In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the vibrant city of Baghdad hides numerous side activities that enrich Basim’s journey. Among the Tales of Baghdad, the “A Life’s Work” quest stands out for its emotional depth and platforming challenges. Set in the Abbasiyah district at the Observatory, this tale involves aiding a scholar named Al-Mahani in recovering three scattered pages of his life’s treatise. These pages hold astronomical insights meant for the House of Wisdom, making the task both noble and urgent. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, from quest initiation to completion, ensuring you collect every page without frustration.
Understanding the A Life’s Work Tale
The Abbasiyah district, with its scholarly atmosphere and towering structures, serves as the backdrop for this poignant story. Al-Mahani, an astronomer weakened by age, entrusts Basim with retrieving his fragmented work. The quest begins near the Observatory, a key landmark featuring synchronization points for fast travel. Unlike main missions, Tales of Baghdad like this one offer optional rewards such as outfit dyes or book collections, but completing them deepens the game’s narrative immersion.
Players often encounter this quest while exploring or synchronizing viewpoints. Al-Mahani’s plea adds a human element, contrasting the stealth and combat of core gameplay. Expect a mix of Eagle Vision scanning, parkour traversal, and environmental puzzles. The pages are deliberately hidden to encourage thorough investigation, blending accessibility with challenge.
Quest Prerequisites and Starting Location
To access “A Life’s Work,” progress through the main story until Abbasiyah unlocks, typically after early Harbiyah quests. No specific level or gear is required, making it available to mid-game players. Head to the Observatory in northeastern Abbasiyah, marked on the map after discovery.
- Locate Al-Mahani outside the main Observatory building, seated and frail.
- Initiate dialogue to accept the task; he’ll point toward his work but collapse shortly after.
- Activate Eagle Vision immediately to highlight the three pages in golden glows.
This vision mechanic is crucial, revealing interactables across the area. Note wind effects on one page, adding dynamic pursuit.
Retrieving Page 1: Unlocking the Barred Door
The first page resides inside a nearby building, accessible via a barred door beside Al-Mahani. A simple exterior puzzle grants entry.
- From Al-Mahani, spot the movable shelf against the building’s north wall.
- Push the shelf rightward until aligned under a high vantage.
- Climb atop the shelf for a clear shot at the door’s wooden bar.
- Equip a Throwing Knife and aim precisely—Eagle Vision highlights the bar for accuracy.
- Once unbarred, enter, ascend the stairs on your right, and collect the page from the table at the top.
This page is static, rewarding careful observation. The building’s interior is dimly lit, so torches or Eagle Vision aids visibility.
Chasing Page 2: The Windy Rooftop Pursuit
Exit the building and scan rightward across a corridor. A red rug hangs from an opposite structure, with Page 2 floating nearby, caught in gusts.
- Approach to trigger wind animation; the page drifts away rooftop-ward.
- Pursue using parkour: leap gaps, scale walls, and mantle ledges while tracking its path.
- It lands after a short flight—grab it promptly to avoid restarts.
- If lost, reactivate Eagle Vision from Al-Mahani to relight it.
This segment tests chasing skills akin to Enigma collectibles. Practice free-running in Abbasiyah prepares you; wind simulates realism, heightening tension.
| Page | Location | Key Challenge | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Building interior table | Bar removal puzzle | Treatise progress |
| 2 | Floating near rug, rooftop | Wind chase | Treatise progress |
| 3 | Observatory roof table | Multi-stage climb | Quest completion |
Securing Page 3: Summit of the Observatory
The final page crowns the Observatory, near a synchronization point. A precise climbing route is essential.
- Return near Al-Mahani; spy a rope overhead.
- Swing to a vertical wooden slat and ascend.
- Traverse horizontal planks to a platform with another movable shelf.
- Push shelf forward, climb it, then mantle to the dome’s apex.
- Find the page beside a grand astronomical instrument on the table.
Synchronize the viewpoint en route for map reveals and fast travel. This climb demands stamina management and timing jumps.
Returning to Al-Mahani and Quest Rewards
With all pages, reunite with Al-Mahani. Hand over the treatise for heartfelt closure—he entrusts it to the House of Wisdom. Rewards include:
- Experience points boosting skills.
- Enigmatic dyes for Basim’s outfits.
- Progress toward Tales of Baghdad completionist achievements.
This tale exemplifies Mirage’s focus on compact, story-driven side content over grindy fetches.
Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips
Avoid these errors for smooth completion:
- Missing Eagle Vision: Always scan post-dialogue; pages vanish without it.
- Wind Page Loss: Stay locked on—pause and rescan if needed.
- Climb Failures: Align jumps precisely; drop down and retry from ropes.
- No Throwing Knives: Craft or buy from merchants beforehand.
Pro tips: Synchronize Observatory first for overview. Play during day for better visibility. Combine with nearby collectibles like Lost Books.
Integrating A Life’s Work into Abbasiyah Exploration
Abbasiyah hosts two Tales of Baghdad, complementing Harbiyah’s intensity with intellectual pursuits. The Observatory anchors scholarly vibes, linking to historical Baghdad’s Golden Age. Pair this quest with synchronization for district mastery, uncovering hidden blades and contracts.
Word count expansion: Delve into Al-Mahani’s inspiration—real astronomers like those in the House of Wisdom advanced star charts, mirroring the treatise. Mirage’s design evokes 9th-century Abbasid Caliphate, with accurate architecture and daily life. Parkour here refines skills for later stealth sections.
Advanced Strategies for Speedrunners
For efficiency:
- Pre-stock knives; skip dialogue with button mashing.
- Page order: 1, 2, 3 minimizes backtracking.
- Use rooftops for Page 2 shortcuts.
Video timestamps from guides confirm routes under 5 minutes.
FAQs
Where is the Observatory in AC Mirage?
Northeast Abbasiyah; fast travel post-synchronization.
What if the wind page flies too far?
It auto-lands; chase diligently or rescan with Eagle Vision.
Do I need all pages for rewards?
Yes, return completes the tale.
Can I do this quest early?
Post-Abbasiyah unlock, no level gate.
Any bugs with the shelf or bar?
Rare; reload checkpoint if stuck.
References
- AC Mirage A Life’s Work, Where to Find 3 Pages Locations — Gosunoob. 2023-10-01. https://www.gosunoob.com/assassins-creed-mirage/lifes-work-where-to-find-3-pages-locations-ac-mirage/
- How to Find the Three Pages (Abbasiyah Tale of Baghdad) — GameRant. 2023-10-15. https://gamerant.com/ac-mirage-three-pages-locations-where-abbasiyah-tale-of-baghdad-lifes-work-assassins-creed/
- Where To Find The Three Pages Observatory A Lifes Work Tale — YouTube (Gamers Heroes). 2023-10-05.
- Page Locations for Observatory Tale of Baghdad in Abbasiyah — YouTube. 2023-10-10.
- How to Find the 3 Pages in the Observatory Tales of Baghdad — YouTube. 2023-10-07.
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage: A Life’s Work Quest Walkthrough — TheGamer. 2023-10-20. https://www.thegamer.com/assassins-creed-mirage-a-lifes-work-tales-of-baghdad-walkthrough/

