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Leonardo da Vinci

2011-12-01T00:54:00Z

128.189.177.225: /* Invitation into the Order */

{{Era|AC2|Brotherhood|Project Legacy|Renaissance|Bbook|Ascendance|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL}}
{{quote|One thing I am not, is a man of violence.|Leonardo to [[Ezio Auditore de Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] in [[Valencia]], 1505.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci
|image = Leonardo.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 15 April 1452<br>[[wikipedia:Vinci, Tuscany|Vinci]], [[Italy]]
|death = 2 May 1519 (aged 67)<br>[[wikipedia:Amboise|Amboise]], [[France]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''<br>''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|voice = [[Carlos Ferro]]
}}

'''Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci''' (April 15, 1452 - May 2, 1519) was an anatomist, sculptor, cartographer, painter, botanist, engineer, architect and mathematician of the [[Italy|Italian]] [[Renaissance]]. Furthermore, he played an important role in the struggle between the [[Assassins]] and [[Templars]] which raged across his homeland throughout his lifetime, all the while remaining a close friend and ally to the [[Florence|Florentine]] Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 out of wedlock in Vinci, a town outside of [[Florence]], Italy, to a Florentine notary named [[wikipedia:Piero da Vinci|Piero da Vinci]] and a local woman named Caterina. He spent most of his early childhood in nearby rural [[Tuscany]] so as to spare his father the embarrassment of a scandal. However, young Leonardo's innate artistic prowess was obvious to his elders even then, and when he turned fourteen he was returned to Florence, apprenticed to the workshop of renowned painter [[Andrea del Verrocchio]]; while there, he is said to have collaborated with the Verrocchio on his masterpiece, ''[[wikipedia:Baptism of Christ|Baptism of Christ]]''.

===Florence===
At age 20, Leonardo was titled a master by the [[wikipedia:Guild of Saint Luke|Guild of Saint Luke]], and opened his first workshop in Florence where he continued to collaborate with his old master. During his time there, he also befriended the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], of which he sold most of his paintings to.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

====Meeting Ezio====
{{Dialogue|Leonardo|I often feel that my work lacks... I don't know... purpose.|Maria|You should have more faith in yourself, Leonardo.|Leonardo, Maria and Ezio on their way to the Palazzo.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
[[File:Friend 3 v.png|thumb|right|250px|Leonardo upon his meeting with Ezio.]]
In 1476, Leonardo met Ezio Auditore when the latter accompanied his [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|mother]] to pick up some paintings from Leonardo’s workshop. The two conversed inside the workshop of the artist, talking about Leonardo's paintings, and what else he could do aside from painting, at which Ezio remarked to his mother that Leonardo wouldn't come that far, seeing that he wasn't even capable of keeping his workplace tidy. Ezio's mother however, was very confident of Leonardo's future, complimenting him multiple times on his talent and telling him he should have more faith in himself.<ref name="AC:R"/>

Soon after their conversation, the three headed back to the [[Palazzo Auditore]], Ezio and Leonardo carrying one box each, filled with paintings to hang on the walls. Again Ezio commented on Leonardo's seeming incapability, but he soon felt he was wrong about the so-called "fledgling artist" as they arrived at the Palazzo, noting that Leonardo was one to respect. This encounter sparked the lifelong friendship between the two young men.<ref name="AC:R"/>

====Creating the Hidden Blade====
{{Dialogue2|Leonardo|Anything which shines glints in the sun, and that's a dead giveaway.|Ezio|I thought you were a man of peace.|Ideas take precedence.|Ezio commenting on Leonardo after he finished his Hidden Blade.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
After the [[Auditore Execution|execution]] of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]], [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]], and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio Auditore]], Leonardo met Ezio once again, greeting him with a brotherly embrace. He was then requested by Ezio to repair the [[Hidden Blade]] he had inherited from his father. Leonardo was immediately fascinated by its sophisticated and advanced design, as it, despite its old age, was way ahead of even their time.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

[[File:Ace 7 v.png|left|250px|thumb|Leonardo prepares to ampute Ezio's finger.]]
At first he had no idea how to repair it, but soon he discovered that [[Codex|the scroll]] Ezio had included with the weapon could be decrypted and used as a manual, at which he started to decode it. It took Leonardo some hours before he had finally finished the repairs to the Hidden Blade. Leonardo woke up Ezio, who had fallen asleep in the meantime, and handed the weapon over to him. Leonardo claimed that Ezio's ring finger had to be removed, because "the blade is designed to ensure the commitment of whoever wields it." This was to his own amusement however, as it is shown that he simply embedded the cleaver into the table next to Ezio's hand. He explained that the blade had been modified so that the removal of the finger was no longer necessary.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="AC:R"/>

Immediately after this, a Florentine [[guards|guard]] showed up at Leonardo's workshop. Leonardo responded and told Ezio to stay in his workshop, while he opened the door for the guard, keeping him outside. The guard knew that he had been in contact with Ezio, and as Leonardo tried to act ignorant of the [[Assassins|Assassin]], the guard threw him to the ground and started kicking him several times in order to extract Ezio's whereabouts. Ezio promptly sneaked up behind the guard and tested out his newly acquired weapon on him. Afterwards, Ezio hid the body inside the workshop with others upon Leonardo's request – as the bodies were used for his anatomical research.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

[[File:PWYP 4 v.png|thumb|right|250px|Leonardo studying another Codex page.]]
Leonardo and Ezio didn't meet again until 1478, when Ezio visited him with another Codex page attained from his uncle [[Mario Auditore]]. He deciphered the page and, while Ezio practiced the new assassination techniques as explained on the codex page in Leonardo's yard with straw dummies - set up by one of his students, Vincenzo - Leonardo constructed a second Hidden Blade to be put at his friend's disposal. Shortly after practicing with his Hidden Blade, Ezio inquired about [[Francesco de' Pazzi]], which prompted Leonardo to discreetly tell him that he needed to seek out [[La Volpe]] ("The Fox"). Leonardo suspiciously told Ezio that La Volpe had [[thieves|eyes]] everywhere, that he sees everything, but no one sees him. He said that Ezio could find him at the [[Mercato Vecchio]], and he reminded him to be careful. After this, Leonardo appeared at several instances in which Ezio simply visited him to decipher codex pages.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

{{Quote|In high enough doses, that which can cure, can kill.|Leonardo on the Poison Blade.|Assassin's Creed II}}
After Ezio put an end to the [[Pazzi Conspiracy]], he visited Leonardo once more, who had been deeply worried about his friend, knowing about the recent "madness" going on in Florence. He was soon cheered up by yet another Codex page, that Ezio had received from [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] and again visited Leonardo in order to have it deciphered. He was astonished by the new [[Poison blade|blade design]], as it had been developed to allow the wielder to inject poison through it and into their enemies for a more subtle kill, without weakening its structure. Leonardo was done manufacturing the design rather quickly, telling Ezio that if he ran out of poison, to visit a [[doctors|doctor]], which initially confused him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

====Moving to Venice====
{{Quote|Ezio! I think I've figured out how to make a man fly.|Leonardo answering Ezio on his flying machine.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Tutti a Bordo 13.png|thumb|left|250px|Leonardo and Ezio on the boat to Venice.]]
Leonardo once again met Ezio in the [[Appennine Mountains]] after the fall of the Pazzi Conspirators. The artist was faced with the problem of a broken [[wagon]] wheel and, lacking the means fix it himself, asked Ezio to lift the carriage. Ezio noticed the contraption inside the wagon and asked about it, which triggered the first conversation in which Leonardo mentioned his [[Flying Machine]] and had not told anyone about it, saying he couldn't keep it just for himself anymore. Ezio, amused by Leonardo’s idea, offered him to drive, at which Leonardo curiously reacted that he hadn't even told him where they were going, and they set off for [[Romagna]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

During the trip, the wagon was attacked by the soldiers of [[Rodrigo Borgia]], threatening their lives all the way through the Mountains. Ezio held them off by steering the wagon into the horses of the soldiers and dodging the burning arrows the soldiers had started shooting at them. In the meantime, Leonardo was safely hidden inside the wagon. At the end of the trail, Ezio stayed behind to deal with the soldiers, so Leonardo could get to Romagna safely. The two met back up at the docks in Romagna where they were scheduled to set sail for [[Venice]], after Ezio went through an ordeal involving [[Caterina Sforza]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Venice===
{{Dialogue|Ezio|Antonio, this is Leonardo. The master inventor who built...this...this pezzo di merda.|Leonardo|Hey! It's not the machine's fault!...It's mine. I've checked and rechecked my blueprints. It's just impossible! [...] Ah, che idea del cazzo!|Leonardo and Ezio, visited by Antonio after the failed test flight.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:NVNG 1.png|thumb|250px|Ezio asking Leonardo to use his flying machine.]]
Upon arrival in [[Venice]], Leonardo and Ezio were given a tour of the city by a baggage handler by the name of [[Alvise da Vilandino]], before being led to his new workshop. During the tour, the three stopped at the market of Venice, where suddenly a few guards started harassing a stall owner under the command of [[Emilio Barbarigo]]. Alvise advised them to follow him elsewhere. Leonardo, walking past a store, found a wooden puppet that resembled the human body and its proportions, but had no money on him to buy it. He asked Ezio if he could lend some money, however, at that moment, a [[Rosa|female thief]] bumped into him and stole his wallet.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Alvise again guided them elsewhere, near the [[Palazzo della Seta]], at which he initially wanted to take them for a closer look, but wasn't able to thanks to the recent activities around Venice. Ezio saw the harassed stall owner walk up to the guards at the entrance of the Palazzo, who demanded compensation, but the guards arrested him for "disrupting commerce" after he told them he'd report it to the Council. As they arrived at his workshop, Ezio informed Leonardo he needed to visit the Palazzo, at which Leonardo invited him to come over whenever he had more time, or if he needed another Codex page decrypted. He and Ezio parted ways there with a brotherly embrace.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Over a while, Ezio again consulted Leonardo for his expertise, but this time for something other than a decryption. He inquired about Leonardo’s Flying Machine that he learned of on the way to Romagna, hoping to use it in order to invade the Palazzo Ducale so that he could rescue [[Giovanni Mocenigo|Doge Mocenigo]] from the [[Templars]] [[Carlo Grimaldi]]. Leonardo, however, afraid of the consequences if he would be wrong about his design, thought it was too dangerous to try it out, but Ezio insisted. After that one failed test flight, Leonardo deemed the machine useless and flew into a fit of rage, but was then inspired by a piece of burnt paper - which he had thrown into his fireplace - that was floating from the heat of the fire. He concluded that in order for Ezio to reach his destination, they had to light a dozen of fires across the city which would cause the heated air to rise, therefore lifting the machine and allowing it to fly over a longer distance, to the Palazzo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

====Carnevale====
{{Quote|I know what this is! It's a firearm, but a miniature scale - as small as a hummingbird, in fact.|Leonardo on the Hidden Gun design|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
[[File:EzioLeonardoCarnevale.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ezio and Leonardo during Carnevale.]]
After being accused of the murder of the Doge, Ezio came to Leonardo asking for a [[Carnevale]] mask so that he would not be noticed. He also bore another codex page, much to Leonardo's interest, as he discovered it contained plans for a small [[Hidden Gun|firearm]] that could be concealed upon Ezio's wrist; an ''arma da fuoco'', but as small as a humming bird, as he stated. After Ezio tested the pistol, Leonardo gave him the mask he requested and pointed him in the direction of Sister [[Teodora Contanto]] and [[Antonio de Magianis]], so he could plot to assassinate the new Doge: the Templar [[Marco Barbarigo]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Just before the Doge's party started, Leonardo met up with Ezio and let him know that [[Cristina Vespucci]] was in Venice at that time, attending Carnevale with [[Manfredo Soderini|her husband]], but he also said that it might not be a good time to see her because of that. Ezio however, having his new mask to cloak him, thought that she wouldn't recognize him anyway, going [[Cristina Memories|against]] Leonardo's advice.<ref name="AC:R">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>

====Apple from Cyprus====
{{Dialogue2|Leonardo|Fascinating... Absolutely fascinating...|Ezio|What is it, Leonardo? What does it do?|I could no more explain this than explain to you why the Earth goes around the sun!|Leonardo, trying to figure out what the Apple is.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Leonardo and Ezio met again briefly outside the workshop, just after Ezio discovered the Templar ship was returning the next day. Leonardo pointed out several key facts that he discovered, by piecing together the markings on the back of the codex pages, such as the arrival of a 'prophet' on the day the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] was brought to the floating city, [[Venice]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

[[File:Leo_work_4.png|thumb|250px|Leonardo seeing futuristic symbols from the Apple.]]In 1488, Ezio, Mario, and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] visited Leonardo to see if he was able to make sense of the Apple which they had successfully obtained from [[Rodrigo Borgia]]. However, even the master inventor couldn't figure out what it was, stating that it was as unexplainable as the fact that the Earth goes around the sun, at which Mario then questioned this, but Leonardo ignored him. Leonardo put together both the names of "The Apple" and "A Piece of Eden", calling the artifact like "[[Adam and Eve|Eve]]'s Apple, of Forbidden Knowledge". When Ezio touched and activated it, Leonardo bore witness to the symbols and projections the Apple emitted, while Machiavelli, along with Mario fell to the floor in pain. Ezio, slightly less affected by the Apple than both Machiavelli and Mario, quickly deactivated the artifact, learning that it should never fall into the wrong hands, since it would drive weaker minds insane.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II-Battle of Forlì">''[[Assassin's Creed II]] - [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)]]''</ref>

To their dismay, Leonardo couldn't learn any more about the Apple than the Assassins and, following its accidental activation, it was decided that it should be taken to [[Forlì]] to be kept out of Templar hands, since it had a better protection and was ruled by their ally, Caterina Sforza. Mario also asked Leonardo to come and visit him at the [[Villa Auditore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II-Battle of Forlì" />

====Pythagoras====
Leonardo stayed at the villa until 1499,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> where he started to become interested in the findings of [[Pythagoras]] and the location of the [[Temple of Pythagoras]]. He had managed to create a map pointing out the temple's location, and he drew pieces of this map with invisible ink on his paintings that hung in the villa.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood-The Da Vinci Disappearance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''</ref>

===Rome===
{{Dialogue2|Leonardo|There is graver news, I am afraid. They have the Apple.|Ezio|Yes, I know. I gave the Apple to Mario.|I am sorry, Ezio. Cesare left it in my hands to study, to make it work. Then Rodrigo took it from me, I know not where.|Leonardo and Ezio regarding the Apple's location when meeting in Rome.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In late 1499, Leonardo was forcibly pressed into designing several [[War Machines|war machines]] for [[Cesare Borgia]], son of Rodrigo Borgia, who was in turn [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]]. Additionally, he was also forced to fashion the ''pistola'' that were used to kill [[Mario Auditore]]. These firearms were also used by the [[Papal Guard]]s, and by Cesare in the [[Siege of Viana]]. Despite this, Leonardo remained an ally of the Assassins, secretly meeting with Ezio to inform him of Cesare's plans, turning over the locations of the Templars overseeing the war machines, and fashioning items for Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

====War Machines====
[[File:LeonardoDrawing.jpg|thumb|left|252px|Leonardo upon seeing Ezio in Rome.]]
To avoid Templar scrutiny, Leonardo and Ezio would meet at different locations chosen by Leonardo and denoted with a drawing of a hand on a bench as a signal for Ezio to wait for him there. Leonardo agreed to reconstruct a second, smaller Hidden Blade that could fit against a standard glove to replace the one Ezio had lost during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni|Fall of Monteriggioni]], along with a [[Metal Cestus#Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|reinforced glove]] to allow Ezio to re-use the Climb Leap technique, and a forearm-mounted [[Poison darts|poison dart]] launcher.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

However, due to being paid "very little" by the Templars, Ezio was required to hand him the money for the raw materials upfront. After the war machines were finally destroyed, Leonardo also designed a [[Parachutes|parachute]] that could be built by sympathetic Roman [[tailors]], though his design (or at least the materials used) would not survive the landings, and would need to be replaced after every use.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

====Parting====
[[File:LeonardoEzioApple.jpg|thumb|250px|Leonardo next to Ezio using the Apple of Eden.]]
When the Assassins finally secured the Apple of Eden from the Borgia, Ezio and Leonardo met at the [[Assassins Guilds|Assassin's Guild]] on [[Tiber Island]]. Leonardo mourned the need to lock away the Apple, likening it to a masterpiece being hidden away from the world, though he did not oppose Ezio's decision. Additionally, as Leonardo's patron had been arrested and his income was still meager, Ezio turned over a sum of money to his friend, and they parted on good terms, although Leonardo would not accept the money if it was meant to be a 'goodbye'.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

====The Pythagorean Temple====
{{Quote|Ever since my exploration of that strange Apple, [those symbols] have been stamped on my mind. I found symbols like them in the writings of the Pythagorean disciples.|Leonardo on his obsession with the Apple's projections.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:ACBSP 2011-04-12 00-08-19-92.png|thumb|left|250px|Leonardo and Ezio looking at the unfinished Mona Lisa.]]
When Leonardo returned to Rome, he made contact with the [[Hermeticists|Cult of Hermes]], and he frequently visited the Cult head's ([[Ercole Massimo]]'s) personal library, in order to do more research about [[Pythagoras]], a brilliant mathematician who once also had dealings with a Piece of Eden. Eventually, Leonardo was kidnapped by the Hermeticists, who wanted him to give them the location of the temple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood-The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

After hunting across Rome, Ezio Auditore managed to gather the paintings that were seized by the Borgia during the [[Fall of Monteriggioni|attack on the Villa Auditore]] in January of 1500, and with the help of Leonardo's assistant [[Salaì]] and [[Eagle Vision]], Ezio pieced together the hidden map and the temple's location.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood-The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

Leonardo had been taken away to the catacombs that led to the Temple of Pythagoras, and it was to be where Ezio caught up with him. Ezio killed all the Hermeticists, including Massimo, and rescued Leonardo. After his ordeal, Leonardo and Ezio ventured deeper into the catacombs to explore the Temple of Pythagoras together, until they eventually stumbled upon the final chamber.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood-The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

[[File:TToP 8.png|right|thumb|250px|Leonardo and Ezio walking out of the Vault.]]
Ezio recognized the room's architecture - a surviving [[Temples|Temple]] designed by [[Those Who Came Before]]. Though Ezio's DNA communed with a pedestal and revealed what would be coordinates, he decided it was best to leave it, despite Leonardo being eager to learn and explore more. Leonardo was distracted by Ezio, who asked him about his future plans, which Leonardo gladly revealed as they walked out of the temple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood-The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

====Invitation into the Order====
After his rescue from the Hermeticists, Leonardo traveled with Machiavelli and Ezio to Spain to chase Micheletto and stop him from freeing Cesare after surviving wild seas, a skirmish in a bar, long horse rides and constructing bombs. After this, Leonardo decided he had enough of traveling and fighting, and returned to Rome, leaving Ezio and Machiavelli to destroy Borgia war ships with handheld bombs he had crafted for them and battle Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref>
After Ezio killed Cesare in Navarre during the [[Siege of Viana]], Leonardo met again with Ezio and Machiavelli at Ezio's forty-eighth birthday party. Ezio offered Leonardo a place in the Assassin Order, though Leonardo refused, saying that although he respected and supported the Assassins' goals, he wanted to tread a different path: "a solitary one." Leonardo left for Milan afterwards, from which he would leave for [[wikipedia:Amboise|Amboise]] in [[France]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

===Later life===
Leonardo spent his last years in France, at the home awarded to him by Francis I, who became his generous employer and close friend. Leonardo took his most famous painting, the ''[[Mona Lisa]]'', with him when he retired to France in 1513. He died on his bed, with Francis by his side, on May 2, 1519.

==Characteristics and personality==
{{Dialogue|Ezio|Leo - does this machine of yours actually ''work''? [...]|Leonardo|Well, it's in the early stages. I mean, it's nowhere near ready yet - but I think, in all modesty, that - yes! Of course it will work. God knows I've spent enough time on it! It's an idea that just won't let go of me!|Leonardo's attitude on his Flying Machine design.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
[[File:LeonardoJoke.png|thumb|260px|left|Leonardo, before 'removing' Ezio's finger.]]
Leonardo da Vinci was a cheerful and optimistic man. Ezio was his best friend, and as such, he treated him like a brother and had taken great risks to protect him, even though he said later that courage was not his strong suit.

Despite being an accomplished and respected artist, as well as deeply curious about the world's wonders, Leonardo da Vinci was also a chronic procrastinator. Most of his commissioned works took years longer than anticipated, and many were never even finished. It is possible that this was because he did not feel his work to be important enough to devote his life to, as when he met Ezio, he complained that it lacked purpose and he wishes to do something which had more impact on the world, such as architecture. Regardless, when Leonardo was intrigued by something, he became insatiably curious and often impossible to communicate with, as demonstrated when Ezio first brought him [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]]'s Codex pages for decryption.

Leonardo was often forgetful and easily distracted. Ezio exploited this in the [[Pythagorean Vault]] by asking Leonardo about his projects, taking his mind off the mysterious images and numbers they were gazing at.

Leonardo also seemed to be homosexual, as this was hinted to multiple times, and he appeared to be in a relationship with his assistant, Salaì.

==Legacy==
Leonardo is renowned primarily as a painter. Two of his works, the ''Mona Lisa'' and ''[[wikipedia:The Last Supper|The Last Supper]]'', are the most famous, most reproduced and most parodied portrait and religious painting of all time, their fame approached only by [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[wikipedia:The Creation of Adam|Creation of Adam]]''. Leonardo's drawing of the [[wikipedia:Vitruvian Man|Vitruvian Man]] is also regarded as a cultural icon.
[[File:ACB-TDVD-LeonardoWorkshop.jpg|thumb|right|250px|One of Leonardo's workshops.]]
Perhaps fifteen of his paintings survived; the small number due to his constant, and frequently disastrous, experimentation with new techniques and his chronic procrastination. Nevertheless, these few works, together with his notebooks, which contain drawings, scientific diagrams and his thoughts on the nature of painting, are an invaluable contribution to later generations of artists; indeed, Leonardo could arguably be considered the most iconic artist of the Italian Renaissance, with only a handful of his contemporaries (most notably Leonardo's chief artistic rival and fellow Florentine, Michelangelo Buonarroti) posing a realistic challenge.

Leonardo is revered for his technological ingenuity. He conceptualized a helicopter, a tank, concentrated solar power, a calculator, the double hull and outlined a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. Relatively few of his designs were constructed or even feasible during his lifetime, but some of his smaller inventions, such as an automated bobbin winder and a machine for testing the tensile strength of wire, entered the world of manufacturing unheralded. As a scientist, he greatly advanced the state of knowledge in the fields of anatomy, civil engineering, optics and hydrodynamics.

==Trivia==
[[Video:Assassin's Creed 2 - Focus On|thumb|250px|Leonardo da Vinci - Genius Inventor]]
===History===
*Leonardo had no surname; "da Vinci" simply means "from Vinci," identifying the town of his birth, much in the same manner that "Ezio Auditore da Firenze" shows that Ezio was born in Florence. Historically, surnames as modern society know them were still fairly uncommon (though not unheard of) during the 15th century.
*Historically, Leonardo became a close friend and military engineer for [[Cesare Borgia]], son of Rodrigo Borgia.
*In author Dan Brown's novel ''[[wikipedia:The Da Vinci Code|The Da Vinci Code]]'', it is suggested that Leonardo da Vinci was the Grand Master of a secret society known as ''[[wikipedia:The Priory of Sion|The Priory of Sion]]'', an organization that was allegedly connected with the Knights Templar.
*Ezio uses a [[Wikipedia:Wheellock|wheellock firearm]], based on a design found in the Codex pages, which historically wasn't developed until just after the time-frame of the game. Historically, Leonardo designed some of the first wheel-lock firearms.
*Historically, Leonardo was based in [[Milan]] between 1482 and 1499. There, he worked in the service of Ludovico il Moro. He fled to [[Venice]] in 1499, where he worked as a military architect and engineer until his return to [[Florence]] in 1500.

===Inventions and art===
*All of Leonardo's modifications on previously existing Assassin gear are based on designs detailed in Altaïr's Codex. It is possibly from these, that Leonardo also designed some of his other inventions.
*Leonardo and Giovanni Auditore are the only known characters that can decipher and translate Altaïr's Codex.
*When Ezio accidentally activates the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]] in Venice, images similar to Leonardo's later designs for the [[Tank]] can be briefly glimpsed. This experience may have provided him with the ideas for his later inventions, as well as showing him a vision of the [[Temple of Pythagoras]].
*[[File:Mapofimola.jpg|thumb|Leonardo's map of Imola.]]Additionally, when the Apple is activated, both Ezio and Leonardo are largely unaffected, although they are still blinded by the light. Mario and Machiavelli, however, are crippled by the loud noise and are unable to stand.
*Eight of the thirty collectible [[paintings]] that are placed in the Villa Auditore were painted by Leonardo. They play a significant role in the ''Brotherhood'' DLC, ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''.
*A map of the city of Imola that Leonardo drew for Cesare Borgia appears frequently in-game; on a wall in the [[Hideout]], in Leonardo's workshop, as the Codex map that Caterina gives to Ezio, and in a [[Lairs of Romulus|Lair of Romulus]], on the ground. It also appeared on a wall in his workshop in [[Florence]] in [[Assassin's Creed II]], even though he would not have completed it until 1502.

===Appearance and behavior===
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', like other main characters, Leonardo's appearance does not change throughout the 23 years he is shown in the game, from his first encounter to the decoding of the Codex in the villa in 1499. This was rectified in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', where Leonardo is depicted older with a longer beard and slightly greying hair.
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the cut-scene when Ezio visits Leonardo is the same each time (even after Leonardo moves to Venice), except when the Codex pages provide new modifications to Ezio's equipment.
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', Leonardo is shown as right-handed, but in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', he is left-handed, as he was known to be in real life.
*In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', after Leonardo mentions his work on the ''Mona Lisa'', Ezio warns him not to allow pretty girls to distract him from making the designs he needs. His arm around him, Leonardo lightly assures Ezio that women would ''"provide little distraction"'' to his work, to which Ezio replies, ''"Wait, I don't get it."'' This is a reference to the widely-held belief that the real-life Leonardo was homosexual.
*While exploring the [[Temple of Pythagoras|Pythagorean Temple]], Ezio and Leonardo have a brief conversation about Leonardo's assistant Salaì. Leonardo asks where he is, and quickly clarifies that he is only concerned about Salaì's careless spending. Ezio, however, merely comments that Salaì fits Leonardo, and that he approves. Leonardo is left nervously speechless. This is a reference to another belief that the real-life Leonardo had a homosexual relationship with Salaì.

===Others===
*Leonardo has the same voice actor as the [[Rafiq]] in Damascus from ''Assassins Creed'', [[Carlos Ferro]].
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the only time the player can explore Leonardo's Workshop is when they are disposing of the dead body in [[Ace Up My Sleeve]]. In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood,'' it can only be explored while assembling Leonardo's map during [[Decoding Da Vinci]] as part of ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''.
*During the second Cristina memory in ''Assassins Creed: Brotherhood'', Ezio can explore the interior of Leonardo's Workshop in Florence.
*In the fourth of Ezio Auditore's [[Cristina Memories]] in Venice, Leonardo tells Ezio that [[Cristina Vespucci|Cristina]] was attending Carnevale; even hinting that they might be close, despite Leonardo having nothing to do with Cristina in the majority of the two games. However, in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' it is revealed that he knew because Cristina was a guest of his patron.
*In the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|novel for ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']], Leonardo is invited to join the Brotherhood. However, he declines, saying that though he will always support their goals, he is on a different path, one that is solitary.
*You can kill Leonardo right before the memory (while, and after, you walk with him) "All Things Come To He Who Waits", as well as the memory "[[Friend of the Family]] ".
*The strategic map of Rome that comes with the Codex edition of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' contains some mirrored writing. Historically, Leonardo was skilled in mirrored writing.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="168" captionalign="left">
Leonardoartwork1.jpg|Leonardo's concept art.
Leo.JPG|In-game ''Assassin's Creed II'' model.
Leonardo_workshop.jpg|Leonardo's workshop.
LeonardoVisions.png|Leonardo as seeing the projections of the Apple.
Da Vinci 2.jpg|Leonardo da Vinci's concept art
assassins-creed-2-leonardo-davinci.jpg|Database Entry Portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci
assassins-creed-brotherhood-Leonardo-da-vinci-50p.jpg|Ezio and Leonardo in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
Bench.jpg|A bench, marked by Leonardo.
</gallery>
===Da Vinci's Designs===
<gallery widths="168" captionalign="left">
Leonardo's_Flying_machine_Design.jpg|Flying machine.
Armored_car.jpg|Tank.
Gun_l.jpg|12-barelled gun.
Leonardo Davinci.jpeg|Self-portrait
Leonardo's Parachute.jpg|Leonardo's parachute design
mona-lisa-painting.jpg|Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vinci, Leonardo da}}

[[de:Leonardo da Vinci]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Novel) Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin Allies]]
[[Category:Hermeticists]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Niccolò Machiavelli

2011-11-30T23:30:34Z

128.189.177.225: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC2|acb|Renaissance|Bbook|Embers|Assassins|Featured}}
{{WPBrotherhood}}
{{WP-REAL|Niccolò Machiavelli}}
{{Quote|I am an Assassin. Trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each one of us here.|Niccolò to Ezio Auditore upon their first meeting.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
|image = char_machiavelli.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 3 May 1469<br>[[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death = 21 June 1527 (aged 58)<br>Florence, Italy
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]<br>[[Mercenaries]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''<br>[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{mo}}
|voice = [[Shawn Baichoo]]
}}
'''Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli''' (1469 – 1527) was an [[Italy|Italian]] philosopher and writer, and a member of the [[Assassin Order]]. Being considered one of the main founders of modern political science, he was a diplomat, political philosopher, musician, and playwright, but foremost, he was a civil servant of the Florentine Republic.

With the Assassin Order, Niccolò primarily worked with his ally [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], and helped him with driving the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] from Forlì and with removing the monk [[Girolamo Savonarola]] from power in [[Florence]] to obtain the "[[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]]" - an [[Those Who Came Before|ancient]] [[Pieces of Eden|artifact]] - from him.

Two years later, Machiavelli took up the position of leader of the Italian Assassins, after the death of [[Mario Auditore]]. Once again joined by Ezio, they fought against the corrupted [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] family which ruled over [[Rome]]. Eventually being successful in their goal, Machiavelli joined Ezio and [[Leonardo da Vinci]] in chasing [[Cesare Borgia]] in [[Valencia]].

Machiavelli then focused on his duties in the Florentine government, leading the Florentine militia until he was defeated, arrested and deprived of office.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Niccolò was born in Florence as the first son and third child of attorney Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, and his wife Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli.

At an early age, Niccolò was trained and [[Initiation to the Assassin Order|inducted]] into the Assassin Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===Acquiring the Apple of Eden===
{{Quote|A prophet's arrival was foretold... And, unbeknownst to us - here you are. Perhaps all along, you were the one we sought.|Machiavelli to Ezio upon acquiring the Apple|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Machiavelli intro.png|thumb|left|250px|Machiavelli explains the Order to Ezio.]]
At age 19, Niccolò and a group of other Assassins gathered in [[Venice]] to acquire the Apple of Eden from [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].
When the group arrived at Rodrigo's location, they found him fighting with Ezio Auditore, the son of the late Assassin [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]]. The other Assassins rushed to Ezio's aid, whereas Niccolò watched from a distance.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

After the group killed the [[guards]] and injured Rodrigo, Niccolò introduced himself to Ezio, and revealed all present to be Assassins, a fact previously unknown to Ezio.
They then went onto a tall tower in Venice, where they inducted Ezio into the Assassin Order, before each performing a [[Leap of Faith]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Battle of Forlì===
{{Quote|We discovered that [[Girolamo Riario]] was working with the Templars. Making a map of the locations of the remaining [[Codex]] pages.|Machiavelli informing Ezio of the situation.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Holding 2.png|thumb|250px|Niccolò, Ezio and Caterina after having entered the citadel.]]
Shortly after initiating Ezio into the Order, Niccolò accompanied Ezio to [[Forlì]], where they intended to hide the Apple from the Templars. They knew it would be well-protected, as the city was currently under the rule of one of their allies, [[Caterina Sforza]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

After entering the outskirts of Forlì, they discovered that the city was under siege by the Orsi brothers. Entering the city, Ezio, Caterina and Niccolò fought their way to the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]]. Upon arriving there, they were assaulted by reinforcements, which Ezio, Caterina and Niccolò worked together to defeat. After the attack was dealt with, Ezio left the Apple in Caterina's possession while he went to rescue her children who had been captured by the Orsi brothers.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Upon Ezio's return to the Rocca di Ravaldino, Niccolò informed him that the Apple had been taken from them. He then sent Ezio to retrieve it from the fleeing [[Checco Orsi]]. Though Ezio was able to assassinate Checco, he was severely injured, and the Apple was then taken by the monk Girolamo Savonarola.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Bonfire of the Vanities===
{{Quote|Rare is the man who is willing to oppose the status quo. And so it falls to us to help them see the truth.|Machiavelli commenting on Savonarola's takeover|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Florentine Fiasco 2.png|thumb|250px|left|Niccolò and Ezio discussing Savonarola.]]
In 1497, Niccolò met with Ezio again in Florence, and informed him that Savonarola had taken control of the city through the power of the Apple. Ezio reasoned that if he killed all nine of Savonarola's lieutenants, his grip would weaken. Niccolò thus informed fellow Assassins [[La Volpe]] and [[Paola]] of Ezio's plan, and after all of the lieutenants had been killed, the three encouraged the people to rise up against Savonarola.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Stoked into revolt, an angry mob swarmed Savonarola's residence, the [[Palazzo Pitti]]. Savonarola tried to calm the crowd with the Apple, but Ezio knocked it out of his hand with a well-thrown knife. The Apple fell to the ground, but it was retrieved by one of Rodrigo Borgia's men, forcing Ezio to chase him down and retrieve it.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Savonarola was then taken to be burned alive, and the Assassins watched from the distance. Ezio then decided that no one should die in such agony, and killed the monk before the flames could reach him. After Ezio gave a speech to inspire the crowd to follow their own ways, the Assassins left the scene.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===War in Rome===
{{dialogue|Niccolò|I intend to write a book about you one day.|Ezio|If you do, make it short.|Ezio and Niccolò, after settling all their differences.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:X marks 4.png|thumb|250px|Machiavelli and Ezio discuss the locations indicated by the Apple.]]
In December 1499, Niccolò, Ezio, Mario Auditore, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], La Volpe, [[Antonio de Magianis]], Paola, and [[Teodora Contanto]], some of the highest-ranking Italian Assassins, gathered in the [[Villa Auditore]] in [[Monteriggioni]] to discuss the location of "[[Vatican Vault|the Vault]]."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

They Assassins came to the conclusion that the Vault was located in Rome, and that Rodrigo Borgia had become [[Papacy|Pope]] because the Papal Staff was the [[The Staff|second Piece of Eden]] needed to unlock its entrance. All of them left for Rome to distract the Borgia guards while Ezio infiltrated [[Vaticano district|the Vatican]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Niccolò later returned to Monteriggioni to listen to what Ezio had discovered inside the Vault. Upon hearing that Ezio had spared Rodrigo, he furiously left for Rome to take down the Borgia once and for all.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

The following morning, Monteriggioni was [[Fall of Monteriggioni|attacked]] by the Borgia, under the command of Rodrigo's son, Cesare Borgia. Niccolò's disappearance right before the attack aroused some suspicion from La Volpe, who thought that Niccolò was secretly working for the Borgia. During the attack, Mario Auditore was killed and Niccolò took command over the chaotic Assassin Order, basing it on [[Tiber Island]] in Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

[[File:New man 3.png|thumb|left|250px|Niccolò informing Ezio about the closed shops.]]
Following the attack, Ezio left for Rome as well, but passed out on the road there, succumbing to the gunshot wounds he had received during the siege. Niccolò brought him to [[Margherita dei Campi|a woman]] living in Rome's countryside to have him cared for, and requested her to tell Ezio to meet him in front of the [[Mausoleo di Augusto]] as soon as he was able.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

After Ezio arrived, Niccolò informed him of Rome's corrupt state, and lent him some money to purchase some new equipment. He also "introduced" him to the [[Followers of Romulus]], who he suspected to be working for the Borgia, and showed him a faster way of traveling via the city's [[Tunnels|sewer system]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

They used one such tunnel to get back to [[Tiber Island headquarters|their hideout]], and there met one of the Assassins' allies, [[Fabio Orsini]], who had lent the storeroom to the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:Roman Underground 3.png|thumb|250px|Niccolò speaking with Ezio and Fabio Orsini.]]
After Ezio left to strengthen the Assassins' underground, Niccolò set to work on using his contacts to obtain the names of several Templar agents that were terrorizing the people of Rome. After mending the underground and freeing Caterina Sforza from her prison, Ezio returned to Niccolò to discuss the recruitment of new Assassins into the Brotherhood. Skeptical at first, Machiavelli then conceded and allowed Ezio to recruit their first novices, while he set up a means of communication with the recruits via [[pigeon coops|pigeon coop]].

In 1503, La Volpe believed that he had gathered substantial evidence to prove that Niccolò was working for the Borgia, and therefore told Ezio to ''"do what needs to be done"'', or he would do it himself. However, Ezio did not believe Niccolò to be a traitor, so he did not kill him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Instead, La Volpe himself left for Tiber Island, ready to assassinate Niccolò. Ezio, however, found out that one of La Volpe's own [[thieves]] was the traitor, and managed to inform La Volpe of this, seconds before he could kill Niccolò. La Volpe, pretending that nothing had happened, returned to a amicable relationship with Niccolò afterwards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:EzioPromotion.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Niccolò promoting Ezio to head of the Assassin Order.]]
Over the course of three years, Niccolò began to realize that Ezio was much more suited to the role of leader of the Assassin Order than he was, as it was Ezio who had revived the Brotherhood back to its former strength and carried out the war against the Borgia and the [[Liberation of Rome]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Thus, after [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Ezio's sister]]'s initiation into the Brotherhood, Niccolò placed Ezio at the head of the Italian Assassin, and awarded him with the title of [[Mentor]]. When Ezio asked why he had had a sudden change of heart, Niccolò admitted that he had always stood by Ezio and had been supporting him without his knowledge. Ezio in turn named Niccolò as his "most trusted adviser."<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />
{{-}}

===Cesare and Micheletto===
{{Quote|We take you, Micheletto da Corella, as our prisoner. No more shall you infect our nation with your schemes.|Machiavelli arresting Miceletto after the attack on Zagarolo.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
After the death of Rodrigo Borgia by the hands of Cesare, the latter was soon imprisoned by the new [[Julius II|pope]] in the Castel Sant'Angelo. After a failed escape attempt, he was transferred to a different prison, and the pope would not even unveil is location to Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)]]</ref>

Thus Ezio and Machiavelli started their quest to find Cesare, speaking to [[Giulia Farnese]], [[Charlotte d'Albret]], and [[Vannozza dei Cattanei]]. These conversations didn't provide them with the information they needed, and on their way back they were confronted by one of Machiavelli's spies, [[Bruno]]. He told them of Claudia's imprisonment by the Borgia diehards, and Ezio and Machiavelli went to the assigned building to free her.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

After a short but fierce fight, the diehard leader revealed that they worked for Micheletto, after which the Assassins decided to look for him, as he could lead them to Cesare. They soon found him in [[Zagarolo]], where he had mustered a force of 200 men. The Assassins marched there the following day, with an army of 100 Apprentices and thieves, and were able to arrest Micheletto, who was then brought to Florence to be interrogated by Machiavelli, [[Piero Soderini]] and [[Amerigo Vespucci]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

A few days after the interrogation, on the day of Micheletto's execution, he managed to escape, and Machiavelli brought Ezio this grave news. They decided to track Micheletto and follow him to Cesare, using the Apple to find him. The Apple told Ezio to ride for [[Naples]], and the Assassins did so immediately. Once they arrived in Naples, the encountered [[Camilla]], who told them Micheletto had traveled to Valencia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

===Chasing Micheletto===
{{Quote|Well, we don't need the Apple to tell us what our old friend Cesare is planning.|Niccolò, upon arriving in Valencia.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
Once they arrived in Valencia, they immediately noticed the ship Micheletto had used to travel there. They asked the captain where his passenger was heading, and he told them to look for Micheletto in the Lone Wolf inn. They managed to find the building without difficulty, but were ambushed as they entered its dark interior. There was a fierce battle, and Ezio eventually recognized one of their ambushers as Micheletto himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

However, Micheletto and his diehards fled the scene before the Assassins could follow them, though one of the diehards revealed that they were going to the [[Castillo de la Mota]], where Cesare was imprisoned. The Assassins chased Micheletto, but he had advanced on them and had managed to break Cesare out of prison before they arrived. When the Assassins heard this news, Ezio wanted to return to Valencia immediately, acting on a vision he had seen using the Apple, but Machiavelli insisted on resting.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

They returned to Valencia within the month but found that Cesare had managed to build up a considerable army. There were more than thousand men stationed just outside Valencia, and there was a fleet of a dozen warships in its harbor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

===Attack on Valencia===
Ezio and Niccolò formulated a plan to destroy Cesare's new army. Whilst Niccolò made his way to the diehards' camp, Ezio headed to the docks to destroy the enemy ships there with several hand-held bombs.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

Afterwards, he met up with Niccolò on the corner of the street where the Lone Wolf Inn was located. The two climbed onto the roof of the building, and peered through the open top skylight at Cesare and [[Micheletto Corella]], who were discussing the recent turn of events.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Cesare angrily belittled Micheletto, blaming him for what had happened and driving him to launch himself across the table at his Master. Cesare quickly pulled one of his pistols from his belt and shot at Micheletto, destroying his face completely.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio pulled back, hoping to catch Cesare as he left the building, though Niccolò, who had craned forward to get a better look, had kicked a tile in the process, and had drawn Cesare's attention. Drawing his second pistol just as rapidly as he had his first, Cesare shot at the Assassin, hitting Niccolò in the shoulder.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio briefly thought of pursuit, but Niccolò's injury was severe and required immediate medical attention. Finding a local [[Doctors|doctor]], they learned that the bullet had gone straight through, and that Niccolò would be sufficiently healed for travel in two weeks. Before Ezio left to pursue Cesare, Niccolò wished him good luck.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

===Florentine militia===
Between 1503 and 1506, Niccolò returned to Florence, where he was responsible for leading the Florentine militia. Strangely, he noted on multiple occasions that he distrusted [[mercenaries]], despite leading the Florentine mercenaries himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /><ref name="Wikipedia">[[Wikipedia:Niccolò Machiavelli|Niccolò Machiavelli on ''Wikipedia'']]</ref>

His militia managed to defeat [[wikipedia:Pisa|Pisa]] in 1509. However, in August 1512, they were defeated by the [[House of Medici|Medici]], aided by [[Spain|Spanish]] troops and [[Pope Julius II]]. After this, Florence was dissolved as a city-state.

Niccolò was deprived of office in 1512, and was arrested in 1513 on accusations of conspiracy. He was tortured in prison, though he denied involvement in any conspiracy. He was released, and he retired to his estate in Sant'Andrea in Percussina.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

===Later life===
During his stay at his estate, Niccolò wrote ''Il Principe'' (''The Prince''), which was a relatively short book written in a few months. It was written specifically for a period when the Medici family had the opportunity to build a strong Italian state in central Italy, and drive out the "barbarians."<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

Over a significant amount of his life, Niccolò also wrote the ''Discourses of Livy'', a thesis that reflected his more republican notions of government. It is a far more comprehensive thesis than ''The Prince''.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

These two manuscripts were banned by the Church because they were in direct support to many of Niccolò's reforms, as he sought to help unite the city-states of Italy under government, not religion. Together the ''Discourses'' and ''The Prince'' explained that Niccolò was an individual who preferred a republican government, but was prepared to accept a principality if it ensured the survival of the state.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

There have also been suggestions that ''The Prince'' is a piece of overt political satire. This is inspired in part by the fact that his magnum opus, the ''Discourses'', contains arguments that clash with the contents of ''The Prince''.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

Particularly interesting was the fact that it was written in Italian rather than Latin, as was the common practice by Italy's intelligentsia at the time. This suggests that the book was actually written to be digested by Italy's common people rather than the ruling classes (who were likely already aware of the techniques described within the book).<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

By 1524, Machiavelli had also become a successful playwright; Ezio intended to see one of his plays but missed it by three weeks. When [[Chinese Templars]] began pursuing Ezio's guest [[Shao Jun]], the Mentor had his wife [[Sofia Sartor|Sofia]] and their [[Flavia Auditore|two]] [[Marcello Auditore|children]] stay at Machiavelli's estate.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref>

Niccolò died on 21 June 1527 at the age of 58. His final resting place is the [[Basilica di Santa Croce]] in Florence.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

==Characteristics and personality==
{{Quote|When did you become so cynical?|Ezio Auditore to Niccolò.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:New man 1.png|thumb|250px|Niccolò speaking to Ezio in Rome.]]
Niccolò possessed a rather intricate personality. He was a mysterious individual, secretive in his ways, which resulted in his fellow Assassin, La Volpe, questioning his loyalty to the Assassin Order.

A usually cautious man, Niccolò was often astounded by Ezio Auditore's brash and headstrong actions. He was also opportunistic seeing that which benefited the Order. This was clearly shown when Ezio infiltrated the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] for the first time, and Niccolò insisted that Ezio prioritize assassinating Cesare and Rodrigo, rather than rescuing Caterina Sforza.

Niccolò also, from time to time, verbally sparred with Ezio, usually openly contradicting his views. When Ezio suggested that the Order appeal to the citizens of Rome for aid, Niccolò quickly opposed this idea, stating that relying on the people was ''"like building on the sand."''

Niccolò often had little patience for those who did not follow his plans, and was quick to do things on his own should he see it fit. He rarely worked alongside Ezio or other Assassins, preferring to do everything his own way so long as it ended in a beneficial result for the Order (such as making deals with Borgia guards, an act which other Assassins would see as conspiring with the enemy).

He could sometimes be seen to display a dry, almost uncaring sense of humour. While rarely laughing, he would often make sarcastic quips, particularly to Ezio. He also found it amusing to laugh at Ezio's misfortune when his money was stolen by a thief, partly because it supported a pessimistic point of his that trusting the citizens was a waste of time, shortly after debating it with Ezio.

While not always directly going out to kill enemies like Ezio, Niccolò was a skilled fighter and swordsman. Although never assassinating targets, he usually carried a blade with him for both defensive and offensive means. In various different battles with Ezio, he is seen being capable of performing the same killing techniques as him, as opposed to the dogmatic style of swinging his sword at the enemy.

==Trivia==
* In line with his real-life counterpart, the in-game Niccolò states during the Bonfire of the Vanities that he finds mercenaries unreliable, as they fight only for payment, and are not loyal.
** However, in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', he openly admits to Ezio that the mercenaries that aided him in the [[Colosseo]] were sent by him.
* Despite being only 19 when he first met Ezio Auditore, Niccolò acted very mature towards his elder Assassin.
* The clothes Niccolò wears in ''Assassin's Creed II'' and at the beginning of ''Brotherhood'' are based on the real-life clothes he can be seen wearing in various pieces of artwork and statues built of him.
* If Ezio chooses to do nothing during the moment where Savonarola tries to silence the crowd in the Bonfire of the Vanities, Niccolò will step in and be the one to throw a knife at Savonarola's hand.
** Niccolò throws the knife in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' as well.
* Historically, Niccolò had good relations with the Borgia family. In 1502, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia. He called Rodrigo Borgia a very successful politician, because he was the prototype of a leader who had no scruples to reach his target, and historically, it is also said that Niccolò greatly admired Cesare Borgia. Though there are hints of this in-game, Machiavelli is obviously an opponent of the Borgia.
* Before the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], when Machiavelli is seen at the Assassin meeting, he is wearing the same clothes as he is seen wearing in Assassin's Creed II. However, when he is seen in Rome, he is wearing a different outfit.
* In ''Brotherhood'', it is suggested that a few of [[Easter Eggs#Machiavelli's Works|Niccolò's later works]] were inspired by his interactions with Ezio.

{{GalleryBox|Niccolò Machiavelli}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Machiavelli, Niccolò}}

[[de:Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Mercenaries]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Novel) Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance Characters]]

Niccolò Machiavelli

2011-11-30T22:35:27Z

128.189.177.225: /* Florentine militia */

{{Era|AC2|acb|Renaissance|Bbook|Embers|Assassins|Featured}}
{{WPBrotherhood}}
{{WP-REAL|Niccolò Machiavelli}}
{{Quote|I am an Assassin. Trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each one of us here.|Niccolò to Ezio Auditore upon their first meeting.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
|image = char_machiavelli.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 3 May 1469<br>[[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death = 21 June 1527 (aged 58)<br>Florence, Italy
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]<br>[[Mercenaries]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''<br>[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{mo}}
|voice = [[Shawn Baichoo]]
}}
'''Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli''' (1469 – 1527) was an [[Italy|Italian]] philosopher and writer, and a member of the [[Assassin Order]]. Being considered one of the main founders of modern political science, he was a diplomat, political philosopher, musician, and playwright, but foremost, he was a civil servant of the Florentine Republic.

With the Assassin Order, Niccolò primarily worked with his ally [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], and helped him with driving the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] from Forlì and with removing the monk [[Girolamo Savonarola]] from power in [[Florence]] to obtain the "[[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]]" - an [[Those Who Came Before|ancient]] [[Pieces of Eden|artifact]] - from him.

Two years later, Machiavelli took up the position of leader of the Italian Assassins, after the death of [[Mario Auditore]]. Once again joined by Ezio, they fought against the corrupted [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] family which ruled over [[Rome]]. Eventually being successful in their goal, Machiavelli joined Ezio and [[Leonardo da Vinci]] in chasing [[Cesare Borgia]] in [[Valencia]].

Machiavelli then focused on his duties in the Florentine government, leading the Florentine militia until he was defeated, arrested and deprived of office.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Niccolò was born in Florence as the first son and third child of attorney Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, and his wife Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli.

At an early age, Niccolò was trained and [[Initiation to the Assassin Order|inducted]] into the Assassin Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===Acquiring the Apple of Eden===
{{Quote|A prophet's arrival was foretold... And, unbeknownst to us - here you are. Perhaps all along, you were the one we sought.|Machiavelli to Ezio upon acquiring the Apple|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Machiavelli intro.png|thumb|left|250px|Machiavelli explains the Order to Ezio.]]
At age 19, Niccolò and a group of other Assassins gathered in [[Venice]] to acquire the Apple of Eden from [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].
When the group arrived at Rodrigo's location, they found him fighting with Ezio Auditore, the son of the late Assassin [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]]. The other Assassins rushed to Ezio's aid, whereas Niccolò watched from a distance.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

After the group killed the [[guards]] and injured Rodrigo, Niccolò introduced himself to Ezio, and revealed all present to be Assassins, a fact previously unknown to Ezio.
They then went onto a tall tower in Venice, where they inducted Ezio into the Assassin Order, before each performing a [[Leap of Faith]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Battle of Forlì===
{{Quote|We discovered that [[Girolamo Riario]] was working with the Templars. Making a map of the locations of the remaining [[Codex]] pages.|Machiavelli informing Ezio of the situation.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Holding 2.png|thumb|250px|Niccolò, Ezio and Caterina after having entered the citadel.]]
Shortly after initiating Ezio into the Order, Niccolò accompanied Ezio to [[Forlì]], where they intended to hide the Apple from the Templars. They knew it would be well-protected, as the city was currently under the rule of one of their allies, [[Caterina Sforza]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

After entering the outskirts of Forlì, they discovered that the city was under siege by the Orsi brothers. Entering the city, Ezio, Caterina and Niccolò fought their way to the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]]. Upon arriving there, they were assaulted by reinforcements, which Ezio, Caterina and Niccolò worked together to defeat. After the attack was dealt with, Ezio left the Apple in Caterina's possession while he went to rescue her children who had been captured by the Orsi brothers.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Upon Ezio's return to the Rocca di Ravaldino, Niccolò informed him that the Apple had been taken from them. He then sent Ezio to retrieve it from the fleeing [[Checco Orsi]]. Though Ezio was able to assassinate Checco, he was severely injured, and the Apple was then taken by the monk Girolamo Savonarola.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Bonfire of the Vanities===
{{Quote|Rare is the man who is willing to oppose the status quo. And so it falls to us to help them see the truth.|Machiavelli commenting on Savonarola's takeover|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Florentine Fiasco 2.png|thumb|250px|left|Niccolò and Ezio discussing Savonarola.]]
In 1497, Niccolò met with Ezio again in Florence, and informed him that Savonarola had taken control of the city through the power of the Apple. Ezio reasoned that if he killed all nine of Savonarola's lieutenants, his grip would weaken. Niccolò thus informed fellow Assassins [[La Volpe]] and [[Paola]] of Ezio's plan, and after all of the lieutenants had been killed, the three encouraged the people to rise up against Savonarola.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Stoked into revolt, an angry mob swarmed Savonarola's residence, the [[Palazzo Pitti]]. Savonarola tried to calm the crowd with the Apple, but Ezio knocked it out of his hand with a well-thrown knife. The Apple fell to the ground, but it was retrieved by one of Rodrigo Borgia's men, forcing Ezio to chase him down and retrieve it.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Savonarola was then taken to be burned alive, and the Assassins watched from the distance. Ezio then decided that no one should die in such agony, and killed the monk before the flames could reach him. After Ezio gave a speech to inspire the crowd to follow their own ways, the Assassins left the scene.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===War in Rome===
{{dialogue|Niccolò|I intend to write a book about you one day.|Ezio|If you do, make it short.|Ezio and Niccolò, after settling all their differences.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:X marks 4.png|thumb|250px|Machiavelli and Ezio discuss the locations indicated by the Apple.]]
In December 1499, Niccolò, Ezio, Mario Auditore, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], La Volpe, [[Antonio de Magianis]], Paola, and [[Teodora Contanto]], some of the highest-ranking Italian Assassins, gathered in the [[Villa Auditore]] in [[Monteriggioni]] to discuss the location of "[[Vatican Vault|the Vault]]."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

They Assassins came to the conclusion that the Vault was located in Rome, and that Rodrigo Borgia had become [[Papacy|Pope]] because the Papal Staff was the [[The Staff|second Piece of Eden]] needed to unlock its entrance. All of them left for Rome to distract the Borgia guards while Ezio infiltrated [[Vaticano district|the Vatican]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Niccolò later returned to Monteriggioni to listen to what Ezio had discovered inside the Vault. Upon hearing that Ezio had spared Rodrigo, he furiously left for Rome to take down the Borgia once and for all.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

The following morning, Monteriggioni was [[Fall of Monteriggioni|attacked]] by the Borgia, under the command of Rodrigo's son, Cesare Borgia. Niccolò's disappearance right before the attack aroused some suspicion from La Volpe, who thought that Niccolò was secretly working for the Borgia. During the attack, Mario Auditore was killed and Niccolò took command over the chaotic Assassin Order, basing it on [[Tiber Island]] in Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

[[File:New man 3.png|thumb|left|250px|Niccolò informing Ezio about the closed shops.]]
Following the attack, Ezio left for Rome as well, but passed out on the road there, succumbing to the gunshot wounds he had received during the siege. Niccolò brought him to [[Margherita dei Campi|a woman]] living in Rome's countryside to have him cared for, and requested her to tell Ezio to meet him in front of the [[Mausoleo di Augusto]] as soon as he was able.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

After Ezio arrived, Niccolò informed him of Rome's corrupt state, and lent him some money to purchase some new equipment. He also "introduced" him to the [[Followers of Romulus]], who he suspected to be working for the Borgia, and showed him a faster way of traveling via the city's [[Tunnels|sewer system]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

They used one such tunnel to get back to [[Tiber Island headquarters|their hideout]], and there met one of the Assassins' allies, [[Fabio Orsini]], who had lent the storeroom to the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:Roman Underground 3.png|thumb|250px|Niccolò speaking with Ezio and Fabio Orsini.]]
After Ezio left to strengthen the Assassins' underground, Niccolò set to work on using his contacts to obtain the names of several Templar agents that were terrorizing the people of Rome. After mending the underground and freeing Caterina Sforza from her prison, Ezio returned to Niccolò to discuss the recruitment of new Assassins into the Brotherhood. Skeptical at first, Machiavelli then conceded and allowed Ezio to recruit their first novices, while he set up a means of communication with the recruits via [[pigeon coops|pigeon coop]].

In 1503, La Volpe believed that he had gathered substantial evidence to prove that Niccolò was working for the Borgia, and therefore told Ezio to ''"do what needs to be done"'', or he would do it himself. However, Ezio did not believe Niccolò to be a traitor, so he did not kill him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Instead, La Volpe himself left for Tiber Island, ready to assassinate Niccolò. Ezio, however, found out that one of La Volpe's own [[thieves]] was the traitor, and managed to inform La Volpe of this, seconds before he could kill Niccolò. La Volpe, pretending that nothing had happened, returned to a amicable relationship with Niccolò afterwards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:EzioPromotion.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Niccolò promoting Ezio to head of the Assassin Order.]]
Over the course of three years, Niccolò began to realize that Ezio was much more suited to the role of leader of the Assassin Order than he was, as it was Ezio who had revived the Brotherhood back to its former strength and carried out the war against the Borgia and the [[Liberation of Rome]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Thus, after [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Ezio's sister]]'s initiation into the Brotherhood, Niccolò placed Ezio at the head of the Italian Assassin, and awarded him with the title of [[Mentor]]. When Ezio asked why he had had a sudden change of heart, Niccolò admitted that he had always stood by Ezio and had been supporting him without his knowledge. Ezio in turn named Niccolò as his "most trusted adviser."<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />
{{-}}

===Cesare and Micheletto===
{{Quote|We take you, Micheletto da Corella, as our prisoner. No more shall you infect our nation with your schemes.|Machiavelli arresting Miceletto after the attack on Zagarolo.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
After the death of Rodrigo Borgia by the hands of Cesare, the latter was soon imprisoned by the new [[Julius II|pope]] in the Castel Sant'Angelo. After a failed escape attempt, he was transferred to a different prison, and the pope would not even unveil is location to Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)]]</ref>

Thus Ezio and Machiavelli started their quest to find Cesare, speaking to [[Giulia Farnese]], [[Charlotte d'Albret]], and [[Vannozza dei Cattanei]]. These conversations didn't provide them with the information they needed, and on their way back they were confronted by one of Machiavelli's spies, [[Bruno]]. He told them of Claudia's imprisonment by the Borgia diehards, and Ezio and Machiavelli went to the assigned building to free her.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

After a short but fierce fight, the diehard leader revealed that they worked for Micheletto, after which the Assassins decided to look for him, as he could lead them to Cesare. They soon found him in [[Zagarolo]], where he had mustered a force of 200 men. The Assassins marched there the following day, with an army of 100 Apprentices and thieves, and were able to arrest Micheletto, who was then brought to Florence to be interrogated by Machiavelli, [[Piero Soderini]] and [[Amerigo Vespucci]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

A few days after the interrogation, on the day of Micheletto's execution, he managed to escape, and Machiavelli brought Ezio this grave news. They decided to track Micheletto and follow him to Cesare, using the Apple to find him. The Apple told Ezio to ride for [[Naples]], and the Assassins did so immediately. Once they arrived in Naples, the encountered [[Camilla]], who told them Micheletto had traveled to Valencia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

===Chasing Micheletto===
{{Quote|Well, we don't need the Apple to tell us what our old friend Cesare is planning.|Niccolò, upon arriving in Valencia.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
Once they arrived in Valencia, they immediately noticed the ship Micheletto had used to travel there. They asked the captain where his passenger was heading, and he told them to look for Micheletto in the Lone Wolf inn. They managed to find the building without difficulty, but were ambushed as they entered its dark interior. There was a fierce battle, and Ezio eventually recognized one of their ambushers as Micheletto himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

However, Micheletto and his diehards fled the scene before the Assassins could follow them, though one of the diehards revealed that they were going to the [[Castillo de la Mota]], where Cesare was imprisoned. The Assassins chased Micheletto, but he had advanced on them and had managed to break Cesare out of prison before they arrived. When the Assassins heard this news, Ezio wanted to return to Valencia immediately, acting on a vision he had seen using the Apple, but Machiavelli insisted on resting.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

They returned to Valencia within the month but found that Cesare had managed to build up a considerable army. There were more than thousand men stationed just outside Valencia, and there was a fleet of a dozen warships in its harbor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

===Attack on Valencia===
Ezio and Niccolò formulated a plan to destroy Cesare's new army. Whilst Niccolò made his way to the diehards' camp, Ezio headed to the docks to destroy the enemy ships there with several hand-held bombs.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)"/>

Afterwards, he met up with Niccolò on the corner of the street where the Lone Wolf Inn was located. The two climbed onto the roof of the building, and peered through the open top skylight at Cesare and [[Micheletto Corella]], who were discussing the recent turn of events.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Cesare angrily belittled Micheletto, blaming him for what had happened and driving him to launch himself across the table at his Master. Cesare quickly pulled one of his pistols from his belt and shot at Micheletto, destroying his face completely.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio pulled back, hoping to catch Cesare as he left the building, though Niccolò, who had craned forward to get a better look, had kicked a tile in the process, and had drawn Cesare's attention. Drawing his second pistol just as rapidly as he had his first, Cesare shot at the Assassin, hitting Niccolò in the shoulder.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio briefly thought of pursuit, but Niccolò's injury was severe and required immediate medical attention. Finding a local [[Doctors|doctor]], they learned that the bullet had gone straight through, and that Niccolò would be sufficiently healed for travel in two weeks. Before Ezio left to pursue Cesare, Niccolò wished him good luck.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

===Florentine militia===
Between 1503 and 1506, Niccolò returned to Florence, where he was responsible for leading the Florentine militia. Strangely, he noted on multiple occasions that he distrusted [[mercenaries]], despite leading the Florentine mercenaries himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /><ref name="Wikipedia">[[Wikipedia:Niccolò Machiavelli|Niccolò Machiavelli on ''Wikipedia'']]</ref>

His militia managed to defeat [[wikipedia:Pisa|Pisa]] in 1509. However, in August 1512, they were defeated by the [[House of Medici|Medici]], aided by [[Spain|Spanish]] troops and [[Pope Julius II]]. After this, Florence was dissolved as a city-state.

Niccolò was deprived of office in 1512, and was arrested in 1513 on accusations of conspiracy. He was tortured in prison, though he denied involvement in any conspiracy. He was released, and he retired to his estate in Sant'Andrea in Percussina.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

===Later life===
During his stay at his estate, Niccolò wrote ''Il Principe'' (''The Prince''), which was a relatively short book written in a few months. It was written specifically for a period when the Medici family had the opportunity to build a strong Italian state in central Italy, and drive out the "barbarians."<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

Over a significant amount of his life, Niccolò also wrote the ''Discourses of Livy'', a thesis that reflected his more republican notions of government. It is a far more comprehensive thesis than ''The Prince''.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

These two manuscripts were banned by the Church because they were in direct support to many of Niccolò's reforms, as he sought to help unite the city-states of Italy under government, not religion. Together the ''Discourses'' and ''The Prince'' explained that Niccolò was an individual who preferred a republican government, but was prepared to accept a principality if it ensured the survival of the state.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

There have also been suggestions that ''The Prince'' is a piece of overt political satire. This is inspired in part by the fact that his magnum opus, the ''Discourses'', contains arguments that clash with the contents of ''The Prince''.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

Particularly interesting was the fact that it was written in Italian rather than Latin, as was the common practice by Italy's intelligentsia at the time. This suggests that the book was actually written to be digested by Italy's common people rather than the ruling classes (who were likely already aware of the techniques described within the book).<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

By 1524, Machiavelli had also become a successful playwright; Ezio intended to see one of his plays but missed it by three weeks. When [[Chinese Templars]] began pursuing Ezio's guest [[Shao Jun]], the Mentor had his wife [[Sofia Sartor|Sofia]] and their [[Flavia Auditore|two]] [[Marcello Auditore|children]] stay at Machiavelli's estate.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref>

Niccolò died on 21 June 1527 at the age of 58. His final resting place is the [[Basilica di Santa Croce]] in Florence.<ref name="Wikipedia"/>

==Characteristics and personality==
{{Quote|When did you become so cynical?|Ezio Auditore to Niccolò.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:New man 1.png|thumb|250px|Niccolò speaking to Ezio in Rome.]]
Niccolò possessed a rather intricate personality. He was a mysterious individual, secretive in his ways, which resulted in his fellow Assassin, La Volpe, questioning his loyalty to the Assassin Order.

A usually cautious man, Niccolò was often astounded by Ezio Auditore's brash and headstrong actions. He was also opportunistic seeing that which benefited the Order. This was clearly shown when Ezio infiltrated the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] for the first time, and Niccolò insisted that Ezio prioritize assassinating Cesare and Rodrigo, rather than rescuing Caterina Sforza.

Niccolò also, from time to time, verbally sparred with Ezio, usually openly contradicting his views. When Ezio suggested that the Order appeal to the citizens of Rome for aid, Niccolò quickly opposed this idea, stating that relying on the people was ''"like building on the sand."''

Niccolò often had little patience for those who did not follow his plans, and was quick to do things on his own should he see it fit. He rarely worked alongside Ezio or other Assassins, preferring to do everything his own way so long as it ended in a beneficial result for the Order (such as making deals with Borgia guards, an act which other Assassins would see as conspiring with the enemy).

He could sometimes be seen to display a dry, almost uncaring sense of humour. While rarely laughing, he would often make sarcastic quips, particularly to Ezio. He also found it amusing to laugh at Ezio's misfortune when his money was stolen by a thief, partly because it supported a pessimistic point of his that trusting the citizens was a waste of time, shortly after debating it with Ezio.

While not always directly going out to kill enemies like Ezio, Niccolò was a skilled fighter and swordsman. Although never assassinating targets, he usually carried a blade with him for both defensive and offensive means. In various different battles with Ezio, he is seen being capable of performing the same killing techniques as him, as opposed to the dogmatic style of swinging his sword at the enemy.

==Trivia==
* In line with his real-life counterpart, the in-game Niccolò states during the Bonfire of the Vanities that he finds mercenaries unreliable, as they fight only for payment, and are not loyal.
** However, in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', he openly admits to Ezio that the mercenaries that aided him in the [[Colosseo]] were sent by him.
* Despite being only 19 when he first met Ezio Auditore, Niccolò acted very mature towards his elder Assassin.
* The clothes Niccolò wears in ''Assassin's Creed II'' and at the beginning of ''Brotherhood'' are based on the real-life clothes he can be seen wearing in various pieces of artwork and statues built of him.
* If Ezio chooses to do nothing during the moment where Savonarola tries to silence the crowd in the Bonfire of the Vanities, Niccolò will step in and be the one to throw a knife at Savonarola's hand.
** Niccolò throws the knife in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' as well.
* Historically, Niccolò had good relations with the Borgia family. In 1502, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia. He called Rodrigo Borgia a very successful politician, because he was the prototype of a leader who had no scruples to reach his target, and historically, it is also said that Niccolò greatly admired Cesare Borgia.
* Before the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], when Machiavelli is seen at the Assassin meeting, he is wearing the same clothes as he is seen wearing in Assassin's Creed II. However, when he is seen in Rome, he is wearing a different outfit.
* In ''Brotherhood'', it is suggested that a few of [[Easter Eggs#Machiavelli's Works|Niccolò's later works]] were inspired by his interactions with Ezio.

{{GalleryBox|Niccolò Machiavelli}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Machiavelli, Niccolò}}

[[de:Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Mercenaries]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Novel) Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance Characters]]

Assassins

2011-11-30T22:32:05Z

128.189.177.225: /* Medieval and Renaissance periods */

{{Era|Chronicles|AC1|Bloodlines|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|Revelations|Project Legacy|Secret Crusade|Renaissance|Bbook|The Fall|The Chain|FC|Lineage|Ascendance|Embers|Assassins|Good}}
{{WP-REAL|Assassins}}
{{Faction Infobox
|name =
|image = AssassinLogo.png
|imgdesc = The [[Assassin insignia|emblem]] of the Assassin Order.
|hideo =
|founder = [[Adam and Eve]]'s descendants<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
|leader = [[Mentor]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]'' - Issue #1</ref>
|headquarters = ''Middle Ages'':<br>[[Masyaf]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><br>[[Alep]]<br>[[Cyprus]]<br> ''Renaissance'':<br>Various<br>''Modern times'':<br>[[Dubai]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]] - Issue #3''</ref>
|locations = ''Renaissance'':<br>[[Florence]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Monteriggioni]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Venice]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Forlì]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Constantinople]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref><br>''Modern times'':<br>Worldwide<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
|related =*[[Vigilantes]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
* [[Mercenaries]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Courtesans]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Thieves]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[House of Medici]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Ottomans]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
|hideh =
|formed = Pre-history
|reorganised = 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
|collapsed = 2000 {{c|organizationally}} <ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/>
|hidea =
|notable = *[[Marcus Junius Brutus]]
* [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]
* [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]
* [[Nikolai Orelov]]
* [[Daniel Cross]]
* [[Desmond Miles]]
}}
{{Quote|We work in the dark, to serve the light. We are Assassins.|[[Niccolò Machiavelli]].|Assassin's Creed II}}
The '''Assassin Order''', also known as '''Assassin Brotherhood''' and '''Hashshashin''', was an organized order of assassins and sworn enemies of the [[Templars]], against whom they fought a continuous, secret war, throughout the entirety of recorded history. Whereas the Templars strove for the power to save humanity from itself by controlling free will, the Assassin Order fought to ensure the survival of free will, as it allowed for the progression of new ideas and the growth of individuality.

The Assassins, if not the order itself, had existed since at least 456 BC, throughout the [[Roman Empire|Roman era]], the Middle Ages, the [[Renaissance|Italian Renaissance]], and into the [[Modern Times|21<sup>st</sup> Century]].

==The Creed==
{{quote|Laa shay'a waqi'un mutlaq bale kouloun mumkin.<br>("Nothing is true, everything is permitted" in Arabic)''|[[The Creed|The Assassin's Creed]]|Assassin's Creed II}}
The order believed in a strong set of values that strictly governed their way of life. This Creed consisted of three tenets:
# "Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent."
# "Hide in plain sight, be one with the crowd."
# "Never compromise the Brotherhood."<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

These tenets permeated every aspect of the Assassins' daily life, as well as their fight for "peace in all things." The Assassins carried out their duties through political, strategic assassination, in the hope that killing one individual would lead to the salvation of thousands. The Assassins believed that they fought on the behalf of those who did not possess the abilities, resources, or knowledge to speak out against those who abused their power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Despite their service to those who would otherwise suffer, the Assassins were still feared by the general populace, due mainly to their method of ensuring peace. The Assassins were most feared due to their terrifying reputation for taking life in public before many witnesses - so as to bring fear into the hearts of those who might abuse their power or corrupt the innocent - before vanishing into the crowd without a trace.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> To aid in this, the Assassins used a particularly efficient weapon for assassinations: the [[Hidden Blade]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> a single thrust from which could end the life of its victim. They were however forbidden from using poison as it was considered "A coward's tool".

However, in order to ascertain which death might best assist the Assassins' goals, extensive political knowledge was required for target selection. Thus, the Assassins endeavored to remain in tune with the ever-changing politics surrounding them. Obtaining information on this was the job of low-level members of the Order, who would be stationed throughout the cities of the world. These [[Informants|spies]] would watch the local nobles and rulers, looking for signs of corruption, or for membership in the Templars. Once gathered, any information was passed on to the Assassins responsible for the actual assassination.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

===Entrance===
{{main|Initiation to the Assassin Order}}
[[File:Zw-acb-ceremony-5.jpg|thumb|300px|Claudia Auditore being inducted into the Assassin Order in 1503.]]
There are ways of entering the order: to be born into it, like [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], and [[Desmond Miles]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> or to be recruited, like the Assassin [[Apprentices]] and [[Shaun Hastings]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/> After declaring oneself an Assassin under The Creed, a trainee would be tested to prove his or her worth over an unspecified period of time; for example, Ezio had to hunt down the Templar conspirators over a multitude of years before he was officially inducted,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> and the Assassin Apprentices had to gain enough experience in their contract missions across the World before they were ready to join the [[Assassins Guild]] as true Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Training===
[[File:AssassinGuard.png|thumb|200px|left|Rauf, a combat instructor, wearing similar robes to other high ranked Assassin guards in Masyaf.]]
The Assassins spent their entire lifetime training to kill.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> From an early age, they were taught to observe their surroundings and plan ahead. Combat skills were essential, and its training was continuous, with a focus on bladed weapons of all sorts. However, despite such a concentration on combat, the most important consideration in the Assassins' training was concealment. Stealth was the greatest weapon of the Assassin, and everything about their life emphasized a devotion to it.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> It was essential for an Assassin to be able to reach their target unnoticed, and then slip back into the crowd after they had struck.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>As such, they always wore clothing that allowed them to blend into the crowd. Even their weapons were identical to what's available locally, aside from the hidden blade.

However, not '''all''' Assassins within the order were able to train from birth; this was the case of many Assassins that weren't born into the Order and were recruited later in life, as teenagers or young adults. For example, by the time of Renaissance Italy, after the order had gone underground and out of public view to follow the lead of the Templars, traditional lifelong training could not be done as it had in the past.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Once brought into the Order, trainees, like [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] and later his own Apprentices, had to learn the ways of their craft through personal experience and the personal teachings from other Assassins in the field. At the time of the [[Auditore execution|murders]] of his father [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] and two brothers [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]] and, Ezio had only been skilled in [[Free Running]], [[Fists|fistfighting]], and some [[sword]]smenship.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Throughout his life, he learns several Assassin skills from other Assassins and allies like [[Paola]], his uncle [[Mario Auditore]], the thief [[Rosa]], and several fundamental [[Assassination Techniques]] through reading the [[Codex]] of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Later, the Apprentices within the Roman Assassins Guild at the [[Tiber Island headquarters]] would be trained in the Assassin ways by both Ezio himself, as well as through their own experiences gained during [[Assassination Contracts|Contracts]] they were sent on across Europe and Asia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Unlike certain other factions, the Assassins did not have a specific style of fighting, especially since after they went underground. Aside from their signature hidden blade, each branch simply used whatever weapons and fighting styles that were locally available. For example, the Turkish Assassins favored curved daggers and the Chinese Assassins were trained in kung fu.

Another significant focus of an Assassins' training was maneuverability. By the time an Assassin reached the [[Ranks|rank]] of [[Master Assassin]], he was also a master of an early form of parkour, or "free running", extensively utilized by the Assassins. Widely seen as alien by the general populace, this method of movement allowed the Assassins to reach areas not normally accessible to man. From scaling a wall, to climbing to one of a city's many [[View Points|view points]], free running gave the Assassins a significant advantage over nearly all their enemies and city [[guards]] and can be used to get anywhere in the city quickly at any time.

==History==
===Formation===
The bloodline of the original Assassins was formed centuries ago, after various members of [[Those Who Came Before]] conceived children with members of the [[Humans|human]] race. These children had the visual appearance of humans, but were gifted with several extra senses from Those Who Came Before, such as [[Eagle Sense]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Roman era===
During the Roman era, the Assassin Order was a secret enemy of the [[SPQR]] (''Senatus Populusque Romanus'') - the ruling body of the Roman Empire - which was in fact a precursor to the Templar organization.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Assassination of Julius Caesar.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Assassins killing Julius Caesar.]]
Little is known of the Order's hierarchy and activities this time, except for a few major assassinations. In 44 BC, forty Assassins, who had previously acted as senators in the Roman senate, plotted the assassination of the recently declared dictator of the Roman Empire, [[Gaius Julius Caesar]]. [[Marcus Junius Brutus]] which tasked with planning the plot by [[Gaius Cassius Longinus]], and after Brutus was shown visions by Those Who Came Before in the [[Colosseum Vault]], twenty-three of the forty Assassins stabbed Caesar to death at the Roman senate.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> Following this event, the Assassins went their separate ways, but most were killed by Caesar's allies. Brutus committed suicide before he would lose the [[wikipedia:Battle of Philippi|Battle of Philippi]], after which his Brothers unsuccessfully tried to revive him with the [[The Shroud|Shroud of Eden]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>

Not many years afterwards, [[Cleopatra]], Caesar's former lover and Queen of [[Egypt]], was killed by the Egyptian Assassin [[Amunet]] with a venomous snake, in 30 BC. Later still, on 24 January, 41 AD, the 3rd Emperor of the Roman Empire [[Caligula]] was stabbed to death by the Assassin [[Leonius]], under unknown circumstances.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===High Middle Ages===
During the Middle Ages, the Templars had become a public knightly order under the name "Knights Templar". In the year 1090, control of the Assassins fell to [[Hassan-i Sabbah]], who in turn also changed the Assassin Order into a public organization. Under his command, public assassinations occurred much more often and the people were encouraged to stand up to their oppressors, realizing that they weren't on their own.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Timeline">[http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/File%3AAC_Timeline.jpg ''Assassin's Creed'' Timeline]</ref>

During the 1170s, the Assassins were at odds with the [[Saracens]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref> In 1174, thirteen Assassins were sent to the Sultan [[Salah Al'din]]'s camp close to [[Damascus]] and were successful in infiltrating his tent, but were detected; one was killed by a Saracen general and the others were killed upon trying to escape.<ref name="Wikipedia: Saladin">[[wikipedia:Saladin|''Wikipedia'': Saladin]]</ref>

In 1176, Salah Al'din led a siege on the Assassins' fortress of [[Masyaf]]. After the location of Salah Al'din's tent was revealed by the Assassin spy [[Ahmad Sofian]], [[Umar Ibn-La'Ahad]] was sent to infiltrate the tent and leave a feather and a dagger with a threatening message attached to it. Umar evaded the chalk and cinders that were strewed around the tent and successfully left the objects, but was detected by the Sultan himself. Umar had to kill a noble to make his escape, and the Assassins managed to make a truce with the Saracens; though Umar's life had to be taken in the process.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>

[[File:Almualimassassins.png|thumb|250px|Al Mualim and the Assassins in the fortress of Masyaf.]]
By 1191, the Assassins were still in a secret battle with the Templars and their leader, [[Robert de Sable]]. It was during the Third Crusade that the Assassins learned of a Templar interest in an [[Sixth Apple|ancient artifact]], hidden within the catacombs of [[Solomon's Temple]]. It was decided to liberate the treasure from them, and the mission was a success, although a costly one. With the death of [[Kadar Al-Sayf|one Assassin]], the severe injury of [[Malik Al-Sayf|another]], and the arrival of the Templar army at the gates of Masyaf, the Assassins were nearly overwhelmed by the [[Siege of Masyaf|following battle]]. However, by crushing most of the Templar army under a concealed onslaught of rolling logs, they were able to drive the Templars from the fortress and village below.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

Following the assault, the Assassin blamed for the loss of life that day – Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad – was severely reprimanded, and tasked with removing nine influential individuals, who plagued the Holy Land with their corrupt rule. As Altaïr made his way down the list made up of both [[Crusader]] and [[Saracen]] individuals, he was greatly unsettled by the realization that their goal to bring peace to the people of the Holy Land was just, as he that felt his victims were "misguided perhaps, but pure in motive." This was a view shared by Al Mualim, who agreed with their goals, but felt that their attitude of "the end justifies the means" undermined the good they sought to ensure. As his mission progressed, Altaïr sought to know what bound his victims together, and the discovery that they were all Templars only served to reinforce the Assassin's determination to bring an end to the Templar plot.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

By Fall of 1191, the Assassins were victorious over their Templar enemies. Robert de Sable, [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]], was dead, however the treachery of one of their own had also hit the Assassin Order hard. Al Mualim, secretly a former member of a coalition of ''ten'' Templar leaders, was revealed to be a traitor, and was killed by the very man he had sent to eliminate his fellow Templar conspirators. With Al Mualim dead, Altaïr took over as Grand Master of the Order, leading the Assassins in their attempts to rebuild their strength after the costly conflict.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

[[File:Codex.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Altaïr writing the Codex.]]
With full control over the Assassins, Altaïr immediately set out on a one-man quest to liberate the island of [[Cyprus]] from the Templars, who had recently bought it from [[Richard I of England|King Richard]]. After successfully having done so, killing the Templar Grand Master [[Armand Bouchart]] and discovering the [[Templar Archive]] in the process,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref> Altaïr continued to write the Codex: a book detailing the secrets he had managed to uncover from the Apple of Eden,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> which he started writing on during his journey to Cyprus.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" /> In the end, those secrets had a profound effect on the Order, as new assassination techniques and world secrets had been uncovered.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><br />
In 1209, Altaïr started to send his Assassins to various cities spread throughout the world, after he was made aware of their existence by the Apple of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Timeline" />

Eventually, it was decided that the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] was too great a threat to keep in Masyaf, and the decision was made to store it on the island of Cyprus, in the Limassol archives.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/> However, the Piece was kept by Altaïr until he had at least completed his fabled Codex.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Late Middle Ages===
{{Quote|In this modern age, we are not as literal as our ancestors; but our seal is no less permanent…|Mario Auditore at Ezio's official induction into the Assassin Order|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Asslogorenaissance.png|thumb|Italian Renaissance variation of the Assassins' emblem.]]
During the Late Middle Ages, the Order continued to thrive, despite being forced to adopt an even more secretive and isolated existence. When the Renaissance, a cultural movement, started in [[Italy]], the Assassin Order had apparently "gone underground" and primarily focused themselves in Italy, where the headquarters of the Templar Order were also located. As the Templar Order survived in more inconspicuous ways, Altaïr believed that the Assassins too had to change tactics so as to live on and made the Order a secret organization once again.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

By 1321, various members of the Assassin Order had successfully integrated themselves into modern day life of middle Italy, widely unknown to the average folk. That same year, a young sailor by the name of [[Domenico Auditore|Domenico]], the son of an Assassin, was apprenticed to the poet and Assassin [[Dante Alighieri]], who had been tasked with transporting the Codex of Altaïr from [[Venice]] to [[Spain]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt">''[[Auditore Family Crypt|Uplay Content - Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Family Crypt]]''</ref> Upon his death, however, the undertaking fell instead to Domenico. During the voyage, pirates under the employ of the Templars ambushed the ship looking for the Codex, consequently killing Domenico's wife. Fortunately for the Assassins, Domenico managed to break apart the Codex and hide its pages from the pirates before he and his son were forced overboard.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt"/>

Eventually returning to Venice, Domenico found his father and his patron, [[Marco Polo]], an ally of the Assassins, dead. Thus, Domenico emptied the bank accounts of Messer Polo, and traveled to the city of [[Florence]] under the assumed name of [[House of Auditore|Auditore]]. He eventually constructed the [[Villa Auditore]] in the city of [[Monteriggioni]], which became the center of the Assassin Order in Italy up to the year 1500.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt"/>

Despite the order "modernizing" since the 12<sup>th</sup> Century, they still retained many of the rituals and practices, albeit altered. The practice of removing one's ring finger had been stopped, although the seal of the Order was branded upon the finger instead with hot iron. Although significantly fewer in number, the Assassins were supported by the courtesans, thieves and [[Mercenaries|condottieri]] of Florence and Venice; the guilds of which were each run by a member of the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this time period, the Assassins entered another period of increased hostilities with the Templars, who were attempting to overthrow the ruling [[House of Medici]] in Florence, and the [[wikipedia:Doge|Doge]] of Venice. Having already [[Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza|killed]] the [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza|Duke]] of [[Milan]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref> in 1476, [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the Grand Master of the Templar Order, brought the noble families of [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi]] and [[House of Barbarigo|Barbarigo]] together<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/> to accomplish his goals. Entering into conflict with the Assassins, Borgia dealt a crippling blow to the Order in 1476, when he [[Auditore execution|executed]] the experienced Assassin [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]] and his two sons, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], although a third son, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]], managed to escape. With the aid of Ezio, the Assassins were able to counter Borgia's plot over [[Quest for Vengeance|a twenty-three year campaign]], defeating him at every turn.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1487, the Order of Assassins learned that the Templars had retrieved an important artifact from the island of Cyprus, and deemed its capture necessary. Following the artifact from [[L'Arsenale di Venezia]], Ezio managed to overpower and replace the Templar guard carrying the artifact. Under this guise, Ezio met with Borgia himself, and the two engaged in battle. Borgia fled upon the arrival of other Assassins, and the artifact fell once again into the hands of the Assassins. The Assassins of this age, however, were unaware of the nature of the artifact, although they did recognize it as one of the Pieces of Eden mentioned within Altaïr's Codex.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h45m54s20.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The Assassins in Rome.]]
By 1500, right after [[Cesare Borgia]] [[Fall of Monteriggioni|besieged]] the city of Monteriggioni, murdering Mario Auditore and once again claiming the Apple for the Templars, Ezio Auditore had moved to Rome, meeting up with Niccolò Machiavelli and laying the foundations of a new "brotherhood" of Assassins. Utilizing the mercenaries, thieves and courtesans of [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], [[La Volpe]] and [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]] respectively, Ezio's brotherhood worked to [[Liberation of Rome|combat the influence and power]] of the Borgia family, and by extension the Papacy itself. Headquartered in an underground store-room owned by [[Fabio Orsini]], on [[Tiber Island]] in the center of Rome, the Assassins begun to spread their influence throughout the city, recruiting Rome's own citizens as Assassin Apprentices under Ezio, eventually becoming inducted and branded into the order as Assassins themselves. Under the instruction of Ezio, many Assassin recruits undertook a variety of missions across Europe and Asia in cities such as [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Barcelona]], [[Lisbon]], [[Moscow]] and [[Calicut]], killing and sabotaging Templars, their allies, and corrupt men in power, and defending and aiding their Assassin brothers and sisters, as well as anyone willing to stand against the Borgia and The Church.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Over a period of three years, Ezio's brotherhood whittled away the Borgia family's power, and with the murder of Rodrigo Borgia at the hands of his own son, and the arrest of Cesare by the [[Papal Guard]] of [[Julius II]], the Templars' influence over the city of Rome was shattered.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Three years after [[Siege of Viana]] in 1507, when Ezio ended the threat of Cesare Borgia, the Assassin Grand Master traveled to the ancient Assassin fortress of Masyaf, on a pilgrimage to learn the origins of the Order. When he arrived, he discovered that the fortress had been overrun by the Templars, who were searching the five [[Seals of Altaïr]], which would combine to unlock a secret weapon hidden by Altaïr. With one seal already in Masyaf, Ezio learned that the remaining four were hidden throughout the city of Constantinople. He made his way to the city, in the hopes of obtaining the remaining seals.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>

===Modern times===
{{Quote|In the old days, that usually meant killing anyone who became too powerful or greedy. ''[…]'' These days, it means subversion of established regimes. ''[…]'' Countries. Corporations. We change the system from within.|[[The Mentor (2000)|"The Mentor"]], in 2000, on the Assassin Order.|Assassin's Creed: The Fall}}

By the late 19th century, the Russian sect of the Assassin Order, the [[Narodnaya Volya]] (''People's Will''), played a vital role in overthrowing the Tsarist rule over [[Russia]]. The Assassins strongly assisted their close ally, [[Vladimir Lenin]], the leader of the Bolsheviks – [[Aleksandr Ulyanov|Lenin's brother]] was an Assassin himself. Due to the efforts of the Assassin Nikolai Orelov, the Templar Tsar [[Alexander III of Russia|Alexander III]] died of kidney failure and the [[The Staff|Staff of Eden]] was destroyed in the [[Tunguska explosion]]. [[File:Tungaska Explod v.png|thumb|One of the Pieces of Eden, the Staff, was destroyed by the Assassins in the Tunguska Explosion]]Without power, Tsarevich [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]] was removed from the throne and Russia became communistic.

By the 20<sup>th</sup> Century, the tactics and practices of the Assassin Order had changed greatly.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/> Whilst the Order of Assassins had kept to their policy of remote camps and isolation,<ref name="Assassin's Creed" /> the Templars had begun to infiltrate society further; taking the form of many publicly known corporations such as [[NASA]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> and [[Wikipedia:Kraft Foods|Kraft]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> which all secretly fell under the shadow corporation [[Abstergo Industries]].

The Assassins relied less upon killing powerful or greedy individuals, and more on changing the "established regime" from within, using politics as well as the blade to achieve their aims, such as rigging elections to keep Templars out of office.<br>
The American presidential election of 2000 was one such election, with the Templars attempting to place their puppet [[George W. Bush]] into power, and the Assassins backing [[Al Gore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/> In fact, most Assassins work with technology rather with weapons<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> and many have never killed anyone at all.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #2" />

By the year 2000, the hidden blade had become a largely ceremonial weapon.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3" /> In the meantime however, the Templars continued to search for and investigate the various Pieces of Eden they discovered throughout this period,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed" /> whilst the Assassins continued their war against them; notably being responsible for the destruction of at least one Templar-controlled base in [[wikipedia:Siberia|Siberia]] in 1908, known in public as the Tunguska explosion.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> However, by the year 1985, the Templars, under the guise of their front company Abstergo Industries, had begun kidnapping Assassins or those related to them in an attempt to locate even more Pieces of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:The Mentor die.jpg|thumb|The Mentor's death at Cross' hands.]]
That same year, a child codenamed Daniel Cross, a descendant of the Assassin Nikolai Orelov, was kidnapped by Abstergo's [[Lineage Research and Acquisition]] department and entered into the [[Animus project]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]] - Issue #1''</ref> Years later, in 1998, Daniel joined the Order as a prospective, but with a mission to find the then-current Mentor. Two years later, he was granted his wish and inducted into the Order by the Mentor himself; Cross subsequently murdered the Mentor with the very hidden blade he had been bequeathed by his victim just moments before, a result of brainwashing instilled in him by Warren Vidic during his time as an Abstergo captive.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/> Cross's actions directly led to the [[Fall of the Assassin Order|fall of the Assassin order]], as he compromised virtually all of the Assassin camps around the world he had visited in search for the Mentor upon returning to Abstergo Industries, which forced the Assassins even further into hiding. Other notable Assassins held captive by Abstergo included the mysterious [[Subject 16]] and Desmond Miles – descendants of both Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

{{Quote|We lost two more teams last night. That's eight more of us just… gone.|Lucy Stillman, 2012.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Using Desmond, Abstergo managed to obtain a map of the locations of the Pieces of Eden across the globe, and subsequently begun their attempts to claim them. Not long after, the Assassins were able to free Desmond<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> with the aid of [[Lucy Stillman]] (an Assassin who had been working undercover at Abstergo for at least seven years by 2012)<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> as well as obtain their own copy of the map.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Following this, Desmond agreed to aid the Assassins in their quest to defeat Abstergo, mostly for revenge, but also for closure. Utilizing the [[Animus|Animus 2.0]], a copy of the machine used by Abstergo to explore his genetic memories previously,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Desmond followed the memories of Ezio Auditore, adopting his skills in combat and free-running, while the rest of the Order concentrated to locating the Pieces of Eden before their Templar counterparts. Despite this, however, the war with the Templars had taken a turn for the worse. With their numbers dwindling, the Order of Assassins was in danger of losing the war.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

As technology progressed, so did the weapons used against the Assassins. By 2012, the Templars were using cell phone towers and satellites to track down the Assassins. As a result, Desmond and his group had to take refuge within the [[Sanctuary]], deep beneath the city of Monteriggioni. By this point the Order was using at least one e-mail network, known as the [[Hephaestus Email Network]], to facilitate communications.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Modern Assassins Inside the Vault.JPG|left|thumb|The Assassins in the Colosseum Vault.]]
In the later half of 2012, an Assassin team made up of Lucy Stillman, [[Rebecca Crane]], Shaun Hastings and Desmond Miles discovered Colosseum Vault – after Desmond relived Ezio's memories through the Animus – and infiltrated it, securing the Apple of Eden that Ezio had hidden there centuries before. Desmond's body was taken over by the ancient being [[Juno]], who forced him to stab and kill Lucy. The team and the Apple were brought to [[William Miles]] and the Order had thus secured one of the ancient artifacts.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

{{clear}}

==Known Assassins==
[[File:Zw-renaissance-assassins.png|thumb|300px|Ezio's initiation into the Brotherhood.]]
{{quote|The seeds were planted as two worlds became one. Behold, the Assassins, the children of two worlds!|Subject 16|Assassin's Creed II}}
The Assassins had existed since before the turn of the first millennium; several known figures included [[Darius]], [[Iltani]], [[Wei Yu]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Gaius Cassius Longinus, Marcus Junius Brutus and their co-conspirators,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> Amunet and Leonius.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Historically however, the fore-bearers of the Assassins have existed since before recorded time, possibly reaching as far back as [[Adam and Eve]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Medieval and Renaissance periods===
During the [[Third Crusade]], the Syrian sect of the Order of Assassins was mainly made up of native, Syrian-born individuals; although some, like Altaïr, were born to parents of both religions. Led by [[Al Mualim]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> and later Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad himself,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> other members included [[Harash]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/> Malik and [[Kadar Al-Sayf]], [[Rauf]], [[Abbas]], [[Masun]], [[Jamal]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> and [[Qulan Gal]], the death-bringer of [[Genghis Khan]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Allies also included various individuals, such as [[Adha]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles">''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''</ref> and even former Templars like [[Maria Thorpe]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/> Others included Dante Alighieri and Domenico Auditore,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> founder of the [[Auditore Villa]].

Later on, during the Renaissance, the Order's numbers had dwindled significantly. Having become much more secretive, members of the Order often had occupations and lives outside of the Order, ranging from artists<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref> to thieves<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> to royal treasurers.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref> They included the Florentine banker [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]];<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/> his brother Mario Auditore, caretaker of the Auditore Villa and ''[[Mercenary|condottieri]]'' leader; Federico Auditore da Firenze and his brother [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]; Paola and [[Teodora]], the heads of the Florentine and Venetian courtesans respectively; [[Antonio]], the head of the Venetian Thieves Guild; La Volpe, the head of the Florentine Thieves Guild; Niccolò Machiavelli, a writer and head of the Florentine militia; Bartolomeo d'Alviano,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> ''condottiero'' of Venice; [[Perotto Calderon]], undercover in the employ of the Borgia. Others included [[Giovanni Borgia]], the illegitimate son of Calderon and [[Lucrezia Borgia]]; [[Bombastus|Paracelcus]], Swiss scientist and alchemist; [[Francesco Vecellio]], Renaissance painter,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> [[Tessa Varzi]] and [[Cipriano Enu]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> [[Rinaldo Vitturi]], the keeper of the Shroud,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> [[Ridolfo Fioravant]] and [[Pietro Antonio Solari]], spies working undercover as architects on the [[wikipedia:Moscow Kremlin|Kremlin]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/> and [[Luis de Santángel]] and [[Raphael Sanchez]], finance minister to Ferdinand II and treasurer of Queen Isabella I respectively.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

Once again, the Order had many allies amongst the common folk of Italy, as well as amongst the nobility. Foremost among them was [[Leonardo da Vinci]], Ezio's closest friend and a genius of invention. Others included [[Caterina Sforza]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì">''[[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì]]''</ref> the Countess of [[Forlì]];<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> [[Lorenzo de' Medici]], the ruler of Florence;<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> [[Agostino Barbarigo]], the Doge of Venice from 1486;<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> and the famed explorer [[Christoffa Corombo]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

By 1501, Ezio Auditore and Niccolò Machiavelli had begun training new [[Assassin recruits]] in the Order from their Tiber Island Base in [[Rome]]. In 1503, [[Claudia Auditore]], sister of Ezio, also joined the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Modern times===
At the turn of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century, the Assassins' Order had spread as far the Russian Empire, with a strong presence in and around [[Petrograd]]. Members of the [[Narodnaya Volya]] were in fact members of the Assassin Order. Some known Assassins include Nikolai Orelov and Aleksandr Ulyanov, the older brother of Vladimir Lenin.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1"/>

[[File:Swap.png|thumb|The medic and his target.]]
During World War I, there was an Assassin on the Western Front, an unidentified medic fighting for the British on the front line. The medic assassinated [[Erich Albert]], a German general and member of the Templars.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>

During the late 20th and 21<sup>st</sup> Century, however, the Order seemed to have sunk further into hiding, with their numbers fewer than ever.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Although it is evident that more existed, only a few were known to be in the Order: Clay Kaczmarek, Desmond Miles, Lucy Stillman,<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Rebecca Crane, Shaun Hastings,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> [[Hannah Mueller]], [[Paul Bellamy]], Daniel Cross,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #2">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]] - Issue #2''</ref> and [[William M.|William Miles.]] There were also known groups of Assassins based in São Paulo, Brazil; Moscow, Russia; Osaka, Japan and [[Denver]], Colorado, US.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Known victims==
{{Quote|Find them, kill them. In doing so, you will sow the seeds of peace.|[[Al Mualim]] to Altaïr|Assassin's Creed}}
Over the [[Timeline|centuries]], the Order of Assassins killed hundreds, if not thousands of individuals who they saw to be corrupt in their ways and a danger to humanity. Their intense rivalry with the Templars also ensured that many underlings who served their Templar masters often shared the same fate.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

Below is a chronological list of notable victims of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad:

<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
* [[Haras]], in 1183<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Tamir (Altaïr's Chronicles)|Tamir of Damascus]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Alaat]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Roland Napule]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[The Master's Student]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Master of the Tower]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Harash]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Basilisk|Lord Basilisk]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Tamir|Tamir, the arms dealer]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Garnier de Naplouse]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Talal]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Abu'l Nuqoud]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[William of Montferrat]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Majd Addin]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
* [[Jubair al Hakim]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Sibrand]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Robert de Sable]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Al Mualim]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Frederick the Red]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Moloch]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Dark Oracle]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Shalim]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Shahar]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Pirate captain]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Armand Bouchart]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Swami]] in 1227<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
* [[Bayhas]] in 1247<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
* [[Abbas Sofian]] in 1247<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
</div>
<br clear="all" />

Below is a chronological list of notable victims of Ezio Auditore da Firenze:

<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
* [[Uberto Alberti]] in 1476<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] in 1478<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] in 1478<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Antonio Maffei]] in 1478<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Francesco Salviati]] in 1479<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Bernardo Baroncelli]] in 1479<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Stefano da Bagnone]] in 1479<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]] in 1480<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Emilio Barbarigo]] in 1485<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Carlo Grimaldi]] in 1485<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Marco Barbarigo]] in 1486<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Silvio Barbarigo]] in 1486<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Dante Moro]] in 1486<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Ludovico Orsi]] in 1488<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì "/>
* [[Checco Orsi]] in 1488<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì "/>
* [[Gaspar Martinez]] in 1491<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>
* [[Pedro Llorente]] in 1491<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>
* [[Juan de Marillo]] in 1491<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>
* [[Girolamo Savonarola]] in 1498<ref>''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities]]''</ref>
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
* [[Il Carnefice]] in 1500<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Master of the Sacred Palace]] in 1500<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Lanz]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Lia de Russo]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Brother Ristoro]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Donato Mancini]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Gaspar de la Croix]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Auguste Oberlin]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Juan Borgia the Elder]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Octavian de Valois]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Ercole Massimo]] in 1506<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' - ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''</ref>
* [[Cesare Borgia]] in 1507<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Leandros]] in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Cyril of Rhodes]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Mirela Djuric]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Lysistrata]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Tarik Barleti]] in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Shahkulu]] in 1512<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Manuel Palaiologos]] in 1512<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
</div>
<br clear="all" />

Below is a chronological list of the known victims of other Assassins:<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
* [[Xerxes I of Persia|King Xerxes the Great]], by [[Darius]] in 456 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Alexander the Great]], by [[Iltani]] in 323 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Qin Shi Huang]], by [[Wei Yu]] in 210 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Gaius Julius Caesar]], by various in 44 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Cleopatra]], by [[Amunet]] in 31 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Caligula]], by [[Leonius]] in 41<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Faustin]], by [[Aquilus]] in 259<ref name="French comic - Tome 2">[[Assassin's Creed (French comic)|''Assassin's Creed'' (French comic)]]: Tome 2, Aquilus</ref>
* [[Genghis Khan]], by [[Qulan Gal]] and [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad]] in 1227<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
* [[Yongle]], by [[Li Tong]] in 1424<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Discover Your Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Discover Your Legacy]]''</ref>
* [[Tomás de Torquemada]], in 1498<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Perotto Calderon]], by various in 1498<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Agostino Barbarigo]], by [[Tessa Varzi]] in 1501<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Malfatto]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Silvestro Sabbatini]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Cahin]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Caha]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Rocco Tiepolo]], 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Margaret of York]], in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Isabella I of Castile]], in 1504<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
* [[Niccolò di Pitigliano]], by [[Francesco Vecellio]] in 1510<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Damat Ali Pasha]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Georgios Kostas]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Odai Dunqas]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Vali cel Tradat]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Juan Ponce de León]], in 1521<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Discover Your Legacy"/>
* [[Francisco Pizzaro]], in 1541<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Mary I of England]], in 1558<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Ivan Ivanovich of Russia]], in 1581<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[John Wilkes Booth]], in 1865<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Alexander II of Russia]], in 1881<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1"/>
* [[Alexander III of Russia]], indirectly by [[Nikolai Orelov]] in 1894<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1"/>
* [[Grigori Rasputin]], in 1916<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Adolf Hitler]], in 1945<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Joseph Stalin]], in 1953<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[François Duvalier]], in 1971<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
</div>
<br clear="all" />

==See also==
* [[The Creed]]

==Appearances==
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{ACSeries}}
{{ACAC}}
{{AC}}
{{ACBL}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACIID}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACFC}}
{{ACRevelations}}
{{ACTF}}

[[ru:Ассассины]]
[[Category:Assassin Order]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Articles containing spoilers]]

Assassins

2011-11-30T22:26:10Z

128.189.177.225: /* Modern times */

{{Era|Chronicles|AC1|Bloodlines|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|Revelations|Project Legacy|Secret Crusade|Renaissance|Bbook|The Fall|The Chain|FC|Lineage|Ascendance|Embers|Assassins|Good}}
{{WP-REAL|Assassins}}
{{Faction Infobox
|name =
|image = AssassinLogo.png
|imgdesc = The [[Assassin insignia|emblem]] of the Assassin Order.
|hideo =
|founder = [[Adam and Eve]]'s descendants<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
|leader = [[Mentor]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]'' - Issue #1</ref>
|headquarters = ''Middle Ages'':<br>[[Masyaf]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><br>[[Alep]]<br>[[Cyprus]]<br> ''Renaissance'':<br>Various<br>''Modern times'':<br>[[Dubai]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]] - Issue #3''</ref>
|locations = ''Renaissance'':<br>[[Florence]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Monteriggioni]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Venice]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Forlì]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><br>[[Constantinople]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref><br>''Modern times'':<br>Worldwide<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
|related =*[[Vigilantes]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
* [[Mercenaries]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Courtesans]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Thieves]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[House of Medici]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Ottomans]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
|hideh =
|formed = Pre-history
|reorganised = 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
|collapsed = 2000 {{c|organizationally}} <ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/>
|hidea =
|notable = *[[Marcus Junius Brutus]]
* [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]
* [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]
* [[Nikolai Orelov]]
* [[Daniel Cross]]
* [[Desmond Miles]]
}}
{{Quote|We work in the dark, to serve the light. We are Assassins.|[[Niccolò Machiavelli]].|Assassin's Creed II}}
The '''Assassin Order''', also known as '''Assassin Brotherhood''' and '''Hashshashin''', was an organized order of assassins and sworn enemies of the [[Templars]], against whom they fought a continuous, secret war, throughout the entirety of recorded history. Whereas the Templars strove for the power to save humanity from itself by controlling free will, the Assassin Order fought to ensure the survival of free will, as it allowed for the progression of new ideas and the growth of individuality.

The Assassins, if not the order itself, had existed since at least 456 BC, throughout the [[Roman Empire|Roman era]], the Middle Ages, the [[Renaissance|Italian Renaissance]], and into the [[Modern Times|21<sup>st</sup> Century]].

==The Creed==
{{quote|Laa shay'a waqi'un mutlaq bale kouloun mumkin.<br>("Nothing is true, everything is permitted" in Arabic)''|[[The Creed|The Assassin's Creed]]|Assassin's Creed II}}
The order believed in a strong set of values that strictly governed their way of life. This Creed consisted of three tenets:
# "Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent."
# "Hide in plain sight, be one with the crowd."
# "Never compromise the Brotherhood."<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

These tenets permeated every aspect of the Assassins' daily life, as well as their fight for "peace in all things." The Assassins carried out their duties through political, strategic assassination, in the hope that killing one individual would lead to the salvation of thousands. The Assassins believed that they fought on the behalf of those who did not possess the abilities, resources, or knowledge to speak out against those who abused their power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Despite their service to those who would otherwise suffer, the Assassins were still feared by the general populace, due mainly to their method of ensuring peace. The Assassins were most feared due to their terrifying reputation for taking life in public before many witnesses - so as to bring fear into the hearts of those who might abuse their power or corrupt the innocent - before vanishing into the crowd without a trace.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> To aid in this, the Assassins used a particularly efficient weapon for assassinations: the [[Hidden Blade]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> a single thrust from which could end the life of its victim. They were however forbidden from using poison as it was considered "A coward's tool".

However, in order to ascertain which death might best assist the Assassins' goals, extensive political knowledge was required for target selection. Thus, the Assassins endeavored to remain in tune with the ever-changing politics surrounding them. Obtaining information on this was the job of low-level members of the Order, who would be stationed throughout the cities of the world. These [[Informants|spies]] would watch the local nobles and rulers, looking for signs of corruption, or for membership in the Templars. Once gathered, any information was passed on to the Assassins responsible for the actual assassination.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

===Entrance===
{{main|Initiation to the Assassin Order}}
[[File:Zw-acb-ceremony-5.jpg|thumb|300px|Claudia Auditore being inducted into the Assassin Order in 1503.]]
There are ways of entering the order: to be born into it, like [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], and [[Desmond Miles]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> or to be recruited, like the Assassin [[Apprentices]] and [[Shaun Hastings]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/> After declaring oneself an Assassin under The Creed, a trainee would be tested to prove his or her worth over an unspecified period of time; for example, Ezio had to hunt down the Templar conspirators over a multitude of years before he was officially inducted,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> and the Assassin Apprentices had to gain enough experience in their contract missions across the World before they were ready to join the [[Assassins Guild]] as true Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Training===
[[File:AssassinGuard.png|thumb|200px|left|Rauf, a combat instructor, wearing similar robes to other high ranked Assassin guards in Masyaf.]]
The Assassins spent their entire lifetime training to kill.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> From an early age, they were taught to observe their surroundings and plan ahead. Combat skills were essential, and its training was continuous, with a focus on bladed weapons of all sorts. However, despite such a concentration on combat, the most important consideration in the Assassins' training was concealment. Stealth was the greatest weapon of the Assassin, and everything about their life emphasized a devotion to it.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> It was essential for an Assassin to be able to reach their target unnoticed, and then slip back into the crowd after they had struck.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>As such, they always wore clothing that allowed them to blend into the crowd. Even their weapons were identical to what's available locally, aside from the hidden blade.

However, not '''all''' Assassins within the order were able to train from birth; this was the case of many Assassins that weren't born into the Order and were recruited later in life, as teenagers or young adults. For example, by the time of Renaissance Italy, after the order had gone underground and out of public view to follow the lead of the Templars, traditional lifelong training could not be done as it had in the past.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Once brought into the Order, trainees, like [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] and later his own Apprentices, had to learn the ways of their craft through personal experience and the personal teachings from other Assassins in the field. At the time of the [[Auditore execution|murders]] of his father [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] and two brothers [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]] and, Ezio had only been skilled in [[Free Running]], [[Fists|fistfighting]], and some [[sword]]smenship.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Throughout his life, he learns several Assassin skills from other Assassins and allies like [[Paola]], his uncle [[Mario Auditore]], the thief [[Rosa]], and several fundamental [[Assassination Techniques]] through reading the [[Codex]] of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Later, the Apprentices within the Roman Assassins Guild at the [[Tiber Island headquarters]] would be trained in the Assassin ways by both Ezio himself, as well as through their own experiences gained during [[Assassination Contracts|Contracts]] they were sent on across Europe and Asia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Unlike certain other factions, the Assassins did not have a specific style of fighting, especially since after they went underground. Aside from their signature hidden blade, each branch simply used whatever weapons and fighting styles that were locally available. For example, the Turkish Assassins favored curved daggers and the Chinese Assassins were trained in kung fu.

Another significant focus of an Assassins' training was maneuverability. By the time an Assassin reached the [[Ranks|rank]] of [[Master Assassin]], he was also a master of an early form of parkour, or "free running", extensively utilized by the Assassins. Widely seen as alien by the general populace, this method of movement allowed the Assassins to reach areas not normally accessible to man. From scaling a wall, to climbing to one of a city's many [[View Points|view points]], free running gave the Assassins a significant advantage over nearly all their enemies and city [[guards]] and can be used to get anywhere in the city quickly at any time.

==History==
===Formation===
The bloodline of the original Assassins was formed centuries ago, after various members of [[Those Who Came Before]] conceived children with members of the [[Humans|human]] race. These children had the visual appearance of humans, but were gifted with several extra senses from Those Who Came Before, such as [[Eagle Sense]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Roman era===
During the Roman era, the Assassin Order was a secret enemy of the [[SPQR]] (''Senatus Populusque Romanus'') - the ruling body of the Roman Empire - which was in fact a precursor to the Templar organization.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Assassination of Julius Caesar.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Assassins killing Julius Caesar.]]
Little is known of the Order's hierarchy and activities this time, except for a few major assassinations. In 44 BC, forty Assassins, who had previously acted as senators in the Roman senate, plotted the assassination of the recently declared dictator of the Roman Empire, [[Gaius Julius Caesar]]. [[Marcus Junius Brutus]] which tasked with planning the plot by [[Gaius Cassius Longinus]], and after Brutus was shown visions by Those Who Came Before in the [[Colosseum Vault]], twenty-three of the forty Assassins stabbed Caesar to death at the Roman senate.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> Following this event, the Assassins went their separate ways, but most were killed by Caesar's allies. Brutus committed suicide before he would lose the [[wikipedia:Battle of Philippi|Battle of Philippi]], after which his Brothers unsuccessfully tried to revive him with the [[The Shroud|Shroud of Eden]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>

Not many years afterwards, [[Cleopatra]], Caesar's former lover and Queen of [[Egypt]], was killed by the Egyptian Assassin [[Amunet]] with a venomous snake, in 30 BC. Later still, on 24 January, 41 AD, the 3rd Emperor of the Roman Empire [[Caligula]] was stabbed to death by the Assassin [[Leonius]], under unknown circumstances.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===High Middle Ages===
During the Middle Ages, the Templars had become a public knightly order under the name "Knights Templar". In the year 1090, control of the Assassins fell to [[Hassan-i Sabbah]], who in turn also changed the Assassin Order into a public organization. Under his command, public assassinations occurred much more often and the people were encouraged to stand up to their oppressors, realizing that they weren't on their own.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Timeline">[http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/File%3AAC_Timeline.jpg ''Assassin's Creed'' Timeline]</ref>

During the 1170s, the Assassins were at odds with the [[Saracens]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref> In 1174, thirteen Assassins were sent to the Sultan [[Salah Al'din]]'s camp close to [[Damascus]] and were successful in infiltrating his tent, but were detected; one was killed by a Saracen general and the others were killed upon trying to escape.<ref name="Wikipedia: Saladin">[[wikipedia:Saladin|''Wikipedia'': Saladin]]</ref>

In 1176, Salah Al'din led a siege on the Assassins' fortress of [[Masyaf]]. After the location of Salah Al'din's tent was revealed by the Assassin spy [[Ahmad Sofian]], [[Umar Ibn-La'Ahad]] was sent to infiltrate the tent and leave a feather and a dagger with a threatening message attached to it. Umar evaded the chalk and cinders that were strewed around the tent and successfully left the objects, but was detected by the Sultan himself. Umar had to kill a noble to make his escape, and the Assassins managed to make a truce with the Saracens; though Umar's life had to be taken in the process.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>

[[File:Almualimassassins.png|thumb|250px|Al Mualim and the Assassins in the fortress of Masyaf.]]
By 1191, the Assassins were still in a secret battle with the Templars and their leader, [[Robert de Sable]]. It was during the Third Crusade that the Assassins learned of a Templar interest in an [[Sixth Apple|ancient artifact]], hidden within the catacombs of [[Solomon's Temple]]. It was decided to liberate the treasure from them, and the mission was a success, although a costly one. With the death of [[Kadar Al-Sayf|one Assassin]], the severe injury of [[Malik Al-Sayf|another]], and the arrival of the Templar army at the gates of Masyaf, the Assassins were nearly overwhelmed by the [[Siege of Masyaf|following battle]]. However, by crushing most of the Templar army under a concealed onslaught of rolling logs, they were able to drive the Templars from the fortress and village below.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

Following the assault, the Assassin blamed for the loss of life that day – Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad – was severely reprimanded, and tasked with removing nine influential individuals, who plagued the Holy Land with their corrupt rule. As Altaïr made his way down the list made up of both [[Crusader]] and [[Saracen]] individuals, he was greatly unsettled by the realization that their goal to bring peace to the people of the Holy Land was just, as he that felt his victims were "misguided perhaps, but pure in motive." This was a view shared by Al Mualim, who agreed with their goals, but felt that their attitude of "the end justifies the means" undermined the good they sought to ensure. As his mission progressed, Altaïr sought to know what bound his victims together, and the discovery that they were all Templars only served to reinforce the Assassin's determination to bring an end to the Templar plot.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

By Fall of 1191, the Assassins were victorious over their Templar enemies. Robert de Sable, [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]], was dead, however the treachery of one of their own had also hit the Assassin Order hard. Al Mualim, secretly a former member of a coalition of ''ten'' Templar leaders, was revealed to be a traitor, and was killed by the very man he had sent to eliminate his fellow Templar conspirators. With Al Mualim dead, Altaïr took over as Grand Master of the Order, leading the Assassins in their attempts to rebuild their strength after the costly conflict.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

[[File:Codex.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Altaïr writing the Codex.]]
With full control over the Assassins, Altaïr immediately set out on a one-man quest to liberate the island of [[Cyprus]] from the Templars, who had recently bought it from [[Richard I of England|King Richard]]. After successfully having done so, killing the Templar Grand Master [[Armand Bouchart]] and discovering the [[Templar Archive]] in the process,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref> Altaïr continued to write the Codex: a book detailing the secrets he had managed to uncover from the Apple of Eden,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> which he started writing on during his journey to Cyprus.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines" /> In the end, those secrets had a profound effect on the Order, as new assassination techniques and world secrets had been uncovered.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><br />
In 1209, Altaïr started to send his Assassins to various cities spread throughout the world, after he was made aware of their existence by the Apple of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Timeline" />

Eventually, it was decided that the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] was too great a threat to keep in Masyaf, and the decision was made to store it on the island of Cyprus, in the Limassol archives.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/> However, the Piece was kept by Altaïr until he had at least completed his fabled Codex.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Late Middle Ages===
{{Quote|In this modern age, we are not as literal as our ancestors; but our seal is no less permanent…|Mario Auditore at Ezio's official induction into the Assassin Order|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Asslogorenaissance.png|thumb|Italian Renaissance variation of the Assassins' emblem.]]
During the Late Middle Ages, the Order continued to thrive, despite being forced to adopt an even more secretive and isolated existence. When the Renaissance, a cultural movement, started in [[Italy]], the Assassin Order had apparently "gone underground" and primarily focused themselves in Italy, where the headquarters of the Templar Order were also located. As the Templar Order survived in more inconspicuous ways, Altaïr believed that the Assassins too had to change tactics so as to live on and made the Order a secret organization once again.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

By 1321, various members of the Assassin Order had successfully integrated themselves into modern day life of middle Italy, widely unknown to the average folk. That same year, a young sailor by the name of [[Domenico Auditore|Domenico]], the son of an Assassin, was apprenticed to the poet and Assassin [[Dante Alighieri]], who had been tasked with transporting the Codex of Altaïr from [[Venice]] to [[Spain]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt">''[[Auditore Family Crypt|Uplay Content - Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Family Crypt]]''</ref> Upon his death, however, the undertaking fell instead to Domenico. During the voyage, pirates under the employ of the Templars ambushed the ship looking for the Codex, consequently killing Domenico's wife. Fortunately for the Assassins, Domenico managed to break apart the Codex and hide its pages from the pirates before he and his son were forced overboard.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt"/>

Eventually returning to Venice, Domenico found his father and his patron, [[Marco Polo]], an ally of the Assassins, dead. Thus, Domenico emptied the bank accounts of Messer Polo, and traveled to the city of [[Florence]] under the assumed name of [[House of Auditore|Auditore]]. He eventually constructed the [[Villa Auditore]] in the city of [[Monteriggioni]], which became the center of the Assassin Order in Italy up to the year 1500.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt"/>

Despite the order "modernizing" since the 12<sup>th</sup> Century, they still retained many of the rituals and practices, albeit altered. The practice of removing one's ring finger had been stopped, although the seal of the Order was branded upon the finger instead with hot iron. Although significantly fewer in number, the Assassins were supported by the courtesans, thieves and [[Mercenaries|condottieri]] of Florence and Venice; the guilds of which were each run by a member of the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this time period, the Assassins entered another period of increased hostilities with the Templars, who were attempting to overthrow the ruling [[House of Medici]] in Florence, and the [[wikipedia:Doge|Doge]] of Venice. Having already [[Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza|killed]] the [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza|Duke]] of [[Milan]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref> in 1476, [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the Grand Master of the Templar Order, brought the noble families of [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi]] and [[House of Barbarigo|Barbarigo]] together<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/> to accomplish his goals. Entering into conflict with the Assassins, Borgia dealt a crippling blow to the Order in 1476, when he [[Auditore execution|executed]] the experienced Assassin [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]] and his two sons, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], although a third son, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]], managed to escape. With the aid of Ezio, the Assassins were able to counter Borgia's plot over [[Quest for Vengeance|a twenty-three year campaign]], defeating him at every turn.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1487, the Order of Assassins learned that the Templars had retrieved an important artifact from the island of Cyprus, and deemed its capture necessary. Following the artifact from [[L'Arsenale di Venezia]], Ezio managed to overpower and replace the Templar guard carrying the artifact. Under this guise, Ezio met with Borgia himself, and the two engaged in battle. Borgia fled upon the arrival of other Assassins, and the artifact fell once again into the hands of the Assassins. The Assassins of this age, however, were unaware of the nature of the artifact, although they did recognize it as one of the Pieces of Eden mentioned within Altaïr's Codex.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h45m54s20.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The Assassins in Rome.]]
By 1500, right after [[Cesare Borgia]] [[Fall of Monteriggioni|besieged]] the city of Monteriggioni, murdering Mario Auditore and once again claiming the Apple for the Templars, Ezio Auditore had moved to Rome, meeting up with Niccolò Machiavelli and laying the foundations of a new "brotherhood" of Assassins. Utilizing the mercenaries, thieves and courtesans of [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], [[La Volpe]] and [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]] respectively, Ezio's brotherhood worked to [[Liberation of Rome|combat the influence and power]] of the Borgia family, and by extension the Papacy itself. Headquartered in an underground store-room owned by [[Fabio Orsini]], on [[Tiber Island]] in the center of Rome, the Assassins begun to spread their influence throughout the city, recruiting Rome's own citizens as Assassin Apprentices under Ezio, eventually becoming inducted and branded into the order as Assassins themselves. Under the instruction of Ezio, many Assassin recruits undertook a variety of missions across Europe and Asia in cities such as [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Barcelona]], [[Lisbon]], [[Moscow]] and [[Calicut]], killing and sabotaging Templars, their allies, and corrupt men in power, and defending and aiding their Assassin brothers and sisters, as well as anyone willing to stand against the Borgia and The Church.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Over a period of three years, Ezio's brotherhood whittled away the Borgia family's power, and with the murder of Rodrigo Borgia at the hands of his own son, and the arrest of Cesare by the [[Papal Guard]] of [[Julius II]], the Templars' influence over the city of Rome was shattered.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Three years after [[Siege of Viana]] in 1507, when Ezio ended the threat of Cesare Borgia, the Assassin Grand Master traveled to the ancient Assassin fortress of Masyaf, on a pilgrimage to learn the origins of the Order. When he arrived, he discovered that the fortress had been overrun by the Templars, who were searching the five [[Seals of Altaïr]], which would combine to unlock a secret weapon hidden by Altaïr. With one seal already in Masyaf, Ezio learned that the remaining four were hidden throughout the city of Constantinople. He made his way to the city, in the hopes of obtaining the remaining seals.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>

===Modern times===
{{Quote|In the old days, that usually meant killing anyone who became too powerful or greedy. ''[…]'' These days, it means subversion of established regimes. ''[…]'' Countries. Corporations. We change the system from within.|[[The Mentor (2000)|"The Mentor"]], in 2000, on the Assassin Order.|Assassin's Creed: The Fall}}

By the late 19th century, the Russian sect of the Assassin Order, the [[Narodnaya Volya]] (''People's Will''), played a vital role in overthrowing the Tsarist rule over [[Russia]]. The Assassins strongly assisted their close ally, [[Vladimir Lenin]], the leader of the Bolsheviks – [[Aleksandr Ulyanov|Lenin's brother]] was an Assassin himself. Due to the efforts of the Assassin Nikolai Orelov, the Templar Tsar [[Alexander III of Russia|Alexander III]] died of kidney failure and the [[The Staff|Staff of Eden]] was destroyed in the [[Tunguska explosion]]. [[File:Tungaska Explod v.png|thumb|One of the Pieces of Eden, the Staff, was destroyed by the Assassins in the Tunguska Explosion]]Without power, Tsarevich [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]] was removed from the throne and Russia became communistic.

By the 20<sup>th</sup> Century, the tactics and practices of the Assassin Order had changed greatly.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/> Whilst the Order of Assassins had kept to their policy of remote camps and isolation,<ref name="Assassin's Creed" /> the Templars had begun to infiltrate society further; taking the form of many publicly known corporations such as [[NASA]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> and [[Wikipedia:Kraft Foods|Kraft]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> which all secretly fell under the shadow corporation [[Abstergo Industries]].

The Assassins relied less upon killing powerful or greedy individuals, and more on changing the "established regime" from within, using politics as well as the blade to achieve their aims, such as rigging elections to keep Templars out of office.<br>
The American presidential election of 2000 was one such election, with the Templars attempting to place their puppet [[George W. Bush]] into power, and the Assassins backing [[Al Gore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/> In fact, most Assassins work with technology rather with weapons<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> and many have never killed anyone at all.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #2" />

By the year 2000, the hidden blade had become a largely ceremonial weapon.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3" /> In the meantime however, the Templars continued to search for and investigate the various Pieces of Eden they discovered throughout this period,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed" /> whilst the Assassins continued their war against them; notably being responsible for the destruction of at least one Templar-controlled base in [[wikipedia:Siberia|Siberia]] in 1908, known in public as the Tunguska explosion.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> However, by the year 1985, the Templars, under the guise of their front company Abstergo Industries, had begun kidnapping Assassins or those related to them in an attempt to locate even more Pieces of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:The Mentor die.jpg|thumb|The Mentor's death at Cross' hands.]]
That same year, a child codenamed Daniel Cross, a descendant of the Assassin Nikolai Orelov, was kidnapped by Abstergo's [[Lineage Research and Acquisition]] department and entered into the [[Animus project]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]] - Issue #1''</ref> Years later, in 1998, Daniel joined the Order as a prospective, but with a mission to find the then-current Mentor. Two years later, he was granted his wish and inducted into the Order by the Mentor himself; Cross subsequently murdered the Mentor with the very hidden blade he had been bequeathed by his victim just moments before, a result of brainwashing instilled in him by Warren Vidic during his time as an Abstergo captive.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3"/> Cross's actions directly led to the [[Fall of the Assassin Order|fall of the Assassin order]], as he compromised virtually all of the Assassin camps around the world he had visited in search for the Mentor upon returning to Abstergo Industries, which forced the Assassins even further into hiding. Other notable Assassins held captive by Abstergo included the mysterious [[Subject 16]] and Desmond Miles – descendants of both Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

{{Quote|We lost two more teams last night. That's eight more of us just… gone.|Lucy Stillman, 2012.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Using Desmond, Abstergo managed to obtain a map of the locations of the Pieces of Eden across the globe, and subsequently begun their attempts to claim them. Not long after, the Assassins were able to free Desmond<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> with the aid of [[Lucy Stillman]] (an Assassin who had been working undercover at Abstergo for at least seven years by 2012)<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> as well as obtain their own copy of the map.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Following this, Desmond agreed to aid the Assassins in their quest to defeat Abstergo, mostly for revenge, but also for closure. Utilizing the [[Animus|Animus 2.0]], a copy of the machine used by Abstergo to explore his genetic memories previously,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Desmond followed the memories of Ezio Auditore, adopting his skills in combat and free-running, while the rest of the Order concentrated to locating the Pieces of Eden before their Templar counterparts. Despite this, however, the war with the Templars had taken a turn for the worse. With their numbers dwindling, the Order of Assassins was in danger of losing the war.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

As technology progressed, so did the weapons used against the Assassins. By 2012, the Templars were using cell phone towers and satellites to track down the Assassins. As a result, Desmond and his group had to take refuge within the [[Sanctuary]], deep beneath the city of Monteriggioni. By this point the Order was using at least one e-mail network, known as the [[Hephaestus Email Network]], to facilitate communications.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Modern Assassins Inside the Vault.JPG|left|thumb|The Assassins in the Colosseum Vault.]]
In the later half of 2012, an Assassin team made up of Lucy Stillman, [[Rebecca Crane]], Shaun Hastings and Desmond Miles discovered Colosseum Vault – after Desmond relived Ezio's memories through the Animus – and infiltrated it, securing the Apple of Eden that Ezio had hidden there centuries before. Desmond's body was taken over by the ancient being [[Juno]], who forced him to stab and kill Lucy. The team and the Apple were brought to [[William Miles]] and the Order had thus secured one of the ancient artifacts.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

{{clear}}

==Known Assassins==
[[File:Zw-renaissance-assassins.png|thumb|300px|Ezio's initiation into the Brotherhood.]]
{{quote|The seeds were planted as two worlds became one. Behold, the Assassins, the children of two worlds!|Subject 16|Assassin's Creed II}}
The Assassins had existed since before the turn of the first millennium; several known figures included [[Darius]], [[Iltani]], [[Wei Yu]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Gaius Cassius Longinus, Marcus Junius Brutus and their co-conspirators,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> Amunet and Leonius.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Historically however, the fore-bearers of the Assassins have existed since before recorded time, possibly reaching as far back as [[Adam and Eve]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Medieval and Renaissance periods===
During the [[Third Crusade]], the Syrian sect of the Order of Assassins was mainly made up of native, Syrian-born individuals; although some, like Altaïr, were born to parents of both religions. Led by [[Al Mualim]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> and later Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad himself,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> other members included [[Harash]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/> Malik and [[Kadar Al-Sayf]], [[Rauf]], [[Abbas]], [[Masun]], [[Jamal]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> and [[Qulan Gal]], the death-bringer of [[Genghis Khan]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Allies also included various individuals, such as [[Adha]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles">''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''</ref> and even former Templars like [[Maria Thorpe]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/> Others included Dante Alighieri and Domenico Auditore,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> founder of the [[Auditore Villa]].

Later on, during the Renaissance, the Order's numbers had dwindled significantly. Having become much more secretive, members of the Order often had occupations and lives outside of the Order, ranging from artists<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref> to thieves<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> to royal treasurers.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref> They included the Florentine banker [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]];<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/> his brother Mario Auditore, caretaker of the Auditore Villa and ''[[Mercenary|condottieri]]'' leader; Federico Auditore da Firenze and his brother [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]; Paola and [[Teodora]], the heads of the Florentine and Venetian courtesans respectively; [[Antonio]], the head of the Venetian Thieves Guild; La Volpe, the head of the Florentine Thieves Guild; Niccolò Machiavelli, a writer and head of the Florentine Mercenaries; Bartolomeo d'Alviano,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> ''condottiero'' of Venice; [[Perotto Calderon]], undercover in the employ of the Borgia. Others included [[Giovanni Borgia]], the illegitimate son of Calderon and [[Lucrezia Borgia]]; [[Bombastus|Paracelcus]], Swiss scientist and alchemist; [[Francesco Vecellio]], Renaissance painter,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> [[Tessa Varzi]] and [[Cipriano Enu]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> [[Rinaldo Vitturi]], the keeper of the Shroud,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> [[Ridolfo Fioravant]] and [[Pietro Antonio Solari]], spies working undercover as architects on the [[wikipedia:Moscow Kremlin|Kremlin]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/> and [[Luis de Santángel]] and [[Raphael Sanchez]], finance minister to Ferdinand II and treasurer of Queen Isabella I respectively.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

Once again, the Order had many allies amongst the common folk of Italy, as well as amongst the nobility. Foremost among them was [[Leonardo da Vinci]], Ezio's closest friend and a genius of invention. Others included [[Caterina Sforza]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì">''[[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì]]''</ref> the Countess of [[Forlì]];<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> [[Lorenzo de' Medici]], the ruler of Florence;<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> [[Agostino Barbarigo]], the Doge of Venice from 1486;<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> and the famed explorer [[Christoffa Corombo]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

By 1501, Ezio Auditore and Niccolò Machiavelli had begun training new [[Assassin recruits]] in the Order from their Tiber Island Base in [[Rome]]. In 1503, [[Claudia Auditore]], sister of Ezio, also joined the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Modern times===
At the turn of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century, the Assassins' Order had spread as far the Russian Empire, with a strong presence in and around [[Petrograd]]. Members of the [[Narodnaya Volya]] were in fact members of the Assassin Order. Some known Assassins include Nikolai Orelov and Aleksandr Ulyanov, the older brother of Vladimir Lenin.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1"/>

[[File:Swap.png|thumb|The medic and his target.]]
During World War I, there was an Assassin on the Western Front, an unidentified medic fighting for the British on the front line. The medic assassinated [[Erich Albert]], a German general and member of the Templars.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>

During the late 20th and 21<sup>st</sup> Century, however, the Order seemed to have sunk further into hiding, with their numbers fewer than ever.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Although it is evident that more existed, only a few were known to be in the Order: Clay Kaczmarek, Desmond Miles, Lucy Stillman,<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Rebecca Crane, Shaun Hastings,<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> [[Hannah Mueller]], [[Paul Bellamy]], Daniel Cross,<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #2">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]] - Issue #2''</ref> and [[William M.|William Miles.]] There were also known groups of Assassins based in São Paulo, Brazil; Moscow, Russia; Osaka, Japan and [[Denver]], Colorado, US.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Known victims==
{{Quote|Find them, kill them. In doing so, you will sow the seeds of peace.|[[Al Mualim]] to Altaïr|Assassin's Creed}}
Over the [[Timeline|centuries]], the Order of Assassins killed hundreds, if not thousands of individuals who they saw to be corrupt in their ways and a danger to humanity. Their intense rivalry with the Templars also ensured that many underlings who served their Templar masters often shared the same fate.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>

Below is a chronological list of notable victims of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad:

<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
* [[Haras]], in 1183<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Tamir (Altaïr's Chronicles)|Tamir of Damascus]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Alaat]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Roland Napule]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[The Master's Student]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Master of the Tower]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Harash]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Basilisk|Lord Basilisk]] in 1190<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles"/>
* [[Tamir|Tamir, the arms dealer]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Garnier de Naplouse]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Talal]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Abu'l Nuqoud]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[William of Montferrat]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Majd Addin]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
* [[Jubair al Hakim]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Sibrand]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Robert de Sable]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Al Mualim]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
* [[Frederick the Red]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Moloch]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Dark Oracle]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Shalim]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Shahar]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Pirate captain]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Armand Bouchart]] in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines"/>
* [[Swami]] in 1227<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
* [[Bayhas]] in 1247<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
* [[Abbas Sofian]] in 1247<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
</div>
<br clear="all" />

Below is a chronological list of notable victims of Ezio Auditore da Firenze:

<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
* [[Uberto Alberti]] in 1476<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] in 1478<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] in 1478<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Antonio Maffei]] in 1478<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Francesco Salviati]] in 1479<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Bernardo Baroncelli]] in 1479<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Stefano da Bagnone]] in 1479<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]] in 1480<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Emilio Barbarigo]] in 1485<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Carlo Grimaldi]] in 1485<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Marco Barbarigo]] in 1486<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Silvio Barbarigo]] in 1486<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Dante Moro]] in 1486<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Ludovico Orsi]] in 1488<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì "/>
* [[Checco Orsi]] in 1488<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì "/>
* [[Gaspar Martinez]] in 1491<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>
* [[Pedro Llorente]] in 1491<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>
* [[Juan de Marillo]] in 1491<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>
* [[Girolamo Savonarola]] in 1498<ref>''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities]]''</ref>
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
* [[Il Carnefice]] in 1500<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Master of the Sacred Palace]] in 1500<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Lanz]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Lia de Russo]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Brother Ristoro]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Donato Mancini]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Gaspar de la Croix]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Auguste Oberlin]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Juan Borgia the Elder]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Octavian de Valois]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Ercole Massimo]] in 1506<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' - ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''</ref>
* [[Cesare Borgia]] in 1507<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Leandros]] in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Cyril of Rhodes]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Mirela Djuric]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Lysistrata]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Tarik Barleti]] in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Shahkulu]] in 1512<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Manuel Palaiologos]] in 1512<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
</div>
<br clear="all" />

Below is a chronological list of the known victims of other Assassins:<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
* [[Xerxes I of Persia|King Xerxes the Great]], by [[Darius]] in 456 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Alexander the Great]], by [[Iltani]] in 323 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Qin Shi Huang]], by [[Wei Yu]] in 210 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Gaius Julius Caesar]], by various in 44 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Cleopatra]], by [[Amunet]] in 31 BC<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Caligula]], by [[Leonius]] in 41<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Faustin]], by [[Aquilus]] in 259<ref name="French comic - Tome 2">[[Assassin's Creed (French comic)|''Assassin's Creed'' (French comic)]]: Tome 2, Aquilus</ref>
* [[Genghis Khan]], by [[Qulan Gal]] and [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad]] in 1227<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade"/>
* [[Yongle]], by [[Li Tong]] in 1424<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Discover Your Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Discover Your Legacy]]''</ref>
* [[Tomás de Torquemada]], in 1498<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Perotto Calderon]], by various in 1498<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Agostino Barbarigo]], by [[Tessa Varzi]] in 1501<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Malfatto]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Silvestro Sabbatini]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Cahin]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Caha]] in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Rocco Tiepolo]], 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Margaret of York]], in 1503<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
* [[Isabella I of Castile]], in 1504<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
* [[Niccolò di Pitigliano]], by [[Francesco Vecellio]] in 1510<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>
* [[Damat Ali Pasha]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Georgios Kostas]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Odai Dunqas]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Vali cel Tradat]], in 1511<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Revelations"/>
* [[Juan Ponce de León]], in 1521<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Discover Your Legacy"/>
* [[Francisco Pizzaro]], in 1541<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Mary I of England]], in 1558<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Ivan Ivanovich of Russia]], in 1581<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[John Wilkes Booth]], in 1865<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Alexander II of Russia]], in 1881<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1"/>
* [[Alexander III of Russia]], indirectly by [[Nikolai Orelov]] in 1894<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #1"/>
* [[Grigori Rasputin]], in 1916<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Adolf Hitler]], in 1945<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[Joseph Stalin]], in 1953<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
* [[François Duvalier]], in 1971<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
</div>
<br clear="all" />

==See also==
* [[The Creed]]

==Appearances==
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{ACSeries}}
{{ACAC}}
{{AC}}
{{ACBL}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACIID}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACFC}}
{{ACRevelations}}
{{ACTF}}

[[ru:Ассассины]]
[[Category:Assassin Order]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Articles containing spoilers]]

Rauf

2011-08-26T07:44:28Z

128.189.177.225: /* Characteristics and personality */

{{Era|AC|Secret Crusade|Characters|Assassins}}
{{Template:Spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Rauf
|image = RAUF.png
|imgdesc =
|birth =
|death = c. 1225
|period = High Middle Ages
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|hider =
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
|actor =
|voice =
}}
'''Rauf''' (''Arabic:'' رؤوف) was a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] during the late 12<sup>th</sup> century and early 13<sup>th</sup> century.

==Biography==
Rauf served the Assassin Order as a combat instructor, training new Assassin recruits in the Order's fighting techniques.

===Third Crusade===
In 1191, he was the first to greet the [[Master Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] upon his safe return to [[Masyaf]], after the failed mission at [[Solomon's Temple]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

Almost immediately afterwards, Masyaf was attacked by the [[Templars|Templar Order]], who were rampaging through Masyaf's village. He met with Altaïr again at the gates of the fortress, explaining that there were [[civilians]] still trapped in the village and that he should distract the enemy while Rauf and some others brought the villagers safely inside the fortress.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

After all the villagers had been taken to safety, Rauf met with Altaïr again, saying that [[Al Mualim]] had devised a plan to route the Templars. Rauf, Altaïr and another Assassin simultaneously performed a [[Leap of Faith]], showing that they did not fear death but embraced it. While Altaïr and Rauf safely landed in bales of hay, the other Assassin broke his leg. Rauf stayed behind to tend to his injury, while Altaïr went on to execute the final step of the plan.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

Subsequently to these events, Rauf would occasionally request Altaïr to demonstrate some of his skills to his students.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />

After Al Mualim betrayed the Order, Rauf was one of the Assassins to remain loyal to Altaïr and became a close friend.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref>

===Later life===
At some point between 1217 and 1227, when Altaïr, his wife [[Maria Ibn-La'Ahad|Maria]] and his son [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad|Darim]] where on a journey to Mongolia to kill [[Genghis Khan]], Rauf died. After his return, Altaïr heard from [[Swami]] that Rauf had died of fever, but Altaïr suspected Swami killed him during [[Abbas Sofian]]'s coup to take control of the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade" />

==Characteristics and personality==

Rauf seemed to be a sometimes oblivious person. The first time he saw Altaïr, right after his failure at Solomon's Temple, he appeared not to know what Altaïr had done, confronting the [[Master Assassin]] very positively, as if certain that he had succeeded. He also had great respect for Altair, which is why Altair dreaded meeting him right after he failed.

He also looked very caring, as after doing the Leap of Faith together with Altaïr and the unknown assassin - the unknown assassin breaking his leg when landing - he stayed with the assassin to tend his wounds, leaving Altaïr to continue alone.

==Trivia==
*The name "Ra'uf" means "''compassionate''" or "''sympathetic''," which fits him perfectly, as he shows a warm relationship with Altaïr.
*Rauf has a hidden blade, but unlike some other Assassins at Masyaf, his left ring finger has not been amputated.
*Sometimes the game will glitch and Rauf will appear looking similar to Abbas.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{AC}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Hidden Blade

2011-08-25T04:42:27Z

128.189.177.225: /* Mechanism */

{{era|Chronicles|AC1|Bloodlines|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|PL|Revelations|Renaissance|Bbook|Secret Crusade|The Fall|Lineage|Good}}
[[File:Eerste-info-onthuld-over-assassin-s-creed-2_5_460x0.jpg|thumb|300px|Front and back of the hidden blade.]]
{{quote|The hidden blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would say it defines us - and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it.|[[Altaïr|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]'s [[Codex]], Page 13.|Assassin's Creed II}}

The iconic weapon of the [[Assassins]], the '''Hidden Blade''' was a weapon used for both stealth [[Assassination targets|assassinations]] and regular combat. It was their most versatile weapon, with multiple upgrades and forms of use.

It consisted of a retractable blade, usually in conjunction with a bracer, which could be discretely extended or retracted; making it a valuable tool for assassinations.

==History==
===Third Crusade===
[[File:AC_Hidden_Bade.jpg|thumb|200px|Altaïr's hidden blade.]]
The Assassin [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] initially wielded a hidden blade, however, due to his failure in retrieving the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]], and his breaking of all three tenets of [[the Creed]], he was demoted to a [[Novice]] by [[Al Mualim]], and was stripped of his weapons. At his first promotion to the [[Ranks#Rank Two|second rank]] however, he earned back his hidden blade, along with his [[sword]].<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

Aside from assassinations, the hidden blade was also used in a variety of [[investigation]]s. For missions given by [[informants]], wherein Altaïr was asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets, he could only make use of his hidden blade or [[throwing knives]] in order to remain undetected. Additionally, after successfully [[Interrogation|interrogating]] a target, Altaïr was forced to kill them so they could not reveal his plans, and did so by burying his hidden blade into their abdomen.<ref name="AC"/>

Although the blade was used mainly for stealth, it could also be used in open conflict, but only for countering enemy attacks.<ref name="AC"/>

===Renaissance===
[[File:Lineage Hidden Blade.png|thumb|250px|left|Giovanni's (later Ezio's) hidden blade.]]
In his own time as an Assassin, [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]] also wielded a hidden blade, albeit one that had been adapted to the change of the times. As outlined in the [[Codex]], the revised blade had been designed by Altaïr so that the Assassins, who he intended to go undercover, could not be identified by their lack of a ring finger.<ref name="ACL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref><ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

Furthermore, the mechanism did not require a wrist "flick" to extend the blade, thus the user could retract the blade without any wrist or hand movement. Additionally, as pictured, the weapon could be used with a clenched fist, although Giovanni is one of the few known Assassins to use it in that manner.<ref name="ACL"/>

[[File:Codex_Page_3_-_Hidden_Blade.png|thumb|200px|right|The Codex Page for the hidden blade's design.]]
While there is a rotating wheel atop the rear portion of the mechanism's housing (one which turns upon releasing or retracting the blade), its function has not been identified, and there are no known schematics or explanations for the mechanism.<ref name="ACL"/>

[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] inherited the hidden blade from his father, along with his Assassin's robe, the night before the [[Auditore execution]]. However, the blade was broken due to Giovanni's last fight in [[Rome]] against [[Rodrigo Borgia]] and his men, thus [[Paola]] suggested that Ezio ask [[Leonardo da Vinci]] to repair it. Leonardo was able to do so, with the aid of the schematics detailed in the Codex.<ref name="AC2"/>

Through other Codex pages, Leonardo was able to provide Ezio with a variety of [[Hidden Blade#Upgrades|upgrades]]; such as the addition of a second hidden blade. Ezio made use of these innovations for the majority of his assassinations, and was also able to wield them in battle.<ref name="AC2"/>

====Rome====
[[File:SecondBlade.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The second hidden blade.]]
{{quote|Now I can kill double the guards.|Ezio Auditore, regarding the secondary hidden blade.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

Though Ezio possessed the same two hidden blades until 1500, during the [[Fall of Monteriggioni]], he lost most of his weapons, and was only able to salvage the blade and bracer of his father. Upon his arrival in Rome, he was equipped with a single hidden blade, though its bracer had been replaced. Later on, however, Leonardo da Vinci was again able to reconstruct a secondary hidden blade from memory, with Ezio providing him with the money necessary for the raw materials.<ref name="ACB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Aside from using them in combat, Ezio also made use of his hidden blade to lockpick the entrances of certain [[Lairs of Romulus]], and mechanisms within the [[Temple of Pythagoras]].<ref name="ACB"/>

Additionally, Ezio's [[apprentices]] were each equipped with a single hidden blade, as the right to use two hidden blades was only reserved for the most trusted of Assassins, or those who had earned the rank of [[Master Assassin]]. However, upon reaching the rank of ''Assassino'', the apprentice was given a hidden blade with a bracer much like Ezio's. The apprentices were capable of all of the standard assassination techniques.<ref name="ACB"/>

===Modern Times===
[[File:Ceremonial_HB_v.png|thumb|250px|right|A ceremonial hidden blade.]]
During the escape from the Assassin [[Hideout]], [[Desmond Miles]] obtained a hidden blade and bracer that was almost identical to Ezio's first hidden blade. He later used that hidden blade to fend off the [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] guards who had come to capture him.<ref name="AC2"/>

Later on, upon traveling to [[Monteriggioni]], Desmond began using a bare hidden blade without a bracer, making it less visible on his arm. He also used it to operate mechanisms in the tunnels underneath the [[Sanctuary]], as Ezio had once done.<ref name="ACB"/>

Additionally, in the [[Animus Virtual Training Program]] developed by [[Rebecca Crane]], Desmond was given the chance to hone his skills with the hidden blade. Such challenges included Stealth Assassinations and Flawless Kill Streaks using only the hidden blade.<ref name="ACB"/>

==Combat==
{{Main|Assassination Techniques}}

===Third Crusade===
[[File:Ac8.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Altaïr performing a counter with the hidden blade.]]
As it was mainly used for stealth assassinations, the hidden blade could only be used in combat under certain conditions, and could not block any attack. Altaïr was only able to assassinate a guard who had fallen on the ground (due to a grab-break, counter or grab) or had become momentarily distracted.<ref name="AC"/>

Additionally, Altaïr could use the hidden blade in a counter-attack; though the time frame was extremely small, especially in comparison to that of the sword and the short blade. Successfully intercepting an enemy attack enabled one of several different – and always lethal – counter-attacks, in which Altaïr stabbed his opponent in the chest, head, abdomen, foot, base of the skull, or spine.<ref name="AC"/>

===Renaissance===
[[File:Eziofightmasyaf2.JPG|thumb|250px|left|Ezio using his dual blades in combat.]]
The Hidden blades eventually became vastly more useful in combat due to several upgrades. They could be used defensively, allowing Ezio to block attacks with them as any other weapon. The blades were a fast but low damage weapon, making them useful for suppressing enemy attacks.<ref name="AC2"/>

Unlike other weapons, every counter-attack with the hidden blades resulted an instant kill, with only a narrow timing window as a disadvantage. Unlike the sword or the short blade, the hidden blades could counter attacks from [[Brutes]], [[Seekers]] and [[Papal Guard]]s.<ref name="AC2"/><ref name="ACB"/>

The hidden blade also gave Ezio more freedom in movement than any other weapon. For example, Ezio could easily strafe a 180° arc while in combat, which was barely possible (except from very close range) with the sword or dagger. It also allowed Ezio to quickly flee from a battle without having to take the time to sheathe his weapon.<ref name="AC2" />

By his arrival in Rome, Ezio had gained a greater aptitude with the hidden blades. Aside from being able to perform more counter-attacks (due to an increased time window) he was now able to perform multiple instant kills after killing a single guard. To continue this "execution streak," each kill needed to be quickly followed up with another, without Ezio being hit in turn.<ref name="ACB"/>

==Upgrades==
[[File:ACB-HiddenBlade.jpg|thumb|250px|The blade with the pistol and poison upgrades.]]
===Codex===
Throughout his travels, Ezio would acquire several Codex pages that, upon decryption, detailed upgrades for the hidden blade that were envisioned by Altaïr. These improvements were then built for Ezio by Leonardo da Vinci.<ref name="AC2" />

The first of these improvements was the addition of a second hidden blade, which was attached to the user's other arm. The second was a metal plate on top of the primary blade's bracer that allowed one to safely deflect enemy attacks with the blades.<ref name="AC2" />

Other Codex upgrades included the [[poison blade]] and [[pistol]]. The poison blade allowed Ezio to stab an enemy and leave them to die slowly, granting both a low-profile assassination as well as a distraction to kill or bypass other enemies, while the pistol allowed Ezio to kill from a distance.<ref name="AC2"/>

Additionally, both blades could be supplemented with various vambraces, which acted as protective [[armor]].<ref name="AC2"/>

===Da Vinci===
Upon his arrival in Rome, Leonardo envisioned further improvements to the hidden blade. These were the [[Poison darts|poison dart launcher]], which allowed the use of the poison blade from a distance, and the hidden bolt, which fired small [[crossbow]] bolts, for use by [[Francesco Vecellio]] who was according to Ezio not ready to use a hidden gun due to his inexperience with firearms.<ref name="ACB"/><ref name="ACPL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

[[File:ACR hookblade.png|thumb|250px|left|The hookblade's design.]]

===Others===
The [[Hookblade]] was a modification of the hidden blade that was adopted by the [[Assassins guild (Constantinople)|Assassins guild]] of [[Constantinople]]. Unlike the other hidden blade advancements, it was attached to the user's secondary hidden blade, instead of the primary.<ref name="Game Informer June Cover">[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/05/05/acrcoverrevealjune.aspx Game Informer - June Cover Revealed: ''Assassin's Creed Revelations'']</ref>

Upon his arrival in the city, Ezio also adopted it for use in both battle and travel, by using [[Ziplines]] installed across the city rooftops.<ref name="Game Informer June Cover" />

{{-}}

==Trivia==
===Design===
[[File:Ac2 ezio concept.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Early concept art of Ezio.]]
*[[Patrice Desilets]], the creative director of the game, stated that the addition of a second blade in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' also had a lucid reason: it's ''Assassin's Creed II,'' so there are two blades.
*Early concept art for Ezio shows him possessing three hidden blades; one on his right, and two on his left.
*The original design of Ezio's second hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed II'' was displayed as a brown glove, however, in-game, it was replaced with a second bracer. This was reverted in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' however, where his second hidden blade included a glove, until a bracer was purchased.
*It is unknown why the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' box art, E3 Trailer and other official media depict Ezio with a secondary hidden blade bracer identical to his primary one, as in-game, no such second bracer exists.
*The second hidden blade is marginally longer than the primary one in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', perhaps designed to be a more effective melee weapon to complement the primary hidden blade's design as an assassination tool, or maybe an oversight by Leonardo da Vinci, as he had to recreate the blade from memory.

===Mechanism===
[[File:ACBSP_2011-04-10_18-35-13-61.png|thumb|250px|Ezio Auditore retracting his hidden blade.]]
*In the E3 teaser trailer of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' (as well as in certain concept art), Altaïr can be seen pushing a button to operate his hidden blade. In the actual games, however, no such button or other trigger mechanism exists.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' and the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]], unleashing the hidden blade required the use of a button, via a certain muscle on the forearm being flexed.Which pushes a muscle forward to force the button to eject the blade. The mechanism changes to the pistol if the thumb pushed to the left and the forearm tensened then the user is able to twist the mechanism to the weapon of choice.
*In an ''Assassin's Creed'' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/developer-diary-assassins-creed/13648 Developer Diary] video, [[Jade Raymond]] speaks about Altaïr's lack of his ring finger, which is due to the [[Initiation to the Assassin Order|initiation ceremony]] when a novice is promoted to an Assassin. The ring finger of the left hand is cut off, the hidden blade is installed, and the new born Assassin is ready to complete the missions bestowed upon him or her.
*The hidden blade is a [[Crafting in Project Legacy|crafted item]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''. The materials for its construction are 2 Coils, 1 Iron, 1 Hide and 1 Box of Components (which in turn is crafted using 3 Gears, 3 Screws, 1 Chain and 2 Sprockets).
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]] ''and certain pictures, the trigger mechanism is depicted as a ring worn on a finger. Movement of that finger would cause the blade to extend or retract. This is consistent with some fan-made hidden blades.

===Others===
*Despite being equipped with a hidden blade, some Assassins (such as [[Malik Al-Sayf]]) did not have an amputated finger.
*The first recorded usage of the hidden blade by an Assassin was by [[Darius]], when he assassinated [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes of Persia]]. However, his ring finger remained intact and he wielded it on his right hand.
*The hidden blade is used in every major assassination. Even if the player begins by attacking the enemy with a sword, the Assassin will always finish them off with the hidden blade.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', if the PlayStation Portable is linked to ''Assassins Creed II'', Altaïr's hidden blade can be upgraded to be used to block light and heavy attacks.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'', the player can only use the hidden blade to assassinate an enemy from behind if it is related to the story.
*There is a glitch in ''Assassin's Creed II'' in the mission "[[Practice What You Preach]]." If instead of practicing the new assassination techniques, you go to the blacksmith and purchase the Leather Vambrace, you can acquire the second hidden blade before Leonardo even makes it for you.
*So far, there is no record of Altaïr ever using two hidden blades. In ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'', Altaïr has new equipment inspired by the Apple and fashioned by a [[Blacksmiths|blacksmith]], but ultimately, there is only evidence of him using the pistol advancement, on [[Abbas Sofian]].
*The [[Smuggler]] uses a modified version of the hidden blade, sometimes referred to as the [[Inverted Hidden Blade|inverted hidden blade]], because she wears it in a way that is more noticeable, as opposed to the weapons of the [[Assassin]]s.

==Gallery==
[[Video:12 Ways to Wield the Hidden Blade|thumb|300px|left|A video guide for the hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed''.]] [[Video:---The Guide to the Hidden Blade---|thumb|right|300px|A video guide for the hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed II''.]]

{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: The Chain]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Weapons]]

Desmond Miles

2011-07-14T09:33:50Z

128.189.177.225: /* Assassin's Creed: Revelations */

{{Era|AC1|ACBL|AC2|Brotherhood|Revelations|Assassins|Featured}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Desmond Miles
|image = desmondspng.png
|imgdesc = Full body portrait of Desmond Miles
|birth = 1987<br>"[[The Farm]]"
|period = [[Modern Times]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
|voice = [[Nolan North]]
}}
{{Quote|Save it. After what those Templar bastards put me through. I'm ready, willing, and able.|Desmond agrees to join the Assassins|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Desmond Miles''' (born 1987) was a travelling hermit and descendant of a long line of ancestors who swore their allegiance to the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]]. In September 2012, he was kidnapped and incarcerated at [[Abstergo Industries]], a [[Templars|Templar]] organization, and forced into a machine called the [[Animus]] to relive the memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], during the [[Third Crusade]], in order to learn the location of "[[Sixth Apple|the Apple]]", one of the [[Pieces of Eden]].

Eventually escaping with the aid of [[Lucy Stillman]], Desmond once again used an Animus to explore the memories of another ancestor of his, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], so as to learn the ways of the Assassins through the [[bleeding effect]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{quote|You have any idea what it's like to be trapped in a place, knowing there was a whole world out there I'd never get to see?|Desmond to Lucy about his childhood.|Assassin's Creed}}
Desmond Miles was born in an Assassin "hideout" in the desert known as "[[The Farm]]", an off-the-grid compound with a population of about thirty people, much like the city of [[Masyaf]]. Though he was destined to be trained as an Assassin, he was frustrated by his parents' explicit instructions not to leave the compound, and believed them to be overly concerned and paranoid. On his 16th birthday, he finally fled, wanting ''"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 little more than his wardens, with the farm as his prison.

After leaving the Assassin compound, he went into hiding for nine years. While keeping a low profile, he eventually became a bartender. Aware of the Templars, and wanting to avoid both them and the Assassins, Desmond never used his real name and used only cash to purchase items. However, he was eventually found, traced through a fingerprint needed for a motorcycle license, and was kidnapped to be brought to the [[Abstergo laboratory]] in [[Italy]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

===Kidnapped by Abstergo===
[[File:Warren-vidic-assassins-creed-2-character.jpg|thumb|left|Dr. Vidic explains the concept of genetic memory to Desmond.]]
{{Quote|I'm not an Assassin... not any more.|Desmond Miles to Warren Vidic.|Assassin's Creed}}
In September 2012, Desmond Miles was kidnapped by Abstergo Industries, a pharmaceutical company and front for the Templars, 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. While Desmond claimed to be nothing more than a bartender, Vidic revealed that they knew of his history as an Assassin, forcing Desmond to finally admit his past life. Vidic and Lucy told Desmond that they were trying to access a certain memory, but Desmond's subconscious was resisting their efforts. Vidic warned Desmond that if he refused to assist them, they would induce a coma, continue their work, and leave him to die when they had finished. Without much of a choice, Desmond agreed to help them.

[[File:Desmond_&_Lucy_1.png|thumb|250px|Desmond and Lucy having their first private conversation.]]
Desmond was made to explore the genetic memories of his ancestor Altaïr - a member of a creed of Assassins active around the Third Crusade. He did so over several days under the watchful eye of Vidic, but during the nights, Desmond was given a code that allowed him to open his room's door and explore the lab he was being held in, accessing the Animus computer and (after stealing Vidic's pen) gaining access to his personal computer.

Through [[e-mails]], Desmond learned much about Abstergo, as well as the Animus subject who had preceded him, [[Subject 16]], who had suffered from a "bleeding effect" due to prolonged exposure to the Animus. Eventually, with the aid of Lucy, the Assassins learned of Desmond's capture and attempted to liberate him, with the gunfire of their assault being heard through an intercom device.

After the rescue attempt failed, Vidic boasted that those Assassins were, in fact, the last of the group Desmond had escaped from, their desert hideout having been previously destroyed. When Vidic left, however, Lucy reassured Desmond that his parents had ''"probably escaped."'' During this discussion, Lucy revealed herself to be an undercover member of the Assassins.

[[File:Eagle_vision.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Desmond using his [[Eagle Vision]].]]
Desmond eventually achieved Vidic's goal and discovered the location of numerous Pieces of Eden. Executives of Abstergo Industries then ordered his execution, but his life was saved by Lucy's intervention, as she asked them to keep Desmond alive in order to re-access his memories if necessary. After the executives left, Desmond realized that he was able to use [[Eagle Vision]], an ability he shared with his Assassin ancestors which he had picked up through the bleeding effect. Using it for the first time, he saw Vidic's and Lucy's true allegiances, as well as countless scrawled [[Cryptic Messages|messages and puzzles]] on the floor of the main laboratory and on the walls in the room he was sleeping in.

{{-}}

===Escape to the Hideout===
[[File:Zw-desmond-fighting.png|thumb|250px|Desmond fighting off the Abstergo guards.]]
{{Quote|Wait! Why aren't I following Altaïr? Oh, shit...|Desmond discovering his lineage.|Assassin's Creed II}}
After Desmond spent some time alone in the laboratory, Lucy suddenly arrived, covered in blood and demanding Desmond to get into the Animus before Abstergo discovered what she had done. Desmond, rather confused, agreed and managed to sync with the closest genetic match between himself and Subject 16 recorded in the Animus’ memory core. Inside the Animus, he experienced the birth of another of his ancestors, Ezio Auditore. He was pulled out abruptly, however, so that they could both make their escape.

The two of them were quickly spotted by Abstergo's security, though Lucy was able to react fast enough to lock a door and keep the guards from getting to them. Unfortunately, they were forced into an engagement with two more security personnel which Lucy promptly dealt with, astonishing Desmond, allowing them to continue on undetected. The two soon entered a transparent elevator, that led down to a large open room filled with office blocks, housing a large number of Animus machines.

Following Lucy through the maze-like walkways between the Animi to avoid the guard patrols, they made their way to the back of the room. Lucy attempted to enter a code into the locked door of another elevator, but it was rejected, prompting Desmond to instinctively call upon his recently acquired eagle vision. Seeing the buttons necessary for the code, Desmond successfully unlocked the door on his third try. Once in the car park underneath the building, the two were halted by more of Abstergo's guards, but were able to defeat them and escape.

[[File:Demsondanimus2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Desmond sitting in the Animus 2.0 next to Lucy.]]
Arriving at one of the Assassins' [[hideout]]s, Desmond was introduced to two more Assassins – [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] – who had previously worked with Lucy. Lucy told Desmond that they wanted him to become trained as an Assassin, which could be achieved in a matter of days, thanks to the bleeding effect. Doing so required him to learn through the ancestor that he had synchronized with Subject 16, Ezio Auditore. Desmond agreed to help almost immediately, which surprised Lucy. He was then quickly plugged into the [[Animus 2.0]], and began reliving Ezio's memories.

After learning the skills of an 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 16 had suffered from, for being in the Animus for an extended period of time.

[[File:Zw-desmond-dream.png|thumb|250px|Desmond experiencing the bleeding effect.]]
Tasking him with initiating security protocols around the hideout, Lucy left it to Desmond to figure out how to reach them through the use of his eagle vision and new-found [[Free Running|free running]] skills. Just as he began, however, he started suffering vivid hallucinations of the Crusader era. At first, the visions were short, and were nothing to worry about, but after completing the task, Desmond was incapacitated as the visions became more real.

Taken back to medieval [[Acre]] by the bleeding effect, Desmond once again followed the memories of Altaïr, though this time, without using the Animus. Through this vision, he discovered that Altaïr and [[Maria Thorpe]] had conceived a child, who was to be Desmond's next ancestor after Altaïr.

The next day, Desmond had recovered from the experiences and returned to the Animus, neglecting to tell the Assassins what had happened. He continued to watch the genetic memories of Ezio Auditore, despite at one time being thrown out by [[Assassin's Creed II DLC|"corrupted memory sequences"]]. Eventually, the team learned that Ezio's nemesis, [[Rodrigo Borgia]], had become Pope Alexander VI in 1492 so as to gain access to both another Piece of Eden, the [[The Staff|Papal Staff]], and [[Vatican Vault|the Vault]]. As Ezio entered this Vault, he was confronted by a "[[Those Who Came Before|goddess]]" hologram who called herself, [[Minerva]].

Minerva warned the Assassins of the end of the world, recounting the story of the war between "Those Who Came Before," and their human subjects. The Assassins were shocked when Minerva addressed Desmond by name, confusing even Ezio, and revealed that Minerva was in fact talking to Desmond ''through'' Ezio. Mere moments after, Desmond was quickly pulled out of the Animus, and upon seeing the three rushing to collect their belongings, realized that the Templars had found their location.

As he climbed out of the Animus, Lucy tossed Desmond a [[Hidden Blade|hidden blade]] with the [[Assassin insignia]] on the bracer, and asked for his assistance in covering their escape. Making their way into the warehouse, they were confronted by Vidic and several Abstergo security guards, all of whom were intent on reclaiming Desmond.

The two eliminated all of the Templars that assaulted them, with Desmond – now being fully synchronized with Ezio and thus, had learned all of his abilities – masterfully using his hidden blade to kill many of the guards himself. With his entourage defeated, Vidic was left to confront Desmond on his own; though he opted instead to retreat, promising that their victory was only temporary. The four Assassins then fled north, with Desmond being hooked up to the Animus inside the van so he could continue to search through his memories for anything useful. Meanwhile, the other Assassins began to discuss the nature of Minerva and her speech.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===Monteriggioni===
{{Quote|What if I can't stop the visions? How long before I start painting symbols on the walls?|Desmond to Lucy about the bleeding effect.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
After the Abstergo attack on their warehouse base, the Assassins traveled to [[Monteriggioni]], one of the last Assassin safe houses in Italy. As the Templars were actively searching for them, and were analyzing the environment using cell phone towers, they were forced to set up underground, in the [[Sanctuary]] under the [[Villa Auditore]].

[[File:Desmond_&_Lucy2.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Desmond and Lucy heading for the Sanctuary.]]
Whilst searching the grounds of the Villa Auditore for a way into the Sanctuary, Desmond – through the bleeding effect – saw a vision of Ezio in the past, who led him to a high, narrow ledge and leaped off. Desmond immediately followed suit, performing his first-ever [[Leap of Faith]] into a pile of hay. Desmond and Lucy then made their way to the Sanctuary, via a tunnel used by Ezio and the villagers of Monteriggioni to escape after [[Fall of Monteriggioni|the attack]].

As they passed through the tunnels, Desmond saw more visions, which worried him, making him wonder if he would eventually ''"start painting symbols on the walls."'' Lucy then scolded him, telling him not to joke about his condition, and reminded him that Subject 16 was dead, and that he needed to focus.

[[File:Desmond_animus.jpg|thumb|225px|Rebecca strapping Desmond into the Animus 2.0 within the Sanctuary.]]
When the two reached the Sanctuary, Desmond saw another vision of Ezio, who seemed to have visited it in his old age. Before he opened the door to [[Mario Auditore]]'s office, Desmond noticed the numbers 1419, 1420, and 1421 written on the walls, which he pointed out to the other Assassins. Shaun theorized the numbers to refer to dates, however he admitted that he needed to do further research. After the team set up, Desmond became in charge of bringing electricity into the Sanctuary by inserting devices of Rebecca's construction into four electrical power boxes located around Monteriggioni, that would allow them to accumulate small amounts of power from each source. After that, he continued with his regular Animus sessions.

===Colosseum Vault===
{{Template:Dialogue3|Unnamed man|Shit! He's gone into shock!|William M|Put him back in the machine, it's the only way to fix this.|But the Animus did this to him!|Am I the expert or not? Do it!|William M. and a unnamed man regarding Desmond's current health, 2012.}}
After finishing in the Animus, Desmond and the others learned that the Apple of Eden was hidden under the [[Colosseo|Colosseum]]. Upon traveling to [[Rome]], the group separated, with Desmond climbing through the ruins towards the [[Santa Maria Aracoeli]], where he unbarred the door for the other Assassins.

[[File:Desmond_Stabbing_Lucy.JPG|left|thumb|200px|Desmond, being forced by Juno to stab Lucy.]]
Inside, Desmond activated an elevator that took all of them down to [[Colosseum Vault|a chamber]] that held the Apple. However, as he took the Piece of Eden from its [[Vault pedestal|pedestal]], [[Juno]]'s voice was heard, saying that Desmond's DNA had activated the Apple. Juno then took control of Desmond's body, and forced him to stab Lucy in the abdomen with his hidden blade.

After collapsing in the [[Colosseum Vault]], Desmond was found by [[William M.]] and an associate. Having slipped in shock, and later a coma, his unconscious body was recovered, and transported to an unknown location.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

As Desmond started to go into shock, he was put back into an Animus by [[William M.]] and another, unidentified person. During this session, Ezio and [[Leonardo da Vinci]] were seen to have discovered [[Pythagorean Vault|a smaller vault]] in Rome. When Ezio's DNA was activated, a set of coordinates intended for Desmond were projected: 43 39 19 N 75 27 42 W. After reliving more memories, Desmond's condition worsened, and he entered a comatose state.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

{{spoiler}}
===Shattered consciousness===
[[File:ACR_Desmond_Trailer_9.JPG|thumb|250px|Desmond in the Black Room.]]
After both his extensive exposure to the Animus, and the strain of the Apple on his mind, Desmond's consciousness shattered, leaving him in a deep coma. He was placed back into an Animus by the Assassins in an attempt to keep his mind active. Here, Desmond slipped from the "''White Room''", which serves as the loading screen for genetic memories, into the "[[Black Room]]" – a 'safe' room where Desmond could access his own fragmented memories through a back door in the Animus' programming. Desmond had to repair his splintered subconscious piece by piece from within the Animus in order to wake himself from his coma, ultimately having to find a specific memory that linked himself, Altaïr and Ezio together to accomplish this.<ref name="Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>

{{Spoiler End}}

==Characteristics and personality==
[[File:Zw-desmond-bleeding.png|thumb|250px|Desmond's new free-running skills.]]
Desmond was a gruff and cynical individual, who held a serious outlook on life. This was mainly due to him being aware of the Templars and Assassins since his youth, although he was initially unaware of Abstergo Industries being a Templar company. Despite this, he was not above jesting about his situation, and would occasionally make jokes, although they rarely elicited a good reaction. After his emancipation from Abstergo, Desmond's demeanor became considerably more relaxed, and he spent a noticeable amount of time conversing with Lucy. However, he began to question his sanity after experiencing the bleeding effect.

===Equipment and skills===
[[File:10_128_220_133-image2_grande.jpg|thumb|Desmond in Monteriggioni, equipped with a hidden blade.]]
As Desmond was trained during childhood as an Assassin, he was proficient in basic reconnaissance skills, such as eavesdropping and pickpocketing. After about a week of being forced to relive the memories of his ancestor, Altaïr, Desmond developed an extra-sensory ability called eagle vision. Later on, after willingly exploring the memories of his other ancestor, Ezio, Desmond learned how to free-run and use weapons. Not long afterwards, he was able to easily fend off a Templar attack with Ezio's combat skills.

Since fully synchronizing with Ezio, Desmond has been able to use all of the abilities his ancestor could in real life, notably in free running across Monteriggioni and the Colosseum.

==Trivia==

*[[File:Zall.png|thumb|Notice the scar. Top to bottom: Altaïr, Ezio, Desmond.]]Desmond has an A+ blood type.<ref>''Assassin’s Creed'' game manual</ref>
*Desmond is modeled after [[Francisco Randez]] and voiced by [[Nolan North]]. Curiously, Randez also used to be a bartender before he became a model. This may have inspired the makers of the game to give Desmond the same profession.
*The etymology of Desmond's name "the world" (or "man of the world" in Celtic) is not related to either of his ancestors, whereas Altaïr's and Ezio's names pertain to avians; Altaïr's being "the flying one" and Ezio's "eagle." His surname "Miles" is also the Latin word for "soldier." This name suits him however, as he wanted to leave his parents' watchful eyes to see the rest of the world outside the compound, and refers to his role in saving the world from destruction.
*Desmond is a descendant of Those Who Came Before and [[humans]]. Proof of this is his eagle vision, a product of the unification of those two races, which also led to the birth of the first "Assassins," [[Adam and Eve]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Collector's Edition Official Game Guide">''Assassin's Creed II: Collector's Edition Official Game Guide''</ref>
*Desmond possesses the same scar on his lip as his ancestors Altaïr and Ezio, though how Desmond acquired it is unknown.<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
*Desmond's eyes colour has been changed a few times. In ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' his eye color was golden, in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' brown and in the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] when you enter the Subject 16 virtual maze, his eye color turns blue, it's best seen when the dialog between [[Subject 16]] and Desmond appears.

===''Assassin's Creed''===
*Desmond and Altaïr share the same age during the first game, both being 25 years of age in 2012 and 1191 respectively.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>
*Desmond's history shows that he never wanted to be an Assassin, nor does he have the skills yet before ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' to be one; as Shaun puts it ''"You [Desmond] didn't even try to escape."'' However, in the graphic novel included with the limited edition of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', he does call himself an Assassin, and shows skills of stealth and lethality.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Graphic Novel">''[[Assassin's Creed: Graphic Novel]]''</ref>

===''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines''===
*The Animus machine, during the tutorial segment, refers to the subject viewing the memories as '''Subject 17''', which was the subject number given to Desmond during the events of ''Assassin's Creed''. Although likely, Desmond's presence in ''Bloodlines'' is highly debatable, due to time conflicts between ''Assassin's Creed'' and ''Assassin's Creed II''.

===''Assassin's Creed II''===
*Desmond acquires a hidden blade at the conclusion of ''Assassin's Creed II''. The original owner of the blade is not mentioned, but its bracer is identical to the one Ezio inherited from his father, [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]]. However, it is very unlikely that Ezio's bracer was passed down to Desmond, as he replaced it in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*Although only given a hidden blade, this is not the only weapon Desmond can use, as he can disarm and use his opponents' tactical batons when defending the Hideout.

===''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''===
*Interacting with the statue of Altaïr in the Sanctuary at any point during the storyline will trigger Desmond to say ''"Hey, wassa-matta-you, Altaïr?"'', followed by Rebecca reprimanding him for being racist. This can be done as many times as the player wants after the cutscene.
*In early images, Desmond is seen with a beard identical to Ezio's. It is unknown why the beard was present then, and was later removed.[[File:Desmond_with_beard.jpg|thumb|312px|Desmond with a beard]]
*Surprisingly, Desmond's climbing resembles that of Altaïr rather than Ezio's, considering he has spent more time training through Ezio's memories than Altaïr's.
*During the beginning, when Desmond and Lucy are traversing the tunnels to get to the Sanctuary, the two will engage in a brief argument on how to climb a small wall. Desmond suggests that one of them gives the other a boost into the air to reach a ledge, however, Lucy refuses. This is a reference to the game ''Uncharted 2: Among Thieves'', in which the protagonist Nathan Drake, who is also voiced by Nolan North, must often launch his female companions with a boost to get around certain obstacles. Later, Lucy and Desmond also begin using a catapult jumping technique exactly like that seen in ''Uncharted 2'' to cross gaps in the path.
*Desmond is practically invincible outside of the Animus, where he is able to survive, unharmed, from a fall from any height.
*Despite being equipped with a hidden blade throughout the story, Desmond only uses it twice; the first in the Auditore Family Crypt, to lower a platform for Lucy, and the second in the Colosseum Vault, to stab Lucy.
*Should the player achieve full synchronization in Sequence 8, Desmond will appear as a [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood outfits|playable skin]] in the Animus. The Animus states that the Desmond model was uploaded from the Animus memory banks. Despite him only wearing one hidden blade, double kills are still possible.
*An exact replica of Desmond's shirt (as well as one in an alternative color) is available from [http://store.ubiworkshop.com/products/Desmond-Miles-T%252dShirt-%28ACB-Edition%29.html].
*Desmond's t-shirt design had changed in development of the game. In screenshots, the eagle on his shirt is facing towards Desmond's right, but in-game, the eagle faces towards Desmond's left.

===''Assassin's Creed: Revelations''===
*As far as Desmond's appearance in his subconscious state, he now wears a black hoodie with a white shirt, which is almost the opposite of what he wore in Brotherhood (white hoodie, gray shirt). He no longer wears the courier bag, and his hidden blade appears to be removed.
*A replica of the black hoodie that Desmond will wear in Revelations can be pre-ordered from the UbiWorkshop site. Though the one that's currently available does not have the eagle pattern on the back, three other versions (black with eagle, white with eagle, white/red invertible) are planned for release.

== Videos ==
[[Video:Real Life Storyline|thumb|480px|left|Real Life Storyline: Desmond Miles, Lucy Stillman and Warren Vidic]]
[[Video:Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Gameplay Desmond|thumb|left|480px|Gameplay Video of Desmond]]<br style="clear:left;" />
{{GalleryBox|Desmond Miles}}
==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACBL}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACRevelations}}
{{ACSeries}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Miles, Desmond}}

[[es:Desmond Miles]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Giovanni Borgia

2011-07-02T12:05:49Z

128.189.177.225: /* Trivia */

{{Era|PL|Assassins}}
{{WP-REAL|Giovanni Borgia (1498–1548)}}
{{Character Infobox
|image = Ambition.jpg
|imgdesc = A young Giovanni Borgia
|birth = March 1498<br>[[Rome]], [[Italy]]
|death = 1548
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]]<br>(15th Century)
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''}}
'''Giovanni Borgia''' (March 1498 – 1548) was the son of [[Perotto Calderon]] and [[Lucrezia Borgia]], and a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{quote|Lucrezia is pregnant! This is a complication we did not need!|Perotto, upon discovering Giovanni's conception.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Giovanni was secretly born in [[Rome]] to Lucrezia Borgia, the illegitimate daughter of [[Rodrigo Borgia|Pope Alexander VI]], and a [[Borgia Messenger|courier]] by the name of Perotto Calderon, who was an undercover Assassin. Upon his birth, however, he was malformed, and was expected to die within a few days.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 4 - Perotto Calderon]]</ref>

[[File:Revelation.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Giovanni as a baby, wrapped in the Shroud.]]
In a drastic attempt to save his son's life, Perotto broke out of prison (in which he was being held due to the discovery of his affair with Lucrezia) and escaped to Agnadello. There, he knew the Assassins were guarding the [[Piece of Eden]] known as "[[the Shroud]]", which Perotto thought would be able to heal his son.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon"/>

Upon arriving there, having slain both brother Assassins and Borgia soldiers along the way, Perotto asked the Shroud to heal his son, which it did, despite its initial protests. The child would live, but be forever mentally unstable.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon"/>

[[File:Nature and Nurture.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Giovanni being trained at swordplay by Cesare.]]
Since Perotto was executed by his Brothers for having broken all three tenents of [[The Creed|their Creed]], Giovanni wound up in the hands of his uncle, [[Cesare Borgia]], who he was told was his father.<ref name="PL GB Rome">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 2 - Giovanni Borgia|Chapter 2 - Giovanni Borgia (Rome)]]</ref>

Giovanni was trained to be cruel by both Cesare, and the latter's friend [[Micheletto Corella]], though he rejected many of their teachings and only grew to fear and hate them. Since his "father" was often away, Giovanni was allowed to spend time with his "aunt" Lucrezia, who enjoyed their bonding, but was often saddened by seeing her son raised in such a harsh environment.<ref name="PL GB Rome"/>

{{-}}
===Apple of Eden===
[[File:Religion PL.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Giovanni holding the Apple.]]
{{quote|Nonno is going to let me play with the Apple today! He says it is not a toy, but I think it is a toy. It glows. It makes noises. Sometimes it talks to me like Consus does.|Giovanni, regarding the Apple.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
At times, [[Rodrigo Borgia|Giovanni's grandfather]] would allow him to "play" with the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]], and would take notes when he discovered that Giovanni had the ability to turn his thoughts into reality with the power of the Apple. Simply by willing it, he was able to create the image of an eagle out of thin air.<ref name="PL GB Rome" />

[[File:Comeuppance PL.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Giovanni using the Apple's power.]]
Giovanni made use of this skill as a means of defending himself once, when he was five. Upon being taken out for a "lesson" with Micheletto, he witnessed Micheletto kill an old man, simply to teach Giovanni the cruelties of the world. Afraid, Giovanni used the Apple (which he had taken from his grandfather in secret) to create an illusion of Cesare to scare Micheletto. However, when Cesare discovered this, Giovanni was punished.<ref name="PL GB Rome" />

Giovanni also made use of another of the Apple's power, albeit accidentally, when he stumbled upon [[Fiora Cavazza]] sneaking around his home, seeking to steal the Piece of Eden for the Assassins. Thinking she had come to play, Giovanni snatched the Apple and gleefully ran with it, calling for Fiora to catch him. Fearing that he would alert the guards of her presence, Fiora told him to stop and attempted to take the Apple from him. However, she was frozen in place by its power, and was ultimately caught by Cesare, who had been woken by the commotion. Giovanni fearfully asked his father what he would do with her, but he simply sent the boy from the room and told him he would hurt her.<ref name="PL Fiora Cavazza">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 1 - Fiora Cavazza]]</ref>

===Becoming an Assassin===
[[File:My Own Eyes PL.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Giovanni using [[Eagle Vision]].]]
{{quote|I hate Papà. Nonno only cares about the Apple. Zia is always sad. I want to run away from them! I want to live somewhere else.|Giovanni, contemplating on running away from home.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Eventually, Giovanni planned to leave his life of fear behind. After he received a letter from a courier pigeon, sent by an unknown individual, he was even more encouraged to do so. Making sure that he wasn't seen, he went to the meeting place by a fountain, and (as instructed) used his ''"[[Eagle Vision|other eyes]]"'' to recognize the individual from the crowd.<ref name="PL GB Rome"/>

Giovanni followed the man as he ran across the rooftops, until he finally reached an alleyway, where he was abruptly halted by two dirty men, who attempted to rob him. The individual leapt down from above and plunged his [[Hidden Blade|hidden blades]] into both men, rescuing the boy. The individual then introduced himself as [[Francesco Vecellio]], who turned out to be the former understudy of Giovanni's biological father, Perotto.<ref name="PL GB Rome"/>

Giovanni happily agreed to Francesco's offer to bring him ''"to live with his Brothers"'', and was thus taken in and trained into the Assassin Order.<ref name="PL GB Rome"/>

===Journey to Mexico===
[[File:Calculations_PL.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Giovanni on Cortés' ship.]]
{{quote|My hunt continues. We must find these relics of a previous world.|Giovanni, regarding the Pieces of Eden.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
In 1519, Giovanni was secured a position aboard [[Hernán Cortés]] ship, which was to sail towards the New World. Though posing as a chronicler and astrologer, Giovanni had been tasked by the Brotherhood to recover a [[Piece of Eden]] from the city of [[wikipedia:Tenochtitlan|Tenochtitlan]].<ref name="PL GB Mexico">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 4 - Giovanni Borgia|Chapter 4 - Giovanni Borgia (Mexico)]]</ref>

After a lengthy search examining multiple idols and artifacts, Giovanni discovered that the Piece of Eden was a [[Crystal Skulls|Crystal Skull]] in the possession of an Aztec priest, who used it as part of a human sacrificial ritual. During the uproar that followed the Spaniards' witnessing of such a brutal sacrifice, Giovanni killed the priest and took the relic for himself.<ref name="PL GB Mexico"/>

===The Skull's Purpose===
[[File:Phrenology.PNG|thumb|250px|right|Bombastus and Giovanni examining the Crystal Skull.]]
{{quote|Maria protests how much time I spend with the skull. At least an hour each day. Gazing into it, listening. The hum has grown louder over the years. It feels as if something is coming.|Giovanni, regarding his study of the Skull.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Upon returning to Europe, Giovanni brought the Crystal Skull to [[Bombastus]], a member of the Assassin Order, to define its purpose. Bombastus was confident that they would successfully uncover its secrets, referring to Giovanni as ''"the one who talks to [[Pieces of Eden|these things]]."'' Despite much examination, however, they were unable to discover how to use the Skull. After this, the other members of the Order began to doubt Giovanni's abilities, and merely dismissed the Skull as little more than an ornate treasure.<ref name="PL GB Mexico"/>

Nevertheless, Giovanni persisted in studying the Skull for about twenty years, and in 1542, received some answers. Upon discovering the Skull glowing with a faint light, he shook it and began to hear words in a foreign language, as well as see visions of a man dressed in Chinese garb. Though he could not understand the speech, he realized the man's intent, and hurried to alert the Brotherhood.<ref name="PL GB Mexico" />

==Consus==
[[File:Entangled.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Giovanni and Consus, spying on Fiora and Cesare.]]
{{quote|Consus is standing next to me. He is watching. He does not speak much. Papà tells me he is not real, but I see him.|Giovanni, regarding Consus.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
From an early age, Giovanni suffered several [[bleeding effect]]-like symptoms, likely as a result of being healed by the Shroud. He would often dream of the memories of Assassins past, including those of his father, and [[Marcus Junius Brutus]]. Because of these hallucinations, he once almost stabbed Cesare while sleepwalking, thinking himself to be Brutus, and his father to be [[Gaius Julius Caesar]]. However, he was caught and subsequently punished by Micheletto.<ref name="PL GB Rome"/>

Throughout his childhood, Giovanni would also have delusions of seeing a nonexistent being, whom he befriended and called Consus. This being often spoke into his head and gave him advice, even once allowing Giovanni to read a letter given to him, though the boy himself did not know how to at the time.<ref name="PL GB Rome" />

Though of questionable origin, Consus seemed to be in favor of the Assassins, or simply against the Templars. Giovanni's grandfather would ask him about this being, and if he could speak with him, but Giovanni would simply answer that Consus wasn't there, as he ''"does not play when Nonno is around."'' Additionally, Consus advised Giovanni to go with Francesco to join the Brotherhood, and also attempted to convince him to give the Apple to Fiora when she had come to retrieve it for the Assassins.<ref name="PL GB Rome"/><ref name="PL Fiora Cavazza"/>

Though he did not appear to continue these hallucinations later in life, Giovanni did not forget. Upon bringing the Crystal Skull to Bombastus, he met [[Johan|a madman]] who, upon seeing him, called out to Consus; causing Giovanni to demand him for an explanation of using the name, though he received none.<ref name="PL GB Mexico" />

==Trivia==
*Giovanni has come in contact with at least three Pieces of Eden; the Shroud, the Apple of Eden, and the Crystal Skull. This is the most amount of Pieces of Eden that any one character has been known to encounter.
*Giovanni is one of the few members of the [[House of Borgia|Borgia family]] to not be associated with the [[Templars]], and the only known Assassin.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Giovanni}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]