Eavesdropping

"Never make eye contact, always look occupied, stay relaxed."

―Al Mualim teaching a young Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad the method of eavesdropping.

Altaïr eavesdropping on a target in Damascus

Eavesdropping was a form of investigation used by Assassins in order to learn secrets of vital importance without being noticed.

History

Middle Ages

Basim eavesdropping on Qabiha and a perfume merchant

In the 9th century, Hidden Ones such as Basim Ibn Ishaq could eavesdrop on unsuspecting targets by sitting on a nearby bench, within earshot of the targets, so they could hear their conversation. If the targets were to begin moving during the eavesdropping process, then the Hidden Ones could tail them discreetly. In one notable instance, Basim eavesdropped on a perfume merchant and the royal concubine Qabiha, who unbeknownst to him was the Ra's Al-Af'a of the Order of the Ancients, in order to uncover information about one of his targets, Ning.

For Levantine Assassins during the Third Crusade, eavesdropping functioned almost identically. By positioning themselves on a nearby bench, so they would appear as nothing more than ordinary civilians, Assassins like Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad could overhear short conversations between their target and another person, uncovering valuable tidbits of information about any upcoming assassination.

Renaissance

During the Italian Renaissance, Assassins would tail Templars or other targets to various locations, before listening to their conversations to gather more information about their enemies. One method they could use to achieve this was to take to the rooftops, enabling them to remain mobile and listen in on conversations at the same time.

Ezio eavesdropping on the Byzantine Templars

During his time in Constantinople, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, as Mentor of the Italian Assassins, would work with his forthcoming Master Assassins to find out more information about their targets. There were also times when Ezio would need to create a distraction so that he could eavesdrop without being noticed, such as the riot at the Harbor of Theodosius.

Sengoku period

In late Sengoku period Japan, the Assassin and kunoichi Fujibayashi Naoe could eavesdrop on targets from around corners, while sitting in a crouched position.

Golden Age of Piracy

In the early 18th century, the pirate and eventual Assassin Edward Kenway could eavesdrop on targets so long as he was within earshot distance of them. Unlike Altaïr or Ezio, Edward's targets rarely stood in one place for long, requiring him to tail them, be it by following them on the rooftops or by blending in with civilians.

Edward and Mary eavesdropping on Prins and Torres

Notably, in 1717, Edward and his friend Mary Read had to tail the Templar Grand Master Laureano de Torres y Ayala and the slaver Laurens Prins while they walked around Kingston discussing the Sage Bartholomew Roberts that Prins had in his employment, as well as various other topics. In 1725, Edward again resorted to eavesdropping to uncover the plans of the businessmen Alan Jacob, Jan van Aert, and Sun, who met at St. Dominic's Church in Macau to discuss strategies to sabotage their mutual rival, Lee Huiyin.

Colonial America

During the Seven Years' War, the Templars Haytham Kenway and Shay Cormac could eavesdrop in a manner similar to Edward: by staying within close proximity of their targets while tailing them. During the American Revolution, Haytham's son, the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, could also eavesdrop in an identical manner.

French Revolution

During the French Revolution, the Assassin Arno Dorian eavesdropped on his targets on several occasions. Most notably, in 1791, he eavesdropped on a meeting between the Templar Grand Master François-Thomas Germain and his followers, where they discussed their plans to ramp up the chaos of the Revolution and kill Élise de la Serre.

Trivia

• In Assassin's Creed, if Altaïr was being chased by guards, they could disrupt his chances of eavesdropping on a target by making them flee. However, Altaïr could eavesdrop once more after he had lost the guards, since his targets would return to the area and resume their conversation.
• Once Altaïr had begun an eavesdropping mission, regardless of how far he was from the target, he could hear the conversation with equal clarity, as though he were standing right next to the target.
• Generally, targets in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations walked faster and were more vigilant than targets in Assassin's Creed II, whenever Ezio was tailing them.
• There was a minor instance in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines where Altaïr could eavesdrop on three guards in Kantara Castle, even though the skill wasn't present in the game.

Gallery

Ezio eavesdropping on a meeting in Rome

Edward eavesdropping on Madam Lee's rivals

Haytham eavesdropping on a group of soldiers