system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Assassin's Creed] (Original Game) How did Al Mualim take away Altair's abilities?

In the beginning of the game, Altair has all his equipment and abilities until he breaks the creed and is punished with loss of rank. It's easy to take rank and equipment, but how did Al Mualim manage to confiscate, for example, Altair's ability to Dodge? 

Did the potion that made him experience death also wipe his memory? If so, how is Al Mualim able to 'give back' that ability at will? Or did Altair still have those abilities but was forbidden from using them?
gpt
Animus magic.  One of two things was happening:

- The real Altair didnt use those abilities while he was being punished, so Desmond couldn't either.

- For skill-based abilities like dodge, Desmond is not fully synched yet, and is having difficulty using Altair's body to it's full potential.