Eavesdropping is a mechanic featured in several stealth-style games. It allows players to acquire information that can help give them directions on what to do next. In some cases, the information might be obligatory to progressing and completing one’s objectives.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage will see Basim hunting down and assassinating several different members of the Order of the Ancients throughout the story of the game. Al-Rabisu, also known as Fazil the Great Scholar, will be Basim’s target for the mission, “The Great Symposium.” Eavesdropping will be a vital element in this assassination.
Who Is Al-Rabisu
Al-Rabisu is also known as Fazil the Great Scholar. He is said to be an enigma and a mastermind who enacts his plans from the shadows. He can be located at the House of Wisdom, which in turn is located in Abbasiyah. Al-Rabisu uses the House of Wisdom and his position to acquire all knowledge he wishes to possess. He is also responsible for conducting experiments on the people in pursuit of this knowledge. Many have suffered and died because of his actions.
Attending The Lecture
In order to get this mission, you will need to attend a lecture located in the House of Wisdom. Head through the large archway located on the east side of the House of Wisdom. Head straight, and you will find Kahraman. After speaking with them, you will need to find an opportunity you can make use of. You can make use of Enkidu and Basim’s Eagle Vision to gain a better understanding of everything located in the area.
From where you met Kahraman, head north and you will find Nehal. Speak with Nehal and you will be notified that she has found something of interest for you to follow up on. Follow behind her, and she will lead you to a room where you can use your Eagle Vision to reveal many points of interest to interact with. After the cutscene between Basim and Nehal, head back to where you spoke with Kahramaan.
Look to the south to see a small flight of stairs heading toward an archway with blue cloth adorned above it. Atop these steps is where you will find three fans of poetry that you can eavesdrop on to gain valuable intel. On the opposite side of these steps will be a bench you can use to blend in. While sitting on this bench, begin eavesdropping on the three. The three will muse over the life of the one they desire.
This will reveal some new information for you, that the poet known as Arib is currently resting in the eastern outer courtyard. You can also find Hunayn in the immediate area. He can be found west of the bench you eavesdropped on the three poetry fans. This means you will see him on the right side as you approach the large archway with a blue tapestry on both sides of it.
If you head through this large archway, you will enter a room with a large armillary sphere inside of it. An armillary sphere is a tool used in the science of Astronomy during this time period. Inside here is where you can find and speak with Al-Farghani, who will speak about the Fazil’s upcoming lecture. Head back to where you found Nehal, go up the stairs, and head forward.
Head to the opposite archway and go down the stairs. Press on ahead and take the first right you come to. You will see the poet you seek inside a small structure. Speak with the poet and the quest will be updated — you can now attend Fazil’s lecture. You will now be required to speak with Kahraman again, so you will need to head to the quest marker where Kahraman will be waiting. Speak with him to trigger a cutscene.
Accessing The Hidden Basement
Once the cutscene has ended, head to the northwest corner of the room and leave through the door. Make a right turn and head straight, then take the first left you see. Head straight into the room with the armillary sphere from before. To the right of the sphere will be an NPC you can speak with. This will update your objectives to require a passphrase.
Head back to Hunayn and look south to see three NPCs, including both Arib and Al-Farghani. To the right of the group is a bench that you can use to eavesdrop. Eavesdropping on them will point you in the direction of the existence of a secret basement. Speak with Kahraman, who can be located at the front entrance of the armillary sphere room.
Bribing him will let you know that it can be accessed from the western outer courtyard. Head into the room behind it and use the stairs on the right to go up to the top floor. Take the first left you see and then sit on the first bench you come to. There will be a distraught NPC talking to another NPC — you can eavesdrop on their conversation. After you have finished listening, the men will move through a door.
Watch them and follow once they go around a corner. There are various guards in this area. Watch their patrols, and when nobody is looking your way, make it to a safe area. You will also need to assassinate any guards that may be occupying these safe areas, so be mindful of patrols and strike when nobody else is looking.
There are plenty of notes about as you make your way through this area, but it is best to focus on the guards for now and make sure they are all dealt with before you wish to read any of these notes.
Make your way to the far side of this passageway and go around the right corner. Read the letter on the table from Shavir the Star-wise to update your objectives.
Press on and turn left once you come to a very large room. Turn left and go around the corner, and then the corner after that. Follow the wall on your left until you come to a door you can go through. Turn right after passing through this door. On a bench found along the wall on the left will be an excerpt from a work of Fazil.
This contains the passphrase you can use to gain access to the hidden basement. Head back to the gatekeeper and tell them “Are Those Who Shall Return” to have them allow you passage. Head through the door behind them and immediately go left to find a bookcase you can pull.
How To Assassinate Fazil The Great Scholar
Follow the corridor behind this bookcase and take the first left you come to. There will be a guard stationed here; assassinate him, and press on. Continue to make your way through the passageway while following the left wall, stealthily dealing with guards as needed. You will pass through a door that will make Basim mention the smell of rot and Iron.
When you enter the room that triggers Basim to say this, follow the wall on the east side and go through the first gate you see. Pass through the crack in the wall to the adjacent room and take the robes off the body inside. Leave the room and make your way southeast. Guards will no longer attack you on sight. Follow the guard with the quest marker over their head. They will lead you right to Fazil.
Once the guard and Fazil are done speaking, you can approach Fazil. Directly in front of him will be a spot you can blend in. Using this spot will cause Basim to kneel before Fazil. Fazil will be completely unaware of Basim’s true intentions and will tell him to not be afraid of what is to come. He will proclaim that the noblest of purposes is science, and the greatest of powers is knowledge. This will make Basim exclaim “No” in response.
Shocked by this statement, Fazil approaches Basim, leans in close, and asks him what he believes the answer to be — prompting Basim to assassinate him. You will now witness Fazil’s death cutscene, just like all other order members you assassinate. Once this cutscene is over, you will need to make your escape from the House of Wisdom now that Fazil has been assassinated.
Head through the eastern door, up the stairs, and out the door at the top. Head through the door opposite the door you came in and up some more stairs. This will lead you outside next to a stream. You can run off in any direction to complete the final objective of this mission, “A Job Well Done.”