtowers surrounded the walls, each with Assassin archers posted around them.

Trivia

The Assassin's Fortress in Masyaf is very similar to Alamut Castle in Iran.
Masyaf is the first location that is encountered during the game after Solomon's Temple, and is also the smallest city outside the Kingdom.
There are no harassers of any sort in Masyaf (i.e. beggars, jar carriers, and guards blocking access).
Outside of Masyaf, there is a small part of the Kingdom controlled by the Assassins, where one can use Eagle Vision to locate an Assassin guard marked as an enemy.
During the siege of Masyaf, and during the mini cut-scene before the first Leap of Faith, you can see Assassins keeping watch over the lake below.
Although considered your allies (and indicated to be as such by eagle vision), guards in the city will fight you if provoked.
Despite the Third Tenet stating that you must not, indirectly or otherwise, harm your fellow Assassins, you can kill Masyaf guards with no synchronization penalty, and no mention is made by anyone.
The gardens behind the fortress (accessible after Tamir's assassination) are a reference to the legend of the secret Paradise behind the real Assassins' headquarters. The garden Paradise was supposedly an illusion created by Hassan-i Sabbah - the real Assassins' founder - in order to make his followers believe in his divine mission, and execute any order given (usually assassination attempts) without fear of death.
Masyaf guards sound exactly like the Saracen guards of Jerusalem or Damascus, even going so far as to use the same lines in combat such as "Infidel, die!" or "I'll have your head!". The same goes for the two novices fighting in the training arena.
Even though you are not supposed to use weapons inside the fortress (except the training area), you may push guards off the tower and watch them die from the fall without suffering a loss of synchronization.
Masyaf is the only Assassin headquarters in the Assassin's Creed series so far to have guards.
The Assassins' main headquarters during the Crusades and until the strike of the Mongol Empire was the Alamut fortress in Iran, but there are references to another headquarter in Syria.
Masyaf in Arabic (مصيف) translates to "summer resort" or "summer residence."

Gallery

Concept art of Masyaf.
Concept art of the city walls.

Concept art of the city walls.
Concept art of Assassins in Masyaf.
Concept art of the city walls.

Concept art of the city walls.
Map of Masyaf.
Masyaf, Panoramic.
Ezio Auditore at Masyaf.

Ezio Auditore at Masyaf.
The courtyard Assassins' insignia.

The courtyard Assassins' insignia.
Atair at Masyaf
Siege of Masyaf in Assassin's Creed

Siege of Masyaf in Assassin's Creed
Panoramic view of Masyaf interior
Panoramic view of lands around Masyaf
Masyaf village
Map showing the location of Assassins state

Map showing the location of Assassins state