"Nothing is true. Everything is permitted."

Altair Ibn-La'Ahad (1165 - 1257) was a member of the Assassin Order and, from 1191 until his death, the Order's Grand Master.

"The name "Altair" is a word in the Arabic language, meaning "The Flyer," "The Flying One" or "The Flying Eagle." The game's producer Jade Raymond has stated that in mid-air, Altair's shadow resembles that of an eagle, because his attire includes a point at the front of the hood (to resemble a beak) and slits through the back of the outfit (to resemble tail feathers).

The connection between Altair and eagles was not coincidental at all. He is named after the brightest star in the constellation Aquila, which is known symbolically as "The Eagle."


The second part of his name, "Ibn-La'Ahad," means "son of none", reflecting his mysterious origins.

There are different pronunciations of the name "Altair."
In Arabic, it mostly sounds like "Al-tai-ear" or "Al-ta-'ir," with a subtle pronunciation of the "r" at the end. Inversely, Desmond pronounces the name as "Al-ta-ear" with a clearer "r" at the end, and a hard "t."