Al Mualim

"I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing at the wind. For in much wisdom, is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow."

- Al Mualim.

Rashid ad-Din Sinan (unknown - 1191), also known as Al Mualim (English: The Mentor or The Master) and often nicknamed the Old Man of the Mountain, was the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins during the High Middle Ages until his death in 1191, and mentor to his successor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

He was also secretly a member of the Knights Templar. In his desire to obtain the Apple of Eden, he began to work with the organization that was once his sworn enemy. Rashid's teachings and work had a positive influence on the Assassins, up until his betrayal of the Order in 1191.

Siege of Masyaf
In 1176, Salah Al'din and his Saracen army laid siege to the fortress of Masyaf. Al Mualim, who was in charge of the Assassins at the time, had sent the Master Assassin Umar Ibn-La'Ahad to infiltrate the Saracen camp the following night.

While there, Umar was to leave a warning to Salah Al'din, using the information that was gathered by a spy who had infiltrated the camp. Umar was successful, and managed to leave a feather and dagger inside the warlord's tent. However, as he escaped, he was forced to kill a nobleman to prevent being captured.

The following day, Salah Al'din left the camp, leaving his son and second-in-command, Shihab Al'din, in charge. Shihab came over to negotiate peace, claiming that they would leave once the killer of the nobleman had been executed. They had found out about Umar because of the imprisonment of the spy, Ahmad Sofian. Al Mualim was reluctant to allow Umar, who begged for permission to do so, to take the place of Ahmad, but eventually relented. After the death of Umar, the Saracens left Masyaf.

Mentoring Altaïr and Abbas
"Altaïr, I have watched you grow from a boy to a man in so short a time, it fills me with as much sadness as pride."

- Al Mualim to Altaïr.

Out of grief for Umar's death, Ahmad killed himself in front of Umar's son, the young novice Altaïr. The shocked boy told Al Mualim of this, which resulted in Al Mualim taking the body away to cover up the suicide, and he told Altaïr that he would be training as an Assassin alongside Abbas Sofian. Al Mualim told Altaïr never to tell Abbas of his father's death, believing it to be best for Abbas. Al Mualim then became mentor to both Altaïr and Abbas.

In 1189, the Templars invaded Masyaf and managed to take Al Mualim prisoner. Haras, a Templar who had infiltrated the Assassin Order, ordered the execution of all Assassins that remained in the fortress. However, Al Mualim was saved by Altaïr, who managed to kill Haras from above. Walking with Altaïr, Al Mualim told him of the pride he felt for his actions, and how much the Assassin resembled his father.

Quest for the Chalice
"We treaded carelessly, they were following a man who was one of us."

- Al Mualim to Altaïr during the village attack.

In 1190, Al Mualim ordered Altaïr to find a Piece of Eden known as the Chalice, shortly after he returned from an earlier assignment. During this year, Al Mualim temporarily resided in the Assassin stronghold of Alep. His second-in-command at the time, Harash, sold out the Assassin Order to the Templars, but he was soon killed by Altaïr. Shortly after this event, Al Mualim relocated to Masyaf.

Defending Masyaf
"My men do not fear death, Robert, they welcome it and the rewards it brings!"

- Al Mualim shouting to Robert from the walls of Masyaf.

In 1191, Al Mualim sent Altaïr to retrieve a treasure beneath Solomon's Temple and bring it back to Masyaf. Altaïr was accompanied by two fellow Assassins on his journey, the brothers Malik and Kadar Al-Sayf. The mission, however, ended tragically, with Kadar losing his life, and Malik being brutally maimed due to Altaïr's disregard for the Creed.

When Altaïr reported his failure to Al Mualim, the master was infuriated, though his anger was curbed somewhat when Malik returned, revealing that he had managed to bring back the artifact. However, Robert de Sable and his Templars had followed the Assassin and, intent on recovering their treasure, moved for an attack on Masyaf.

Al Mualim spoke to Robert from the safety of the fortress walls, showcasing the dedication of his Assassins by ordering three of his men – Altaïr among them – to leap from a tower, supposedly to their deaths. He continued to hold their attention while Altaïr released a trap, killing and scattering the Templar forces.

Though Altaïr saved Masyaf, Al Mualim demoted him from Master Assassin to Novice, stripping him of most of his equipment, and his authority in the Order. Al Mualim then sent him to find the traitor who had opened the gates to let the Templars through.

Altaïr was successful and brought the traitor, Masun, before him. Al Mualim offered Masun a chance to renounce the evil in his heart, but when he did not, Al Mualim killed him where he stood.

Hunt for the Nine
"Your work has just begun, I hold here a list. Nine names adorn it, nine men who need to die."

- Al Mualim's offer to Altaïr.

Al Mualim offered Altaïr a chance at redemption, and showed him a list of nine men who needed to be eliminated. He claimed them to be tyrants of their cities, thus Altaïr's job was to assassinate them. After each kill, Altaïr was to report back to Al Mualim, whereupon he would be promoted a rank, and given a piece of equipment or taught a skill. Altaïr's first target was Tamir in Damascus, and after Tamir had been killed, Altaïr rode back to Masyaf to speak with Al Mualim.

Altaïr returned with questions, saying that Tamir had told him that he knew Al Mualim well, claiming that the deed Altaïr had just performed was leading to bigger things. Al Mualim responded that he was withholding the information to make sure Altaïr did not repeat his past mistakes.

After it was settled, a piece of Altaïr's equipment was restored, and he rode towards the city of Acre to slay Garnier de Naplouse. Once Garnier's life had been taken, and Altaïr had spoken with the Bureau leader, he rode back to Masyaf to inform Al Mualim of his progress.

Al Mualim waited for Altaïr, and when he arrived, Altaïr told Al Mualim about how some of Garnier's "patients" had treated Garnier as a friend. Al Mualim claimed that a leader could find ways to make others obey them and that Altaïr should trust his own senses, not the words of his targets. When they were finished, Altaïr was promoted once more and given another piece of equipment. He rode off to Jerusalem to take the life of Talal. After the assassination, he returned to Masyaf again.

As Altaïr approached Al Mualim, he told him that the task had been completed, and that Talal was dead. Al Mualim responded by telling Altaïr that King Richard was emboldened by his victory in Acre, and planned to move south towards Jerusalem. He stated that Salah Al'din was surely aware of that, as he had gathered his men at the broken citadel of Arsuf.

While Altaïr offered to kill both Richard and Salah Al'din, Al Mualim told him that it would create too much bloodshed, and groups would be scattered. He went on to say that he should concern himself on the main task at hand, before promoting Altaïr again and returning another piece of equipment.

Altaïr rode towards Damascus to kill Abu'l Nuqoud, the merchant king. Once he had finished his task and reported to the Bureau leader, he rode for Masyaf to speak with Al Mualim once again.

Al Mualim was waiting in a small corner of his library for Altaïr, believing that his apprentice's actions would no doubt provoke the peace they desired. When he arrived, Al Mualim gave him gratitude, both on behalf of himself, and of the realm.

Altaïr told Al Mualim about how his targets always seemed so sure of their victory. Al Mualim responded that, as an Assassin, it was their duty to notice and question. However, when Altaïr began to pose further questions, Al Mualim admonished him and simply told him to trust in his Master.

Altaïr was promoted again, and another weapon was returned to him. He then rode for Acre to slay William of Montferrat. Once the deed was done, Altaïr reported to the Bureau, then returned to Masyaf to make sense of the cryptic words presented to him by William.

Al Mualim waited for Altaïr in his study at Masyaf, where Altaïr reported as usual, though Al Mualim noticed that there was something on Altaïr's mind. Al Mualim told Altaïr to speak the troubles he had, and Altaïr demanded direct answers from him, claiming that Al Mualim only gave him riddles in exchange.

Threatening to stop killing his targets if he did not receive answers, Altaïr went on to ask what bound the men he had been killing. Al Mualim threatened Altaïr with a blade, but Altaïr called his bluff, and remarked that if any other Assassin could complete the task he had been given, he would have been dead already.

Al Mualim finally conceded, and told Altaïr that the men he had been striking down were all Templars. After this, Al Mualim told Altaïr that his assignment had not changed, but merely the context. With the matter settled, Altaïr was promoted and granted another weapon, with Al Mualim asking him how he had known he would not kill him. Altaïr admitted that he had not known, and had simply taken a leap of faith. Altaïr then rode off to take the life of Majd Addin, the regent of Jerusalem, and after the assassination had been completed, he traveled towards Masyaf.

Al Mualim greeted Altaïr, and Altaïr told him that Majd Addin's blood had been spilled. Altaïr tried to piece everything together, with Al Mualim continuing to outline the situation for him, claiming that the Templars desired control, and the ultimate creation of a supposed "New World."

Al Mualim then gave Altaïr a glimpse of the Piece of Eden, claiming that it was what had started the Trojan War, and what had enabled Jesus to turn water into wine. Although unknown to Altaïr at the time, Al Mualim tried to use the artifact's power on Altaïr, though it proved ineffective.

Altaïr gained another rank and another piece of equipment, then rode towards Damascus to assassinate Jubair al Hakim, the chief of the scholars. Once he had finished his mission and had exchanged words with the Bureau leader, Altaïr reported back to Al Mualim.

Al Mualim welcomed Altaïr home, and Altaïr pondered why Jubair's and Sibrand's lives needed to be taken. Al Mualim responded, saying that their lives should be ended, as they would have paved the way for change, in which problems were not given cause or reason to be intervened.

Al Mualim told Altaïr that the final man, Sibrand, was the last one left standing between Altaïr and Robert. Al Mualim promoted Altaïr and gave him a piece of equipment, after which Altaïr rode for Acre to kill Sibrand. Once Altaïr completed the task and had spoken to the Bureau leader, he made haste back to Masyaf to speak with the Mentor. Al Mualim waited for Altaïr's arrival, and they discussed the last name on Al Mualim's list, Robert de Sable. Al Mualim claimed that once Robert tasted the Piece of Eden's power, he saw not a weapon to be destroyed, but a tool to be used.

Al Mualim went on, saying that Robert's life ambition of power would be completed if he got his hands on the treasure again. Al Mualim at last sent Altaïr to take Robert's life, giving Altaïr a Syrian sword to help him on his journey.

When Robert was fatally stabbed by Altaïr's blade, the dying Grand Master revealed Al Mualim to be a Templar. Robert claimed that the only difference between him and Al Mualim was that Al Mualim refused to share the power of the Piece of Eden.

Death
Altaïr hurried back to Masyaf, only to find that the people in the city had been put under a hypnotic trance by Al Mualim. Only he and a few of his fellow Assassins remained unaffected by the Piece of Eden. After reaching the fortress gardens by dispatching several of Al Mualim's pawns, Altaïr confronted his Master, who used the power of the Piece of Eden to restrain his former student. Al Mualim taunted Altaïr from the balcony above, and Altaïr questioned him about his motives.

Al Mualim replied that he had found proof that "nothing is true and everything is permitted." He then created illusions of the nine men Altaïr had killed, and sent them to battle him. Despite being outnumbered, Altaïr defeated these copies, though he was soon bound by the artifact again. Al Mualim repeated his trick, creating several replicas of himself. However, the young Assassin managed to defeat all of them.

Binding Altaïr with the Piece of Eden's power once again, Al Mualim explained his motives; that he sought the same as Robert, but wanted the artifact for himself, hence using his apprentice to kill the Templars. Altaïr questioned why Al Mualim had allowed him to retain his mind, and the Mentor admitted that he had tried, but failed, due to his student's strength of mind.

Al Mualim explained that the artifact was behind all the legends and religious mysteries in history. Concluding they were at an end, Al Mualim and Altaïr dueled for the last time. Though attacking with skill, Al Mualim was able to counter many of Altaïr's attacks, and use the Piece of Eden to teleport across the garden. However, eventually Altaïr bested his Master.

As he died, Al Mualim claimed that he had done it all to ensure absolute peace in the world, and claimed that Altaïr would not be able to destroy the Piece of Eden.

After his death, Altaïr took his rank as the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins and burned the body of his former master in a precaution to determine whether or not his body was real, or a phantom of the Apple of Eden. However, many of his fellow Assassins refused to accept Al Mualim's betrayal, and rioted in protest against Altaïr for some time.

Characteristics and personality
"Why not share what you have learned with everyone, like a proper Assassin? Why not share with your brothers the true extent of your ambition? Where is your sense of fraternity?"

- Haras' skeptical outlook on Al Mualim's persona.

Al Mualim, though known for being a wise and soft-spoken leader, at times showed himself to be mysterious and unpredictable. He never spoke of anything too personal or suspicious about himself, changing the subject or giving an unexpected answer when people started questioning him deeply.

He revealed little about himself, thus almost nothing is known about his early life, let alone anything beyond his duty as the Master of the Assassins. By his efforts, the Order became a well-known, yet obscure faction, inspiring fear and uncertainty throughout the land, and spreading rumors that only increased the already legendary reputation of the Brotherhood.

As an educated man, Al Mualim placed importance on education, spending much of his time in the Masyaf fortress, studying the books of the library. He had a thorough understanding of a variety of subjects, ranging from philosophy to science. In addition to preaching the Brotherhood's goal of peace in all things, he emphasized that the Creed pushed for peace within as well; on one occasion he advised Altaïr not to demonize his enemies.

Final words
(Al Mualim collapses. The Piece of Eden falls from his hand and rolls away.) (Altaïr approaches the Piece of Eden.)
 * Al Mualim: Impossible! The student does not defeat the teacher!
 * Altaïr: Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine. (Nothing is true, everything is permitted.)
 * Al Mualim: So it seems. You have won, then. Go and claim your prize.
 * Altaïr: You held fire in your hand, old man. It should have been destroyed!
 * Al Mualim: Destroy the only thing capable of ending the Crusades and creating true peace?! Never!
 * Altaïr: Then I will!
 * Al Mualim: We'll see about that...
 * Al Mualim: I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing at wind... for in much wisdom... is much grief. And he that increaseth knowledge... increaseth sorrow.
 * Al Mualim: Destroy it! Destroy it as you said you would!
 * Altaïr: I... I can’t!
 * Al Mualim: Yes you can, Altaïr... but you won’t.

Trivia

 * Despite being Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, Al Mualim appeared to have all ten fingers but this error has been fixed in Assassin's Creed: Revelations as well as all other Assassins in Masyaf.
 * In the Penny Arcade Assassin's Creed comic, the target that Altaïr hunts implied that some Assassins, including Altaïr himself, saw Al Mualim as a father figure. This is shown when he tells him, "For I think I see Al Mualim's face in yours."
 * When Altaïr used Eagle Vision after conversing about the nine targets, Al Mualim is marked with blue, the color of an ally, despite being revealed to be a Templar in the end.
 * If the player countered Al Mualim with their sword and he disappears, you can stop him from disappearing again by hitting him with a throwing knife.
 * In Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles (set in 1190), Al Mualim was shown with a short black beard and dressed in merchant-like robes. However, in Revelations, he was already shown with his iconic gray beard in 1189.
 * For Assassin's Creed: Revelations, Al Mualim had numerous changes to his appearance, with the addition of reddish tinge and several patterns imprinted on his robes, which was now closer to gray than black, as well as an altered face with a shorter beard. Also, Al Mualim now lacked his ring finger, a correction made to all Assassins in Masyaf.