The interior of the fictional Masyaf citadel in Assassin s Creed contains an extensive library and the rear is a lush garden above a sheer drop These two properties happen to be known features of the real Alamut which was also a Hashashin fortress at this time Subsequently it is likely that the fictional Masyaf is a combination of features of both fortresses It may also be the case that the in game character Al Mualim teacher is a portrayal of the real Rashid ad Din Sinan who was operating out of Masyaf at the time the game is set Both characters are the leaders of the Masyaf citadel In addition both ad Din Sinan and the fictional Al Mualim die around the same point in time e g 1192 4 compared to 1191 So there certainly are elements of the real Masyaf which have carried into the game albeit modified At any rate a reference to Assassin s creed should only be made under the Popular Culture heading