The story is about a bartender, Desmond Miles, who is kidnapped and placed in a machine, called an "Animus" (plural "Animi"), which reads genetic memories and puts them on a screen in 3D. Desmond is forced against his will to relive the memories of his ancestor Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad (first name pronounced "Al-ti-ear") who lived in during the Third Crusade. The player must play as Altaïr as he attempts to regain his status as a Master Assassin in the Assassin Order by taking nine Templar lives. The Templars being the mortal enemy of the Assassins who are wanting to control man's thoughts and actions to create peace. The Assassins want to preserve free will, and kill people who oppress their people to control them. While in modern day segments the player, as Desmond, must discover who Abstergo Industries (the company who kidnapped him) is, and what they do. The story focuses on finding an object called a "Piece of Eden" which can control other people supernaturally.