Assassin bureau

"You must now report to each Bureau leader before carrying out your task."

- Al Mualim

An Assassins' Bureau was an Assassin-controlled safehouse located in the three cities of Acre, Damascus, and Jerusalem during the Third Crusade. It served as a safe haven for Assassins (such as Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad) during assassination missions, and were similar to the Resistance safehouses found in Cyprus.

Characteristics
The Assassins' Bureau was more or less a sanctuary for Assassin Instructors in the field, and the Assassin's Order in general. Inside each Bureau, resided a Bureau leader. The Bureau leaders (Rafiqs) would often provide Altaïr (and other Assassins) with useful hints as to where to gather information on an assassination target. Once the information was gathered, and approved by the Bureau leaders, an Assassins was given a feather to soak in the blood of his target as proof of his success.

The entrance to the Assassins' Bureau was located on its roof, most likely as a measure to prevent curious citizens, or more importantly, the city guards, from stumbling upon it. The Assassins' Bureau was also a place where weapons and other useful equipment were constructed. The Bureau could also be used for Assassins to physically and mentally prepare themselves with sleep and meditation.

Building
The exterior of the building was quite discreet, resembling that of common construction, although it did not have any obvious windows or doors. The entrance was located on the roof, which could be reached by either climbing the walls or via a ladder located in an entry alley.

Main chamber
The main chamber served as the entrance to the Bureau, and was a small living area comprised of two fountains, potted plants and several pillows and carpets. This place was intended as a location for Assassins to rest before and after assassinations, allowing them to wait for the appropriate moment to strike, or for the dust to settle after an assassination.

The walls were decorated with hanging carpets and the Assassin insignia, while the ceiling was grated with an opening that acted as an entrance into the Bureau. When the city guards were on alert, the opening was closed with a grated panel.

Bureau Leader's chamber
The Bureau leader's chamber was adjacent to the main chamber. From behind a stand, the leader addressed those who would come to speak with him, whilst also studying and attending to the needs of the Assassins' operations in that respective city.

Behind the desk were bookshelves and closets, where registries of missions were kept. The books and scrolls the leader has access to were also located in this area. Across the room, a raised walkway held weapons and books, items that assisted Assassins in their missions.

Known Bureau leaders

 * Malik Al-Sayf (Jerusalem)
 * Jabal (Acre)
 * Unknown, referred to only as 'Rafiq' (Damascus)

Trivia

 * Altaïr may return to the Bureau any time to restock on throwing knives.
 * The Bureau's entrance will be closed when your current social status is exposed, to prevent guards from discovering the Bureau and subsequently violating the tenets of the Creed.
 * The Acre Bureau is lined with books while the Damascus Bureau is lined with pottery.
 * There is a checker board inside the Assassins' Bureau located in Damascus.