The protagonist controlled by the player in the 2007 video game Assassin's Creed is Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.
Altaïr is a Syrian Assassin operating during the Third Crusade in the late 12th century. The game follows his missions across cities including Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus, while a framing story shows modern bartender Desmond Miles reliving Altaïr's memories through the Animus.
Altaïr begins the story as a highly ranked Assassin but is temporarily demoted after a failed mission. His restored rank and equipment depend on completing investigations and assassinations for the Brotherhood. The story gradually reveals that the targets are connected by political and ideological goals rather than being unrelated enemies.
Altaïr is sometimes confused with Ezio Auditore, the protagonist of the next major game, Assassin's Creed II. Altaïr also appears in later series lore, including Assassin's Creed Revelations, which links his life with Ezio's.