Quest for the Chalice
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After receiving his orders from Al Mualim on the fortress of Alep, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was tasked to search for a powerful artifact that was in the possession of the Templars called the Chalice. After preparing his equipment, he began his quest, and started at the city of Damascus.
Damascus
The Rafiq's challenge
- Altaïr: "Old man, I have a message for you: A cat's dream is filled with mice."
- Man: "Not here, you fool! Ladies, you must excuse me!"
- —Altaïr, upon meeting his contact in Damascus
Arriving at the city of Damascus, Altaïr located one of the assassin's rafiqs, who was selling clothes and rugs to the citizens of Damascus. Altaïr confronted him, and uttered out an irrelevant statement, which acted as the assassin's password. The man reprimanded Altaïr for his wrong timing, before leaving his small stand and returning to the bureau.
Inside the bureau, the rafiq began his tirade, stating that Altaïr acted ridiculously and stupidly upon their first meeting, and also reprimanded him for not showing any respect to those like him, which led him to doubt the assassin's abilities. He then gave Altaïr a task, a challenge for the assassin in order to gain the information he sought for. He has been tasked to assassinate one of their enemies by the large gate within the city. He further instructed him to meet him at the end of the street once he is done, and report his success.
After receiving his new orders, Altaïr made his way out of the bureau and into the city to begin his search for the man pointed out by the rafiq. After scouring the city thoroughly, Altaïr located the man he was tasked to kill, and assassinated him with his hidden blade. Leaving the area before the guards could catch up to him, Altaïr fled to the rooftops, where he met up with the rafiq. Impressed, the rafiq instructed him to meet up inside the bureau, to discuss Altaïr's initial mission.
Greed's end
- Tamir: "My beautiful carpets! The Venetian Silverware! All gone!"
- Altaïr: "Surely, you can buy them back...."
- Tamir: "What....Who's there!?"
- —Tamir and Altaïr's initial meeting
Within the bureau, Altaïr told the rafiq of his initial task to find the artifact known as the Chalice. The rafiq figured as much, for Altaïr was not the first man sent by Al Mualim to find the artifact. Rafiq told him of a merchant named Tamir who lived in Damascus, and also had connections with the Templars. He told him the location of his house, which lied somewhere in the district, but also warned him of the danger in invading his home, for it was heavily guarded. Altaïr suspected that there was a man who held information regarding a way in, to which the rafiq replied with glee that there was a man who knew of such way.
The rafiq told Altaïr of a man named Misbah, a merchant who had good ties with Tamir. He told him to locate Misbah and question him of a way in. Altaïr complies to this, and quickly leaves the bureau to scour the city for Misbah. After a thorough search, Altaïr manages to locate Misbah, who was taking a quick stroll around the city. Making his way from the rooftops to the ground, Altaïr confronts Misbah, who demanded for a way inside. Denying any knowledge, Altaïr interrogates him, forcing him to reveal what he knows.
As he did however, the city guards were alerted of the assassin's presence, and proceeded to apprehend him. Altaïr drew his sword in order to fight back against the guards. With the assassin fending off the guards, Misbah quickly fled the scenario and hid himself atop the rooftops. Dispatching the guards, Altaïr made his way to the rooftops, where he looked for Misbah. Arriving at the edge of a tall building, Altaïr located Misbah, who hid right above him. As he tried to cross a narrow beam, the structure fell apart, causing the roof and the beam to break and fall, leaving Misbah hanging from a rope. Altaïr saw an opportunity, and offered Misbah his assistance in exchange for information regarding a way in Tamir's house.
Misbah continued to deny any information regarding a way in. With his grip slipping further and further, Misbah was forced to reveal what he knows. He denied of a definite way in, but told him of the merchant's stock of oil, kept in barrels at the small terrace located at the top of his home. Misbah told him to light the barrels and lure Tamir out of his home. After revealing what he knew, he begged Altaïr for assistance, but the assassin refused to comply, leaving Misbah to his fate.
After learning of a way to get close to Tamir, Altaïr made his way to the merchant's home through the rooftops. Arriving at the small terrace atop the merchant's home, Altaïr located a small box of fire torches, much to his convenience. Using these torches, the assassin lit the merchant's house on fire, effectively luring Tamir out of his house. Leaving the burning building, Tamir angrily demanded the guards to put out the fire before it swallows his home. As he grieved over his belongings, Altaïr made his appearance, and stood before Tamir. Threatened by the assassin, Tamir is forced to reveal what he knows.
He told Altaïr of an ancient temple at the midst of the desert, where the Chalice is located. He continues, and told Altaïr that, in order to gain access into the temple, he needed three keys, one of which belonged to a dancer Tamir knew of, a woman named Fajera who thought herself a butterfly. After revealing what he knew, Tamir demanded Altaïr that he let him go, but the assassin complied by putting his blade through the merchant's throat. The guards arrived at the scenario, greeted by the sight of Tamir's dead body. Altaïr, after dispatching the guards, returned to the Rafiq and told him of what he had learned.
Circus act
Returning to the bureau, Altaïr consulted with the rafiq, and asked him if he knew of a dancer named Fajera. The Rafiq let out a brief chuckle, and said that Tamir had a good sense of humor. The Rafiq told Altaïr that Fajera was a circus dancer, who was part of the circus near the district. With the rafiq pointing the way to the circus, Altaïr leaves the bureau in order to confront the woman.
Arriving at the circus tent, Altaïr confronts Fajera, who claimed that his cards foresaw the coming of the assassin. Altaïr demanded an answer from her, asking if she held with her the key to the temple, but refused to comply. She then called the attention of one of her circus friends, a brute named Badr. Altaïr told the towering man to step aside, but the brute refused to cooperate, and abruptly begins a fight, as Fajera leave the tent. Despite Altaïr's size disadvantage, he was able to outsmart the brute, and managed to defeat him, as the tent started to fall and crumble.
Altaïr left the tent before in collapsed, leaving the body of Badr under the rubble. Preparing himself, Altaïr proceeded to chase down Fajera, who was fleeing the district. Altaïr trudged a difficult path, with civilians throwing rocks at him and guards after him, Altaïr passed through the city while everyone around him was against him. After a long chase, Fajera crossed a crumbling bridge and managed to make it through, leaving Altaïr behind, as she continued to taunt the assassin, and as the gates closed behind her. Using the tool given to him by the rafiq, Altaïr made his way through the other side of the bridge, and scaled up to the buildings in order to pass through the gate.
Locating Fajera by a well, Altaïr confronted the dancer, demanding the key to the temple. Fajera, impressed by the assassin's actions, gladly gave the key to the assassin. Altaïr was confused by the dancer's actions. Fajera explained that she was actually testing Altaïr. She continued, explaining that through her cards, she foresaw the coming of the assassin, and thought that she best prepare herself in aiding the assassin. She then asked Altaïr to dispose of a man named Alaat, who was within a bathhouse not too far from where they were.
Altaïr asked how was he to find a way inside a bathhouse, to which Fajera pointed out that there is a way through some old sewer tunnels that lied beneath Damascus. Fajera pointed Altaïr the way to the entrance of the sewer. Bidding Altaïr good luck, Fajera leaves Altaïr to his task, as the assassin made his way to the sewer. After trudging through the complicated structure of the sewers, Altaïr found the entrance to the bathhouse. There, he found Alaat, resting within the warm waters. Surprised by the assassin's sudden appearance, Alaat called out a desperate cry for help, but this was to be his last words, as the assassin plunged his blade into the man, killing him.
As the guards arrived, Altaïr drew his sword, and repelled their attacks. As the assassin fled the scenario, he meets up with Fajera, whom he reported to. As a way of saying thank you, Fajera told Altaïr of the one of the key holder's location, which was within the city of Tyre. After this, Altaïr leaves for the city of Tyre, as Fajera bid him good luck.
Tyre
Altaïr arrived at the city of Tyre, as he recollect on his past endeavors on the city. The only difference he noticed was the increase of guards, which led him to make his way through the city on the rooftops. He first decided to meet up with the assassin's rafiq of Tyre, Hamid. After a long way through the city, and a brief civilian conflict, Altaïr manages to locate Hamid, who was spying on the hospital from afar.
He told him that a man named Roland Napule has held the key holder captive within his own hospital. He also remarked that one of his men tried to gain entrance into the Hospital, but never returned. When asked for a way in, Hamid told him of an old sewer system that lied beneath the city, that leads a way into the hospital. Altaïr also needed a key to get inside the sewers. Stealing the key of the keeper, who was stationed nearby, Altaïr managed to get inside the sewer.
As he progressed through the old sewers, Altaïr encountered Templar guards who were patrolling the area. After dispatching them, Altaïr presumed that Roland knew of the secret entrance, and had guards posted all across the sewers.
The Templar Hospital
- Altaïr: "End of the road, Templar!"
- Roland: "I'll see you in hell, Assassin!"
- —Roland's last words to Altaïr
As it turned out, Altaïr's assumptions was true, as more Templar soldiers were stationed all across the sewer system. Navigating through the complex sewers and the dangerous obstacles that lay before him, Altaïr stumbles upon an old crypt, with the Templar's insignia embedded upon the stone fireplace. Disposing of the nearby guards that caught sight of him, Altaïr solved the crypt's puzzle, and triggered an old mechanism that paved the way into the hospital.
Making his way to the passageway, Altaïr managed to locate Roland, who was interrogating the key holder, demanding the old man for the key. As he did, his guards caught sight of the assassin, and drew their weapons in order to combat Altaïr. The assassin, with his sword in hand, fought the Templar men, and successfully dispatched them. Roland, who tried to escape, then met his end by the hands of the assassin. Altaïr then returned to the first chamber and confronted the prisoner.
Altaïr introduced himself as a member of the assassins, and asked if he could have the key to the Temple. The man doubted the assassin's appearance, and presumed that he is a Templar. The man wanted proof that he is of the assassin order, but Altaïr remarked that he had none. The man, seeing a way to prove Altaïr's allegiance, asked for his left hand. Seeing the hidden blade mounted on the assassin's wrist, the man knew where Altaïr's loyalty lied.
The man then handed Altaïr the key to the temple, and as Altaïr thanked him, the man revealed that the final key was in the possession of Lord Basilisk himself, whom he last saw at the city of Jerusalem. After freeing the man, Altaïr bid his farewells, as he made his way to Jerusalem, in order to confront Basilisk.
Jerusalem
The City Gardens
- Altaïr: "Tell me where the king is having his party this evening."
- Ayman: "I don't have to tell you anything, begone!"
- Altaïr: "I'm not a Djinn for you to order around."
- —Altaïr and Ayman's exchange of words at the gardens of Jerusalem
Altaïr arrived at the bureau in Jerusalem, and have met up with the local rafiq, Kadar. The assassin asked where can he find Lord Basilisk. Kadar remarked that his fierceness and feral bravado in battle has earned him the trust of the King, meaning Basilisk is frequently idling by with the King's audience. As the assassin pondered over a way to get closer to Basilisk, Kadar informed him of the an upcoming party hosted by the King himself, meaning that he will be sending invitations to some of the citizens. In order to locate the location of the party, Altaïr needed to eavesdrop on some citizens.
Kadar then told Altaïr of the city gardens located in Jerusalem, where gossip is mostly heard. Learning the location, Altaïr headed off to the city gardens, in order to learn more of the location of the party. After dealing with the city guards, and trudging through the rooftops of Jerusalem, Altaïr managed to make his way to the garden, where people filled the corners. In order to learn more, he had to eavesdrop on the civilians conversations. After coming across a few civilians, he eventually learned information regarding one of the king's guest. One man made mention of a man named Ayman, who was invited to the king's party. Based on the civilian's conversation, Ayman was located at the other side of the gardens, taking a quick stroll.
Learning what he needed, Altaïr crossed the small, curved stream that served as the gap between the two sides of the garden, evading the falling boulders that rolled down the curved stream. Managing to evade the boulders, Altaïr made it through alive and well. As he scoured the area, he located and confronted Ayman. The civilian, whom at first was hesitant, eventually cracked, and told Altaïr of the party's location, which was at a villa north of the gardens. Pretending that he never knew Ayman, Altaïr walked away as if nothing happened, as the assassin and the civilian parted ways. After making his way out of the gardens, Altaïr arrived at the front of the villa.
Confrontation with Basilisk
- Basilisk: "A challenge, finally!"
- Altaïr: "Not really, Basilisk. I'm not here for you..."
- —Altaïr and Basilisk, exchanging words at the underground area of the villa
As he inspected the entrance of the villa, Altaïr noticed that the only way in is through the front entrance, which was guarded by several soldiers. Seeing no other way in, Altaïr went through the front entrance, and dispatched the soldiers that stood in his wake. After handling the guards and navigating through the rooftops of the villa, Altaïr fell through an unstable wooden platform that caused him to plummet down into the building. The guards that was stationed in the building saw him, but was quickly routed by the assassin. As he inspected the area, Altaïr made contact with one of the king's men, who also happened to be one of the rafiq's own.
The man told the assassin of a secret passage that was built for those who needed a way in and out of the villa. He continued, telling Altaïr of an old mechanism that reveals the entrance to the passage, shown after pressing down the four floor panels at the same time, that lied somewhere up ahead. Altaïr needed to find a way to press the four panels all at once. Altaïr told the man that Kadar was looking for him, but told the assassin that he cannot leave for the time being. The man told Altaïr to assure Kadar that he is safe, and he will make his return shortly. After this, the two parted ways, as Altaïr made his way further into the villa.
Seeing the way in from afar,which was submerged in water, Altaïr found a way to activate the mechanism by placing the wooden crates located nearby onto the four panels. After dispatching the nearby guards and placing all of the wooden crates, Altaïr made his way inside the secret passageway. Triggering another mechanism, Altaïr had to use a throwing knife in order to activate one of the structure's trigger mechanism. Trudging through the passageway, Altaïr eventually arrived at the end of the passageway, that lead into a rotating stone wall. Activating the trigger, the stone wall paved the way forward, and as Altaïr came out of the darkness, he saw the man he sought for: Lord Basilisk.
Seeing a challenge within the assassin, Basilisk drew his weapon and prepared to duel Altaïr. The assassin on the other hand, was not so ecstatic, as he only sought the key. Regardless, Basilisk engaged the assassin in combat. Altaïr, barely holding Basilisk off, managed to land blows onto the man. As the fight continued, Altaïr, climbing Basilisk's back, managed to steal the key that was wrapped around his neck. After this, the assassin made his escape, as Basilisk watch him leave, while calling desperately for the guards to show.
Into the Tower
As Altaïr set his foot onto the streets of Jerusalem once more, he made his way to the bureau in order to sought out the rafiq. But what greeted him was the sight of Templars nearly murdering the rafiq. The soldiers told him to back off, and as they leave, Altaïr comes to the aid of the rafiq, barely alive from his injuries. The man told him of a map that detailed the way to the Temple of the Sand, found by one of his men, which was just taken by the Templars through force. He told the assassin of their destination, a tall tower located somewhere in Jerusalem. Taking responsibility, Altaïr set off and scoured the city for the Templars that took the map that he needed.
Locating the men that took the map, he eavesdropped on them from the rooftops while they were discussing their next step. One of them decided that it is best to leave the map to the care of the fastest soldier from the three of them, while the other two take care of the assassin. With a knight taking responsibility over the delivery of the map to the tower, Altaïr quickly fled the scenario in order to intercept the knight before he makes his way into the tower. Fending off more of the guards, and evading the violent civilians, Altaïr arrived at the front of the tower, but made it too late, for the knight managed to make his way into the heavily guarded military compound, that lead the way to the tower.
As the knight warned his men of the assassin's presence, Altaïr managed to sneak inside the compound undetected, but was soon spotted by several crossbowmen from afar. The knight managed to deliver the map as Altaïr trudged across the compound's complex structures and passes, all the while evading the traps set by the soldiers. After dispatching the knight who took the map, and the soldiers with him, Altaïr made his way to the tower. There, he confronted the master of the tower.