The Secret Crusade
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The Secret Crusade (Italian: La Crociata Segreta) was a detailed study on the life of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, written by Niccolò Polo.
Owners
- Niccolò Polo (author; 1257 – ?)[1]
- Cem (? – 25 February 1495)[2]
- Spanish Inquisition (1495)[3]
- Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order (1495 – c. 1509)[4]
- Leandros (c. 1509 – March 1511)[5]
- Ezio Auditore da Firenze (March 1511 – ?)[5]
History
Middle Ages
In 1257, Niccolò and his brother Maffeo Polo were invited to stay at the Assassin Order's fortress of Masyaf in Syria. Having been visited by Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's son Darim in their home in Constantinople, they journeyed to Masyaf, where Niccolò had various discussions with Altaïr about the latter's life. As a result, Niccolò wrote these stories down in a journal, which ended up covering all of the Assassin's key moments. Niccolò also wrote about Altaïr's library hidden in Masyaf.[1]
The journal also acted as a sort of diary, giving details of the Polo brothers' actions during their stay in the village and their journey to Constantinople, where they hid the keys to Altaïr's library. Niccolò intended to pass the journal to his son, Marco.[1]
Renaissance
During the late 15th century, the journal had come in the possession of the exiled Ottoman prince Cem, a Templar who was imprisoned in Europe. Shortly before being killed by the Italian Assassins in February 1495, Cem revealed the journal's existence to his nephew Ahmet, heir to the Ottoman throne and the future Grand Master of the Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order.[2]
In 1495, the journal fell into the hands of the Spanish Inquisition. Not understanding its true value, they were prepared to trade it to agents of the Byzantine Templars. Through a Templar turncoat, Aleksei Zima, the Ottoman Brotherhood of Assassins learned of these plans.[6] Aleksei, along with the Ottoman Mentor Ishak Pasha, the Mentor's bodyguard Murat Bin Husn, and the Assassin Yusuf Tazim, traveled to Spain and cooperated with their Spanish brethren to thwart the deal.[3] However the trade, which had already taken place, was a trap,[4] and the Assassins were forced to escape from an ambush.[7]
With the journal, Ahmet learned more about Altaïr's library and wanted to open it to find the Grand Temple and unify humankind by destroying all division.[8] By 1509, after discovering one of the Masyaf Keys, Ahmet passed the journal to the Byzantine captain Leandros, who headed an expedition to Masyaf's fortress.[9] He kept the journal until March 1511, when he was killed by the Italian Mentor Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who was on a quest to enter the library as well.[5]
Learning that the keys to Altaïr's library were located in Constantinople after reading the journal, Ezio set out on a journey to the city, while continuing to read the journal along the way.[1] Arriving two months later, the Mentor met Yusuf Tazim, who was by now the leader of the Ottoman Assassins. During a conversation, Ezio showed the journal to Yusuf, who claimed to have never seen it before.[10]
Gallery
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Ezio telling Yusuf about the journal
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ottoman Connection (mentioned only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Recollection
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ottoman Connection – Uncovering Clues
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ottoman Connection – A Bad Deal
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Assassin's Creed: Revelations – The Wounded Eagle
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – Database: Aleksei Zima
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ottoman Connection – Expert Escape
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Discovery
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – A Journal of Some Kind
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Bomb Crafting
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