The Creed
The Creed was the code and guideline philosofy of the Assassin's Order
Tenets
The Creed was an unwritten, verbally passed set of rules known by every member of the guild of assassins. It focused on three simple tenets that vised a successful mission and ensured the safety of the brotherhood.
Stay the blade from the flesh of the innocent
- "That man had no need to die!"
- ―Malik at Solomon's Temple
The goal of the assassins is to ensure peace in all things, and slaying innocents and bystanders who do not need to die goes a long way to not help it.
Do not draw attention to yourself
- "Let the people mask you such that you become one with the crowd."
- ―Al Mualim
Hide in plain sight.
Never compromise the brotherhood
- "Your actions have put us all in grave danger! For that, you must be punished! I'm sorry, child."
- ―Al Mualim before fakely stabbing Altaïr
The actions of one must never bring harm to all.
Assassin's Creed
During an extremely important mission at Solomon's Temple, Altaïr breaks all three tenets, and fails the mission. The Templar Treasure seemed lost forever- until a gravely wounded Malik showed up with it.
Believing that the failure was caused by his breaking of the Tenets, Al Mualim strips Altaïr of all his weapons and equipment, demoting him to Novice rank. Altaïr then had to earn his way back to the top of the order.
Desmond must follow those creeds too, to stay synchronized with his ancestor's memory in the Animus.
If the player makes Altaïr break the first Tenet (hurt or kill innocent people) he loses one Synchronization and then five.
Be discreet- do not draw attention to yourself unless necessary. Use low profile actions when possible, blend with the people, take advantage of Scholars.
This Tenet is simple. Your actions must never come to harm the Brotherhood, direct or indirect. An example of this is that you will not be able to enter to the assassin´s bureau when you are Exposed because this would cause the guards to discover it.