Investigation

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The Bureau, the starting point of every investigation.

"Put obstacles between yourself and your quarry. Never be found by a backwards glance."

―Al Mualim tutoring Altaïr of stealth at investigation.

Investigations were tasks that Assassins had to complete before an Assassination could be done.

Description

Investigations were tasks performed normally by novice Assassins. The novices gained valuable information on a target through various methods, and then relayed the information to the Assassin's Bureau, who would then task a more experienced and higher ranked Assassin to eliminate the target. In 1191, after Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's failed mission at Solomon's Temple, the Assassin was demoted from his Master Assassin rank to a novice. During Altaïr's Hunt for the Nine, he was tasked with finding and investigating for his own assassinations.

It was while stalking the streets of that particular district most affected, that Altaïr gained knowledge upon how the people had been suffering due to the ill and selfish acts carried out by these major public figures. Tied into this was also where and when the targets daily routines and personal selfish habits will leave them most vulnerable to a silent public assassination strike.

After immediately making contact with the Assassin's Bureau Altaïr and other Assassins would receive directions and advice on where best to begin and carry out their investigation.

Altaïr's Investigations

Pickpocketing

There would be a person with a bit of useful information, be it a map or a letter, that they placed in a pouch around their waist. When Pickpocketing targets were first located, they would be seen talking with another person.

Eavesdropping

To begin an Eavesdropping Investigation, Altaïr his eavesdropping target and a bench, neither too close or too far from the target. The target could be located using Eagle Vision which would make the target glow white.

Once at the objective, Altaïr would sit on the bench and lock onto his target and start listening. The camera would zoom in on the target and whoever he or she was with and a short conversation (usually regarding an assassination target) could be heard.

Interrogation

To start an Interrogation you need to know who needs interrogating, and it was usually a public speaker who was praising your current target. As the target started walking away from the crowd, the Assassin would follow him to a secluded area and start beating him up. After a few punches he would give up and give Altaïr his information. Altaïr would then stab him and leave the area immediately.

Informants' Investigations

Informants usually have 2 types of investigations for Altaïr, which are:

Flag Collecting

Some informants tested thir allies by telling them to collect a few flags within 3 to 5 minutes. The flags were always placed in a path and precise freerunning would make them easy to gather. When all flags had been gathered, the Assassin need only return to the informant for the information promised.

Templar Assassinations

Often, the informant had angered a local guard or guards. Fearing for his life, he would offer to give the Assassin the information he needed if he assassinated the guards in question within a time limit. In addition, the Assassin had to stay unexposed. To stay unexposed, he had to use theHidden Blade or Throwing Knives. Once all targets had fallen, the Assassin would return to the Informant.

Types of Investigations

• Pickpocketing
• Eavesdropping
• Interrogation
• Informants
• Archer Assassination
• Rooftop Race
• Merchant Stand Destruction
• Informant Escort

Trivia

Though there are 6 Investigation missions, a minimum of 3 are required to be completed before permission to begin the assassination is given by the Bureau Leader. Completing all the available investigations, however, increases the ease with which final kills can be made by giving you significant pieces of information that an incomplete investigation will not necessarily give you, as well as grounding the Assassin more fully in the story.