Tamir

"You think me some petty death-dealer, suckling at the breast of war? A strange target, don't you think? Why me, when so many others do the same?"

- Tamir on his death.

Tamir (c. 1147 - 1191) was a member of the Templar Order, and a well-known black market merchant based in the poor district of Damascus, Syria during the Third Crusade.

He was the first target assigned to the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, in his pursuit of redemption, and the first major Templar killed in his quest.

Life as a black market merchant
Tamir ran the largest black market in Damascus from the Souk Al-Silaah and sold to both Crusaders and Saracens. Some remarked that it may have been the most sizable underground trade in battle arms in the Holy Land.

Tamir was able to acquire almost anything, as long as his buyer was willing to pay the price, but specializing in weapons and armor. He made no apologies for being a death-dealer, and seemed proud of the countless lives that were taken by his weapons. He had no morals and was prepared to do whatever he deemed necessary to increase his profits.

Death
"You will pay for this. You and all your kind."

- Tamir, moments before passing away.

After having learned much about Tamir through his investigations, Altaïr moved into an ornate, sunken courtyard, ready to assassinate Tamir. Tamir arrived shortly afterwards, arguing with one of his merchants. The merchant claimed that he could not supply the large order that Tamir had demanded of him, stating that Tamir was asking for too much. Tamir, outraged at this excuse, pressed forward, spat in the merchant's face, and drew a knife.

Following this, Tamir began to mercilessly slice into the merchant, until a final stab sent the man sprawling into the fountain, his blood pooling into the water. Afterwards, Tamir stopped one of his guards from removing the body, saying that it would serve as a lesson for others. He then set off to inspect the other merchant stands in the courtyard.

The crowd dispersed, and Altaïr quietly moved behind Tamir and executed him with his Hidden Blade. During his last moments, Tamir claimed his motives to be far nobler than that of profit, stating that he had merely a part to play in his Brotherhood's plan. Soon after, Tamir perished and Altaïr was left to escape from the man's guards.

Personality and characteristics
Tamir was a proud but cold-hearted taskmaster, who would not take "no" for an answer. He had high expectations, and was vicious in punishing those who could not meet them; brutally killing the merchant who could not complete the weapons order for his Templar brethren.

Unknown to the general population of Damascus, Tamir secretly worked with the Templars, and even at death's door, he insisted his cause was noble. He understood that he was merely a pawn, and warned Altaïr that the "others" would not take kindly to his assassination.

Tamir wore an auburn brown turban with a tint of yellow around it, accompanied by loose pantaloons that were a lighter shade of brown, with dark golden inscriptions surrounding them. Additionally, Tamir often wore a long, rust-colored embroidered tunic, which hung almost up to his knees.

From there, he also wore an orange leather belt with a darker yellow pair of shoes. He was of tall stature, and had a dark brown mustache.

Final words

 * Altaïr: Be at peace.
 * Tamir: You'll pay for this. You and all your kind.
 * Altaïr: It seems you're the one who pays now, my friend. You'll not profit from suffering any longer.
 * Tamir: You think me some petty death-dealer, suckling at the breast of war!? A strange target, don't you think? Why me, when so many others do the same?
 * Altaïr: You believe yourself different, then?
 * Tamir: Oh but I am, for I serve a far nobler cause than mere profit. Just like my brothers.
 * Altaïr: Brothers?
 * Tamir: Ah, but he thinks I act alone. I am but a piece, a man with a part to play. You'll come to know the others soon enough... they won't take kindly to what you've done!
 * Altaïr: Good. I look forward to ending their lives as well!
 * Tamir: Such pride. It will destroy you, child...

Trivia

 * Tamir, תָּמִיר, is a Hebrew name meaning "stately, wealthy", and is related to the female name Tamar, תמר, which means "date, date palm, palm tree."
 * Tamir had his own personal bodyguards, who were dressed in crimson red and gold lined uniforms. He was one of five out of the nine to have personal bodyguards, the others being Talal, Abu'l Nuqoud, Majd Addin, and Jubair al Hakim.
 * In the mobile game, he was called "Tamir Bin Musa." Bin is colloquialism of ibn, "son of", whereas Musa is an Arabic variant of the name Moses.