Sometime next year,Assassin’s Creedfans will get to learn about Basim’s origins in Baghdad, as he leads the classic action-adventure titleAssassin’s Creed Mirage. Players will spend most of their time in four districts of Baghdad, but there is at least one other key location: Alamut Castle.Assassin’s Creed Miragetakes place at the height ofthe Hidden Onesas an organization, and this castle represents that in terms of real-life and in-game lore.
Real-world Alamut Castle was a mountain fortress built in Persia, modern day Iran, and now lies in ruins. It was the home of the Assassins (aka Nizari Ismailis) before it was destroyed by the Mongols sometime around 1250 CE. It was one of several strategic strongholds and was the most famous, believed to be impregnable and home to heavenly gardens, libraries, laboratories, philosphers, scientists, theologians, and more.Assassin’s Creed Mirageis the first game to directly feature Alamut Castle, although it is referenced inAC Valhalla, AC Rogue, and appears in theSecret Crusadesnovel set in the franchise.
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Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s Alamut Castle Represents the Height of the Hidden Ones
Alamut Castle will play a major role inAssassin’s Creed Mirage, although it does not appear to be explorable. It’s likely here whereBasim’s mentor Roshantrains him in their ways, and during the time period ofAC Mirage, Alamut is still in construction. It wouldn’t be complete for some years, but this gathering of Hidden Ones was the biggest assortment of them at the time. Alamut plays as big of a role inAssassin’s Creed’s history asAC1’s Masyaf, and just seeing it is a major development for the franchise. After all, this is just a tease of all the lore associated with it.
It served as a capital of the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins when it became a public state and would remain in operation from the 850s until its destruction in the 1250s by the Mongol Empire. In fact, its destruction was retaliation for the assassination of Genghis Khan byQulan Gal (one ofAssassin’s Creed 2’s legendary Assassins)and Darim Ibn-La’Ahad (the son of Altair). It’ll be interesting to see if the Alamut Temple plays any role inAssassin’s Creed Mirage, as unbeknownst to many Assassins and Hidden Ones, Alamut was built on top of an Isu temple containing Memory Seals. These seals are how explored inAssassin’s Creed Revelations, as Ezio seeks to understand Altair’s life.
In 879 AD, afterthe events ofAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Hidden Ones including Mentor Rayhan and Mentor Fuladh convened a meet with Hytham to gain a full understanding of Basim’s betrayal of the Hidden Ones. It should be noted that, based on everything revealed so far, that it does seem younger Basim does play with fast and loose with the Creed, to the dismay of Roshan. Older Basim may not have been a huge step away from it then, especially as one reason Basim joins it is to understand his visions.
Altair, following a coup within the Assassins brotherhood, would flee Masyaf for Alamut in exile, where he would discover the Isu Temple, create a number of inventions thanks to the Apple of Eden, and take Memory Seals (that are used as part ofAssassin’s Creed Revelationsplot). Edward Kenway, though not in-game, is said to have visited Alamut Castle for the British Assassins too.
What’s clear is that Alamut is deeply rooted in the lore and, as a result, already plays a huge role inAssassin’s Creed Mirage.
Assassin’s Creed Miragereleases in 2023 for Luna, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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