Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Soldier

2012-09-02T08:52:44Z

124.176.231.107:

{{Era|AC|AC2|ACB|ACR|AC3}}
[[File:AC2 guard types.jpg|thumb|300px|Five guard types; the Agile, Archer, Brute, Militia, and Seeker.]]
'''Guards''' were members of either a local militia, or an organized military force. They were usually assigned to defend or control access to locations of interest, or protect certain individuals.

The colors and styles of their uniforms varied over time, as well as denoted their military rank, allegiance, and combat specialization.

==Factions==
===High Middle Ages===
[[File:AC guard chase.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] fleeing several of King Richard's guards.]]
During the [[Third Crusade]], soldiers wore the armor and colors of either [[Saracens]] or [[Crusaders]], with the latter subdivided into the personal guards of King [[Richard I of England]], or the Knights [[Templars|Templar]], [[Knights Hospitalier|Hospitalier]], and [[Knights Teutonic|Teutonic]].<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

Saracens spoke Turkish or Arabic, while Crusaders spoke mostly English, with some Captains and Sergeants speaking French or German. Templar Knights, however, spoke all of the dialects.<ref name="AC"/>

Saracens wore {{Wiki|Lamellar armour|lamellar armor}}, and either {{Wiki|Spangenhelm|spangenhelms}} or turbans. All Crusaders wore surcoats and chainmail, while some also wore spangenhelms or {{Wiki|Great helm|great helms}}.<ref name="AC"/>

[[File:Kill2.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Altaïr fighting Talal's personal guard.]]
The colors of Crusader surcoats differed with their affiliation, with King Richard's personal guard wearing red and white, Templars wearing white with red crosses, Hospitaliers wearing black with white crosses, and Teutonics wearing white with black crosses.<ref name="AC"/>

Guards for several smaller factions or individuals possessed their own uniforms as well, such as the black, gold-striped clothes of [[Talal]]'s men, or the short white robes and gray-hoods of the guards of [[Masyaf]].<ref name="AC"/>

{{-}}
===Renaissance===
Throughout the [[Renaissance]], multiple factions of guards existed, as they were affiliated to either individual cities or people instead of armies. They bore unique colors, often along with the family or city crest.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

[[File:NVS 5.png|thumb|250px|right|Four Pazzi guards.]]
Guards for the [[House of Pazzi]] wore black caps, red sleeves with gold streaks, and the crest of the Pazzi. They could only be found in [[Florence]] and [[Tuscany]], during the height of the family's influence, until the end of the [[Pazzi Conspiracy]].<ref name="AC2"/>

Guards serving the [[House of Medici]] wore dark yellow caps, yellow and white striped sleeves, black armor plates, and the crest of the Medici. They were notably seen during the repression of the Pazzi Conspiracy in Florence, as well as in [[San Gimignano]].<ref name="AC2"/>

Guards of the [[House of Borgia]] wore dark red caps, black sleeves with dark red streaks, and the crest of the Borgia. They often accompanied [[Rodrigo Borgia]], and could also be found in [[Romagna]] during the Templar meeting, in the [[Cannaregio District]] of [[Venice]],<ref name="AC2"/> or in Florence during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].<ref name="AC2 - Bonfire of the Vanities">''Assassin's Creed II'' - ''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)]]''</ref>

[[File:Florentine Fiasco 1.png|thumb|250px|left|[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] bypassing a line of Savonarola's guards.]]
Guards of [[Girolamo Savonarola]] wore black caps, sleeves, and armor plates. Instead of a coats of arms, they bore a small portrait of Savonarola himself, with three red beams shining down upon him. They were notably seen in Florence during the Bonfire of the Vanities, often repressing the Borgia guards attempting to take the [[Ezio's Apple of Eden|Apple of Eden]].<ref name="AC2 - Bonfire of the Vanities"/>

Guards serving the city of [[Forlì]] wore dark green caps and sleeves, as well as the crest of [[Caterina Sforza]]'s family, who ruled Romagna.<ref name="AC2"/>

The guards who served the city of Venice wore blue caps and sleeves, with gold armor plates bearing the coat of arms of the Italian city. The quality of their armor was significantly better than that of their counterparts in other cities, protecting them from much damage.<ref name="AC2"/>

Those who served the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]] wore white caps, red and white sleeves, and the coat of arms of the city of [[Rome]]. Similarly to Venetian guards, their armor was more resilient than most.<ref name="AC2"/>

[[File:Gatekeeper 2.png|thumb|250px|right|A contingent of French soldiers.]]
Guards and soldiers of [[France]] wore dark blue and white. They were commonly seen in Rome after the alliance of [[Cesare Borgia]] and the French general [[Octavian de Valois]].<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

At that time, French soldiers were stationed in either the main camp in [[Castra Praetoria]], or in military guard posts throughout the [[Campagna District]] of Rome. They remained in the city throughout [[Liberation of Rome|its liberation]], often fighting the [[mercenaries]] of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] condottiero, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]].<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Guards from the town of [[Viana]] in Spain wore yellowish-green armor. They notably participated in the [[Siege of Viana]], as they defended [[Viana Castle]] from King [[John III of Navarre|John III]]'s invading Navarre troops, who wore red uniforms with yellow accents.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Fourth part 3.png|thumb|250px|left|Ottomans guarding the docks.]]
[[Constantinople]] in the Renaissance was divided into two distinct factions, the ruling [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]], and the remnants of the ancient [[Byzantines|Byzantine Empire]].<ref name="Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>

Though Constantinople was held and controlled by the former, guards of the latter constantly fought for control. The region of [[Cappadocia]], particularly [[Derinkuyu]], remained in Byzantine hands.<ref name="Revelations"/>

Ottoman guards wore green uniforms with red accents, while Byzantines wore small gray capes, and dark red and white uniforms. The Byzantine guards also distinctly wore the black eagle crest of the Byzantine Empire's [[Manuel Palaiologos|Palaiologos]] Dynasty.<ref name="Revelations"/>

==Ranking==
===High Middle Ages===
====Regular====
Regular guards were the most common, but lightest equipped of the guard ranks. Regular Crusader guards did not have helmets, and only wore leather armor, while Saracen ones wore turbans, and light lamellar armor.<ref name="AC"/>

In combat, they were not skilled enough to grab, counterattack, or perform a combo. They could only deflect attacks, with a 25% chance of dodging a light attack.<ref name="AC"/>

====Sergeant====
[[File:AC guard sergeant.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Altaïr attacking a Crusader Captain flanked by two Sergeants.]]
Sergeants were middle-ranked soldiers, and were equipped with helmets and heavier armor. Crusaders wore chainmail, and the Saracens possessed medium lamellar armor.<ref name="AC"/>

They could grab targets, and had a 50% chance of breaking a grab attack, as well as a 50% chance of countering or dodging a light attack. They also had a 25% chance of breaking defenses, but could not perform combo attacks.<ref name="AC"/>

====Captain====
Captains were the most powerful guards, with the exception of Templar Knights. Saracens wore Baidah helmets and heavy lamellar armor, while Crusaders wore chainmail, and varying knight helms.<ref name="AC"/>

Guards at this rank were also able to grab, and had a 75% chance of breaking a grab attack, as well as countering or dodging a light attack. They also had a 50% chance of breaking defenses. If a successful heavy attack was delivered, they could perform a combo attack.<ref name="AC"/>

===Renaissance===
====Militia====
[[File:Escape debt 2.png|thumb|250px|left|Three Militia guards cornering [[Egidio Troche]].]]
Militia were the lowest ranking guards, and wore very little armor. They also had the lowest morale, and were likely to flee a battle if they were losing.<ref name="AC2"/>

Militia could be found almost everywhere, and wielded a large variety of [[Swords and Maces|medium-ranged weapons]]. They were not especially agile, but could climb up to the rooftops, albeit slowly, in order to pursue a target Assassin.<ref name="AC2"/>

Of the guard types, Militia were the only ones who could be fooled into picking up coins, should they be thrown as a distraction.<ref name="AC2"/>

====Elite====
[[File:AC2 florence elite.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio attacking an Elite and Militia guard in Florence.]]
Elites were stronger than Militia, and wore a moderate amount of armor. They could withstand more damage, and were capable of dodging enemy attacks.<ref name="AC2"/>

They were also more courageous than Militia, but could still be forced to retreat, especially if their Leader (or a high-ranking specialized guard) should be killed near them.<ref name="AC2"/>

====Leader====
Leaders were the best fighters, and the most tenacious of all the regular guards. They wore slightly more armor than the Elites, and had distinct, full-faced helmets.<ref name="AC2"/>

They were resilient, and could withstand several attacks before they could be killed. They were also harder to disarm, as well as resistant to being grabbed.<ref name="AC2"/>

====Captain====
[[File:Demilitarization 2.png|thumb|250px|left|[[Cesare Borgia]] speaking with his Captains.]]
Captains of the Renaissance were usually found leading contingents of lower-ranked soldiers. They fought similarly to Leaders, but were more heavily and intricately armored, with full feathered helms.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Twelve [[Borgia Captains]] were particularly distinguished members of this rank, and led troops at each of Rome's twelve [[Borgia Towers]]. They were armored identically to other Captains, but wore white capes with the Borgia crest.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Though most were courageous and skilled enough to counter most attacks, some were cowardly, and would flee into their tower should it be attacked, until the next guard patrol was posted.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

{{-}}
==Ranged types==
As most standard guards only had medium or short-ranged weapons, they were often supplemented by ranged guard types, who could attack from a distance. More types were added over time, with the advancement of weapon technology.<ref name="AC"/><ref name="AC2"/>

===Archers===
{{Main|Archers}}
[[File:AC2 venice archer.jpeg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio pulling an archer from a rooftop in Venice.]]
Archers were guards armed with [[Bow|longbows]], who patrolled rooftops and watched for possible enemies below.<ref name="AC2"/> Outside of cities, they were posted on elevated watchtowers.<ref name="AC"/>

Crusader Archers wore the same uniforms as the standard guards of their faction, though they also had white hoods.<ref name="AC"/> In the Renaissance, Archers were usually of the Elite rank, and wore the same uniform as their standard counterparts.<ref name="AC2"/>

Once provoked due to an enemy approaching within a meter or so, an archer would cease firing arrows, and draw his medium-ranged weapon, such as a sword or mace. Though accurate and deadly from a distance, Archers did not pose a serious threat in close combat.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Crossbowmen===
{{Main|Crossbowmen}}
Similarly to Archers, Crossbowmen defended the rooftops or areas of interest, though the [[Crossbow]]s they wielded could be fired more quickly, and caused more damage.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> However, they did not completely replace Archers, as longbows were more accurate if used by a skilled guard.<ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

Unlike Archers, Crossbowmen had no melee weapon, and if their enemy drew too close, they would only back away and keep firing. They were also more vigilant, and possessed some [[Freerunning|free-running]] ability, which permitted them to more closely investigate intruders.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

In Rome, Crossbowmen could be distinguished by their striped berets and light armor.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Arquebusiers===
{{Main|Arquebusiers}}
[[File:Vilified 11 v.png|thumb|250px|left|A line of arquebusiers.]]
The Arquebusiers (also called Gunmen or Riflemen) were [[Firearms|firearm]]-wielding soldiers who patrolled rooftops, protected high-value locations, and guarded important people.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Though Arquebusiers did not have as great a range as Crossbowmen, what they lacked in distance, they made up for in power. Their shots dealt significant damage to both targets and enemy armor.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

In the Renaissance, they wore heavy armor and full helmets, as well as belts of gunpowder and ammunition.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Bombmen===
In Constantinople, Bombmen wielded [[Thunder Bombs]] and [[Short blades|short blades]], and commonly guarded the rooftops in high traffic areas, such as the docks, arsenal, and harbor. They would also participate in the protection of [[Assassin Dens|Templar dens]], and would attack from the safety of reinforced sentry boxes.<ref name="Revelations"/>

Byzantine Bombmen wore uniforms similar to Almogavars, though with longer red capes.<ref name="Revelations"/>

==Specialized types==
Certain high-ranking guards possessed unique qualities, usually granting them an advantage in combat through added speed, strength, or defense skills. They would often act as leaders for patrols of standard guards, and possessed uncommon weapons or armor.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Agiles===
{{Main|Agile guards}}
[[File:AC2 tuscan agile.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio fleeing an Agile.]]
Agiles were lightly-armored, quick moving guards. They were one of the types capable of outrunning Assassins, and were also skilled free-runners. They more commonly fled to alert nearby guards, rather than face an enemy directly.<ref name="AC2"/>

During pursuits alongside other guards, Agiles would usually catch up to a target first and injure them with the short blades they wielded. In battle, they were very light on their feet and could dodge nearly all attacks.<ref name="AC2"/>

Agiles wore the least armor of any guard, with only a light leather chest guard, and metal helmet and spaulders. Due to their increased vulnerability, they were also the most cowardly of the specialized types.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Brutes===
{{Main|Brutes}}
[[File:brute_die.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ezio throwing an axe at a Brute.]]
Brutes were the most heavily-armored guards during the Renaissance. They moved slowly due to the [[Heavy weapons|two-handed weapons]] they wielded, but compensated through resilience and power.<ref name="AC2"/>

They were not very vigilant, and could not normally distinguish Assassins from anyone else in a crowd. In guard patrols, they often acted as the leader, as they had the highest morale of any guard type, fleeing only if they were disarmed and could not obtain another weapon.<ref name="AC2"/>

Brutes could be easily seen from their large, reinforced armor and closed helms.<ref name="AC2"/> Brutes in Rome had more intricate armor than those in other cities, with designs worked into the metal.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Seekers===
{{Main|Seekers}}
[[File:AC2 venice seeker.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio about to assassinate a Seeker in Venice.]]
Seekers were guards who, as their name suggested, would search through [[Hiding Spots|hiding places]], on the suspicion that an Assassin had taken refuge within one. They always wielded [[Long weapons|polearms]], such as spears and halberds.<ref name="AC2"/>

Similarly to Brutes, they would lead patrols of guards, often halting the group to search any hiding spots they passed.<ref name="AC2"/> In battle, they had the second highest morale to Brutes, and were skilled enough to resist most attacks and counters.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

They were slightly more heavily-armored than a standard guard, though less so than Brutes, wearing a combination of chainmail and plate armor, as well as distinctive feathered helms.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Horsemen===
{{Main|Horsemen}}
[[File:Horsemen.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A horseman dueling Ezio.]]
Horsemen were mounted guards that possessed the ability to use a variety of weapons while on [[Horses|horseback]]. Their steeds allowed them to easily pursue targets, and strike pre-emptively.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Though they were vulnerable to long-ranged weapons such as [[throwing knives]] and crossbows, they could be easily dealt with after being knocked from the saddle, either by tripping their horse, or striking them from horseback.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Horsemen were equipped with both medium and long-ranged weapons, though none could wield polearms. They were armored similarly to Borgia Captains, albeit without the cape.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Almogavars===
{{Main|Almogavars}}
[[File:Curse of Romani 3.png|thumb|250px|right|Ezio aiming at a group of Almogavars.]]
Almogavars were heavily-armored Byzantine guards, who wielded two-handed axes. They were stationed in Byzantine-controlled districts of Constantinople, as well as in Derinkuyu during the Renaissance.<ref name="Revelations"/>

Comparable to Brutes, they fought with heavy weapons, and were slower than all other enemies. Due to their thick armor, they were very resilient, and could not be killed with a single bullet or crossbow bolt. However, they possessed a profound weakness to the effects of [[Datura Bombs]].<ref name="Revelations"/>

Their armor was scaled, with fur and particularly large metal spaders. They also wielded [[Almogavar Axe|unique axes]], with a pair of crescent-shaped blades.<ref name="Revelations"/>

===Varangians===
{{Main|Varangians}}
Varangians were the Byzantine equivalent of Seekers, and were stationed in both Constantinople and Derinkuyu. They were very skilled in battle, and could deflect nearly all strikes and counterattacks.<ref name="Revelations"/>

They wore heavy armor with short capes, as well as intricate winged helmets. They fought with halberds or spears, as well as short pistols.<ref name="Revelations"/>

==Expert types==
Expert guards were high-ranking guards, who were the most skilled and well-equipped of their time. They often possessed several of the qualities of specialized guards, and were limited in number.<ref name="AC"/><ref name="AC2"/>

===Templar Knights===
[[File:AC horseback charge.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Altaïr charging down a Templar Knight.]]
Templar Knights were particularly skilled Crusaders, and were stationed throughout the [[Kingdom]] and its cities. They would often position themselves with a wall or cliff to their back, to prevent them from being attacked from behind.<ref name="AC"/>

They were particularly vigilant, and could identify an Assassin from a crowd almost immediately, subsequently attacking them. Other guards held the knights in high regard, and would always stand back should the Templar Knight engage in battle with an Assassin.<ref name="AC"/>

They were similar to the Crusader Captains, but with unique armor. They wore chainmail and white surcoats with red crosses, as well as red lacquered great helms.<ref name="AC"/>

===Papal Guards===
{{Main|Papal Guard}}
[[File:ACB castel papal guards.png|thumb|250px|left|Four members of the Papal Guard.]]
The Papal Guard were elite soldiers commanded by the [[Papacy]], to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. They combined the best qualities of all the other specialized guards, being very powerful in battle, as well as quick on their feet.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

They wore intricate black and gold armor, as well as long dark capes, metal face masks and plumed helmets. They also wore crests painted on their chest guards, either displaying the crossed keys of the Papacy, or (in the 16th century) the red bull of the Borgia.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Papal guards could use a wide variety of weapons, including long or heavy ones, though they most commonly [[Dual-wielding|dual-wielded]] a pistol alongside a medium weapon.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Janissaries===
{{Main|Janissaries}}
[[File:ACR STORY 18.png|thumb|250px|right|Four Janissaries.]]
Janissaries were highly-trained soldiers, and the elite of the Ottoman Empire, serving as the private guards to the Sultan. Similarly to the Papal Guard, they encompassed all the skills of the specialized guards.<ref name="Revelations"/>

Their uniforms consisted of colorful robes with embroidered patterns, as well as black headdresses and metal face masks. They all wielded [[Janissary Kijil|unique kijils]], as well as short pistols for long-ranged attacks.<ref name="Revelations"/>

{{-}}
==Trivia==
;''Assassin's Creed II''
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the taunts Ezio said to Brutes were different from those he said to the other guards, mainly insulting them about their weight, as they were bulkier in stature.
*In the memory "[[Clothes Make the Man]]", [[Ugo]] told Ezio that the thieves were to impersonate the archers. Yet in the next memory, "[[Everything Must Go]]", after Ezio killed the archers on the rooftops, the thieves wore the armor of Leader guards instead of archer armor.
*In the memory "[[Infrequent Flier]]", a Brute and a Seeker could be seen stationed on a rooftop, despite being the only guards who could not climb or free-run.
*In the memory "[[Play Along]]", Ezio assassinated an Agile so he could disguise himself as a guard, but instead of having an Agile's outfit, he wore the outfit of a Leader guard.

;Others
[[File:Au Revoir 7.png|thumb|250px|right|Ezio wearing the French Captain armor.]]
*Several other guard types were present only in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'', such as Shield Guards, Duelists, and unnamed robed guards wielding maces.
*In the memory "[[French Kiss]]", Ezio killed twenty French guards of different archetypes. However, in the following memories, Bartolomeo's mercenaries were equipped with only Leader armor, while Ezio wore armor similar to a Borgia Captain's.
**One peculiar fact was that while Ezio's armor during the memory was in French colors, no such French guard could ever be encountered.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', an extremely rare glitch could occur with a group of four guards. They would stand in place and would not pay any attention to Ezio, even if he killed someone nearby. He was free to attack them, in which case an execution would be performed, but it would not kill them, leaving them to simply stand up again.
*In PlayStation Home, the design of a Seeker could be purchased for an avatar, which also came with a spear. Similarly, on Xbox Live, it was possible to purchase the outfit of an Agile guard.

{{GalleryBox|Guards}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACIID}}
[[Category:Guards]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II: Discovery Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Gameplay]]

Rodrigo Borgia

2012-08-31T05:10:38Z

124.176.231.107:

{{Era|AC2|PL|ACB|Renaissance|Bbook|ACL|Ascendance|Templars|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL|Pope Alexander VI}}
{{WPtargets}}
{{Quote|He is Rodrigo Borgia, one of the most powerful men in all of Europe, and leader of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].|[[Mario Auditore]] to his nephew, Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Rodrigo Borgia
|image = char_rodrigo.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1 January 1431 {{Wiki|Xàtiva}}, {{Wiki|Kingdom of Valencia}}, {{Wiki|Crown of Aragon}}
|death = 18 August 1503 (aged [[72]]) [[Rome]], {{Wiki|Papal States}}
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] [[Templars]] [[Papacy]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]
|actor = [[Manuel Tadros]]
|voice = [[Manuel Tadros]]}}
'''Rodrigo Borgia''' (1431 – 1503), born '''Roderic Llançol''', later '''Roderic de Borja i Borja''', was a [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Cardinals|Cardinal]] and the [[Grand Master|leader]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]] during the [[Renaissance]]. He was the father of [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]], [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]], and [[Jofré Borgia]], as well as grandfather to [[Giovanni Borgia]].

Rodrigo was [[Papacy|Pope]] from 1492 to 1503, and was known as '''Alexander VI'''. He was one of the most controversial Popes of the Renaissance, and his surname became synonymous for the corrupt standards of the Papacy in that era.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Roderic Llançol was born at Xàtiva in the Kingdom of Valencia, one of the component states of the Crown of Aragon, present-day Spain. His parents were Jofré Llançol i Escrivá, and his wife and relative Isabel de Borja. His family name is written Llançol in Valencian and Lanzol in Spanish. After the elevation of Roderic's maternal uncle Alonso de Borja to the Papacy as Calixtus III in 1455, Roderic was adopted into his mother's family name of Borja.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI">{{Wiki|Pope Alexander VI|''Wikipedia:'' Pope Alexander VI}}</ref>

===As a Cardinal===
Rodrigo de Borgia studied law at Bologna, and was successively made bishop, cardinal, and vice-chancellor of the church, all of which were nepotistic appointments characteristic of the age. He served in the Roman Curia under five Popes (his uncle, Pius II, Paul II, [[Sixtus IV]] and Innocent VIII) and acquired much administrative experience, influence, and wealth, though not great power.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI"/>

By the time Rodrigo was under Pope [[Sixtus IV]], he had become the Grand Master of the Templar Order in 1458. In this position, he aspired to unite all of [[Italy]] under the Templar banner. In order to achieve that goal, he made plans to take down the leaders of Italy's main cities, and place his own men in power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>

===Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza===
Rodrigo devised a plan to eliminate [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]], the Duke of Milan, in which [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], [[Carlo Visconti]] and [[Gerolamo Olgiati]] would kill Sforza on the day of Santo Stefano.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

One night in December of 1476, Rodrigo was on his way to leave [[Florence]] accompanied by several of his men. Suddenly, [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]], a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], intercepted him. Rodrigo fled immediately as the Assassin battled his men.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Hidden behind a corner, Rodrigo witnessed Giovanni capture one of his men, who later revealed the planned assassination of Galeazzo Sforza, a powerful ally of [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]. Giovanni attempted to prevent the assassination, though he arrived too late to do so. Rodrigo's plan had succeeded, thus he began to devise his next scheme.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

===Auditore execution===
Giovanni Auditore learned that Rodrigo's plans would lead him to the city of [[Venice]], after looting a Venetian ducat from Giovanni Lampugnani. Upon traveling there, he intercepted a message from [[Marco Barbarigo|Marco]] and [[Silvio Barbarigo]] to their master, Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:Tadros.jpg|thumb|250px|Rodrigo walking in Rome.]]
After [[Uberto Alberti]] and [[Antonio Maffei|Father Maffei]] "failed" to decode the intercepted letter, the [[House of Medici|Medici]] and Uberto sent Giovanni to carry a copied version of the message to [[Rome]], in order to discover who was behind the plot. Arriving in the city, Giovanni handed the message to a man, and followed the letter as it passed through several hands before meeting its final destination: Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Rodrigo then left to see Pope Sixtus IV, hoping to obtain military support in order to conquer Florence. After gaining Sixtus' favor, Rodrigo headed out of the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]], and into the streets of Rome once more.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Giovanni was still on Rodrigo's trail, and followed him all the way into [[Basilica di San Pietro|St. Peter's Basilica]]. However, he fell into an ambush set by Rodrigo, who had known of the Assassin following him. Rodrigo tried to offer Giovanni a position among the Templars, but the Assassin refused, stating that Rodrigo would be dead before he could see the Templars' fantasy become reality.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Disappointed, Rodrigo had his men attack Giovanni, but the Assassin routed all of them. Rodrigo, who had been watching from the sidelines, threw a [[Throwing knives|knife]] at Giovanni, which hit him in the chest. Rodrigo then took the chance to flee the Basilica. Afterwards, he discussed the next step in his plan with his Templar brothers, and all agreed that they had to dispose of Giovanni Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:LMS_10_v.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo giving orders to Uberto at the Auditore execution.]]
In order to get rid of Giovanni, Rodrigo conspired with Uberto Alberti and the [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi family]]. After careful planning, the Templars were able to frame Giovanni for the crimes of treason, and had him and two of his sons arrested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

The night before the trial of the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], Rodrigo was at Uberto's house. [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], Giovanni's remaining son, came by to give Uberto his father's letters that would prove him innocent. Ezio noticed Rodrigo behind Uberto, but paid no further attention to him. The following morning, Rodrigo attended the judgment and execution of Giovanni, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio Auditore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Pazzi Conspiracy===
{{Quote|Gentlemen. Tomorrow, a new sun rises over Firenze.|Rodrigo encouraging the Pazzi Conspirators.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Burgerking.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo discussing the Pazzi Conspiracy.]]
In 1478, Rodrigo conspired to take down the leader of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. Thus, Rodrigo left for [[San Gimignano]], where he held a meeting with [[Francesco de' Pazzi|Francesco]], [[Jacopo de' Pazzi|Jacopo]], and [[Vieri de' Pazzi]]. Rodrigo left the town just before the [[mercenaries]], led by [[Mario Auditore]] and his nephew Ezio, attacked. Their attack resulted in the death of Vieri de' Pazzi.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Not long after that, Rodrigo met with Francesco and Jacopo de'Pazzi, Antonio Maffei, [[Bernardo Baroncelli]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]] and [[Francesco Salviati]] in a catacomb under the Basilica of [[Santa Maria Novella]]. As the Pazzi Conspirators confirmed their plan to Rodrigo, he reminded them to beware of the Assassins, and stated that the next day would be ''"a new dawn" ''for Florence<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Ezio thwarted the Templars' attempted takeover in Florence and killed off the remaining conspirators Rodrigo was arranged to meet with in San Gimignano, where the Pazzi originally intended to request asylum with Rodrigo in either Venice or Rome. Jacopo was the only one to arrive at the meeting and claimed that the blame for the failure rested with his nephew, for his impatience, and with [[Emilio Barbarigo]], for supplying the Pazzi troops with sub-standard weaponry. Enraged by Jacopo's sniveling excuses, Rodrigo lectured his subordinate on his failure, then stabbed him in the abdomen, aided by an eager Emilio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ignoring Jacopo's pleas for mercy, Rodrigo stabbed him a second time in the neck with his sword, then called out to Ezio who had tailed Jacopo to the meeting. Grabbed by Borgia guards, Ezio was brought into Rodrigo's sight. Sarcastically apologizing for killing Jacopo for him, Rodrigo mocked Ezio, saying that he had been doing this for far longer than the [[novice]] Assassin. He then ordered his men to kill him, and left without bothering to ensure the deed was done.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Venetian Conspiracy===
{{Quote|I feel the need to involve myself more directly. The Pazzi disappointed us in Firenze. I pray you will not do the same.|Rodrigo, about personally attending the meeting.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:BoF 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo on the [[Ponte di Rialto]] with the other Templars.]]
Soon after the Florentine attempt failed, Rodrigo returned his attention to conducting his plans for Venice. In 1485, he met with [[Carlo Grimaldi]] and the [[House of Barbarigo|Barbarigo family]] to plan the murder of the current Doge, [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], in order for them to seize control of Venice. During the meeting, Rodrigo chastised the Venetian Templars for making their own plans, rebuking them for their ''"inane prattle"'' as they argued over who would be the new Doge after they took Venice. He then silenced their debates by appointing Marco Barbarigo as the next Doge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this meeting, Marco questioned Rodrigo's presence in Venice, as Ezio was also there, but Rodrigo only replied that he felt he should see out their plans personally, particularly after the failure of the Pazzi conspiracy. Warning the Venetian tyrants of the Assassin that haunted their city, he then made his departure from Venice to Rome, allowing them to carry out his plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Shipping the Apple of Eden===
{{Quote|You claim not to be a believer. And yet, here you are... Don't you see him? The Prophet is already here... I AM the Prophet. Now give me the Apple.|Rodrigo upon confronting Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Play along 2.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo and Ezio confront each other in Venice.]]
By 1486, Rodrigo had found out by his Templar comrade, [[Cem]], that the Piece of Eden he sought was [[Ezio's Apple|the Apple]], which was hidden on [[Cyprus]]. He thus sent a battalion of his men to retrieve it. Two years later, the men returned to [[Arsenale di Venezia|L'Arsenale]] with the artifact, and Rodrigo met with the courier who was to deliver it to him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, prior to this, Ezio had intercepted the delivery and had disguised himself as the carrier of the artifact, in order to find and kill Rodrigo. Rodrigo was not surprised, and readied himself to deal with Ezio personally. The two exchanged a brief conversation, in which Rodrigo claimed himself to be the Prophet, who was said to be the only one who could open the fabled [[Vatican Vault|Vault]]. The two then began an intense battle, in which Ezio ultimately emerged as the victor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Realizing that he could not defeat Ezio on his own, Rodrigo called in a supply of guards to overwhelm him. Suddenly, many of Ezio's allies appeared, all of whom revealed themselves to be Assassins. They held off the guards to allow Ezio to re-challenge Rodrigo, who then escaped from them before Ezio could kill him, leaving the Apple in the hands of the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

That same year, Rodrigo found out that the late [[Girolamo Riario]] had created a map marking where all the [[Codex]] pages could be found, thus he hired the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] to retrieve it from Riario's city of [[Forlì]]. The Orsi discovered that Riario's wife, [[Caterina Sforza]], also had the Apple, and thus laid [[Battle of Forlì|siege]] to the city and took the artifact by force, planning to present it to Rodrigo for an extra pay-off.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Unfortunately for Rodrigo, Ezio managed to kill both of the Orsi brothers, though the Apple eventually came into the hands of [[Girolamo Savonarola]], a later arch-enemy of Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Deceiving Torquemada===
{{Dialogue|Ezio|Rodrigo Borgia is an unbeliever like me, and yet you lavish him with favors.|Torquemada|Borgia is one of three Papal candidates this year. And he is as devoted to God as I am.|Ezio and Torquemada talking about Rodrigo.|Assassin's Creed II: Discovery}}
In 1491, Rodrigo fooled the Spanish Inquisitor General [[Tomás de Torquemada]] into capturing and killing Assassins in Spain. Tomás, who thought Rodrigo was as much as a believer of God as he was, blindly followed his orders.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>

At around this time, Rodrigo also found out about [[Christoffa Corombo]]'s plans to sail west; however he, knowing of the presence of the [[United States|Americas]] and the treasures that lay there, wished to stop anyone from finding it before he could. Thus, Rodrigo arranged a meeting with Christoffa in Venice, and lay a trap for him there.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

However, Christoffa's friend, [[Luis de Santángel]], was suspicious of the arrangement, and called for the aid of his fellow Assassin, Ezio. Ezio rushed to Christoffa's aid, successfully rescuing him from an assassin and thwarted Rodrigo's plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

===Papal Rule===
{{Quote|The Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, has been elected Pope. He rules the Vatican and Rome as the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander VI! [...] The rumour is that Rodrigo simply bought most of the votes. Even [[Ascanio Sforza]], who was the most likely candidate standing against him, voted for him!|[[Sister Teodora]] talking about Rodrigo becoming Pope.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
Rodrigo was elected Pope in 1492, and established his power in Rome. Rodrigo's true intent, however, was simply to get into [[Vatican Vault|the Vault that lay under the Vatican]], where he believed God rested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1494, with the death of Lorenzo de' Medici, and with the power of the Apple he had obtained, Savonarola [[Bonfire of the Vanities|took control]] over Florence. Rodrigo repeatedly sent his men to Florence in the hopes of acquiring the Apple, though all of his attempts failed. In 1498, Savonarola was assassinated by Ezio, causing the Borgia family to fall into a state of chaos upon losing track of the Apple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>
[[File:IBAL 4.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo confronted by Ezio.]]
In 1499, Rodrigo was followed into the Vatican by Ezio for yet another assassination attempt. Ezio infiltrated the [[Cappella Sistina|Sistine Chapel]], where Rodrigo was holding Mass, and attacked him from above. However, after turning to leave, Ezio witnessed Rodrigo rise from the ground and use his Piece of Eden, [[Staves of Eden|the Papal Staff]], to strike him down, along with everyone else in the room.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Rodrigo was surprised to see that Ezio was able to resist the power of his Staff, as Ezio had brought his own Piece of Eden: the Apple. Ezio then summoned four clones of himself to assist in his battle against Rodrigo, eventually defeating him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Rodrigo knocked Ezio aside with the Staff, and snatched the Apple from his hands. He then combined it with the Staff to open up the door to The Vault, and as Ezio tried to stop him, Rodrigo lifted him into the air with the power of the two combined Pieces of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
[[File:IBAL 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo lifting Ezio into the air.]]
As the Assassin hung helpless, Rodrigo stabbed Ezio with a dagger, and left him to die on the floor of the Sistine Chapel. Though injured, Ezio eventually followed Rodrigo to the Vault, and found the Pope furiously pounding upon the door to the inner chambers, which refused to open.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ezio then dropped down into the pit where Rodrigo was, and challenged him to one last fist fight, with no more weapons, plots, or decoys. Rodrigo accepted, and the two had one last duel. During the battle, Rodrigo stated that he had never believed in the Bible or in God, and had only become Pope to gain access to the Staff and the Vault, and to unify Italy under Templar rule. Ezio defeated Rodrigo, holding the Pope at blade-point and telling him he was not the Prophet, and had never been.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Broken by this revelation and accepting defeat, Rodrigo told Ezio to kill him and put an end to it. However, Ezio refused, saying that killing him would not bring back his family. Additionally, the knowledge that he was not the Prophet, as he had believed, was an even sorer blow than anything else that Ezio could have thought of.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

When Rodrigo's son Cesare learned of this, he led a [[Fall of Monteriggioni|siege]] on [[Monteriggioni]], though without Rodrigo's approval, in order to reacquire the Apple of Eden and kill the last of the Assassins. By this time, Rodrigo was reduced to nothing but a figurehead, with Cesare ultimately taking over Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

===Later life and death===
{{Quote|You risk upsetting the delicate balance of control we have worked so hard to tighten.|Rodrigo talking about the consequences of his son's actions.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In and Out 8.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo and Cesare talking at the Pagan party.]]
Following his defeat in the Vault, Rodrigo had given up on fighting the Assassin Order and instead chose to preserve the balance of power in Rome he had managed to obtain. However, Cesare was eager to take over all of Italy, a plan that Rodrigo did not approve of. As the Captain General of the Papal armies, however, Cesare held control over Rodrigo's military, and was thus able to carry out his plans without his father's consent.

A string of bad luck followed Rodrigo after the events in the Vault: in June 1500, an iron steeple from the roof of St. Peter's fell a few feet away from where he was walking. The next day, he was in a room in the Vatican that collapsed and killed everyone around him: only a piece of canopy wedged above him saved his life. A few weeks later, he grew ill from fever, and at the end of year, he was charged by a stag during a hunting trip.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1503, at [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s pagan party, Rodrigo spoke to Cesare and reprimanded him, only to have his son brush aside his concerns and remind him of who was ''truly'' in charge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Later that year, Rodrigo had grown heavily displeased with Cesare's ambition and entitlement, believing his son to be out of control. Fearing Cesare would jeopardize his own balance of power, Rodrigo decided that his best option would be to remove Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:Apple a day 5.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare killing his father.]]
To achieve this, he seized the Castel's supply of [[cantarella]] - the same poison that had been used for Doge Mocenigo - and poisoned a few apples for Cesare to unwittingly eat. However, Rodrigo's daughter Lucrezia discovered the presence of the poison, and warned Cesare about it before he could ingest enough to be mortally wounded.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Enraged, Cesare promptly spat out what he had eaten, before shoving the remaining apple down Rodrigo's throat. Rodrigo perished before Ezio arrived to kill him, but Ezio nevertheless gave Rodrigo his final blessing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Legacy==
During the 21st Century, members of the Templar inner circle thought of Rodrigo Borgia as a debased tyrant instead of a respected Grand Master. Instead of spreading knowledge to enlighten his fellow man and break down the boundaries that keep men divided, Rodrigo used his power and position as Grand Master to corrupt the Templar purpose into gaining infinite power by any means.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

True Templar motives are questionable, but they intended to serve the greater good; Rodrigo however wanted power for the sake of it, and saw total domination over all as his prize. The Borgia's leadership over the Order would later be known as the "Dark Age of the Order."<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

==Personality==
{{quote|It's not approval I'm after. Just power.|Rodrigo, while dueling with Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Rodriog Borgia ACII.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Rodrigo challenging Ezio in the Vatican vault.]]
Initially an ambitious middle-aged man, Rodrigo was intent, as Cesare later would be, on taking Italy in the name of the Templar Order and exterminating the Assassins. After becoming Pope, his obsession not only with conquering Italy but also of realizing what he believed to be his true calling as the Prophet intensified. He actively sought to take the Apple from Savonarola, as demonstrated when he sent battalions of his family's soldiers to Florence to take it.

After his duel with Ezio in the Vault, and the shattering revelation that he was not the Prophet, Rodrigo was reduced to being an empty shell, and instead of continuing to pursue his dreams of infinite power and the extermination of the Assassin Order, he focused on maintaining his monopoly over Rome.

==Final words==
After Ezio's first assassination attempt.
*'''Ezio:''' ''I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much...'' Requiescat in pace ''(Rest in peace), you bastard.''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''I don't think so.''

After Ezio's and Rodrigo's confrontation at the Vault.
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''You can't! You can't! It's MY destiny. MINE! I am the Prophet!''
*'''Ezio:''' ''You never were...''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''Get it over with then.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''...No. Killing you won't bring my family back... I'm done.'' Nulla è reale, tutto è lecito. Requiescat in pace. ''(Nothing is true, everything is permitted. Rest in peace.)''

==Trivia==
[[File:Blason_famille_it_Borgia01_svg.png|thumb|The [[Heraldry|coat of arms]] of the Borgia, which can be seen on Rodrigo's personal guards.]]
*Rodrigo was called "the Spaniard" by the Assassins due to his Spanish origins.
* During some of Rodrigo's appearances, a dim red lighting effect can be seen on Rodrigo's hood and upper body, even though there is no source for this light.
* Historically, Pope Alexander VI ordered the execution of Savonarola, the mad monk of Florence.
* In the ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood|Assassin's Creed: Botherhood]]'' multiplayer, portraits of him can be seen within the walls of the [[multiplayer]] map, [[Castel Gandolfo]].
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', while Ezio was disguised as a minstrel, he sang a song about Rodrigo before and after he became Pope.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)]], it is implied by Giovanni in his letter to Mario that Rodrigo became the Grand Master of the Order

;Combat
*When Ezio entered the Sistine Chapel to assassinate Rodrigo, he was proclaiming the Nicene Creed in Latin to the congregation. Ironically, Rodrigo later stated that he did not believe the concept of the Nicene Creed, which confesses the wholeness of the Roman Catholic doctrine.
* It is possible to kill Rodrigo while in the Sistine Chapel if you [[Poison blade|poison]] him. After this, you can wield the Staff of Eden, although you cannot use any of its powers.
* Occasionally, during the fight with Rodrigo in the Sistine Chapel, he can be seen wielding a spear instead of the Staff.
* Although Ezio did not kill Rodrigo, he is listed as dead in the [[Animus]]' Conspirator Web after the player completes the main memories of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' and re-enters the Animus.

;Papacy
[[File:Papal_Arms_of_Alexander_VI.svg|thumb|Papal coat of arms of Alexander VI, which can be seen on his [[Papal Guard]].]]
* Rodrigo was the first Pope to be elected from a conclave in the Sistine Chapel.
* In Rodrigo's assassination target video, there is a scene with Rodrigo in his Papal robes standing next to his fellow Templars, who are seated at a table. This is impossible, because by the time Rodrigo became Pope, Ezio had killed all the other Templars present. The Pazzi, the Barbarigo, and Carlo Grimaldi, for example, are shown at the table.
* In the assassination target video for the Orsi brothers set in 1488, in the [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|''Battle of Forlì'' DLC]], Rodrigo is again shown in his Papal robes, even though he was elected Pope in 1492.

;Death
* Rodrigo's fate in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' differs from that shown in ''Assassin's Creed II''. In the game, after Ezio defeated and spared him, Rodrigo was left alone to come to terms with his misery as Ezio entered the Vault. In the novel, however, when Ezio emerged from the Vault, Borgia committed suicide with poison. His last act was to ask Ezio what he saw in the Vault, to which Ezio replied ''"Nothing. No one,"'' leading Borgia to die believing everything he had done in life was for nothing.
**In the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|novelization of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']], however, Rodrigo evidently survived this suicide attempt, and Mario Auditore suggested that he had not taken enough poison, or that he had been faking.
* Rodrigo died in 1503 at the age of [[72]].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center">
Borgia lineage.jpg|Rodrigo hiding from Giovanni Auditore in Florence.
Rodrigo Borgia V.png|Rodrigo, before becoming Pope.
Gallery3.jpg|Rodrigo's portrait at Tiber island.
CU Rodrigo Borgia Before Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo before becoming Pope.
CU Rodrigo Borgia Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo after becoming Pope.
Rodrigo - ingame Pope model - AC2.jpg|In-game model of Rodrigo Borgia as Pope.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACIID}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Rodrigo}}
[[de:Rodrigo Borgia]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Assassination Targets]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Novel) Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Grand Masters]]
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Pieces of Eden Wielders]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

The Mentor's Return

2012-08-31T04:58:20Z

124.176.231.107: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|ACR}}
{{WPmemories}}
{{Memory Infobox
|image = the-mentors-return-memory.png
|description = ''Altaïr has returned to Masyaf after two decades of self-imposed exile. Gather allies and eliminate Abbas.''
||appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
|type = Main
|previous = [[The Maiden's Tower]]
|next = [[Setting Sail]]
|ancestor = [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]
|location = [[Masyaf]]
|date = 1247}}
'''The Mentor's Return''' is a memory in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''.

==Description==
After a long absence from Masyaf, Altaïr returned to the city where he belonged. Now at the age of 82, he was surprised by the amount of Assassins that supported his return. Altaïr faced [[Abbas Sofian]] one last time.

==Dialogue==
[[File:Mentor's return 2.png|thumb|right|250px|Altaïr explaining his plan to meet Abbas.]]
A group of Assassins sat by a campfire.
*'''Cemal:''' ''They say he screams in his sleep, calling out for his father.''
*'''Teragani:''' ''Abbas. What a miserable man.''
*'''Tazim:''' ''It is not our place to judge.''
*'''Cemal:''' ''It certainly is. If our master has gone mad, I would like to know.''
*'''Teragani:''' ''Hush... Good evening.''
Altaïr joined the group.
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Water.''
*'''Teragani:''' ''Of course. Sit.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Many thanks.''
*'''Fourth Assassin:''' ''What brings you here, old man?''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Pity Abbas, do not mock him. He has lived as an orphan for most of his life, shamed by his family's legacy. He is desperate for power because he is powerless.''
*'''Tazim:''' ''He is our Mentor! And unlike Al Mualim or Altaïr, he never betrayed us!''
*'''Teragani:''' ''Nonsense! Altaïr was no traitor. He was driven out. Unjustly.''
The Assassin inspected Altaïr's face.
*'''Teragani:''' ''Is it... is it you? I heard rumors, but I did not believe them.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''I wonder if I might speak with Abbas myself. It has been a long time.''
*'''Cemal:''' ''Impossible. Abbas uses rogue Fedayeen to keep us from the castle.''
*'''Fourth Assassin:''' ''Fewer than half the fighters here are true Assassins.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''So where do I begin?''
*'''Cemal:''' ''With us.''
Altaïr and his allies started making their way to the fortress.
[[File:Mentor's_return_4.png|thumb|right|250px|Altaïr being greeted by a pair of loyal Assassins.]]
*'''Altaïr:''' ''You say these men are cruel. Has anyone raised his blade against an innocent?''
*'''Cemal:''' ''Alas, yes. Brutality seems to be their sole joy.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Then they will die, for they have compromised the Order. But those who still live by the Creed must be spared.''
*'''Assassin:''' ''You can trust in us.''
*'''Abbas' Captain 1:''' ''You've heard the stories going around the village?''
*'''Abbas' Captain 2:''' ''About Abbas and his nightmares?''
*'''Abbas' Captain 1:''' ''No, no. Altaïr.''
*'''Abbas' Captain 2:''' ''What about him?''
*'''Abbas' Captain 1:''' ''People say an old Assassin saved the life of a merchant down in the valley. They say he fought with a hidden blade.''
*'''Abbas' Captain 2:''' ''Ah, rumors. I don't believe it.''
*'''Abbas' Captain 1:''' ''True or not, say nothing to Abbas. He is sick with paranoia.''
Altaïr approached both Captains.
[[File:Mentor's_return_5.png|thumb|right|250px|A Captain killed by Altaïr.]]
*'''Abbas' Captain:''' ''You make me ill just looking at you.''
*'''Abbas' Captain 2:''' ''Clear out, old man.''
Altaïr assassinated the Captains and approached another one.
*'''Abbas' Captain 3:''' ''Altaïr is here? In the village? Send word to the castle, quickly! Assassins! To me!''
*'''Loyal Assassin 1:''' ''Mentor!''
*'''Altaïr: '''''Welcome.''
*'''Loyal Assassin 2:''' ''Hush! We do not want to get him killed!''
*'''Abbas' Captain 3:''' ''There! Kill the traitors! You are nothing without that artifact. Nothing! You pathetic miser, stand down or die.''
*'''Altaïr: '''''You could have been spared, friend.''
*'''Abbas' Captain 3:''' ''I am not your friend, old man.''
Altaïr and his allies killed the Captain and his men.
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Follow me to the castle. And spill no blood if you can help it.''
Altaïr climbed the path to the castle.
*'''Loyal Captain:''' ''Altaïr, two decades have passed since we last saw you within these walls. We could use your wisdom, now more than ever.''
Altaïr entered the courtyard and confronted Abbas.
*'''Abbas:''' ''Kill him! Kill him now! What are you waiting for! You fools! He has bewitched you!''
*'''Assassin:''''' Our mentor has returned!''
Altaïr confronted Abbas inside the castle.
[[File:Mentor's_return_6.png|thumb|right|250px|Abbas ordering his men to kill Altaïr.]]
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Tell your men to stand down.''
*'''Abbas:''' ''No! I am defending Masyaf! Would you not do the same?''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''You corrupted everything we stand for, and lost everything we gained. All of it, sacrificed on the altar of your own spite.''
*'''Abbas:''' ''And you, you have wasted your life staring into that Apple, dreaming of your own glory!''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''That is true, Abbas. I learned many things from the Apple. Of life and death, of the past and the future. Let me show you...''
Altaïr shot Abbas with his [[Hidden Gun]].
[[File:Mentor's_return_11.png|thumb|right|250px|Altaïr aiming at Abbas.]]
*'''Abbas:''' ''I can never forgive you Altaïr. The lies you told about my family, my father. The humiliation I suffered.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''They were not lies, Abbas. I was ten years old when your father came to see me. He was in tears, begging to be forgiven for betraying my family. Then he cut his own throat. I watched his life ebb away at my feet. I will never forget that image.''
*'''Abbas:''' ''No.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''But he was not a coward, Abbas. He reclaimed his honor.''
*'''Abbas:''' ''I hope there is another life after this one. Then I will see him, and know the truth of his final days... And when it is your time, we will find you, and then there will be no doubts.''

==Outcome==
Altaïr killed Abbas Sofian and regained his title as Mentor of the Levantine Assassins.

==Trivia==
*To achieve full [[synchronization]], Altaïr must not kill anyone, except Abbas and his Captains.
*At the end of the opening cutscene, the buckle holding Altaïr's cape looks similar to the Italian Assassin insignia.
*Once he enters the castle, Altaïr gains the ability to call on fellow Assassins similarly to Ezio.
**Calling the Assassins will count against full synchronization, however.
*If Altaïr disarms any Assassins who attack him with swords, they will suddenly turn into allies and call him "Mentor".
*Chronologically, this is the first time the Hidden Gun was used to kill someone.
*In several places around the village and the fortress, brief moments between Altaïr and [[Maria Thorpe|Maria]] from the [[A New Regime]] memory can be seen when [[Eagle Sense]] is activated.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="160" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" captiontextcolor="#ffffff">
Mentor's return 1.png
Mentor's return 3.png
Mentor's return 7.png
Mentor's return 9.png
Mentor's return 10.png
An elderly Altair faces Abbas.png
Mentor's return 12.png
</gallery>

{{ACRMemories}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Memories]]