Masyaf is the hidden mountain village that serves as the Assassins’ headquarters in the first Assassin’s Creed.
In the game’s historical story, Masyaf is the home of the Levantine Assassins and the base of their leader, Al Mualim. Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad returns there between missions, receives instructions, and reports on his investigations. The settlement’s fortress dominates the surrounding landscape and establishes the Assassins as an organized group rather than isolated killers.
The fictional Masyaf is inspired by the real Syrian town of the same name. Historically, Masyaf was associated with the Nizari Ismailis, a community that medieval sources connected with the so-called Assassins. The game adapts that history considerably for its science-fiction adventure narrative.
Alamut is another important fortress associated with the historical Nizari Ismailis, but it is not the headquarters shown in the first game. Monteriggioni belongs to Ezio’s Italian story, while Karkh is a district featured in Assassin’s Creed Mirage.