Altair is the main character of the game and his name means "The Flying One" in Arabic. As you'll notice about 20 minutes in the game, the man sure is a daredevil when it comes to jumping out of tall towers. We all know that Altair is an assassin, killing great historic figures in 1191, during the Third Crusade.

What we don't know, and what will surprise you right from the get-go, is the fact that all the events you'll be living (playing) are 3D representations of the genetic memories embedded in the man's DNA. You're Desmond Miles, a mere bartender (and assassin), who comes from a long line of professional assassins and you unwillingly take part in an experiment that allows you to go back in time and access hidden areas of your genetic memory.

The modern-day hitman gets inserted in a sarcophagus of some sort, named Animus, which accesses the hitman's DNA memories and allows him to relive remote events, seen through the eyes of his ancestors. As Altair, one of the character's forefathers, you'll have to find certain hidden artifacts and kill key people in order to stop the Crusades. Of course, the ones who forced you to take part in the experiment are out to get the artifacts and you'll have to find them, or choose death. Altair is part of a cult of assassins and his mission is pretty clear: eliminate nine important men in order to stop the Crusades. In the meantime, Desmond Miles will have to stay synchronized with Altair in order to continue living in the past, at least virtually.

Achievements

1. Enemy of the Poor - 5 points
Grab and Throw 25 Harassers.

2. Gifted Escapist - 5 points
Jump through 20 merchant stands.

3. March of the Pious - 5 points
Use Scholar blending 20 times.

4. Eagle's Dance - 10 points
Perform 50 leap of faith.

5. Keeper of the 8 Virtues - 10 points
Find All Hospitalier Flags in Acre.

6. Keeper of the Black Cross - 10 points
Find All Teutonic Flags in Acre.

7. Keeper of the Creed - 10 points
Find All Flags in Masyaf.

8. Keeper of the Order - 10 points
Find all Templar Flags in Acre.

9. Eagle's Eye - 15 points
Kill 75 guards by throwing knives.

10. Eagle's Talon - 15 points
Perform 50 stealth assassinations.

11. The hands of a Thief - 15 points
Pickpocket 200 throwing knives.

12. Conversationalist - 20 points
Go through every dialog with Lucy.

13. Defender of the People: Acre - 20 points
Complete every free mission in Acre.

14. Defender of the People: Damascus - 20 points
Complete every free mission in Damascus.

15. Defender of the People:Jerusalem - 20 points
Complete every free mission in Jerusalem.

16. Eagle's Challenge - 20 points
Defeat 25 guards in a single fight.

17. Eagle's Dive - 20 points
Perform 50 Combo Kills in Fights.

18. Eagle's Flight - 20 points
Last 10 minutes in open conflict.

19. Eagle's Prey - 20 points
Assassinate 100 guards.

20. Eagle's Swiftness - 20 points
Perform 100 Counter Kill in Fights.

21. Eagle's Will - 20 points
Defeat 100 opponents without dying.

22. Hero of Masyaf - 20 points
You've protected Masyaf from the Templar invasion.

23. Hungerer of Knowledge - 20 points
See 85% of all the memory glitches.

24. Keeper of the Crescent - 20 points
Find All Flags in Damascus.

25. Keeper of the Four Gospels - 20 points
Find All Flags in Jerusalem.

26. The Punishment for Treason - 20 points
You have found the traitor and have brought him before Al Mualim.

27. Welcome to the Animus - 20 points
You've successfully completed the Animus tutorial.

28. Fearless - 25 points
Complete all Reach High Points.

29. Keeper of the Lions Passant - 25 points
Find All of Richard's Flags in the Kingdom.

30. The Blood of a Corrupt Merchant - 25 points
You've slain Tamir, Black Market Merchant in Damascus.

31. The Blood Of A Doctor - 25 points
You've slain Garnier de Naplouse, Hospitlier Leader in Acre.

32. The Blood of a Liege-Lord - 25 points
You've slain William of Montferrat, Liege-Lord of Acre.

33. The Blood of a Nemesis - 25 points
You've slain Robert de Sable, but there is one more...

34. The Blood of a Regent - 25 points
You've slain Majd Addin, Regent of Jerusalem.

35. The Blood of a Scribe - 25 points
You've slain Jubair, the Scribe of Damascus.

36. The Blood of a Slave Trader - 25 points
You've slain Talal, Slave Trader of Jerusalem.

37. The Blood of a Teutonic Leader - 25 points
You've slain Sibrand, the Teutonic Leader of Acre.

38. The Blood of the Merchant King - 25 points
You've slain Abul Nuqoud, Merchant King of Damascus.

39. Blade in the Crowd - 30 points
Kill one of your main targets like a true assassin.

40. Disciple of the Creed - 30 points
Assassinate all your targets with a full DNA bar.

41. Personal Vendetta - 40 points
Kill every Templar.

42. Absolute Symbiosis - 45 points
Have a complete Synchronization bar.

43. Visions of the Future - 50 points
A strange vision has appeared to you. What could it mean?

44. The Eagle and The Apple - 1191 - 100 points
Complete Assassin's Creed.