Player Name: Angel
Player Contact: PM.
Currently Played: --
Character Name: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
Canon Name:
clickCanon Point: Before the battle for Masyaf.
Personality:
The development of Altaïr's character during this point in his life is best, quite a story.
In his youth, he respected and upheld
THE CREED, regarded its words without a second thought. He held faith in mankind and he was ambitious but merciful, considerate of others. As soon as he was promoted to the rank of master assassin however, things changed.
His pride began to nurse arrogance and soon it swelled. Praise grew to feed his ego, and on his own, he began to hold himself with a certain air, one that others would look down upon. With that, the man that some had at least tolerated, changed for the worse. This immense amount of confidence affected decisions that were made, it created distances between himself and others that had not existed before hand. He gained new enemies, ruffled the feathers of his comrades, and moved himself further away from those he may have gotten along with had this pride not been allowed to blossom. As a result, he placed himself higher than others, thought he was better than them and believed that he was the better one, no matter the situation. He listened to advice from no one, went at things his own way, even if they interfered with another's methods. Attempts to hold authority over him were met with blunt comments, a shrug of the shoulder. He questioned everything not for the sake of curiosity, but because it was not the way that he wanted things to go. This pride would work to dethrone him, and with that fall, he would come back to the ground, slowly but surely.
Faced with his failure at Solomon's Temple, Altaïr initially does not hold himself at fault. He is enraged with his punishment (demoted to the rank of novice and forced to work his way back up), believing that he deserves none of it and that he is still part of the order, better than everyone even when he has broken all of the tenants upheld by the assassins. He only grits his teeth and accepts the consequences of his actions under the pretense that he will become a master once more. After all, his skills are the best and he will gain the rank in no time at all.
As he goes through this journey of self discovery however, the assassin begins to remember things he once believed in, pushed through challenges he had forgotten. His beliefs are challenged and he realizes what is truly important to him; the Assassins and what they stand for, to protect those who cannot fight for themselves, to seek the truth, and so on. He wants to ensure that others have the choice to do what it is that they wish, so long as it is their own choice. He works to tone himself down, realizing that he has become a person that even he himself would not deal with. If he can fix the problems he has within himself, then he will be do the order a world of good as they will no longer have to worry about him. Altaïr recognizes somewhere along this journey of self-discovery that his pride can be a liability when he lets it get the best of him. When that happens, those around him get put at risk as he is more prone to mistake, less keen to listen to reason and because of that, he can compromise people, get them hurt for his mistakes. For that, he attempts to keep himself composed, level-headed when possible because he has seen the results of his pride when it consumes, in the death of Kadar, the few close ties he has in the order. He keeps a tight lip, a strong face.
Even when Altaïr fell to pride, some of his traits stayed, adapted to fit this arrogance he possessed. These same traits changed and returned when he reformed himself, became humble. It was as they had been before, only stronger. These include his loyalty to the Assassin Order, his moral compass (for the free will of people), his desire for truth, and his honesty. Even his stubbornness and tenacity stayed, along with that tendency to use as fewest words as possible. He is a serious man more often than not, as an assassin must keep himself in check in order to uphold the creed and do what is needed to be done. He speaks only when needed, and when he does, believe it is something of importance. Depending on the person however, idle banter is a possibility based on the level of comfort that is found with the mentioned. This does not mean however, that Altaïr is incapable of holding conversation or defending himself through speech. He has proven that time and time again, such as when he questions those around him, speaks to those whose lives he takes. The topics range from information to philosophy, politics, morals. If it is important, the chances that he knows about it are high.
Because of environment he was raised in and the actions he was exposed to, he finds little use in words. He believes that they are not as effective at times, especially with his line of work. He also holds a difficulty in expressing himself in ways that are not anger or apathy due to his own suppression of his emotions. His emotions are kept neat and untouched without interference from anyone; death and obedience take place in the stead of understanding and compassion, affections. How he was raised and the beliefs of those around him (his father and Al Mualim with their ideas of 'love' and 'caring') may be the cause as to how he recognizes things such as affection be weakness. Emotions leave one vulnerable. There is a severance in his understanding of the concept of love and its relatives. These things, coupled with the fact that Altaïr works to keep his composure, make him to be more a man of action.
As he has grown and been humbled once more, he is beginning to realize that things such as compassion and mercy are not weakness, but strength. That change is something that is necessary as time passes, that not all traditions are permanent, no matter how long they have been upheld. He realizes his faith in mankind - the Creed helps him to recognize that not all are hopeless and people can be redeemed no matter their actions, if they are willing to change. He has become wise, fights for peace no matter the contradiction. He knows and wishes to protect the freedom for one to do what they wish, even if it means choosing their own demise. Altaïr values truth and wisdom, always curious and willing to ask questions. He considers things from all angles, not just one side. He has learned that the straight path is a narrow one, a way that leaves a person vulnerable, close-minded and unable to accept things, no matter how they turn out. Truth can be in anything, wisdom is in action.
Such concepts have allowed him to reform himself, step away from the pride that had once made him horrid. In turn a wiser man stands, one willing to do what is needed for the good of the assassins, be it change and going against what has been known.
Abilities:
Well-versed in English (Arabic is his native tongue) and the works of politics. Capable of reading maps, horseback riding, and stealth movement / killing. Experienced in climbing structures that the average person does not--conditioned for endurance and strength. Adept with close quarter combat, both armed and unarmed. In possession of a skill called 'eagle vision' by his fellow brethren; it allows him to interpret emotions and intentions of others, whether they are for corrupt reasons or not. It also permits him to seek out his target, whether it be a person to kill or gain information from; someone helpful.
Writing Samples:
1. a 100 word "voice post" in your character's voice that is dialogue only
I feel as if the apple is leading me down a path that would lead other men to their graves. If that is the case then so be it, but I do hope that fate leads me somewhere else.
Winter is coming. Preparations are being made against the weather and with luck we will be fine for another year. I am chided for what I do when there is time to rest, criticized and chastised even. When the work is done, I return here to the study, and then I pull out the apple.
I realize that it is not a wise decision, but the feeling that there is something to be learned from this lingers. It is necessary to pursue what may exist, and if I am the only casualty as a result of this journey, then so be it.
It is better that it is simply my own self at risk, and not the others around. The risks are something I have considered, and still the possibilities of what good can come of this entice, they appeal to what we need. If this leads to ruin or something beyond man's understanding, this is the path I have chosen and I can only hope I am strong enough to keep it from affecting others.
This is for the order, for truth above all things, for free will.
2. a prose writing sample of at least 200 words about your character
He sees perfectly, even when no one else can tell where he is.
From the man closing shop to the woman hurrying along with a basket of fruit tucked beneath her arm, both of which prove no interest to him. Perched upon the edge of a rooftop he scours the streets, eyes lit up with gold when he turns at just the right angle. He is restless and it shows from how he holds himself. Fingers tapping alongside the stone, he moves quickly as soon as something gives way, not wanting to waste time. This is the third night he has been out on this mission, but it feels as if this will be the right time, the only moment and he cannot afford to miss this. And to miss something like this would certainly be a great shame.
Suddenly there is something in the corner of his eye; he turns to catch it, sees the glimmer of gold and quickly he moves, rushes to follow. The rest of the color in the world fades away, hazed over with darkness, faint outlines and brief flashes: some blue, red, white, but his focus is on the gold. The footfalls are light and help to hide him. His clothing barely wrinkles with the actions and soon he is standing above the target. No word this time, no warnings.
He jumps, and lands, the man beneath him collapsing in a heap, no time to even breathe. The blade withdraws with a quick noise and he straightens up, takes a glance around. With another breath he is gone, a parchment in one hand and the body is left behind for someone to find, take fear in. His job for the night is finished, but there is still much that needs to be done.
Busy, busy.