In the original Assassin's Creed, which Assassin does the player control?

In the original Assassin's Creed, the player controls Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

Altaïr is a Syrian-born Assassin active during the Third Crusade. The game follows his missions across the Levant in 1191, including Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus. After breaking the Brotherhood's code, he must recover his rank by completing assignments for his mentor, Al Mualim.

Altaïr is not the same character as Desmond Miles, the modern-day protagonist who experiences Altaïr's memories through the Animus. He is also distinct from Ezio Auditore, the Italian Assassin who leads the next major story arc in Assassin's Creed II.

Altaïr's role established the series' early focus on historical assassination contracts, parkour, stealth, and the conflict between Assassins and Templars.