Masyaf

Masyaf (Arabic: مصياف) is a mountain city in current-day Syria. In Assassin’s Creed, it serves as the base of operations of the Assassins' Order (Syrian wing). Here, the smallest city in the game outside the Kingdom, Assassins undergo educational and physical training for the trials they are to endure in the outside land.

Masyaf is built on a mountain nestled in the Orontes Valley, the castle being at the peak. The village appears to offer sanctuary to the citizens loyal to the Assassins' cause. A bustling market lies at the lower end of the city. At the mountain peak, one may find the Assassins' Fortress, and within, the master's personal library and sanctuary. Inside the fortress library, one can witness the true scholarly habits of the Order. Instructors constantly maneuver around seeking books to further their education on worldly politics as well as the "Assassin's Creed." Al Mualim delves into these books on a daily basis, constantly seeking knowledge and wisdom in order to properly guide and educate the fearsome political warriors that faithfully serve under him. Outside the master's personal library lies a small courtyard in which novice's train, while other assassin's guard the castle walls and towers. Assassins patrol the castel interior and village daily to maintain order and peace among themselves and the civilians. This city is, for the most part, unscathed by the wars ravaging the Holy Land, because the Crusaders and Saracens are neither directly associated with the Order, although aware of their existence and presence in the Holy Land, additionally the Assassins protect their city very fiercely.

Trivia

 * Masyaf is the first location after Solomon's Temple that is encountered during the game.
 * There are no harassers of any sort in Masyaf (i.e. beggars, jar carriers, and guards blocking access).
 * Outside of Masyaf, there is a small part of the Kingdom controlled by the Assassins. Using eagle vision, it is possible to see a guard highlighted in red instead of blue, indicating that he is an enemy. He may be killed without any synchronization penalties (though the guards will fight you if you are caught), and is suspected to be Jamal, the traitor who opened the gate for the Templars to come through.
 * During the Templar siege on Masyaf, and during the mini cut-scene before the first Leap of Faith, you can see Assassins keeping watch over the lake below.
 * Although considered your allies (and indicated to be as such by Eagle Vision), guards in the city will fight you if provoked enough.
 * Despite the Third Tenet stating that you must not, indirectly or otherwise, harm your fellow Assassins, you can kill Masyaf guards with no synchronization penalty, and no mention is made by anyone.
 * The gardens behind the fortress (accessible after Tamir's assassination) are a reference to the legend of the secret Paradise behind the real Assassins' headquarters. The garden Paradise was an illusion created by the Old Man of the Mountain in order to make his followers believe in his divine mission, and execute any order given (usually assassination attempts) without fear of death.
 * In Assassin's Creed II, Altaïr's Codex pages reveal that he suggested that the Assassins abandon their fortress (probably Masyaf), and turn underground as a preventive measure against the Templars, who had already gone into the shadows after their failure in the first game. Some of Altaïr's fellow Assassins disagreed and became angry with him.
 * Masyaf guards sound exactly like the Saracen guards of Jerusalem or Damascus, even going so far as to use the same lines in combat such as "Infidel, Die!" The same goes for the two novices fighting in the training arena; upon exiting the combat tutorials, you can hear a Saracen battle cry.
 * Even though you are not supposed to use weapons inside the fortress (except the training area), you may push guards off the tower and watch them die from the fall without suffering a loss of synchronization.
 * 'Masyaf' is pronounced in different ways depending on the character. While Robert de Sable pronounces it as 'Mass-ee-af,' Desmond pronounces it 'Mass-ay-af.'
 * In Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy, Ezio will be traveling back to Masyaf to learn more about the Assassins at the time of the Third Crusade.

Map
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/assassinscreed/images/thumb/e/e2/Masyaf.png/436px-Masyaf.png

Appearances

 * Assassin's Creed
 * Assassin's Creed II (mentioned only)
 * Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy

Masyaf