Papal Guard

2013-04-06T21:31:50Z

109.77.246.166: /* Trivia */

{{Era|ACB|Bbook|ASD}}
{{WP-REAL|Swiss Guard}}
{{Quote|The Papal guards are basically the ultimate elite guards that we're gonna have in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''.|[[Ubisoft]] developer Christopher Weiler.<ref name="Dev Diary 3">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XoffSkVgsc&feature=channel ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' Dev Diary 3]</ref>}}
[[File:Guard-papal-ACB.png|170px|right|thumb|A Borgia-affiliated Papal guard]]
The '''Papal Guard''' were elite [[Guards|soldiers]] commanded by the [[Papacy]] to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure.

By 1503, the Papal guards protected [[Rodrigo Borgia|Pope Alexander VI]], and were led by the Pope's son and Captain General, [[Cesare Borgia]]. They were also the precursors to the {{Wiki|Swiss Guard}}.

==Combat==
The Papal guards were the most versatile and difficult guards in [[Rome]], as they possessed the best of abilities held by all other archetypes.<ref name="Dev Diary 3" /> They were skilled at both attack and defense, easily deflecting and countering many attacks.

Papal guards could [[Dual-wielding|dual-wield]] a [[Firearms|wheel-lock firearm]] and a [[Swords and Maces|sword]], making them deadly opponents at both short and long-range. Other than swords, they could also be equipped with a variety of [[Short blades|short]], [[Long weapons|long]], or [[heavy weapons]], though these were rarer.

[[File:Roads lead to 5.png|thumb|250px|left||Papal Guards arresting Cesare Borgia]]
Much like [[Agile guards|Agiles]], Papal guards were extremely fast, and were able to dodge most attacks. Accompanying this, they were also difficult to escape from, and could even catch up to [[Assassins]] in a chase.

Papal guards often traveled in groups, and would employ teamwork strategies in battle. While one could continuously fire at their target from a distance, the others would attack from close range. As well as this, they could throw sand and grab enemies from behind, skills common to [[Seekers]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
{{-}}
==Trivia==
;Design
*Early Papal guard designs were seen in the ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' cinematic trailer, and in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''. While the designs for the guards themselves were changed before the game's release, [[Fabio Orsini]] wore the same armor as seen in the original concept, albeit without a helmet and bearing a different emblem.
**Additionally, all the Papal guards seen were shown to have halberds. However, in-game, the only time they could be seen carrying halberds was during the arrest of Cesare Borgia.
**In Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance, the Papal Guard under Cesare were shown to wear the coat of arms of Pope Julius II, comprised of the Papal Keys and a shield with a golden oak tree on a blue field.

;Appearances
*During [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s party, a Papal guard was tasked to deliver the debt money of [[Egidio Troche]]. He spoke with a British accent and used some German words.
*During the [[Skirmish in the Campagna district|infiltration of the French headquarters]] in Rome, Ezio faced some Papal guards. Although the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] had already left the battle by this time, the guards were an indication of the close alliance between Cesare and [[Octavian de Valois]].
*By Cesare Borgia's arrest in December 1503, the Borgia had lost all their power in Rome. However, when Cesare was arrested by Fabio Orsini and the Papal troops, they carried the emblem of the Borgia, despite being commanded by the new Pope [[Julius II]].
*When Ezio infiltrated [[Belriguardo Castle]] in 1506, Papal guards that bore the Borgia emblem chased after him, even though Ezio was in [[Ferrara]] and the Borgia were no longer in power.
**A guard, however, did mention that the Pope lent the Duke some of his own troops, so their presence was plausible.
*The Templars overseeing the [[War Machines]]' [[War Plans|construction]] were always Papal guards.
*There was an [[Assassination contracts|assassination contract]] called "Graduation", where Ezio had to kill four Papal guards training within the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]].
*Papal guards were not commonly found in Rome, and appeared more often in main story memories. However, a group of four Papal guards was always stationed right outside the Castel Sant'Angelo in the [[Vaticano district]], and these guards were always suspicious of Ezio, attacking on sight irrelevant of Ezio's [[Social Stealth|notoriety]] level.

;Combat
*Papal guards were not affected by Ezio's taunts.
*Cesare Borgia himself fought much like a Papal guard, and was able to dual-wield a pistol and sword as they did.
*The Papal guards were considerably stronger than Ezio and had a larger build, with all of them being at least a head taller than him.
*[[Bombs#Smoke bombs|Smoke bombs]] had no effect on a Papal guard while engaged in combat. However, the bombs functioned as normal if the guard was taken by surprise.
*A Papal guard could only be disarmed if he carried a pistol.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Papal Guard by Volta.jpg|Early concept art of the Papal Guard
Enemies.jpg|Concept art of the Papal Guard
Liquid_Gold_10.png|A Papal Guard threatening Ezio at gunpoint
The_Apple_5.png|Two Papal Guards killing each other under the Apple's influence
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACB}}
[[Category:Guards]]

Qulan Gal

2013-04-06T21:09:38Z

109.77.246.166: /* Early life */

{{Era|AC2|ACB|TSC|Assassins}}

{{Character Infobox
|name = Qulan Gal
|image = Qulan_Gal.png
|hideb = yes
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
|period = High Middle Ages}}
'''Qulan Gal''' was a member of the [[Mongolian Assassins|Mongolian Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]], and was one of the Order's most renowned Assassins, due to his vital role in the [[assassination of Genghis Khan]] alongside [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Qulan Gal was a member of the Assassin Order, operating mainly in Mongolia. He was a renowned toxophilite, with his skill in archery later being hailed by the Order.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

During the early 13th century, the conqueror [[Genghis Khan]] caused turmoil in Mongolia, quickly overtaking land, though this was suspected to be with the usage of a [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]], most likely a sword. As a result of Genghis Khan's tyranny, Qulan Gal swore to stand against him, and was later integral in Genghis's assassination.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Assassination of Genghis Khan===
At some point during 1217 and 1227, Qulan Gal came into contact with the [[Mentor]] of the [[Levantine Assassins]], [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], his wife [[Maria Thorpe|Maria]] and his son [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad|Darim]].<ref name="The Secret Crusade">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref>

In 1227, the four of them devised a plan to assassinate Genghis Khan in his camp near Xing-ging in the Xu Province. While Qulan Gal and Altaïr went into the camp together, Darim covered them from a distance with his crossbow. However, Altaïr unknowingly allowed himself to be seen and was attacked by a Mongol soldier, though Qulan killed the Mongol before he could raise the alarm. From there, Qulan safely escorted Altaïr out of the camp and proceeded to compose another plan with Darim.<ref name="The Secret Crusade"/>

Qulan and Darim then devised a plan to flush Khan out of his tent, and the latter did so after realizing the danger. Qulan Gal acted quickly and shot Khan's horse, causing him to fall off, which injured him on impact with the ground. Afterwards, Darim shot the conqueror with his crossbow while he was down, finishing Khan off.<ref name="The Secret Crusade"/>

==Legacy==
Qulan Gal's role in the assassination of Genghis Khan, which allowed the Assassin Order to spread its influence,<ref name="The Secret Crusade" /> earned Qulan Gal great praise, and a statue of him was built in his honor in the [[Sanctuary]] underneath the [[Villa Auditore]] in [[Monteriggioni]], [[Italy]].<ref name="AC2" />

By the time of the [[Renaissance]], Qulan Gal's sarcophagus was moved to the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]] in [[Forlì]], [[Italy]]. The Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] explored his tomb and took the seal from his sarcophagus, which helped him acquire the [[Armor of Altaïr]].<ref name="AC2" />

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Qulan Gal 1 v.png|Qulan Gal's tomb.
Qulan Gal 2 v.png|Seal of Qulan Gal.
Ravaldino's_Secret_5.png|Qulan Gal's insignia.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

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Papal Guard

Qulan Gal