Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad is the Assassin protagonist who operates in the Holy Land during 1191 in Assassin's Creed.
The first main game follows Altaïr during the Third Crusade. His missions take him through cities including Masyaf, Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus as he investigates targets connected with the Templars. After a serious failure early in the story, Altaïr is demoted and must rebuild his standing under the guidance of Al Mualim.
Altaïr’s name means “flying eagle” in Arabic, while Ibn-La'Ahad means “son of no one.” The character’s story establishes many of the series’ recurring ideas, including stealth, social blending, the Assassin insignia, and conflict over powerful artifacts.
Ezio belongs primarily to the Renaissance games, Bayek is the founder figure of the Egyptian Hidden Ones in Origins, and Arno is the protagonist of Unity. They are all Assassins or related figures, but none is the first game's central hero.