Leap of Faith

2011-06-28T17:26:52Z

119.237.55.89: /* Others */

{{Era|Chronicles|AC|AC2|AC2D|ACB|PL}}
[[Image:Lof3.png|thumb|300px|[[Altaïr]], [[Rauf]] and another Assassin performing Leaps of Faith before the Templars.]]
The '''Leap of Faith''' was an acrobatic move in which the person performing it dove from atop a high structure to land, unharmed, in a conveniently placed pile of hay or other soft landing material.

The Leap of Faith was integral for the members of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], and served as a requirement for their [[Initiation to the Assassin Order|initiation]].

==Description==
[[File:Concept art for Leap of Faith.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Three Assassins performing a Leap of Faith.]]
The acrobatic move itself consisted of a vertical leap, with back completely straight, followed by a body-roll in mid-air to allow the one performing it to land on his or her back.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

Leaps of Faith could be performed by [[Free Running]] off any high ledge or beam. Areas from which a Leap could be performed were often marked by bird droppings, and pigeons perched upon the ledge.<ref name="AC" />

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==Usage==
===Third Crusade===
The Leap of Faith was used to descend from [[View Points]], each of which always provided a suitable safe target for it. However, it could be used to jump down from anywhere, if, of course, there was a safe target below.<ref name="AC" />

It was also handy in losing pursuing [[guards]] on rooftops, as leaping down to street level automatically caused the Assassin to leave the pursuers' line of sight.<ref name="AC" />

===Renaissance===
[[File:AC2_S_074_Leap_Of_Faith_Tuscany_SanGimignano-thumb-640xauto-9613.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith off a tower in [[San Gimignano]].]]
Though [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] only performed Leaps of Faith into piles of hay, [[Ezio Auditore]] could make use of water and other piles of soft material; such as piles of leaves or flower petals.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

Upon traveling to [[Rome]], Ezio made use of the Leap of Faith to quickly escape the [[Borgia Tower]]s he climbed and set aflame.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

As per tradition, Ezio also required each of his [[Apprentices|Assassin recruits]] to perform a Leap of Faith from the top of the [[Tiber Island]] [[Tiber Island headquarters|hideout]], into the [[Tiber River]] below.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

===Modern Times===
[[File:Arrival2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Desmond's first leap of faith.]]
[[Desmond Miles]] performed his first Leap of Faith in the run-down, modern [[Monteriggioni]], after witnessing (thanks to the [[bleeding effect]]) Ezio climbing up to a View Point.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Additionally, at [[Abstergo Industries]], several [[Abstergo recruits]] also performed Leaps of Faith, through the simulations they participated in, within the [[Animus]] training program.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

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==Trivia==
===''Assassin's Creed''===
*Near the beginning of the game, when [[Masyaf]] is attacked by Templars, three Assassins display their devotion by performing Leaps of Faith from a cliff. This is based on a real life incident involving the [[Hashshashin]], in which their leader proclaimed that his followers were more devout than any, and would follow all commands he gave. As shown in the game, he ordered several men to jump from a cliff "to their deaths," which they did.
**The incident is also depicted in the novel ''Alamut'', by Vladimir Bartol; though only one man leaps from a tower, while another kills himself with a dagger.
*There is actually nothing coincidental about the placement of the piles of hay. It is explained that the bales of hay and the birds that denote the location of a View Point have been programmed into the memory by [[Lucy Stillman]], as a way to help out in the navigation of the memory.

===''Assassin's Creed II''===
*When being pursued by Ezio, [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] leaps off the [[Palazzo della Signoria]] into a haystack for a quick escape. This was the only known example for a non-Assassin committing a form of a Leap of Faith until ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*To achieve the "High Dive" [[Assassin's Creed II Achievements|achievement]], you must perform a Leap of Faith from [[Giotto's Campanile]] in [[Florence]], as it is the highest viewpoint in the game.
*Ezio can perform an alternative Leap of Faith by hanging from a ledge or View Point and falling backwards onto a safe spot, as long as he is high enough, and the safe spot is directly below him.
**Ezio is forced to do this at least once, after speaking with his father during the "[[Jailbird]]" memory.

===Others===
*In reality, it is unlikely that a haystack in a cart (or any manner of material at all)would be able to safely cushion someone falling from a great height. The momentum may also cause the cart to collapse.
*It is suggested in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' that very few of the modern-age Assassins perform the Leap of Faith, due to Lucy Stillman saying it was ''"pretty awesome"'' when she witnesses Desmond Miles performing his first-ever Leap. It should be noted that Lucy does not perform the Leap herself, and instead takes a ladder down the cliff to follow Desmond.
*In ''[[Assassins Creed II: Discovery]]'', Ezio can also perform the alternative Leap of Faith by hanging above a haystack and letting go of the ledge. Doing so correctly will let Ezio flip three times.
*As an [[Easter Eggs#Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker|easter egg in ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'']], Big Boss (and the soldiers he has recruited) can perform Leaps of Faith into a straw box called the "Assassin Straw Box."

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left" spacing="medium" widths="198" orientation="landscape">
assassins_creed1.jpg|Altaïr performing a Leap of Faith into a haystack.
4682449642 8eab870a8d.jpg|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith off the [[Santa Maria del Fiore]].
ACBSP 2011-05-29 11-36-44-19.jpg|Ezio escapes from the Vatican by performing a Leap of Faith.
Ascension_5.jpg|Ezio's performing a Leap off the Tiber Island headquarters.
Mercenary2.jpg|The [[Mercenary]] performing a Leap of Faith.
Assassins-creed-revelations-20110607054555571.jpg|The [[Vanguard]] performing a Leap of Faith.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II: Discovery Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]

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Leap of Faith