The Creed
The Creed was the code and guiding philosophy of the Assassin's Order.
The Tenets of the Creed
The Creed was an unwritten set of rules orally passed down from generation to generation among the brotherhood and known by every member of the order. It focused on three simple tenets that focused on a successful mission and ensured the safety of the brotherhood.
Stay your 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 towards spreading strife and discord, rather than peace.
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 these tenets as well, to stay synchronized with his ancestor's memories in the Animus.
If the player makes Altaïr break the first Tenet (hurt or kill innocent people) he loses one Synchronization and then five.
For the second tenet, be discreet- do not draw attention to yourself unless necessary. Use low profile actions when possible, blend with the people, take advantage of Scholars.
The 3rd Tenet is simple. Your actions must never come to harm the Brotherhood, directly or indirectly. An example of this is that you will not be able to enter to the Assassins' bureau when you are Exposed because this would cause the guards to discover it.