Scholar

File:Scholar blending.jpg

Altaïr blending with Scholars.

Scholars were "holy men" who were usually deep in prayer, and could be Christian Monks, or Muslim ascetics. All of them wore robes similar to Altaïr's except that it covered their legs entirely, and they possessed no assassin gear or weapons. Groups of scholars could be seen walking and praying in all cities (excluding Masyaf) during the Third Crusade. However, they had slightly different appearances, according to their location; those in Jerusalem and Damascus wore turbans, while the ones in Acre were hooded. One could also add additional groups of Scholars in and around cities by saving male citizens in distress.

Types

There were generally two types of scholars seen in the game; Christian Monks and Muslim Ascetics. Christian Monks looked very similar to Altaïr, most notably the hood, though they came in a variety of styles and colors; such as in Acre, where Scholars could be seen with Hospitalier colors. Muslim Ascetics were men with turbans, and though they did not look much like Altaïr, they could still be used to blend with.

Functions

If Altaïr joined the scholars, they would walk in a diamond-formation around him. This avoided Altaïr being seen from the front, left, right, and rear. Once blended with, the scholars could assist Altaïr in two different ways.

Hiding Spot

If Altaïr was being chased by guards and managed to break their line of sight, he could blend in with scholars and fool the guards. Altaïr moved to the center of the group, began walking with them, and lowered his head to appear as if he was praying. If Altaïr was outside the guards' line of sight when he begins blending with the Scholars, the guards would give up on the chase in a few seconds. However, if Altaïr was still in sight of guards and attempted to approach a group of scholars, they would stop their prayers and flee, breaking their formation.

Passing Guard Posts

Scholars had the additional use of getting past entrances blocked by guard posts. Each of the three large cities' entrances and some paths to restricted areas within the cities were blocked by a phalanx of guards, who would push Altaïr away if he tried to enter. Scholars were usually situated near them, thus Altaïr could easily enter the restricted area without alarming anyone and starting a fight. The guards allowed the Scholars to go by, thus granting Altaïr easy access without climbing buildings or fighting.

Trivia

• In Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, Altaïr cannot blend in areas without any Scholars, like Limassol, Kantara Castle, Buffavento Castle, Saint Hilarion Castle (except the first area) and the Archive.

• An achievement can be obtained by blending with scholars 20 times.
• You cannot kill Scholars using any weapons, however throwing them into the river will cause them to drown.
• Altaïr is able to kill a Scholar directly after saving them.
• In Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade, it is mentioned that the Saracen leader Salah Al'din has encouraged scholars to visit and spend time in the cities of Damascus and Jerusalem, which is a possible explaination as to why the city guards always allow them, and by extention Altaïr, to pass through the city gates unhindered.
• Although Scholars do not appear in Assassin's Creed II, monks can occasionally be found wandering the streets and countrysides, such as within the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery.
• In Assassin's Creed II, though Ezio is able to blend with any crowd, an incident reminiscent of Scholars occurs during the Bonfire of the Vanities, wherein he must blend with a group of monks to pass into a guarded city gate.
• In Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, Altaïr disguises himself as a scholar in order to enter the camp that besieges Acre.