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Desmond Miles

2010-01-13T14:33:15Z

124.186.246.166: /* Trivia */

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{{Character Infobox
|image =Desmond2.png
|imgdesc =
|name =Desmond Miles
|status =Alive
|arabic =
|alias ="Subject 17"
|meaning =
|faction =[[Assassins]]
|appear =''[[Assassin's Creed]]'',<br>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period =[[Modern Times|21st century]]
|voice =[[Nolan North]]
}}

{{Quote|I'm not an assassin… not anymore.|Desmond Miles to [[Warren Vidic]]}}
'''Desmond Miles''' is the protagonist of the [[Assassin's Creed series|''Assassin's Creed'' series]] and the descendant of a long line of [[assassins]]. He is initially forced to use a machine, called the [[Animus]], by [[Abstergo Industries]] – the modern front of the [[Knights Templar]] – to relive the memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], in their quest to locate the Apple, a [[Piece of Eden]].

Eventually escaping with the aid of the modern-day assassins, Desmond once again uses an improved Animus to explore the memories of a second ancestor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], so as to learn the ways of the assassins in a [[Bleeding Effect|much quicker way than normal]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Desmond Miles was born in 1987 at an Assassin "hideout" in the desert, an enclave much like the city of [[Masyaf]], where he was destined to be trained as an assassin. However, as he grew older Desmond later fled the hideout, claiming that "he wanted to see the rest of the world". He later told [[Lucy Stillman]] that he had no regrets over leaving his parents, because as far as he was concerned, they were his "wardens". At some point after leaving the hideout, Desmond became a bartender. Aware of the Knights Templar, and wanting to avoid both them and the assassins Desmond never used his real name and paid only by cash. He was eventually found, however, by a fingerprint needed for a motorcycle license.

===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===
[[File:Warren-vidic-assassins-creed-2-character.jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Warren Vidic]] overlooks Desmond inside the [[Animus]].]]

{{Quote|I'm a bartender, for Christ's sake! What do you want me to do, teach you how to mix a martini?|Desmond to Vidic and Lucy}}
[[Modern Times|In September 2012]], Desmond Miles was kidnapped by [[Abstergo Industries]], a pharmaceutical company and front for the Knights Templar, for use as a test subject in the [[Animus]], a device that can read the memories of Desmond's ancestors through the "genetic memory" left behind in their descendants' DNA. At first [[Warren Vidic]], attempted to pry the information he wanted from Desmond's mind, but was met with failure due to Desmond’s subconscious lack of confidence in accessing that memory. As such Desmond was forced to relive the memories of his ancestor from the earliest point at which he felt most confident; this then allowed Desmond to simulate the experiences of his ancestors. Whilst he claimed to be nothing more than a bartender, Vidic reveals that they knew of his past as an assassin, forcing Desmond to finally admit his past life. Vidic and [[Lucy Stillman]] tell Desmond that they're trying to access a certain memory, but Desmond's subconscious is restraining. Vidic warns Desmond that if he refuses to assist them, they will induce a coma, continue their work, and, when done with Desmond, leave him to die. Without much choice, Desmond agrees to help them.

Desmond was made to explore the genetic memories of his ancestor – [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], a member of a clan of Assassins during the [[Third Crusade]], specifically Altaïr's experiences during the year 1191 – and over several days does so under the watchful eye of Warren Vidic. During the nights however, Desmond discovers that he is able to explore the lab he is being held in, accessing the Animus computer and, after stealing his keycard, the personal computer of Warren Vidic. Through these [[E-mail]]s, Desmond learns of a ''[[Subject Sixteen]]'' who had begun suffering from a "bleeding effect" due to prolonged exposure to the animus, as well as tidbits of information from the outside world. Eventually, with the aid of Lucy, the assassins learned of Desmond's capture and attempted to liberate him, the gunfire being heard through an intercom device, although the rescue attempt failed. Vidic boasts that those assassins were in fact the last of the assassin; their desert hidehout having previously been destroyed. Lucy Stillman's actions, however, suggest otherwise, and when Desmond asks if Lucy knows anything about his parents, she responds by saying that she doesn't know, but that they probably escaped. During this discussion, Lucy reveals herself to be a member of the assassins.

Desmond eventually achieves Vidic's goal, and discovers the location of numerous Pieces of Eden. Executives of Abstergo Industries order his execution, but his life is saved by Stillman's intervention, who asks to keep Desmond alive for future reference. After the executives leave, Desmond suddenly accesses the "[[Eagle Vision|eagle vision]]" of his ancestor Altaïr, seeing Warren and Lucy for their true allegiances, as well as countless scrawled messages and puzzles on the floor of the main laboratory.

===''Assassin's Creed II''===
[[File:Demsondanimus2.jpg|thumb|400px|Desmond sitting in the [[Animus|Animus 2.0]]]]
{{Quote|I'm in.|Desmond, agreeing to aid the Assassins in their fight against the Templars}}
At the beginning of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' Desmond is still being held within the laboratory at Abstergo, continuing directly from the last game down to the second. Lucy suddenly arrives, covered in blood and demanding Desmond to get into the Animus before Abstergo discovers what she's done. Desmond, rather confused, agrees and, inside the Animus, experiences the birth of another of his ancestors, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], a joint ancestor of his and Subject Sixteen's. He is quickly pulled out though, and both make their escape.

They were quickly spotted by Abstergo security forces and forced into an engagement which Lucy quickly ends, allowing them to continue on stealthily. The two soon enter a large open room filled with office blocks, and lined with a large number of Animus machines, although Desmond's question about them are met with silence. Desmond once instinctively called upon his recently reactivated eagle vision when, at the door to an elevator, a password was needed that Lucy did not have. Once in the carpark the two are halted by yet more Abstergo guards, but are able to overcome them and escape.

Arriving at the assassin's hideout, Desmond was introduced to two more assassins – [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] –who have been working with Lucy over the years. Lucy told Desmond that they wanted him to become an assassin, and thanks to the bleeding effect, they could achieve this in a matter of days, although it required him learning the ways of an assassin through a new ancestor; Ezio. Desmond agrees to help almost immediately, and is quickly plugged in the Animus 2.0.

After learning the ways of the assassin through Ezio's memories Desmond was retracted from the Animus, partly to test his retention of the memories, but also to prevent the mental degradation that Subject Sixteen had suffered from being in the animus for too long at a time. Tasking him with initiating security protocols around the Assassin hideout, Lucy left it to Desmond to work out how to reach them; just as he begun, however, he started suffering vivid hallucinations of the Crusader era. At first the vision were short, and that they were nothing to worry about, but after completing the task Desmond was incapacitated as the visions became more real. Taken back to [[Acre]], Desmond followed the memories of Altaïr once again, this time without the use of the Animus, and watches as Altaïr and [[Maria]] conceive their first child, Desmond's next ancestor.

The next day, Desmond had recovered from the experiences and returned to the Animus, neglecting to tell the assassins what had happened. He continued the watch over the genetic memories of Ezio Auditore, despite at one time being thrown out by a "corrupted memory sequence". Eventually they learn that Ezio's arch-nemesis, the Templar Grandmaster [[Rodrigo Borgia]] had, in 1492 become Pope Alexander VI, so as to gain access to yet another Piece of Eden, the Papal Staff and [[the Vault]]. As Ezio's story began to conclude, Desmond and the assassins watched deep within [[the Vault]] beneath the Vatican. Ezio found himself confronted by a hologram-esque "[[Those Who Have Gone Before|god]]" who called herself [[Minerva]]; Minerva warns the assassins of the end of the world, as well as retelling the story of the war between "Those Who Came Before", and their human subjects. The assassins are shocked when Minerva addresses Desmond by name, and it is revealed that Minerva is in fact talking to Desmond ''through'' Ezio. Desmond is quickly pulled out of the Animus though, seeing the three rushing to collect their belongings, the Templars having found their location.

Immediately after getting out of the Animus, Lucy hands Desmond a [[Hidden Blade]] with the Assassin's emblem on it, and asks for his assistance in covering the escape. Making their way into the warehouse, Vidic appears, flanked by Abstergo security official with the intent of reclaiming Desmond. The two assassins fight off the Templars with Desmond, now synchronized with both Altaïr and Ezio, performing masterfully and slaying many with his Hidden Blade. With his entourage eliminated, Vidic is left to confront Desmond on his own, but instead retreats, promising that their victory is only temporary. The four Assassins then flee north, and Desmond is hooked up to the Animus inside the van and told to continue to search through his memories for anything useful. As Desmond's hooked up, the other Assassins begin to discuss the nature of Minerva and her talk.

==Characteristic, personality and skills==
[[File:Altairezio.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Desmond's two ancestors, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]].]]
Despite his amazingly striking resemblance to both Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Desmond has very little in common with either of them. Although he was born into the Assassins Order, Desmond fled early on and lived his life independent from them; keeping to himself much of the time and preferring to stay off the radar. The only recorded incident of Desmond actually appearing on the radar was a fingerprint needed for a motorcycle license, which in turn allowed Abstergo Industries to locate him.

As he was forced to relive the memories of his ancestor Altaïr, Desmond begun to pick up subtle skills due to the bleeding effect; these included the eagle vision, as well as possibly the ability to eavesdrop and pickpocket so efficiently. Later on, upon willingly exploring the memories of his ancestor Ezio Auditore, Desmond once again begun to adopt the skills he was exposed to; this time including free-running and improved hand-to-hand combat.

Desmond was a gruff individual, who held a serious outlook on life, having been aware of the existence of both Templars and Assassins all his life, although he was unaware of Abstergo Industries being a Templar company. Despite this, he was not above jesting over his situation, and would occasionally make jokes, although they rarely elicited a good reaction. A plain individual, Desmond did not wear extravagant clothing, preferring only a white hooded jacket and jeans. Interestingly, when up, the hood exhibited a beak-like feather similar to both Ezio and Altaïr.

After his emancipation from Abstergo, Desmond's demeanor became considerably more relaxed and spent a noticeable amount of time flirting with Lucy.

==Trivia==
*He is modeled after model [[Francisco Randez]] and voiced by [[Nolan North]].
*Desmond possesses the same scar on his mouth as his ancestors Altaïr and Ezio did.
*Desmond's clothes are similar to those worn by both Ezio and Altaïr, albeit in a more modern style. He has a hood (although it is not worn over his head), and his jacket is white - similar to Altair's robes, and Ezio's clothing, which is originally referred to as "Assassin White". Concept Art of him with his hood up show that it has the "eagle-beak" shape his ancestors' clothes had.
*Desmond acquires a Hidden Blade at the conclusion of Assassin's Creed II. The original owner of the blade is uncertain, but it shares the same design as the one Ezio inherited from his father, [[Giovanni]]. Perhaps the design became of standard use for Assassins after Ezio defeated [[Rodrigo Borgia]].
*Desmond obtains Eagle Vision from his ancestor Altaïr and his fighting and free-running skills from his ancestor Ezio through the Bleeding Effect in the Animus.
*At times during the game, Desmond's eyes appear to be a golden yellow colour, as do Ezio's, greatly resembling the eyes of an eagle, a bird of prey spotted throughout the Assassin's Creed series.
*Desmond's bare knows how to fight during the break from Abstergo, not as well as Ezio, but fights the same as Ezio during the Templar's attack at the end of "Assassin's Creed II". This happens due to the [[bleeding effect]].
*Shaun Hastings suggests that Desmond is a vegan.

==Video==
[[Video:Desmond's Reunion|thumb|300px|left|Desmond's Reunion 2:05 - 2:53]]

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassins|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr|Miles, Desmond]]

Soldier

2010-01-09T12:21:42Z

124.186.246.166: /* Agiles */

'''Guards''' are the common opponents to an assassin throughout the [[Assassin's Creed series]].

== Assassin's Creed ==
{{quote
|1 = Hashshashin!
|2 = Guard on [[Damascus]]
}} During the course of the first [[Assassin's Creed]], there are two types of guards: Soldiers and Archers. The archers are mostly the same, but there are two ranks of soldiers. The elite soldiers wear helmets (and mails for crusaders) and are harder to defeat than regular soldiers. They also speak German or French for crusaders (no matter the Order) and Arabic for saracens, whereas regular guards speak English (with British and Arabian accents respectively).

== Assassin's Creed II ==
{{quote|Assassino!|Guard on [[Venice]]}}

In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', there are five types of enemy guards:

===Regular Guards===
Those are the "standard" type of guard which can be found almost everywhere on the ground. However, they use a large variety of swords and maces. Those regular troops are divided into three ranks themselves: Militia, Elite and Leaders.

*[[file:Militia.jpg|50px]]''Militia'' is the weakest rank. They wear no armor, and can be easily killed (with one counter-kill). They are also the most easily frightened during combat as after battles, they may retreat.

*[[file:Elite.jpg|50px]]''Elite'' guards are stronger, they wear a moderate amount of armor and need three counter-kills to be defeated. Also, Elites are more courageous than Militias.

*[[file:Leader.jpg|50px]]''Leaders'' are the best fighters and most tenacious of all the soldiers. They wear slightly more armor that their Elite counterpart. The Leaders will last slightly longer that Elites during Ezio's counter-attacks. They also hardly give up their weapons, making them hard to disarm than the others.

The Regular Guards are not especially agile but can climb up to the rooftops in order to follow Ezio (while not as fast as him). Also, they can recognize Ezio sitting on a bench, but they can be assassinated before they recognize him and spread word of his presence.

[[File:Giartnewenemies_2.jpg|thumb|left|310px|From left to right: The Agile, the Archer, the Brute, the Standard with a rank of Militia, and the Seeker.]]

===Seekers===
The '''[[Seekers]]''', also called "Paranoid" is one of the new special guard types. They are constantly looking for hiding spots (such as the haystacks) and check them (although Ezio can counter-kill the seeker if that happens). They are armed with long spears or halberds, giving them an increased reach in combat. Seekers, like most of the other guards, wear armor. The armor they wear is slightly more than a Leader-ranked Standard, but less than a Brute.

===Agiles===
One of the new guard archetypes is the '''[[Agile]]''' which, as the name suggests is a very fast, lightly armored enemy. They even run at the same speed as Ezio (though it may seem it's faster, because of all his attempts to halt Ezio) and also have the free-run ability leading to chase sequences. They wield short weapons such as daggers and other short blades.

===Brutes===
The '''[[Brutes]]''' are heavily armored and equipped (two-handed weapons such as heavy swords and axes), and rather slow guards. Their armor cover almost every part of their bodies make them tough to bring down, but also make them cumbersome and slow. They are not very intelligent, and won't be able to tell Ezio from anyone else in a crowd. When deflecting a short weapon, they will not take damage (while all other guards do), but can still be damaged with a short weapon. Using any weapon that allows several attacks, dodge their blow, and as they attempt to raise their weapon again, strike repeatedly. Another good way to make short work of them is to disarm them and counterattack. Brutes with their weapon cannot be countred. You have to kill a brute and take their weapon to counter with another brute. I't is very easy to disarm a brute.

===Archers===
The '''[[Archers]]''' are guards that patrol and defend the rooftops. They are armed with bows and swords (sometimes maces instead of swords), and warn Ezio on sight to leave the place, no matter the notoriety. Approaching them will force them to draw their weapon out and commence a fight. Archers are seemingly just Militia-ranked Standards with the capability of attacking at a distance, thanks to their trusty longbows. While Florentine and Tuscan Archers can be killed with a single throwing knife, archers in the other cities and regions (such as Venice and Romagna) will need two throwing knives to be taken down. Since they are almost always on the rooftops on buildings, Archers are fairly easy to dispatch in melee combat as they have the same skill as a Militia-ranked standard, making them easy kills. Another good way to dispatch them is to simply throw them off the roof, which will instantly kill the Archer if they fall more than two stories or they land in water.
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed]]