The Great Symposium

The Great Symposium was a virtual representation of one of Basim Ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.
==Description==
Basim attended the Great Symposium at the House of Wisdom, as a way to get close to his target, Al-Rabisu.
==Dialogue==
Basim arrived at the House of Wisdom.
*Basim: The symposium should be here. Baghdad's brightest, sharing their wisdom.
He entered the courtyard, crowded with numerous scholars and attendees.
*Scholar: I am excited about Fazil's lecture! He will share the wisdom of the universe.
*Scholar: Nonsense. We have already learned everything there is to know. Nothing more will be discovered.
Basim spoke to the kahraman.
*Basim: Pardon me, I am looking for the Great Scholar's lecture.
*Kahraman: Fazil Fahim's lecture about the antediluvian antecedents of humanity will begin soon. In the meantime, please enjoy our ample stock of exquisite delicacies and tasty refreshments.
Amongst the crowd, he noticed Nehal in attendance.
*Nehal: Hey, Nine-Fingers! Over here! I told you I'd see you around.
*Basim: Indeed. And what brings you back?
*Nehal: I want to show you something.
Basim followed Nehal, who brought him back to Ahmad ibn Musa's workshop.
*Nehal: These House of Wisdom bores collect the wildest trinkets and gadgets.
*Basim: I have been here before, Nehal. This is Ahmad ibn Musa's office. Have you been sneaking in there?
They entered the workshop
*Nehal: Ahmad and his brothers are capable of designing some fantastic devices.
*Basim: Not all of his ideas are that practical, I'm afraid.
*Nehal: Don't be so smug, the world is full of wonders.
They looked at one of his diagrams.
*Nehal: Does this remind you of your nightmares?
*Basim: No. More like something from the Bimaristan. Or a training chart of the Hidden Ones.
*Nehal: Ah, yes. The swift ways to kill silently. Death in seconds.
They looked at another.
*Nehal: It gives me a tingle down my spine. Like I'm nearing a cosmic secret.
*Basim: You read too much about magicians and lost cities buried beneath the dunes.
*Nehal: You don't read enough. Perhaps there are other worlds, other people, out among the stars.
*Basim: Nonsense.
Amongst the works, Basim noticed one slightly covered by blue curtains and took a closer look, with Nehal behind him.
*Basim: This. I have seen this before. Is this what you wanted to show me?
*Nehal: Yes. It reminded me of that object we found at the palace. What is it?
*Basim: A drawing from an ancient book.
*Nehal: There is something you are not telling me.
*Basim: You do not want to know what happens behind closed doors.
*Nehal: Why? Because you do not know either?
They sat down at the nearby steps.
*Basim: Because, as Dervis says, sometimes it is better not to know the truth behind the things we must do.
*Nehal: The truth, Basim, is that everything is here, in front of you, but you refuse to look at it. This is about you. It has always been about you, ever since that night...
*Basim: I took an oath, Nehal. To leave my old life behind and walk this path of shadows.
*Nehal: And maybe some day you will find the light. But until then I will walk behind you, every step of the way, to remind you not to forget who you are.
*Basim: Is that a threat?
*Nehal: I do not know.
Nehal left the workshop, with Basim following suit as well. Going around, Basim noticed the translator Hunayn ibn Ishaq, whom he rescued at the Scriptorium.
*Basim: The Translator! What is he still doing here?
Basim approached him.
*Basim: Hunayn. You should not be back so soon.
*Hunayn: I know, I'm still nervous, but ... I couldn't stay away from my books.
*Basim: I guess we must always do our duty.
*Hunayn: Wada'an.
He read a note on a stool.
Basim sat on a nearby bench, and eavesdropped a group of civilians near a library entrance.
*Civilian 1: Where is Arib Al-Ma'muniyya, the poet? Where is Arib? I hoped to catch a whiff of her magnificent aura. So rare to see her outside of the Round City.
*Civilian 2: The beloved is in the garden, ruminating upon the perfection of nature.
*Civilian 1: Oh, to be a flower held in her discerning hands, inspiring such languid verse.
*Civilian 2: She must be relieved to be free of her wealthy patrons for a change.
*Civilian 1: Oh! Perhaps she leads an exciting, secret double life, slipping out of the palaces to find inspiration in common life.
*Civilian 2: I doubt it.
Hearing this, Basim went to the garden courtyard, where he found the famed poetess Arib.
*Basim: There is that poet Tabid loves, whose work keeps turning up in unexpected places.
*Arib: Spirit of the sands, pilot of desert ships, from distant lands, bring to our ears... From your wind-touched lips, the mirage's song, the kiss that grips.
Basim approached the poetess.
*Arib: Yes?
*Basim: Symmetry of sky and sea, but only in thine eye do these two planes meet.
*Arib: You have read my work. And who might you be?
*Basim: A lover of poetry, nothing more. And of order ... or should I say chaos?
*Arib: I know only one living poet who loves chaos that much, Ali ibn Muhammad. Are you a fan of his pedestrian work?
*Basim: The rivalry between you two is legendary, it enhances the craft. I cannot choose.
*Arib: You are most diplomatic, but I would rather seek inspiration among these lovely blooms. Good day.
Basim returned to the main courtyard. Near the main entrance of the library, he found a scholar who stood out.
*Basim: That astronomer might be one of them, though I doubt it.
Basim approached the man.
*Basim: Sayyidi (Sir), I am honored to make your acquaintance.
*Al-Farghani: Good to see more young people enjoying the House of Wisdom.
*Basim: Do you think the Great Scholar will give a good lecture?
*Al-Farghani: Do not waste time listening to his nonsense. I have written many more edifying and practical books instead.
*Basim: On which topics?
*Al-Farghani: I have written extensively about sun-dials, astrolabes, stars and planets, and the circumference of the Earth.
*Basim: Fascinating, sayyidi (sir). I shall read more of your work soon. Wada'an. (Farewell.)
*Kahraman: Attention, Symposium attendees! The Great Scholar's lecture will begin after a short delay. Meanwhile, enjoy our bounteous snacks and the sparkling wit of your fellow guests.
*Basim: Sounds like the lecture is about to begin. I should return to the Kahraman (chief servant).
Basim returned to the kahraman.
*Basim: Pardon me, is Fazil Fahim's lecture ready to begin?
*Kahraman: Indeed it is. Head inside, if you please.
Basim entered the lecture, already filled with a huge crowd, with Fazil standing in front of a massive astrolabe.
*Fazil: Welcome, one and all, to the House of Wisdom, center of learning in Baghdad. Indeed, of the entire world. I am Fazil Fahim al-Kemsa, first scholar of the House of Wisdom, wisest of the wise. Today I will shock you with what may sound like outrageous blasphemies. Do not fear, good people. Though I am old, my mind remains sharp as steel. Today I speak of mysteries, of creatures from the antediluvian age. Do not the ancient prophets tell us about giants from before the flood, who forsook Allah and worshiped false idols? Is it not possible that these giants built marvels, works of wondrous power now lost to us?
Basim made his way to the front of the audience and readied his Hidden Blade as the Kahraman approached Fazil to whisper in his ear.
*Kahraman: Zahra and Hassan are both dead, slain by an assassin's blade.
*Fazil: They're dead?
*Kahraman: Sayyidi (Sir), I urge you to hide until it's safe.
Kahraman then spoke towards the crowd while Fazil quickly left in a panic.
*Kahraman: Apologies people, but our lecture has concluded. Please, feel free to explore the House of Wisdom's many fine chambers.
That moment signified Basim's suspicion that Fazil was Al-Rabisu, his Order target.
*Basim: You call yourself "the Great Scholar", Fazil. You who burn books and hope the smoke will hide your crimes. How many did you sacrifice in your search for knowledge? How many did you use, damage and discard in the name of discovery? Now you hide within the House of Wisdom, the house you led astray. But I will find you, and I will exact justice for every soul you savaged for your "Great Work".
He remained astonished at his own findings.
*Basim: It is true! Fazil leads the Order in Abbasiyah. I need to hunt him down.
Basim left the lecture room and sat down on a bench, eavesdropping on a gathering between Arib, Hunayn and Al-Farghani.
*Al-Farghani: The old fraud Fazil went into hiding.
*Arib: How exciting! What do you think frightened the Great Scholar?
*Al-Farghani: The old fool must have imagined one of his antediluvian creatures. He's an absolute disgrace.
*Arib: But where did he run off to?
*Hunayn: There's rumors of hidden passages beneath the House of Wisdom. Maybe he hid down there.
*Al-Farghani: I have heard the rooftop gardener mention these places, yes.
*Arib: What a colorful detail to include in my verse! "The scholar by secret tunnels fled, chased by delusions of deities who want him dead!"
Basim looked around to find more clues.
*Scholar: Where is the Kahraman? I wish to complain about the shortness of the lecture. I remain profoundly unedified!
*Scribe: Did you see the powerful terror on the Great Scholar's face?
*Architect: He looked like somebody about to get his skull drilled.
*Scribe: How revolting!
*Architect: Forget I mentioned it.
Basim spoke to the Kahraman from before near the main library entrance.
*Basim: Pardon me, but I heard a rumor about a hidden basement beneath the House of Wisdom.
*Kahraman: A secret basement? You must be joking.
*Basim: No, not at all. Surely, such a large building must have basements and cellars to store books and inks.
*Kahraman: I am aware of no such locations on these premises.
<tabber>
|-|(Offer token to Bribe)=
*Basim: Perhaps a little token of my appreciation will jog your memory.
*Kahraman: Most generous. Murders, mayham and bonfires. It's time for me to depart the House of Wisdom. Father has a fine carpet shop in Samarra. He always wanted me to take up the family trade.
*Basim: A wise choice. Now, about any hidden cellars?
*Kahraman: Oh yes, of course. Forgive me. Now that you mention it, there is a basement hatch in the northwest courtyard.
*Basim: Thank you.
|-|Never mind.=
</tabber>
Basim approached a door in the main hall, guarded by a gatekeeper.
*Basim: Gatekeeper, let me pass.
*Gatekeeper: Those Who Came Before are ...?
*Basim: What are you talking about?
*Gatekeeper: Those Who Came Before are ...?
*Basim: Let me get back to you.
Basim left and headed up stairs, settling down on a bench infront of two attendees.
*Civilian 1: I've lost Fazil's greatest work.
*Civilian 2: What do you mean you lost the Great Scholar's masterwork?
*Civilian 1: I'm sorry! I was distracted by the presence of the famous poet, Arib.
*Civilian 2: Forget the poet! We better find Fazil's book or we're both dead.
*Basim: Sounds like part of a passphrase.
Basim investigated the second level of the inner library to find password. He found a book.
*Basim: That book looks out of place, wedged behind a desk like that. A History of the Great Scholar and His Magnificent Reforms of the House of Wisdom by Fazil Fahim. Not sure if this is the correct volume.
He found a note on a noticeboard.
*Basim: Looks like somebody left a book in the stairwell.
He read another note.
Along the corridor, he read another book.
*Basim: The Folly of Poetry by Fazil Fahim. Does not sound too romantic, to be honest.
Basim read another note.
*Basim: This letter mentions a private reading balcony. Might be where the reader has taken the book.
Basim located the outer balcony mentioned by the note, and found the book.
*Basim: An impressive volume, written by Fazil Fahim. Could be his masterwork. Its title is "Those Who Came Before are Those Who Shall Return." That has to be it.
Basim exited the library and returned to gatekeeper at the main hall.
*Basim: Gatekeeper!
*Gatekeeper: Those Who Came Before are...?
<tabber>
|-|Are Those Who Shall Return=
*Basim: ... Are Those Who Shall Return.
*Gatekeeper: Correct! You may proceed.
|-|History of the Great Scholar=
|-|The Folly of Poetry=
|-|I don't know.=
</tabber>
Basim entered the room, filled a myriad of notes, letters and works by Fazil. He read a note issued by the scholar to the library workers.
He read a letter addressed to Fazil from another Order member.
He read a letter from Al-Ghul, the target he killed at the Caravanserai.
He read a diary by the old scholar.
*Basim: The scholar's notes... He believes in these ancient beings, the masters of memory.
He read a letter from Fazil to an Order member known as Al-Bahamut.
*Basim: No question about it. Fazil was neck-deep in the Order.
Basim went down the another door in the room, leading to an underground chamber.
*Soldier 1: Nobody's putting me in that thing. Not ever.
*Soldier 2: Don't worry, we've got plenty of volunteers.
*Soldier 1: You can pull out my teeth with hot irons before you get me in there.
Basim eliminated the guards and reached what seemed to be a prison chamber.
*Basim: There is a deep wrongness here, a reek of rot and iron.
He read a note on the table.
*Basim: Those robes might help me get closer to Fazil.
Basim entered a small crack leading to a cell, where he found the body of a civilian inside.
*Basim: What have they done to these people?
Taking a closer look, he realised he was wearing the robes that he needed to get to Fazil.
*Basim: Poor guy will not need this anymore.
He removed the robes from the man and wore it on.
*Basim: This should help me blend in.
Basim passed by another cell, where another civilian was in.
*Civilian: Please ... take me back there, I don't belong here. Where is my robe? I can't meet the scholar without my special robe! This world doesn't look right. Someone, take me back to the bright, shiny place.
Basim approached the guard.
*Guard: Next subject, in here now!
Basim followed the guard into a massive chamber.
*Basim: There are horrors here. But the most terrifying thing is that I have seen it all before. Somehow.
He followed the guard down the stairs into an open space marked with a distinct symbols.
*Fazil: Who dares meddle with my Great Work? Killing my allies and spoiling my lecture, it's an outrage.
*The Fist of Wisdom: It looks like the handiwork of a trained assassin.
*Fazil: Must be some faction in the Round City. Or one of those jealous brutes in Sharqiyah.
*The Fist of Wisdom: These killings were too subtle for mercenaries.
*Fazil: No matter! Once I understand how the mechanism works, I will prove myself to Al-Bahamut.
The guard escorted Basim to the site before returning to his position. Fazil's bodyguard called to him.
*The Fist of Wisdom: In here, lackwit.
Heeding orders, Basim walked to the middle of the ritual site and kneeled. Meanwhile, Fazil activated the the mechanism.
*Fazil: You are new, aren't you? I don't recognize you. They promised you gold when you volunteered, yes? No matter, what you are about to behold surpasses all worldly riches. Don't be afraid. Are you afraid?
He took out a disk-shaped object which he placed in a massive sphere. When activated, it displayed a yellow glow.
*Fazil: This is my Great Work. I call it Alruh. It will take you on a journey to another realm. Why did the Frist Ones leave this world behind filled with fools, I wonder? And make so few of me? We call this the House of Wisdom, but its foundations are unsound. For beneath the House of Wisdom lies the Dungeon of Ignorance. And upon such dark secrets we build our philosophies. Science is the noblest purpose. Knowledge is the greatest power.
*Basim: No.
Stunned by Basim's word, Fazil walked closer to Basim, putting his ear in Basim's direction to listen to his response.
*Fazil: No? Then what?
Basim activated his Hidden Blade and stabbed Fazil in his neck before laying him down on the ground.
*Fazil: Argh...
*Basim: Justice.
*Fazil: This may be the place. It may be here where lies absolute knowledge. It ... it is not how I remember it. Behind the doors. It looked ... brighter.
Fazil died from his wounds, and Basim took out a feather and stained it with Fazil's bloodied-neck.
*Basim: But in the end, all we see is darkness.
In the Memory Corridor, the surrounding turned to black, echoing a growl like those in Basim's nightmares.
*Basim: I need to get out of here, get back to Tabid.
==Outcome==
Basim assassinated Fazil Fahim al-Kemsa.
==Gallery==
ACMir The Great Symposium 3.png|Basim and Nehal taking a close look
ACMir The Great Symposium 7.png|Basim spotted Arib in the gardens
ACMir The Great Symposium 11.png|Basim in attendance during Fazil's lecture
ACMir The Great Symposium 14.png
ACMir The Great Symposium 15.png|Fazil overlooking the House of Wisdom
ACMir The Great Symposium 21.png|Basim find a work by Fazil containing the passphrase
ACMir The Great Symposium 23.png|Basim finding a body of a test subject
ACMir The Great Symposium 26.png|Basim waiting in the test grounds
ACMir The Great Symposium 28.png|Fazil narrating while beginning his experiment
ACMir The Great Symposium 29.png|Fazil approaching close to Basim to hear his reply
ACMir The Great Symposium 31.png|Basim and Fazil in the Memory Corridor
ACMir The Great Symposium 33.png|Basim in the dark-clouded Memory Corridor
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Mirage
Category:Memories of Basim Ibn Ishaq