Novice

"You are a novice, a child once more, as you were on the day you first joined our Order."

- Al Mualim to Altaïr after the Siege of Masyaf

Novice was the lowest rank in the Assassin Order.

Late Middle Ages
Novices had neither the use of a Short Blade, Longsword, Throwing Knives, or Hidden Blade. They were also unable to use the abilities Counter Attack, Counter Grab, Defense Break, Dodge, or Climb Walls. For the user, the base Synchronization was lowest when Altaïr was first demoted to Novice rank. They were mostly only limited to possessing Investigation abilities, such as Eavesdropping, Pickpocketing or Interrogation.

Altaïr was demoted to Novice after his spectacular failure to follow the Assassin's Creed at Solomon's Temple, and the subsequent Templar attack on Masyaf. Al Mualim originally intended to execute him for treason, but instead stripped him of his Master rank, and forced him to become a Novice once again, in hopes of refining his talents. He charged him with nine - unbeknownst to him - Templar targets, the assassination of which would allow him to regain his previous status.

All Novice Assassins, as well as any other rank except Master Assassin, were considered students. As a Novice, Altaïr was charged with collecting his own information on his targets, rather than being given information by local Rafiq. He had to obtain permission from the Rafiq after his collection of this information, in order to perform assassinations. He was also considerably weaker, with few weapons, low health, and a small cache of fighting moves.

16th Century
In Rome, Novice was the lowest rank for an apprentice that Ezio Auditore had recruited. Also, in the game, the name Novice was replaced by Recluta (Recruit). They only carried one weapon, the Hidden Blade.