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Piece of Eden

2010-01-02T01:50:50Z

174.1.66.172: /* Confirmed Artifacts */

[[File:POE.jpg|thumb|250px|Al Mualim with his Piece of Eden.]]
The '''Piece of Eden''' is one of several ancient objects left by [[Those Who Came Before]], possessing different effects, that is able to bend people to the will of the user. One of the greatest weapons known to man, it is capable of ending wars and (provided it is used correctly) ushering in a forced peace.

==Characteristics==
It is believed by the staff of Abstergo Industries and the Templars that the Piece of Eden, along with other artifacts like it, was the source of such miracles as the Parting of the Red Sea, the successful use of the Trojan Horse by the Greeks to win the Trojan War, the miracles surrounding "the Christ-figure" who founded the Christian faith and the Biblical plagues that ravaged Egypt, among other supernatural happenings.

[[File:Zw-eden-slave.png|thumb|left|The Piece of Eden used by [[Those Who Came Before]] to enslave humans]]
Apart from its power to force almost anyone into serving its possessor, the Piece of Eden's greatest power is that its existence essentially disproves the existence of an all-powerful God. The Templar Order had already committed itself to exposing the claims of all religions as false, and the Piece of Eden is perfectly suited to the successful pursuit of this purpose.

Incidentally, each Piece of Eden also contains a holographic map of the Earth that shows the location of all the other Artifacts. The Masyaf Piece of Eden was destroyed during its experimental use by [[Abstergo]] Industries at the Denver International Airport. Using [[Altair]]'s memory of events, however, the map showed the locations of the other Pieces of Eden.

[[File:Zw-eden-3.png|thumb|Ezio uses the Staff and Apple to access the Vault.]]
After Altaïr took control of the Assassins, their new goal was to hunt down and destroy the last of the Templars and the Pieces of Eden. During the events of ''Assassin's Creed Bloodlines'', Altaïr starts to study the artifact, writing about its powers and his own theories. When the Cypriots blamed Altaïr for the disasters that struck the island and tried to attack him, he used the Piece of Eden to control their minds, forcing them to hear the truth, that the real culprit was the Templar Grand Master, Armand Bouchart. After reaching the Archives in Limassol, and killing Bouchart, Altaïr kept the Masyaf Piece of Eden, not leaving it in the Archives as he had first intended. It is unknown what happened to the Masyaf Piece of Eden after Altaïr and Maria traveled "East". On an interesting note, the object is referred to as the "Apple of Eden" in the game.

In ''[[Assassin's Creed 2]]'', it is revealed that the Apple and other Pieces of Eden have a rather extensive history of changing hands while decrypting the "Truth" files left by Subject 16. Notable figures in history have used the Pieces of Eden, although for varying purposes; including, but not limited to: Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, Gandhi, Houdini, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Tsar Nicholas II, and even Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler. It is also revealed that there are at least 3 Apples remaining in the world, which represent the three divine Golden Apples of Greek mythology.

== Resistance ==
[[Image:poemap.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A map of many "Pieces of Eden"]]
In an e-mail at Abstergo Industries it is revealed that the company's leaders are worried that the Pieces of Eden are not all that is needed to achieve their goal. It is mentioned that some people may be resistant to the mind control effect of the Piece of Eden and that other "Artifacts" must be found to ensure no one is left to cause trouble in the Templar's planned "New World". The only three people so far to show a resistance against the Pieces of Eden are an unnamed person present at the DIA incident, Altaïr, and Ezio. The first sends an e-mail to Dr. Vidic declaring "I know what you did" and gives a firsthand account of the artifact's failed experiment there. Of note is that this person seems to be acting alone and is therefore unlikely to know of the Templars or the Assassins and may not be a member of either organization themselves. Altaïr's resistance is shown when Al Mualim shows him the treasure but Altaïr simply says that to him it is just a piece of silver and does not understand how Al Mualim can believe it to be pure temptation as he describes. This response surprises Al Mualim who later reveals that he had shown the Piece of Eden to Altaïr in an attempt to hypnotize him, but for some reason he could not. However, even though Altaïr is resistant against its hypnotic effect, the Piece of Eden can still do some things to him such as: immobilizing him, causing him to hallucinate and clouding his mind, both of which can be observed during the final battle. Finally, Ezio's resistance is shown when he finally confronts [[Rodrigo Borgia]] in Rome. Although this instance has Ezio ''himself'' using the Apple while Rodrigo uses the Staff.

There is a high potential that Altaïr passed on this gift to Desmond Miles and his other descendants. Although a small number of theories can be made upon decrypting Truth File #18 because while decrypting it Subject 16 makes comments about scientists finding a specific neurological receptor in the human brain that responds solely to the effects of the Eden artifacts. It is highly possible that Altaïr, or more appropriately, one of his ancestors, was born lacking these "dormant receptors". As Desmond's genetic family are seemingly the only of which that possess this resistance. Why such a severe neurological mutation such as this (severe, due to the fact that humans were created, specifically to be controlled by the artifacts through these receptors), were to occur is left for speculation.   A possible idea is that natural evolution disposed of this in an effort to make humans more suitable independantly, rather than being solely reliant on their masters for food and shelter. This is could also be explained by another truth file from subject 16 "Bloodlines" which shows that Altair and Ezio gained their powers from a mixed bloodline where normal humans bred with Those Who Came Before.  

== Confirmed Artifacts ==
(T) = A Templar/worked with Templars
(A) = Assassin/Worked With Assassins
(!)= Confirmed Assassinated by the Assassins

'''01: The First Apple:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.

'''Status:''' Most likely destroyed, but no confirmation.

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, Adam/Eve, Abel, Cain, Al Mualim(A)(T)(!), Altair(A), Ezio(A), Unknown, Napoleon(T), Unknown, Houdini, Templars.

'''02: The Second Apple:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.

'''Status:''' Caught in an explosive satellite malfunction. Most likely survived, but impossible to retrieve in the darkness of space; see the AC1 emails.

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, Unknown, Queen "Bloody" Mary I of England(T)(!), Queen Elizabeth I of England, Unknown, Gandhi, Templars.

'''03: The Third Apple:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.

'''Status:''' Unknown

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson(T)

'''04: The Fourth Apple:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff. Possibly helped in the development of weapons and technology throughout the centuries.

'''Status:''' Unknown

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, "The Invention of Gunpowder", Nikola Tesla(A), Thomas Edison(T), Henry Ford(T), Adolf Hitler(T)(!), Assassins.

'''05: The Fifth Apple:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.

'''Status:''' Unknown

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, NASA(T).

'''25: The Sword:''' Designed to possibly cut through anything and block any attack. It also probably "passed" along an immense knowledge of combat tactics to the wielder, allowing them to take on entire armies. It's said that Attila the Hun's sword had an attack called the "Scourge of Mars". It was so terrifying that none dared to speak of the details...if there were any that survived it, that is. So it's also possible that with a single stroke, it can carve down hundreds of men.

'''Status:''' Unknown

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, Perseus, Alexander the Great(T)(!), Attila the Hun(T), King Arthur, Sigurd, Genghis Kahn(T)(!), Joan of Arc, Templars.

'''34: The Staff:''' Designed to control men's minds and bodies; it has a spot in the headpiece where an Apple of Eden can placed to enhance the mind control powers.

'''Status:''' Destroyed in the Tunguska Incident.

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, Egyptian Pharaohs, Moses, Alexander the Great(T)(!), Saint Peter, Rodrigo Borgia(T), Ezio(A), Unknown, Czar Nicholas II, Rasputin(T)(!).

'''66: The Shroud:''' Unknown, possibly allowed the resurrection of the dead, able to heal any ailment. The Templars were behind the crucifixion of Christ, allowing them to steal the artifact, although his disciples. The Shroud appears to be red in color, with a "golden layer" woven on the inside, most likely the golden layer is the "technological part" of the artifact. Altaïr mentions a Golden Fleece in a codex page concerning his set of armor, suggesting he had woven it into his armor. This could very well be possible, as he had access to the locations of the Pieces of Eden.

'''Status:''' Unknown

'''Owners:''' Those Who Came Before, Joseph, David, Altaïr(A).

== Locations of the Artifacts ==
[[File:Codexmap.jpg|thumb|the Codex Map]]
According to the Codex Map there are exactly 48 Pieces of Eden remaining in the world. Here are the proposed locations of each in no particular order. One was located on the moon, but a different one may have been destroyed in a satellite incident and the staff was destroyed. Not every location seems to hold some kind of historical value to the world, that is because the Templars already have some and they are being held at their facilities, which is why some seem so out of place. The same can possibly also be said about the Assassins, although it's not likely since Lucy said there was so few of them and they are losing the war so far.

#Giza, Egypt (home of the pyramids, Sphinx, and the many tombs near them)
#Lake Victoria, Africa, more on the Kenyan side
#The Gambia River, Gambia (This is one of the three stops that was part of the slave trade route, 3 million slaves were sent to Europe and the Americas from this spot for 3 centuries, it would make sense if the Templars had used a Piece of Eden on them to make a profit)
#Timbuktu, Mali (center of the Mali Empire and of Saharan trade)
#Taza, Morocco
#Canary Islands, Spain
#The Southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, curiously near the volcano of Opala
#Odessa, Ukraine
#Kharkiv, Ukraine (First capital of Soviet Ukraine, site of WWII battles)
#Rennes-le-Château, France (this is a major site for modern day Templar legends, featured in the Da Vinci Code, it was the supposed origin point of a group called the Priory of Sion)
#Salisbury Plain, England (The Sword?) (This was supposedly the plain where King Arthur died. Before doing so he asked a squire to take him to the lake that belonged to the Lady of the Lake, where he threw the sword in and she caught it before it even touched the water, then took it back down where it supposedly rests to this day.)
#Loch Ness, Scotland
#Maroantsetra, Madagascar or somewhere in Toamasina Province
#Nara, Japan (Isonokami Shrine outside of Nara City is home to one of the three national treasures of Japan, the Kusunagi, a mythical sword that was supposedly used by the sea and storm god Susanoo to kill the demon serpent, Yamata no Orochi. Supposedly the sword can cut through anything, and can even create wind blasts if swung through the air. The Shinto priests who keep the shrine absolutely refuse to let anyone see or examine their treasure, allowing only the Emperor of Japan to know of it's existence.)
#Somewhere close to Goodhouse, South Africa, near the border between South Africa and Namibia, possibly Augrabies National Park.
#Kuwait or more likely Al Basrah, Iraq, which has been claimed to be the location of the Garden of Eden
#Delhi, India or the Taj Mahal in India, just a short distance south of Delhi, could also be Varanasi, a holy place
#Persepolis, now modern day Shiraz, Iran (This is where leaders like Darius and Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, Xerxes was killed by the first ever hidden blade used by an Assassin.)
#Jerusalem, Israel - (The Apple #1)
#Somewhere in the jungle near the southern border of Colombia, South America; around the area of the Igara Paranda River
#Nazca, Perú - site of the Nazca Lines (The Crystal Skulls?)
#Colombo, Sri Lanka
#Hellissandur, Iceland, could be Snaefellsjokull Volcano
#The area of Sabiene Island, Nunavut, Canada (it's really hard to tell with this one because the map blurs out which peninsula or island it could be on, but basically it is somewhere in the bay where Sabiene Island is, or along the coast of it in that area)or around King William Island
#Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere outside the city, possibly the Grand Canyon (supposedly near Phoenix is the Superstition Mountains, which is supposedly home to the Lost Dutchman's Mine, a gold mine that is supposedly tremendously rich)
#Washington D.C. (possible locations include the White House, the Washington Monument, the Capital building, although there are probably many others) 
#Juneau, Alaska 
#An area close to Pulau Ratewo, Papua Province, Indonesia
#The middle of the South Pacific Ocean, near the Pitcairn Islands or possibly even Easter Island
#The Pacific Ocean, close to the coast of Mexico
#The South Pacific Ocean, close to the Assassin's temple located at 91 degrees W (possibly related to Cthulthu or the underwater bloop sound recorded in the area in 1997)
#The middle of the northern Atlantic Ocean, in an area where it was believed that Atlantis was believed to have existed
#The Atlantic Ocean, a few hundred miles off the coast of Brazil
#The Antartic Ocean, on the side of Antarctica facing up towards the Atlantic, somewhere east of South Georgia Island
#The Indian Ocean, almost cross sectioned with the tips of Inda, Africa and the Southwestern tip of Australia, near Ile Amsterdam
#The Antartic Ocean, the side of the Antarctic ocean that faces up towards the Indian Ocean, around French Southern and Antarctic Lands
#Archangel, Russia
#Imperatriz, Brazil, south of Belem
#Barrow, Alaska
#La Rioja, Argentina or possibly Cordoba
#An area close to Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia or near Brisbane
#An area around South Cross, in Western Australia
#Somewhere in the middle of the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia (possibly Lake Toba)
#Beijing, China
#Somewhere in the Altai Mountains in southwestern Mongolia
#Somewhere along the northern Coast of Chukotka province, Russia, near Lake Elgygytgyn
#An area close to Tiksi, Russia near the Lena river delta

== Possible Artifacts and their Functions; Temple locations==
These artifacts are based on the locations given in Assassin's Creed, and the clues and hints found in all the games.

*The Holy Grail: Although the Templars doubt its existence as a Biblical artifact, it could prove to be real. Possible Functions: Grants eternal life, among other things. Possible owners: Jesus.
*The Crystal Skulls: Quartz skulls found in Ancient Temples. Telepathic Communication. Currently possessed by the Templars, possibly found near the Nazca Lines. There are more than two, although the number is unknown at this time, but it's possible there could be at least 13.
*The "Philadelphia Experiment" artifact: Time travel, said to have been lost in the failed experiment. According to reports, a Navy destroyer ship disappeared for a few minutes, supposedly having traveled to the future. When it reappeared and was searched, most of the men were gone or they were there but dead, with pieces of their bodies melted into the metal of the ship. According to the email in the first AC, it was locked away in a safe location, and curiously, on the Codex map it shows a dot in the middle of the Nevada desert...in Area 51?
*The Golden Fleece: A seemingly weightless and indestructible piece of armor or cloak. In his [[Codex]], Altair speculates that it could have truly existed and was actually made of a unique metal compound he had discovered how to create using knowledge contained within the Apple. Shortly after creating his set of armour with the metal, Altair destroyed anything that could lead to its discovery or creation, fearing the knowledge could one day fall into the hands of the Templars. Possible Owners: Jason of the Argonauts
*The Spear of Destiny or Holy Lance: Said to protect its user from death, but causes instant death when lost. Also it's possible that when thrown it can never miss it's target and can't be stopped in mid-flight. Supposedly pierced the side of Christ at his crucifixion, although apochryphally the man who pierced Christ was said to live forever, until he found out and killed himself with the spear. Possible Owners: Longinus, Constantine, Charlemagne and other Holy Roman Emperors
*The Philosopher's Stone: Turn any substance into pure gold. Possibly what started the gold rush in Coloma, California.

There are 8 locations of Temples mentioned by Minerva that could possibly help save the human race, and more than likely where Desmond and the other modern day Assassins will be heading in the third AC game.

*New York City, NY, USA; possible locations include the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Library, Madison Square Garden, etc. It's hard to determine because New York city has a huge underground network system, it could be hiding in plain sight, or it could be so far down that no one could possibly have seen it, able to rise up from the earth at will and just hasn't for thousands of years.
*The Galapagos Islands[[File:Codexmapcopy.jpg|thumb|This symbol matches the one projected by the Staff when Ezio opens the Vault, all the points at the other temple locations]]
*Somewhere in the middle of the country of Cameroon, Africa; Cameroon is literally in the heart of Africa, covered in dense jungle, it would be completely possible to hide a temple in it and never see it from the sky above.
*Somewhere in the Badain Jaran Desert in China.
*Somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean, parallel to the one on the Galapagos Islands. Possible coordinates are S 44 degrees, W 91 degrees (the west part is the longitude that the Galapagos islands are located on)
*Hidden in the fjords in Northern Norway, possibly close to the peninsula/islands Lofoten, Norway.
*Somewhere in the middle of the island of Java, Indonesia. (Possibly Borobudur Temple, the largest Hindu Temple in the world)
*Somewhere in the ocean south of the southeastern tip of Australia.

All the temple locations are parallel to each other, first appearing in a curved row of three, a row of two to make the parallel fold across the map, and then a curved row of three again.

Things the Pieces of Eden share in common:

*If any one of these pieces were to be destroyed, like the Piece of Eden involved in the Tunguska Explosion, they would cause explosions similar to nuclear blasts, at least enough to level a major city. It's even been shown that at least one of these things were part of the Manhattan project in one of the glyphs left behind by Subject 16.
*It's highly possible that The Ones that Came Before had mastered all forms of technology, including controlled nuclear fusion which is another reason these things still have power to them even after thousands of years of being used throughout human history, and another reason for the blast theory above.
*It is possible, but very slim, that through their advanced technology, the Pieces of Eden are omni-synched: synchronized to each other throughout time and locations of where they are on the planet. It would explain why the one Apple shows the location of the remaining 46 pieces on the map shown to Altair, not showing the one lost in the satelite incident or the one lost in the Tunguska incident.

== Notes ==
It may be interesting to note that in Assassin's Creed, Al Mualim and Robert De Sable both want to use the Apple of Eden to control the population and enforce peace. But as the Templars continue to thrive, they seem obsessed with power. Rodrigo Borgia, the Spaniard, comes into possession of the Staff. Instead of using it to forcefully control his followers, he seems to desire it only for the power it brings him. (He is seen leading his congregation in prayer; if he controlled their minds, they would stand around like sheep. There would be no reason to pray.) He also talks of killing God solely for the power it will bring him. While the Templars first sought the Pieces of Eden in a quest for peace, they were corrupted and seem now to only desire power.

It should be noted that every major historical event or scientific discovery has been attributed to its catalysts having in their possession a Piece of Eden. As seen in the sections above, the Pieces are all at the heart of history. For example, Edison made his invention while he has the Apple of Eden in his possession. It is also known that Lee Harvey Oswald, as well as his co-conspirators, is mentioned in a letter discussing who will receive a Piece of Eden next.

It is stated in one of the Codex pages that a Piece of Eden can not be destroyed, however this could just be due to the lack of sufficient technology in the middle ages when the Codex was written. It is stated in a letter to Tesla (part of the Truth Video unlock events) that when the sender of the letter finds the Piece of Eden they are looking for, can he use his mastery of electricity to permanently destroy the Piece of Eden. Unfortunately, this resulted in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunguska_event Tunguska Explosion]. However, curiously on the Codex map, near the area of Magadan Oblast, Russia, there is a black dot that is discernable from the red outline. It's possible that that the explosion that had about 10 megatons of explosive power, could have sent the Staff miles away from Tunguska, and possibly is black because it is simply shut down, although the majority of the Templars and Assassins believe it to be destroyed.

In the 18th glyph, it's discovered how far the Ones Who Came Before went to try and control the human race. The neurotransmitter that the two doctors found in our brains that seems to have no apparent purpose, but was recieved through human evolution, was placed there by the Ones so that the Pieces of Eden would work on humans. If they hadn't of done so, the Pieces of Eden would never have had any affect on anyone, at least the ones that cause illusions.

One of the Pieces of Eden, the Shroud, is said to be able to resurrect those from death. So it may be interesting to see if Desmond and the Assassins use it in a way to resurrect the great Assassins from Ezio's villa.

== Trivia ==
*Thanks to the glyphs, a number of legends were proven to be real in a way, thanks to the P.O.E. Here are a few:
**The Greek Myth of Perseus.
**King Arthur existed as he had in the legends about him and not just the way historians think he did.
*It is interesting and odd that [[Ezio]] always has the Apple of Eden with him in the final memory of ''Assassin's Creed 2''. Even though [[Rodrigo Borgia]] took the Apple from him in the first battle and put it in the Staff, it is still seen on his belt and he has it while talking to [[Minerva]], despite never taking it back.
*During the battle against Rodrigo in the chapel Sixtine, Ezio creates "clones" much like Al Mualim did against Altaïr. If Ezio is [[Customization|customized]], the other Ezio will be dyed with different colors and equipped with armors whereas when he is not customized at all, Ezio's clones will be perfectly identical to the real Ezio.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piece Of Eden}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Series]]

Maria Thorpe

2010-01-02T01:13:55Z

174.1.66.172: /* Assassin's Creed II */

{{spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Maria Thorpe
|image = Zw-maria-ac2-2.png
|imgdesc = Maria in ''Assassin's Creed II''
|faction = [[Templars]], [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period = Third Crusade
|voice = [[Eleanor Noble]]
}}

'''Maria Thorpe''' was a British woman who impersonated one of [[Altaïr]]'s assassination targets, [[Knights Templar|Templar]] Leader, [[Robert de Sable]]. She is also an ancestor of [[Desmond Miles]], after she bore a child with [[Altaïr]]. She is voiced by [[Eleanor Noble]].

=== Assassin's Creed ===

[[File:Unknowntemplar.gif|left|thumb|300px|Altaïr confronts Maria after defeating her; this is where he learns her true identity.]]
Robert foresees his assassination. Eight of his comrades are dead. Sure his assassination is planned to occur at an outdoor event in Jerusalem, he leaves Maria to impersonate him and flees to [[Arsuf]]. Sure enough, [[Altaïr]] comes, and a great swordfight ensues. Maria, impersonating Robert, is a surprisingly excellent fighter, but Altaïr defeats her. When he realizes that it is not Robert, but a woman, he spares her life and hurries to Arsuf to finish Robert once and for all. What happens to her afterwards is unknown.

=== Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines ===
She is confronted after the assault on the harbour in [[Acre]] by Altaïr, where they engage in another sword fight but Altaïr decides to spare her life again. He interrogates her about the Templars plan for Cyprus. Altaïr takes Maria prisoner and they discuss the current turmoil in Cyprus with another assassin.

She travels to [[Limassol]] with Altaïr, where they meet up with the assassin contact on Cyprus and she is referred to as "Robert de Sable's girl". She is then escorted to Resistance safe house. Whilst on a ship, Altaïr notices a ring on Maria's ring finger and asks her about it and that the ring is revealed to be a gift that Robert de Sable had given to her when he took her under his wing. Altaïr then convinces Maria that the Templar view is wrong and she agreed with him.

Maria escapes from Altaïr in docks in Kyrenia, where he cuts her bonds and she kicks Altaïr down the ladder and escapes. She is found by Altaïr at the harbor, where she was being attacked by Templars along with a man named Markos, Altaïr helps the two in trouble. Maria is questioned about a man called "the bull" - Maria calls him Moloch. Maria and the assassins inside the Kyernia safe house were taken prisoner, but when Altaïr comes to rescue her, he is told that Moloch's son Shalim has taken Maria away.

Maria escapes for Shalim, and is found at the harbour again by Altaïr, disguised as a consort and about to sneak into a palanquin headed for St. Hilarion castle. She confronts Shahar in his private room and confronts him about the Templars plan for the "Apple of Eden". As Altaïr enters the room, Shahar invites Shalim into the fight and Maria flees, killing two guards trying to stop her. Altaïr and Maria are side by side faced against the two brothers, as Altaïr says "Two of them... Two of us", Maria laughs and flees.

While Altaïr shows the Mysterious Templar Warrior the Apple of Eden, the warrior lunges for Altaïr and he then pulls his sword and Maria pushes Altaïr's sword into the warrior. She then speaks to Altaïr about the Apple of Eden and she describes how she thinks that his hands are not the right ones. A Templar ambush takes place and she tries to lead him up the stairs but instead he is fighting the waves of Templars. After fighting them he runs up the stairs and exits through the hidden door, followed by Maria.

When she enters the Templar Archives she starts fighting Armand Bouchart, the Grand Master of the Order of Templars. Altaïr intercepts the fight as Maria is sent flying by Bouchart, knocking her unconscious. They both have to escape the archives as they fall fast. Altaïr helps her up to the top ledge as they both escape the archives. She then tells him that she no longer wants to be part of the Templars and does not wish to return to England and will go to somewhere in the East. During Altair's last journal entry it is revealed that he had decided to travel with her.

=== Assassin's Creed II ===
{{quote
|1 = Whoa... Alright, wasn't expecting that...
|2 = [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] after watching [[Altaïr]] kiss [[Maria]]
}}

[[File:Zw-altairandmaria.png|thumb|200px|Maria and [[Altair]] in Assassin's Creed 2]]
In Assassin's Creed II, it is revealed that she was involved with Altaïr after the events of the first game, giving him a child. It was not made clear at that point whether it was a girl or a boy, but along with Maria, this child is one of Desmond's ancestors. However, from the Codex of Altaïr, it is mentioned that Maria and Altaïr have two sons, and at some point in their life, attempt to assassinate Genghis Khan.

Additionally, the second time the player controls Desmond, the bleeding effect causes him to have a dream in which the player controls Altaïr chasing after a woman. The two meet atop a high tower in Acre, where the woman removes her hood and reveals herself to be Maria. She smirks and suggestively beckons Altaïr with her finger to come closer. He complies and they kiss, with the camera panning out as it gets more heated. It zooms back in with the two lying together in a pile of hay; Altaïr then kisses Maria's forehead and jumps from the tower, though not before Desmond realizes that Maria just became his distant grandmother with that encounter.

Also revealed was that the child conceived during that encounter was the next ancestor of Desmond Miles. This means that no more memories can be seen through Altaïr or Maria after this point because the child would not be able to store the memories that happened after it was conceived.

== Characteristics and personality ==
Maria is an ancestor to Desmond Miles, and had two sons with Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. She was a part of the Templar order and could probably be a daughter of Robert de Sable. She was very high in the Templar ranks because of her relationship with Robert but after the assassination of Robert her rank dropped and she was not allowed to travel to Cyprus with the Templars.

==Final Words==

Altaïr: ''I would see your eyes before you die''.

(Altaïr rips off the helm, only to see Maria's face).

Maria: ''I sense you expected someone else.''

Altaïr: ''What sorcery is this!?''

Maria: ''No sorcery: we knew you'd come. Robert needed to be sure he'd have time to get away''.

Altaïr: ''So he flees!?''

Maria: ''We cannot deny your success. You have laid waste to our plans: first, the [[Piece of Eden|treasure]], then our men. Control of the Holy Land slipped away, but then he saw an opportunity, to reclaim what has been stolen, to turn your victories to our advantage!''

Altaïr: ''[[Al Mualim]] still holds your treasure, and we've routed your army before! Whatever Robert plans, he'll fail again!''

Maria: ''Ah, but it's not just Templars you'll contend with now!''

Altaïr: ''Speak sense!''

Maria: ''Robert rides for [[Arsuf]] to plead his case, that [[Saracens|Saracen]] and [[Crusaders|Crusader]] unite...against the [[Assassins]]!''

Altaïr: ''That will never happen! They have no reason to!''

Maria: ''Had, perhaps. But now you've given them one: nine, in fact. The bodies you've left behind, victims on both sides. You've made the Assassins an enemy in common and ensured the annihilation of your entire order! Well done!''

Altaïr: ''Not nine, eight''.

Maria (confused): ''What do you mean?''

Altaïr: ''You are not my target. I will not take your life. You're free to go, but do not follow me!''

Maria: ''I don't need to. You're already too late!''

Altaïr: ''We'll see.''

==Model==
Maria is likely based on [[wikipedia:Marguerite de Sablé|Marguerite de Sablé]], the daughter of Robert de Sable and Clemence de Mayenne, born before Robert's promotion to Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

== Trivia ==

*If players connect the PS3 version of Assassin's Creed II with the PSP game Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, the weapons of the defeated bosses in Bloodlines will appear at the Auditore Family Villa. Maria's weapon is labeled as "Maria Thorpe's Longsword." This is the first mention of her surname.

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Templars|Thorpe, Maria]]

Maria Thorpe

2010-01-02T01:09:06Z

174.1.66.172: /* Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines */

{{spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Maria Thorpe
|image = Zw-maria-ac2-2.png
|imgdesc = Maria in ''Assassin's Creed II''
|faction = [[Templars]], [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period = Third Crusade
|voice = [[Eleanor Noble]]
}}

'''Maria Thorpe''' was a British woman who impersonated one of [[Altaïr]]'s assassination targets, [[Knights Templar|Templar]] Leader, [[Robert de Sable]]. She is also an ancestor of [[Desmond Miles]], after she bore a child with [[Altaïr]]. She is voiced by [[Eleanor Noble]].

=== Assassin's Creed ===

[[File:Unknowntemplar.gif|left|thumb|300px|Altaïr confronts Maria after defeating her; this is where he learns her true identity.]]
Robert foresees his assassination. Eight of his comrades are dead. Sure his assassination is planned to occur at an outdoor event in Jerusalem, he leaves Maria to impersonate him and flees to [[Arsuf]]. Sure enough, [[Altaïr]] comes, and a great swordfight ensues. Maria, impersonating Robert, is a surprisingly excellent fighter, but Altaïr defeats her. When he realizes that it is not Robert, but a woman, he spares her life and hurries to Arsuf to finish Robert once and for all. What happens to her afterwards is unknown.

=== Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines ===
She is confronted after the assault on the harbour in [[Acre]] by Altaïr, where they engage in another sword fight but Altaïr decides to spare her life again. He interrogates her about the Templars plan for Cyprus. Altaïr takes Maria prisoner and they discuss the current turmoil in Cyprus with another assassin.

She travels to [[Limassol]] with Altaïr, where they meet up with the assassin contact on Cyprus and she is referred to as "Robert de Sable's girl". She is then escorted to Resistance safe house. Whilst on a ship, Altaïr notices a ring on Maria's ring finger and asks her about it and that the ring is revealed to be a gift that Robert de Sable had given to her when he took her under his wing. Altaïr then convinces Maria that the Templar view is wrong and she agreed with him.

Maria escapes from Altaïr in docks in Kyrenia, where he cuts her bonds and she kicks Altaïr down the ladder and escapes. She is found by Altaïr at the harbor, where she was being attacked by Templars along with a man named Markos, Altaïr helps the two in trouble. Maria is questioned about a man called "the bull" - Maria calls him Moloch. Maria and the assassins inside the Kyernia safe house were taken prisoner, but when Altaïr comes to rescue her, he is told that Moloch's son Shalim has taken Maria away.

Maria escapes for Shalim, and is found at the harbour again by Altaïr, disguised as a consort and about to sneak into a palanquin headed for St. Hilarion castle. She confronts Shahar in his private room and confronts him about the Templars plan for the "Apple of Eden". As Altaïr enters the room, Shahar invites Shalim into the fight and Maria flees, killing two guards trying to stop her. Altaïr and Maria are side by side faced against the two brothers, as Altaïr says "Two of them... Two of us", Maria laughs and flees.

While Altaïr shows the Mysterious Templar Warrior the Apple of Eden, the warrior lunges for Altaïr and he then pulls his sword and Maria pushes Altaïr's sword into the warrior. She then speaks to Altaïr about the Apple of Eden and she describes how she thinks that his hands are not the right ones. A Templar ambush takes place and she tries to lead him up the stairs but instead he is fighting the waves of Templars. After fighting them he runs up the stairs and exits through the hidden door, followed by Maria.

When she enters the Templar Archives she starts fighting Armand Bouchart, the Grand Master of the Order of Templars. Altaïr intercepts the fight as Maria is sent flying by Bouchart, knocking her unconscious. They both have to escape the archives as they fall fast. Altaïr helps her up to the top ledge as they both escape the archives. She then tells him that she no longer wants to be part of the Templars and does not wish to return to England and will go to somewhere in the East. During Altair's last journal entry it is revealed that he had decided to travel with her.

=== Assassin's Creed II ===
{{quote
|1 = Whoa... Alright, wasn't expecting that...
|2 = [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] after watching [[Altaïr]] kiss Maria
}}

[[File:Zw-altairandmaria.png|thumb|200px|Maria and [[Altair]] in Assassin's Creed 2]]
In Assassin's Creed II, it is revealed that she was involved with Altaïr after the events of the first game, giving him a child. It was not made clear at that point whether it was a girl or a boy, but along with Maria, this child is one of Desmond's ancestors. However, from the Codex of Altaïr, it is mentioned that Maria and Altaïr have two sons, and at some point in their life, attempt to assassinate Genghis Khan.

Additionally, the second time the player controls Desmond, the bleeding effect causes him to have a dream in which the player controls Altaïr chasing after a woman. The two meet atop a high tower in Acre, where the woman removes her hood and reveals herself to be Maria. She smirks and suggestively beckons Altaïr with her finger to come closer. He complies and they kiss, with the camera panning out as it gets more heated. It zooms back in with the two lying together in a pile of hay; Altaïr then kisses Maria's forehead and jumps from the tower, though not before Desmond realizes that Maria just became his distant grandmother with that encounter.

Also revealed was that the child conceived during that encounter was the next ancestor of Desmond Miles. This means that no more memories can be seen through Altaïr or Maria after this point because the child would not be able to store the memories that happened after it was conceived.

== Characteristics and personality ==
Maria is an ancestor to Desmond Miles, and had two sons with Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. She was a part of the Templar order and could probably be a daughter of Robert de Sable. She was very high in the Templar ranks because of her relationship with Robert but after the assassination of Robert her rank dropped and she was not allowed to travel to Cyprus with the Templars.

==Final Words==

Altaïr: ''I would see your eyes before you die''.

(Altaïr rips off the helm, only to see Maria's face).

Maria: ''I sense you expected someone else.''

Altaïr: ''What sorcery is this!?''

Maria: ''No sorcery: we knew you'd come. Robert needed to be sure he'd have time to get away''.

Altaïr: ''So he flees!?''

Maria: ''We cannot deny your success. You have laid waste to our plans: first, the [[Piece of Eden|treasure]], then our men. Control of the Holy Land slipped away, but then he saw an opportunity, to reclaim what has been stolen, to turn your victories to our advantage!''

Altaïr: ''[[Al Mualim]] still holds your treasure, and we've routed your army before! Whatever Robert plans, he'll fail again!''

Maria: ''Ah, but it's not just Templars you'll contend with now!''

Altaïr: ''Speak sense!''

Maria: ''Robert rides for [[Arsuf]] to plead his case, that [[Saracens|Saracen]] and [[Crusaders|Crusader]] unite...against the [[Assassins]]!''

Altaïr: ''That will never happen! They have no reason to!''

Maria: ''Had, perhaps. But now you've given them one: nine, in fact. The bodies you've left behind, victims on both sides. You've made the Assassins an enemy in common and ensured the annihilation of your entire order! Well done!''

Altaïr: ''Not nine, eight''.

Maria (confused): ''What do you mean?''

Altaïr: ''You are not my target. I will not take your life. You're free to go, but do not follow me!''

Maria: ''I don't need to. You're already too late!''

Altaïr: ''We'll see.''

==Model==
Maria is likely based on [[wikipedia:Marguerite de Sablé|Marguerite de Sablé]], the daughter of Robert de Sable and Clemence de Mayenne, born before Robert's promotion to Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

== Trivia ==

*If players connect the PS3 version of Assassin's Creed II with the PSP game Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, the weapons of the defeated bosses in Bloodlines will appear at the Auditore Family Villa. Maria's weapon is labeled as "Maria Thorpe's Longsword." This is the first mention of her surname.

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Thorpe, Maria]]
[[Category:Templars|Thorpe, Maria]]

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines

2010-01-02T01:06:49Z

174.1.66.172: /* Enemies */

{{spoilerhd}}
{{imageneed}}

{{Game Infobox
|name = Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
|image = Bloodlines.jpg
|Developer = Griptonite Games
|Publisher = Ubisoft
|US Date Released = 19 November 2009
|UK Date Released = 19 November 2009
|Genre = Historic Action-Adventure
|Game modes = Single-Player
|ESRB = Mature (M)
|Platform = PSP
|Website = http://assassinscreed.us.ubi.com/
|Media = UMD, PSN download
}}

'''''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines''''' is a game that will be released exclusively for the PSP. It was announced at the E3 convention. In 'Bloodlines' the player plays again, as [[Altaïr|Altaïr Ibn La-Ahad]]. The gameplay will be much like [[Assassin's Creed|the first game]], but little about the story or any characters has been revealed as of yet. The events of this game will take place right after the first game. It will explain the missing link between [[Altaïr]], [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]] and [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]]. In [[Assassin's Creed II]] Ezio will find the codex of Altaïr to become an [[Assassin]]. This game will explain where it comes from. It will not only reveal more about Altaïr, but also more about Ezio, how he is born and other details.

==Story==

Altaïr discovers the Templars are heading for [[Cyprus]] and hunts down the ascending [[Templars]]. As the Templars withdraw from the Holy Land after Altaïr kills [[Robert De Sable|Robert de Sable]], the Assassin follows them to the island of Cyprus. Finding new allies and enemies, Altaïr helps the local resistance against the Templar occupation and strikes down the ascendant Templar commanders. Along the story Altaïr learns more about himself and the Apple of Eden, as well as the Templar's ways and means of power and peace.

{{Spoiler}}

===Memory Block 1===
The game opens with [[Altaïr]] leading an assault on a Templar harbor fortress in [[Acre]] where [[Templars]] are boarding ships headed West. Altaïr reaches a balcony overlooking the harbor and finds [[Maria]], the former right hand of [[Robert de Sable]] (and his female decoy from AC1), speaking with various Templar guards. Maria states she wishes to accompany the Templars to [[Cyprus]], but the Templars state this is not a good idea as [[Armand Bouchart]] is the new Grand Master of the Order of Templars and he does not hold Maria in high regard for some reason.

After her conversation with the Templars, Altaïr confronts Maria, and Maria asks Altaïr if he has now come to finish what he didn’t before. A battle ensues, in which Altaïr almost robs Maria of her life - but Altaïr decides to let Maria live a little longer. Altaïr interrogates Maria about the Templar's plans for [[Cyprus]]; Maria responds with a flippant joke: ’Everyone deserves a holiday..." She then warns Altaïr that the Templars will stop at nothing to recover the Apple of Eden from him. Unshaken, Altaïr takes Maria prisoner and discusses the current turmoil on [[Cyprus]] with a fellow assassin. After learning that King Richard has actually sold the entire island to the Templars, Altaïr is determined to get to the bottom of the Templar's schemes. He asks the assassin to send a message to their contacts on [[Cyprus]], informing them of Altaïr's immanent arrival.

'''Codex Scene 1: '''
Altaïr is at a large desk strewn with books writing an entry in his Codex. He writes that he does not know if the power the [[Piece of Eden|Apple of Eden]] holds is truly intended to be evil; but if this proves to be true, he hopes to have within him the power to destroy it.

===Memory Block 2===

Altaïr has travelled by boat to [[Limassol]] with Maria accompanying him as a ‘prisoner’. While traveling through the port, Altaïr is stopped by some men patrolling the waterfront. After Altaïr reveals himself to be an assassin, one of the men identifies himself as [[Alexander]], a member of the Cypriot resistance and the assassins' primary [[Cyprus]] contact. Alexander asks Altaïr about the woman he is with; Altaïr refers to her as "Robert De Sable's girl" and says he hopes to use Maria to lure the other Templars into the open. Alexander offers to escort Maria to the Resistance safe house and Altaïr agrees, giving him time to freely look around Limassol.

Eventually Altaïr reaches the Resistance safe house and learns from Alexander that the leader of the Limassol Templars is hidden inside the [[Limassol Castle]]. In order to have a chance at getting into the castle, Altaïr must assassinate the captain of the Templar Guards so that [[Osman]], a Templar working as a spy for the Resistance, can get a promotion within the ranks of the guards. Altaïr leaves the safe house and assassinates the Guard Captain, after which he returns to the safe house. Alexander gives Altaïr the mission to go speak with Osman, the spy within the Templar guard ranks and deliver a coded message: "Wish his grandmother a happy birthday - he will trust you then."

Altaïr reaches Osman without being detected and delivers him the message Alexander suggested. Osman laughs, praising his dearly departed grandmother, and tells Altaïr that he will reduce the castle watch so that the Templar guard leader [[Frederick The Red]] can be reached. Osman also tells Altaïr that the Templars have built an Archive of some kind on [[Cyprus]], and are using it to store weapons and information. After this brief meeting Altaïr heads back to the Resistance safe house to tell Alexander what he as learned, then sets out to infiltrate Limassol Castle.

Altaïr heads to Limassol Castle and infiltrates the castle, but is spotted by Fredrick the Red on the courtyard. A battle ensues, which ends in the death of Fredrick the Red. Altaïr escapes the castle and returns to the safe house. Upon entering the city Altaïr learns that the safe house of the Assassins is under attack. Altaïr fights a wave of Templars outside the safe house, and finds Maria has disappeared. He wonders if she has escaped or been captured. Altaïr manages to track her as far as the Cathedral square, where he finds the current Grand Master, Armand Bouchart surrounded by guards and berating the people of [[Cyprus]] for Fredrick the Red's murder. Maria suddenly appears, shouting Bouchart's name. Her hands still bound, Maria warns Bouchart that the assassin's have come to [[Cyprus]]. But Bouchart receives her coldly, and assumes that she is working Altaïr herself. Maria is furious at this suggestion, but before she can object, Bouchart has her arrested and hauled away.

Altaïr chooses to rescue Maria rather than follow Bouchart. He disposes of the guards holding her and in return suffers Maria's insults for being considered ‘a traitor’ by her fellow Templars. She warns Altaïr that she will kill him when she gets the chance. He responds by telling her that she will never find the Apple of Eden if he dies. They both then return to Alexander in order to speak about getting to Armand Bouchart. Alexander tells Altaïr that Armand Bouchart was the one who set the Resistance safe house on fire just before leaving for [[Kyrenia]] by boat. Alexander believes a friend of his, [[Pasha]], can help Altaïr find a way to travel to Kyrenia. Altaïr leaves Maria with Alexander to go look for Pasha by the docks.

Altaïr finds Pasha and asks him for the favor of travel to Kyrenia. Pasha makes no problem of this and also tells Altaïr the rumor that secret artifacts are being shipped by the Pirate Templars via the Grand Ship headed to Kyrenia. Altaïr leaves Pasha to investigate the Grand Ship, searches the entire boat and finds the ship's manifest. It is filled with obvious errors and distortions. Altaïr returns to Alexander and Maria.

Altaïr states he will head for Kyrenia. Alexander tells him to meet with Kyrenia's Resistance leader, Barnabas; he is a friend of Alexander’s and can surely help Altaïr. Altaïr says farewell to Alexander and leaves for Pasha’s boat with Maria in tow. Maria struggles in order to get free from Altaïr, but complies in the end.''' '''

'''Codex Scene 2:''' Altaïr writes that he does not know where the Pieces of Eden originally came from, but he is almost certain the Pieces are not of divine power. He feels the Artifacts were man-made in every way, modeled after the character of the humans and well handcrafted at the mercy of the beholder.

===Memory Block 3===

We find Altaïr and Maria inside the hull of the ship. Altaïr notices a ring around Maria’s finger and asks about it. Maria responds she got the ring from her former commander (and presumably lover) Robert de Sable, for the high rank she has obtained within the Templar Order. Altaïr then speaks to Maria of philosophy, eager to convince her that the [[Templar]] view of the world is a corrupt one. He speaks of the curious teachings of the Greek philosopher Empedocles, who preached a bizarre precursor to the theory of natural selection. He emphasizes the importance of free thought, and warns her that the Templars' plan for peace involves mental enslavement. Maria seems to somewhat agree with Altaïr on this subject, but remains reticent.

As the ship docks in Kyrenia, Altaïr and Maria stand make ready to climb the ladder to the ship’s deck. Altaïr cuts her bonds so that she may climb out, but when he is distracted by two combative pirates, Maria kicks Altaïr down the ladder and escapes. Altaïr deals with the pirates and escapes to Kyrenia's harbor. After a short while Altaïr finds Maria among several men who have just saved her from several angry pirates. The leader of the men introduces himself as [[Markos]] a low-ranking soldier in the Resistance. Altaïr asks Markos and his men if Maria can stay with them for the time being while Altaïr explores the land, to which Markos agrees.

Altaïr locates the Resistance Safe House in Kyrenia Commons and enters. He is greeted by a man who calls himself [[Barnabas]] and after a short chat with Altaïr, Barnabas tells Altaïr of [[Buffavento Castle]], where Armand Bouchart keeps his prisoners. It’s an old property the Templars seized from an earlier heiress. In order to help Altaïr, Barnabas ask him to perform a service for the Resistance. Altaïr needs to seek out [[Jonas]], a respectable merchant who Barnabas claims is a traitor.

Altaïr seeks out this man named Jonas, and interrogates him. Jonas speaks of a bounty put on Altaïr’s head and the head of his female "consort". This does not bode well for Altaïr, and Jonas’ disrespect causes Altaïr to take his life. Thereafter Altaïr rushes to the harbor to find Maria, who is currently being attacked by Templars along with Markos. Altaïr helps the two out of trouble, and Altaïr asks Markos to bring Maria to the Assassin’s safe house in Kyrenia. Markos complies. Before Altaïr leaves, he speaks with Maria about ‘The Bull’ - a man Maria calls [[Moloch]]. He would be the one behind their ambush. Altaïr then leaves to meet up with Barnabas and later meet everyone inside the Resistance safe house.

Once inside the safe house, Altaïr again speaks with Barnabas - apparently the death of Jonas has sparked riots throughout the city. Barnabas states it is necessary for Altaïr to murder the fanatics causing the riot, and Altaïr leaves does so. Upon returning to the safe house, he finds that Maria and Markos have arrived but Barnabas is nowhere to be found. Altaïr speaks with Maria about this man named Moloch - specifically about his location. Maria realizes she has said more than she should have and warns Altaïr not to duel him, for Altaïr would not survive. Altaïr does not think twice and infiltrates the [[Kantara Castle]] where Moloch is hidden, finds Moloch and tries to assassinate him. Moloch however, intercepts the assassin before he could strike and throws him to the ground. A battle ensues, in which the end Altaïr takes the life of Moloch. Altaïr then escapes the Castle of Kyrenia and safely returns to the Assassin’s safe house.''' '''

'''Codex Scene 3: '''Altaïr wonders why violence lives so heavily amongst people. Altaïr believes people could not live with one another, as man likes to kill each other over power. He believes the world is not made by the divine - to Altaïr the world seems the work of a madman.

===Memory Block 4===
Altaïr reaches the safe house and speaks with Markos, only to find everybody missing. Markos tells Altaïr the Templars came in and took Maria, as well as everybody else. Markos also speaks of a [[Dark Oracle]] from Buffavento castle who was mentioned by the Templars, but Altaïr believes Barnabas was behind the attack. Markos is confused by this suggestion and tells Altaïr that the resistance leader Barnabas was executed the day ''before'' Altaïr arrived in Kyernia. Clearly the Barnabas Altaïr met was an impostor, a [[Templar Agent]].

Markos then tells Altaïr the Templars are executing fellow Resistance soldiers in the marketplace. Altaïr rushes to the marketplace, prevents the execution and saves the soldiers. Back at the safe hosue Markos tells Altaïr that some Resistance members are still imprisoned. Altaïr locates and interrogates a prison guard, who tells Altaïr that there is only one Templar who holds the keys to the jail cells. Altaïr can find this Templar at the Crusader Outpost. Altaïr then takes the life of the Prison Guard.

Altaïr rushes to the Crusader Outpost, kills the guards, steals the keys to the cells and heads back to Kyrenia Harbor. Once inside the harbor, Altaïr fights his way to the cells and frees the prisoners, but Maria is not among them. The freed men say that Moloch’s son [[Shalim]] has taken Maria away in chains. Altaïr decides to speak with Markos about this. Upon returning to the safe house, both decide Altaïr should pay a visit to this Dark Oracle of which the Templars speak - for it seems Grand Templar Armand Bouchart knows every plan the Resistance has made.

Altaïr infiltrates Buffavento Castle in order to look for the Dark Oracle. He overhears Armand Bouchart and Shalim arguing over Maria’s escape - apparently Maria has slipped from Shalim's clutches. In addition, Armand Bouchart asks Shalim to send a message to Alexander in Limassol. Altaïr is shocked to learn that Alexander has been working with the Templars.

Altaïr descends further into the castle, only to find the Dark Oracle at the bottom. She attacks Altaïr, leaving him no choice but to battle with her and in the end, send her to god. Before the Dark Oracle loses her life, she babbles and cackles her devotion to her God’s will, and there is no undoing. After her death, Altaïr escapes the castle and heads back to the Assassin’s safe house.''' '''

'''Codex Scene 4: '''Altair wonders about [[Those Who Have Gone Before|Those Who Have Gone Before Us]]. “Who are they? What drove them? Are these so-called artifacts mere toys or were they created for a greater purpose?”.

===Memory Block 5===
Once back inside the safe house, Altaïr discusses Shalim’s position. Because Markos could not give much information about Shalim, Altaïr decides to track him down to learn more about the Templars and the Archive. He finds Shalim in the heart of Kyrenia, feasting on women while spending another’s coin. Altaïr first decides to assassinate the men Shalim is traveling with, after which he decides to assassinate all the duelists feasting on women as well. After all these assassinations, Altaïr returns to Markos for more information. Markos sends Altaïr to ask help form the local scholars, since Shalim’s lifestyle demand frequent confession rituals at the church. Altaïr then seeks out and speaks with a scholar about Salim’s confessions, only to find the scholar unable to speak about Shalim and the Archive in public, to which he asks Altaïr to return later.

Moloch's son suddenly interrupts the conversation by standing in the midst of the Crusader Outpost and speaking towards all passers-by. But this is not Shalim - it is Shahar, Shalim's twin, although neither we nor Altaïr are aware of this fact. Shahar is a much more level headed man, arguing very rationally for loyalty to the Templars. When Altaïr then goes to speak with the scholar a second time, the scholar is killed by falling wooden crates from above. When Altaïr looks around for the cause of this insult, he finds a mysterious, masked Templar warrior on the rooftops. Altaïr gives chase, but after a long pursuit the mysterious figure escapes from Altaïr and Altaïr is left looking for clues about the mysterious figure. He then finds Maria's ring when searching the last known position of the mysterious figure and decides it’s best to go speak with Markos.

Back at the Resistance safe house, Altaïr speaks with Markos of the twisted ways of the Templar’s doings and hopes to locate Shalim again. Markos mentions that Shalim can frequently be found in the harbor whenever ships full of lovely consorts arrive.

Altaïr reaches the harbor and finds Maria there, disguised as a consort herself and about to sneak into a palanquin headed for [[Saint Hilarion Castle]]. Altaïr decides to follow her in, but notes that the road ahead is full of Templars on the look out for both of them. Altaïr decides to clear the path, and quickly disposes of the guards along the road all the way to Saint Hilarion Castle. Upon entering the castle, the palaquin stops and Maria steps out. Two Templar Guards await her arrival and escort her inside the castle. Altaïr doesn’t hesitate a moment and finds a way inside the castle.

Once inside, Altaïr eventually finds the Great Hall. Meanwhile Maria sneaks into [[Shahar]]'s private room and confronts him about the Templars' wicked plans for the “Apple of Eden”. She asks Shahar if Templars would do ill with this artifact. Shahar states the Templars have no interest in liberty - just order, by any means. At this moment Altaïr busts in the room, apologizing for letting himself in. Shahar calls on his brother Shalim to join the fight. Maria escapes from Shahars clutches, killing two guards who try to stop her.
Altaïr and Maria now stand side by side, faced against Shalim and Shahir. Altaïr smiles: “Two of them.. and two of us”. Maria laughs at Altaïr and flees. The battle then ensues between Altaïr and the brothers Salim and Shahir, ending with both their lives taken. Altaïr then escapes from the castle and heads toward the safe house. Upon entering the safe house, Makros tells Altaïr that the Templar ships are leaving the harbor of Kyrenia. This leads Altaïr to believe that is [[Templar Archive]] is not Kyrenia, for surely they would not leave it unguarded. Since all the ships are headed back to Limassol, the Archive must be there. Altaïr departs with kind words.

'''Codex Scene 5: '''Altaïr reminisces about his former leader, [[Al Mualim]], and how his leader had betrayed him using the Apple of Eden, just because one single piece of doubt was in Altaïr’s mind. Luckily, he states, he was able to embrace the truth in his his mind and set him free of doubt and disbelief.

===Memory Block 6===
Altaïr is back on Limassol, as he and Markos thought the Templar Archive ought to be there. Altaïr heads to the Resistance Safe House in Limassol to start an argument with Alexander. They both accuse each other of treachery, until Alexander reveals the contents of the message the Bouchart sent him from Kyrenia; the head of the real Barnabas in a sack. Altaïr despises this, and tells Alexander this was not the man who met with him in Kyrenia. Additionally, Alexander tells tales of how Templars have been murdering and pillaging around the city of Limassol while Altaïr was away. Additionally false reports of Altaïr’s alleged treachery (the death of Jonas) spread fast, and many Resistance leaders have since turned against Altaïr.

Altaïr wants the heads of those responsible for the murders and pillages, and heads out to the marketplace, where he fights and kills the Templar Duelist Captain. He then heads to the Templar pirate ship in the harbor and slays its [[Pirate Captain|captain]]. Finally Altaïr heads for the new Templar Captain in the Limassol Cathedral Square. Altaïr starts a fight with the man and in the end, takes his life as payment.

Altaïr learns of recent murders in the ports, and interrogates the Port Watchman to find out what happened. The man states he does not know, but his men were killed last night while a Templar Captain had the watch over the port. The Templar Captain is presumably praying over at the Cathedral, and Altaïr sends out to find this man. Upon finding the Templar he flees, sending multiple waves of Templars. Altaïr slays them all, interrogates the Templar Captain and find his answers lie with a man named [[Demetris]], a rich tailor in the marketplace. Altaïr then assassinates the Templar Captain and heads for Demetris.

Upon entering Demetris’s house, he finds Demetris surrounded by women. Altaïr confronts Demetris, accusing the merchant of accepting bribes to sneak Bouchart back into Limassol. Demetris claims to know nothing about this. Altaïr puts more pressure on Demetris to speak truthfully, but the merchant is killed by a throwing knife in the back. Altaïr tries to follow, only to again find the mysterious Templar standing up and speeding away. Altaïr climbs to the roof as fast as he could, but the mysterious Templar warrior is already gone. Altaïr decides it’s best to speak with Alexander at this point and returns to the Resistance safe house.

But upon entering the safe house, Altaïr does not find Alexander. Instead, Altaïr finds a note left by Alexander, stating that he has a plan and needs Altaïr to come to the courtyard inside the Limassol Castle. Altaïr then rushes to the Limassol Castle, but reminds himself to stay cautious. After passing through the gates of Limassol Castle, he finds Alexander's lifeless body laying in the middle of the courtyard.

The mysterious Templar warrior appears, unmasked, and speaks to Altaïr as if he was already a dead man. This is the same man who previously named himself as Barnabas: the [[Templar Agent]]. Suddenly, the townspeople of Limassol breach the castle gate. They are hunting for Altaïr. As the rioting mob closes in Altaïr pulls the Apple of Eden from his belt and activates it. He tells them that they have been lied to and that they must rally their soldiers against the Templars so that [[Cyprus]] can be theirs once more. The people stand in confusion and hypnosis, and exit. The Templar above is quite pleased to find the Apple of Eden so close, and intends to claim it. But before he can attack Altaïr, the steel tip of a sword bursts through his chest, pushed by Maria’s hand. The mysterious Templar Agent falls thirty feet to the courtyard floor, dead.

Maria speaks to Altaïr about the Apple of Eden as well, as Altaïr warns that it is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. Maria remarks that she does not know if Altaïr hands are the ‘right hands’ as well. At that moment a Templar ambush appears at the courtyard, and Maria orders Altaïr to follow her up the stairs. However, Altaïr is already closed in and has to fight waves and waves of Templars. After fighting endless waves of Templars, Altaïr runs up the stairs and passes through the hidden door inside the wall he had previously seen Maria escape through.

===Memory Block 7===
Altaïr now suddenly finds himself inside the Templar Archive, hidden well under the Limassol Castle. His final mission is to assassinate Armand Bouchart, the Grand Master of the Order of Templars. Altaïr fights through the entire Templar Archive, and finds Maria already fighting with Armand Bouchart. Armand is a skillful fighter and sends Maria flying across the room just as Altaïr intercepts them. Altaïr confronts Armand Bouchart, who spins a tale about the Archive, claiming it had been the best kept secret on [[Cyprus]] for many decades. Unfortunately, the former Cypriot Emperor [[Isaac Comnenus]] had been a foolish man and through his idiocy forfeited the island to King Richard. Fearing the Archives would be discovered by the English king, the Templars purchased the island from him - an island they basically controlled for free under Comnenus's rule. But that time has passed and the Templars have moved on. While Altaïr was in Kyrenia, the Templars managed to empty the Archive of all artifacts and ship them elsewhere. Armand Bouchart states Altaïr must instead be left behind. A battle ensues.

After a cruel and skillful battle, Altaïr stabs and plunges Armand Bouchart, to which Armand Bouchart says Altaïr indeed lives up to the tendencies of his creed. Altaïr says Armand Bouchart did not do the same for the Templars, as the Templars lost the true meaning of their creed. Armand Bouchart states it as ‘Just expanding the horizon..”. Altaïr then states the Apple of Eden will not be in anyone’s hands but his own for the sake of peace throughout the holy land, to which Armand Bouchart responds he should hold on to it dearly, and warns Altaïr that in time he will come to the same conclusions the Templars did. After this, Armand Bouchart collapses and dies.

Altaïr leaves Armand Bouchart to die and meets up with Maria who has been laying unconscious during the battle. They both opt to escape the Templar Archive - but all the while, the Archive is falling to pieces fast. Altaïr boosts Maria up to the upper floors of the archive while climbing after her, and they barely make their escape before everything tumbles down.

After escaping Limassol Castle Altaïr and Maria walk up to the docks, both speaking of what life will hold for the both of them now. Maria tells Altaïr she no longer wants to be a Templar, nor wishes to look for the original spirit the Templars were once formed in. She does not wish to return to England either. She mentions she will travel for a while, somewhere far East - to India perhaps, or further.

Maria then asks Altaïr of his plans. Altaïr reminisces about his former devotion to the Creed, but realizes his life's purpose changed dramatically since the death of Al-Mualim. Altaïr speaks of his curiosity about the Apple of Eden, not out of greed, but out of pure intellectual wonder. He hopes to learn everything he can about the artifact; why it is here and to what end it was created. Maria states that such a thing is a bit much to learn in one lifetime, but Altaïr states that “one lifetime just might be enough.” Maria then asks Altaïr where he will continue his journey. Altaïr responds, “East...” and walks away from the port. Maria turns to follow.

'''Codex Scene 6: '''Altaïr write wonders why life is formed around chaos, around warfare and around murder. Yet the world received such gifts as the Apple of Eden. What is mankind’s purpose? As Altaïr continues scribbling in his Codex, Maria enters and leans over his shoulder in an almost wifely manner.....

{{Spoiler End}}

==Enemies==
* ''Templar Guards'' - Comes in many variations (white guard, red guard, multi-colored guard, slim and brutish prison guards with naked torso), the basic enemies Altair faces throughout the game.
* ''Templar Archers'' - Like in original game, they patrol rooftops, and could switch to close combat if needed.
* ''Templar Elite Guards'' - Towering guards with shields. Seen leading other guards, and protecting various Templar locations like prisons, castles, and [[Templar Archive]].
* ''Templar Knights'' - Well-trained warriors, and members of Templar Order. They wear helmets which clearly distinguish them from other enemies.
* ''Pirates'' - They roam the dock areas of Limassol and Kyrenia. Knowing about the bounty on Altair and Maria, they will attack, sometimes in groups, in order to get it.
* ''Fanatics'' - These men are the followers of [[Moloch]] and are known for their aggressive nature and strong, almost insane faith.
* ''Duelists'' - These men are bandits employed by the Templars as soldiers. They uses dual weapons: a sword and a knife. Could be seen extorting, threatening and torturing the populace. Act mostly under the orders of [[Shalim]].
* (also at one point, [[Maria]])

==PS3/PSP Connection ==
You can collect Templar Coins and Treasures on the PSP, to later connect to your PS3, and share value across both SKUs. Additionally, as players unlock Health and Weapons upgrades in Assassin’s Creed 2 PS3, the same upgrade will be unlocked in Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines. Also, the weapons of each person you killed in Bloodlines can be found in the Villa in AC2.

==Reception==
The reception among reviewers have been mainly mediocre with an aggregate score of 63.71% on Game Rankings.

{{ACSeries}}
{{ACB}}
[[Category:Games]]

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines

2010-01-02T01:06:09Z

174.1.66.172: /* Enemies */

{{spoilerhd}}
{{imageneed}}

{{Game Infobox
|name = Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
|image = Bloodlines.jpg
|Developer = Griptonite Games
|Publisher = Ubisoft
|US Date Released = 19 November 2009
|UK Date Released = 19 November 2009
|Genre = Historic Action-Adventure
|Game modes = Single-Player
|ESRB = Mature (M)
|Platform = PSP
|Website = http://assassinscreed.us.ubi.com/
|Media = UMD, PSN download
}}

'''''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines''''' is a game that will be released exclusively for the PSP. It was announced at the E3 convention. In 'Bloodlines' the player plays again, as [[Altaïr|Altaïr Ibn La-Ahad]]. The gameplay will be much like [[Assassin's Creed|the first game]], but little about the story or any characters has been revealed as of yet. The events of this game will take place right after the first game. It will explain the missing link between [[Altaïr]], [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]] and [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]]. In [[Assassin's Creed II]] Ezio will find the codex of Altaïr to become an [[Assassin]]. This game will explain where it comes from. It will not only reveal more about Altaïr, but also more about Ezio, how he is born and other details.

==Story==

Altaïr discovers the Templars are heading for [[Cyprus]] and hunts down the ascending [[Templars]]. As the Templars withdraw from the Holy Land after Altaïr kills [[Robert De Sable|Robert de Sable]], the Assassin follows them to the island of Cyprus. Finding new allies and enemies, Altaïr helps the local resistance against the Templar occupation and strikes down the ascendant Templar commanders. Along the story Altaïr learns more about himself and the Apple of Eden, as well as the Templar's ways and means of power and peace.

{{Spoiler}}

===Memory Block 1===
The game opens with [[Altaïr]] leading an assault on a Templar harbor fortress in [[Acre]] where [[Templars]] are boarding ships headed West. Altaïr reaches a balcony overlooking the harbor and finds [[Maria]], the former right hand of [[Robert de Sable]] (and his female decoy from AC1), speaking with various Templar guards. Maria states she wishes to accompany the Templars to [[Cyprus]], but the Templars state this is not a good idea as [[Armand Bouchart]] is the new Grand Master of the Order of Templars and he does not hold Maria in high regard for some reason.

After her conversation with the Templars, Altaïr confronts Maria, and Maria asks Altaïr if he has now come to finish what he didn’t before. A battle ensues, in which Altaïr almost robs Maria of her life - but Altaïr decides to let Maria live a little longer. Altaïr interrogates Maria about the Templar's plans for [[Cyprus]]; Maria responds with a flippant joke: ’Everyone deserves a holiday..." She then warns Altaïr that the Templars will stop at nothing to recover the Apple of Eden from him. Unshaken, Altaïr takes Maria prisoner and discusses the current turmoil on [[Cyprus]] with a fellow assassin. After learning that King Richard has actually sold the entire island to the Templars, Altaïr is determined to get to the bottom of the Templar's schemes. He asks the assassin to send a message to their contacts on [[Cyprus]], informing them of Altaïr's immanent arrival.

'''Codex Scene 1: '''
Altaïr is at a large desk strewn with books writing an entry in his Codex. He writes that he does not know if the power the [[Piece of Eden|Apple of Eden]] holds is truly intended to be evil; but if this proves to be true, he hopes to have within him the power to destroy it.

===Memory Block 2===

Altaïr has travelled by boat to [[Limassol]] with Maria accompanying him as a ‘prisoner’. While traveling through the port, Altaïr is stopped by some men patrolling the waterfront. After Altaïr reveals himself to be an assassin, one of the men identifies himself as [[Alexander]], a member of the Cypriot resistance and the assassins' primary [[Cyprus]] contact. Alexander asks Altaïr about the woman he is with; Altaïr refers to her as "Robert De Sable's girl" and says he hopes to use Maria to lure the other Templars into the open. Alexander offers to escort Maria to the Resistance safe house and Altaïr agrees, giving him time to freely look around Limassol.

Eventually Altaïr reaches the Resistance safe house and learns from Alexander that the leader of the Limassol Templars is hidden inside the [[Limassol Castle]]. In order to have a chance at getting into the castle, Altaïr must assassinate the captain of the Templar Guards so that [[Osman]], a Templar working as a spy for the Resistance, can get a promotion within the ranks of the guards. Altaïr leaves the safe house and assassinates the Guard Captain, after which he returns to the safe house. Alexander gives Altaïr the mission to go speak with Osman, the spy within the Templar guard ranks and deliver a coded message: "Wish his grandmother a happy birthday - he will trust you then."

Altaïr reaches Osman without being detected and delivers him the message Alexander suggested. Osman laughs, praising his dearly departed grandmother, and tells Altaïr that he will reduce the castle watch so that the Templar guard leader [[Frederick The Red]] can be reached. Osman also tells Altaïr that the Templars have built an Archive of some kind on [[Cyprus]], and are using it to store weapons and information. After this brief meeting Altaïr heads back to the Resistance safe house to tell Alexander what he as learned, then sets out to infiltrate Limassol Castle.

Altaïr heads to Limassol Castle and infiltrates the castle, but is spotted by Fredrick the Red on the courtyard. A battle ensues, which ends in the death of Fredrick the Red. Altaïr escapes the castle and returns to the safe house. Upon entering the city Altaïr learns that the safe house of the Assassins is under attack. Altaïr fights a wave of Templars outside the safe house, and finds Maria has disappeared. He wonders if she has escaped or been captured. Altaïr manages to track her as far as the Cathedral square, where he finds the current Grand Master, Armand Bouchart surrounded by guards and berating the people of [[Cyprus]] for Fredrick the Red's murder. Maria suddenly appears, shouting Bouchart's name. Her hands still bound, Maria warns Bouchart that the assassin's have come to [[Cyprus]]. But Bouchart receives her coldly, and assumes that she is working Altaïr herself. Maria is furious at this suggestion, but before she can object, Bouchart has her arrested and hauled away.

Altaïr chooses to rescue Maria rather than follow Bouchart. He disposes of the guards holding her and in return suffers Maria's insults for being considered ‘a traitor’ by her fellow Templars. She warns Altaïr that she will kill him when she gets the chance. He responds by telling her that she will never find the Apple of Eden if he dies. They both then return to Alexander in order to speak about getting to Armand Bouchart. Alexander tells Altaïr that Armand Bouchart was the one who set the Resistance safe house on fire just before leaving for [[Kyrenia]] by boat. Alexander believes a friend of his, [[Pasha]], can help Altaïr find a way to travel to Kyrenia. Altaïr leaves Maria with Alexander to go look for Pasha by the docks.

Altaïr finds Pasha and asks him for the favor of travel to Kyrenia. Pasha makes no problem of this and also tells Altaïr the rumor that secret artifacts are being shipped by the Pirate Templars via the Grand Ship headed to Kyrenia. Altaïr leaves Pasha to investigate the Grand Ship, searches the entire boat and finds the ship's manifest. It is filled with obvious errors and distortions. Altaïr returns to Alexander and Maria.

Altaïr states he will head for Kyrenia. Alexander tells him to meet with Kyrenia's Resistance leader, Barnabas; he is a friend of Alexander’s and can surely help Altaïr. Altaïr says farewell to Alexander and leaves for Pasha’s boat with Maria in tow. Maria struggles in order to get free from Altaïr, but complies in the end.''' '''

'''Codex Scene 2:''' Altaïr writes that he does not know where the Pieces of Eden originally came from, but he is almost certain the Pieces are not of divine power. He feels the Artifacts were man-made in every way, modeled after the character of the humans and well handcrafted at the mercy of the beholder.

===Memory Block 3===

We find Altaïr and Maria inside the hull of the ship. Altaïr notices a ring around Maria’s finger and asks about it. Maria responds she got the ring from her former commander (and presumably lover) Robert de Sable, for the high rank she has obtained within the Templar Order. Altaïr then speaks to Maria of philosophy, eager to convince her that the [[Templar]] view of the world is a corrupt one. He speaks of the curious teachings of the Greek philosopher Empedocles, who preached a bizarre precursor to the theory of natural selection. He emphasizes the importance of free thought, and warns her that the Templars' plan for peace involves mental enslavement. Maria seems to somewhat agree with Altaïr on this subject, but remains reticent.

As the ship docks in Kyrenia, Altaïr and Maria stand make ready to climb the ladder to the ship’s deck. Altaïr cuts her bonds so that she may climb out, but when he is distracted by two combative pirates, Maria kicks Altaïr down the ladder and escapes. Altaïr deals with the pirates and escapes to Kyrenia's harbor. After a short while Altaïr finds Maria among several men who have just saved her from several angry pirates. The leader of the men introduces himself as [[Markos]] a low-ranking soldier in the Resistance. Altaïr asks Markos and his men if Maria can stay with them for the time being while Altaïr explores the land, to which Markos agrees.

Altaïr locates the Resistance Safe House in Kyrenia Commons and enters. He is greeted by a man who calls himself [[Barnabas]] and after a short chat with Altaïr, Barnabas tells Altaïr of [[Buffavento Castle]], where Armand Bouchart keeps his prisoners. It’s an old property the Templars seized from an earlier heiress. In order to help Altaïr, Barnabas ask him to perform a service for the Resistance. Altaïr needs to seek out [[Jonas]], a respectable merchant who Barnabas claims is a traitor.

Altaïr seeks out this man named Jonas, and interrogates him. Jonas speaks of a bounty put on Altaïr’s head and the head of his female "consort". This does not bode well for Altaïr, and Jonas’ disrespect causes Altaïr to take his life. Thereafter Altaïr rushes to the harbor to find Maria, who is currently being attacked by Templars along with Markos. Altaïr helps the two out of trouble, and Altaïr asks Markos to bring Maria to the Assassin’s safe house in Kyrenia. Markos complies. Before Altaïr leaves, he speaks with Maria about ‘The Bull’ - a man Maria calls [[Moloch]]. He would be the one behind their ambush. Altaïr then leaves to meet up with Barnabas and later meet everyone inside the Resistance safe house.

Once inside the safe house, Altaïr again speaks with Barnabas - apparently the death of Jonas has sparked riots throughout the city. Barnabas states it is necessary for Altaïr to murder the fanatics causing the riot, and Altaïr leaves does so. Upon returning to the safe house, he finds that Maria and Markos have arrived but Barnabas is nowhere to be found. Altaïr speaks with Maria about this man named Moloch - specifically about his location. Maria realizes she has said more than she should have and warns Altaïr not to duel him, for Altaïr would not survive. Altaïr does not think twice and infiltrates the [[Kantara Castle]] where Moloch is hidden, finds Moloch and tries to assassinate him. Moloch however, intercepts the assassin before he could strike and throws him to the ground. A battle ensues, in which the end Altaïr takes the life of Moloch. Altaïr then escapes the Castle of Kyrenia and safely returns to the Assassin’s safe house.''' '''

'''Codex Scene 3: '''Altaïr wonders why violence lives so heavily amongst people. Altaïr believes people could not live with one another, as man likes to kill each other over power. He believes the world is not made by the divine - to Altaïr the world seems the work of a madman.

===Memory Block 4===
Altaïr reaches the safe house and speaks with Markos, only to find everybody missing. Markos tells Altaïr the Templars came in and took Maria, as well as everybody else. Markos also speaks of a [[Dark Oracle]] from Buffavento castle who was mentioned by the Templars, but Altaïr believes Barnabas was behind the attack. Markos is confused by this suggestion and tells Altaïr that the resistance leader Barnabas was executed the day ''before'' Altaïr arrived in Kyernia. Clearly the Barnabas Altaïr met was an impostor, a [[Templar Agent]].

Markos then tells Altaïr the Templars are executing fellow Resistance soldiers in the marketplace. Altaïr rushes to the marketplace, prevents the execution and saves the soldiers. Back at the safe hosue Markos tells Altaïr that some Resistance members are still imprisoned. Altaïr locates and interrogates a prison guard, who tells Altaïr that there is only one Templar who holds the keys to the jail cells. Altaïr can find this Templar at the Crusader Outpost. Altaïr then takes the life of the Prison Guard.

Altaïr rushes to the Crusader Outpost, kills the guards, steals the keys to the cells and heads back to Kyrenia Harbor. Once inside the harbor, Altaïr fights his way to the cells and frees the prisoners, but Maria is not among them. The freed men say that Moloch’s son [[Shalim]] has taken Maria away in chains. Altaïr decides to speak with Markos about this. Upon returning to the safe house, both decide Altaïr should pay a visit to this Dark Oracle of which the Templars speak - for it seems Grand Templar Armand Bouchart knows every plan the Resistance has made.

Altaïr infiltrates Buffavento Castle in order to look for the Dark Oracle. He overhears Armand Bouchart and Shalim arguing over Maria’s escape - apparently Maria has slipped from Shalim's clutches. In addition, Armand Bouchart asks Shalim to send a message to Alexander in Limassol. Altaïr is shocked to learn that Alexander has been working with the Templars.

Altaïr descends further into the castle, only to find the Dark Oracle at the bottom. She attacks Altaïr, leaving him no choice but to battle with her and in the end, send her to god. Before the Dark Oracle loses her life, she babbles and cackles her devotion to her God’s will, and there is no undoing. After her death, Altaïr escapes the castle and heads back to the Assassin’s safe house.''' '''

'''Codex Scene 4: '''Altair wonders about [[Those Who Have Gone Before|Those Who Have Gone Before Us]]. “Who are they? What drove them? Are these so-called artifacts mere toys or were they created for a greater purpose?”.

===Memory Block 5===
Once back inside the safe house, Altaïr discusses Shalim’s position. Because Markos could not give much information about Shalim, Altaïr decides to track him down to learn more about the Templars and the Archive. He finds Shalim in the heart of Kyrenia, feasting on women while spending another’s coin. Altaïr first decides to assassinate the men Shalim is traveling with, after which he decides to assassinate all the duelists feasting on women as well. After all these assassinations, Altaïr returns to Markos for more information. Markos sends Altaïr to ask help form the local scholars, since Shalim’s lifestyle demand frequent confession rituals at the church. Altaïr then seeks out and speaks with a scholar about Salim’s confessions, only to find the scholar unable to speak about Shalim and the Archive in public, to which he asks Altaïr to return later.

Moloch's son suddenly interrupts the conversation by standing in the midst of the Crusader Outpost and speaking towards all passers-by. But this is not Shalim - it is Shahar, Shalim's twin, although neither we nor Altaïr are aware of this fact. Shahar is a much more level headed man, arguing very rationally for loyalty to the Templars. When Altaïr then goes to speak with the scholar a second time, the scholar is killed by falling wooden crates from above. When Altaïr looks around for the cause of this insult, he finds a mysterious, masked Templar warrior on the rooftops. Altaïr gives chase, but after a long pursuit the mysterious figure escapes from Altaïr and Altaïr is left looking for clues about the mysterious figure. He then finds Maria's ring when searching the last known position of the mysterious figure and decides it’s best to go speak with Markos.

Back at the Resistance safe house, Altaïr speaks with Markos of the twisted ways of the Templar’s doings and hopes to locate Shalim again. Markos mentions that Shalim can frequently be found in the harbor whenever ships full of lovely consorts arrive.

Altaïr reaches the harbor and finds Maria there, disguised as a consort herself and about to sneak into a palanquin headed for [[Saint Hilarion Castle]]. Altaïr decides to follow her in, but notes that the road ahead is full of Templars on the look out for both of them. Altaïr decides to clear the path, and quickly disposes of the guards along the road all the way to Saint Hilarion Castle. Upon entering the castle, the palaquin stops and Maria steps out. Two Templar Guards await her arrival and escort her inside the castle. Altaïr doesn’t hesitate a moment and finds a way inside the castle.

Once inside, Altaïr eventually finds the Great Hall. Meanwhile Maria sneaks into [[Shahar]]'s private room and confronts him about the Templars' wicked plans for the “Apple of Eden”. She asks Shahar if Templars would do ill with this artifact. Shahar states the Templars have no interest in liberty - just order, by any means. At this moment Altaïr busts in the room, apologizing for letting himself in. Shahar calls on his brother Shalim to join the fight. Maria escapes from Shahars clutches, killing two guards who try to stop her.
Altaïr and Maria now stand side by side, faced against Shalim and Shahir. Altaïr smiles: “Two of them.. and two of us”. Maria laughs at Altaïr and flees. The battle then ensues between Altaïr and the brothers Salim and Shahir, ending with both their lives taken. Altaïr then escapes from the castle and heads toward the safe house. Upon entering the safe house, Makros tells Altaïr that the Templar ships are leaving the harbor of Kyrenia. This leads Altaïr to believe that is [[Templar Archive]] is not Kyrenia, for surely they would not leave it unguarded. Since all the ships are headed back to Limassol, the Archive must be there. Altaïr departs with kind words.

'''Codex Scene 5: '''Altaïr reminisces about his former leader, [[Al Mualim]], and how his leader had betrayed him using the Apple of Eden, just because one single piece of doubt was in Altaïr’s mind. Luckily, he states, he was able to embrace the truth in his his mind and set him free of doubt and disbelief.

===Memory Block 6===
Altaïr is back on Limassol, as he and Markos thought the Templar Archive ought to be there. Altaïr heads to the Resistance Safe House in Limassol to start an argument with Alexander. They both accuse each other of treachery, until Alexander reveals the contents of the message the Bouchart sent him from Kyrenia; the head of the real Barnabas in a sack. Altaïr despises this, and tells Alexander this was not the man who met with him in Kyrenia. Additionally, Alexander tells tales of how Templars have been murdering and pillaging around the city of Limassol while Altaïr was away. Additionally false reports of Altaïr’s alleged treachery (the death of Jonas) spread fast, and many Resistance leaders have since turned against Altaïr.

Altaïr wants the heads of those responsible for the murders and pillages, and heads out to the marketplace, where he fights and kills the Templar Duelist Captain. He then heads to the Templar pirate ship in the harbor and slays its [[Pirate Captain|captain]]. Finally Altaïr heads for the new Templar Captain in the Limassol Cathedral Square. Altaïr starts a fight with the man and in the end, takes his life as payment.

Altaïr learns of recent murders in the ports, and interrogates the Port Watchman to find out what happened. The man states he does not know, but his men were killed last night while a Templar Captain had the watch over the port. The Templar Captain is presumably praying over at the Cathedral, and Altaïr sends out to find this man. Upon finding the Templar he flees, sending multiple waves of Templars. Altaïr slays them all, interrogates the Templar Captain and find his answers lie with a man named [[Demetris]], a rich tailor in the marketplace. Altaïr then assassinates the Templar Captain and heads for Demetris.

Upon entering Demetris’s house, he finds Demetris surrounded by women. Altaïr confronts Demetris, accusing the merchant of accepting bribes to sneak Bouchart back into Limassol. Demetris claims to know nothing about this. Altaïr puts more pressure on Demetris to speak truthfully, but the merchant is killed by a throwing knife in the back. Altaïr tries to follow, only to again find the mysterious Templar standing up and speeding away. Altaïr climbs to the roof as fast as he could, but the mysterious Templar warrior is already gone. Altaïr decides it’s best to speak with Alexander at this point and returns to the Resistance safe house.

But upon entering the safe house, Altaïr does not find Alexander. Instead, Altaïr finds a note left by Alexander, stating that he has a plan and needs Altaïr to come to the courtyard inside the Limassol Castle. Altaïr then rushes to the Limassol Castle, but reminds himself to stay cautious. After passing through the gates of Limassol Castle, he finds Alexander's lifeless body laying in the middle of the courtyard.

The mysterious Templar warrior appears, unmasked, and speaks to Altaïr as if he was already a dead man. This is the same man who previously named himself as Barnabas: the [[Templar Agent]]. Suddenly, the townspeople of Limassol breach the castle gate. They are hunting for Altaïr. As the rioting mob closes in Altaïr pulls the Apple of Eden from his belt and activates it. He tells them that they have been lied to and that they must rally their soldiers against the Templars so that [[Cyprus]] can be theirs once more. The people stand in confusion and hypnosis, and exit. The Templar above is quite pleased to find the Apple of Eden so close, and intends to claim it. But before he can attack Altaïr, the steel tip of a sword bursts through his chest, pushed by Maria’s hand. The mysterious Templar Agent falls thirty feet to the courtyard floor, dead.

Maria speaks to Altaïr about the Apple of Eden as well, as Altaïr warns that it is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. Maria remarks that she does not know if Altaïr hands are the ‘right hands’ as well. At that moment a Templar ambush appears at the courtyard, and Maria orders Altaïr to follow her up the stairs. However, Altaïr is already closed in and has to fight waves and waves of Templars. After fighting endless waves of Templars, Altaïr runs up the stairs and passes through the hidden door inside the wall he had previously seen Maria escape through.

===Memory Block 7===
Altaïr now suddenly finds himself inside the Templar Archive, hidden well under the Limassol Castle. His final mission is to assassinate Armand Bouchart, the Grand Master of the Order of Templars. Altaïr fights through the entire Templar Archive, and finds Maria already fighting with Armand Bouchart. Armand is a skillful fighter and sends Maria flying across the room just as Altaïr intercepts them. Altaïr confronts Armand Bouchart, who spins a tale about the Archive, claiming it had been the best kept secret on [[Cyprus]] for many decades. Unfortunately, the former Cypriot Emperor [[Isaac Comnenus]] had been a foolish man and through his idiocy forfeited the island to King Richard. Fearing the Archives would be discovered by the English king, the Templars purchased the island from him - an island they basically controlled for free under Comnenus's rule. But that time has passed and the Templars have moved on. While Altaïr was in Kyrenia, the Templars managed to empty the Archive of all artifacts and ship them elsewhere. Armand Bouchart states Altaïr must instead be left behind. A battle ensues.

After a cruel and skillful battle, Altaïr stabs and plunges Armand Bouchart, to which Armand Bouchart says Altaïr indeed lives up to the tendencies of his creed. Altaïr says Armand Bouchart did not do the same for the Templars, as the Templars lost the true meaning of their creed. Armand Bouchart states it as ‘Just expanding the horizon..”. Altaïr then states the Apple of Eden will not be in anyone’s hands but his own for the sake of peace throughout the holy land, to which Armand Bouchart responds he should hold on to it dearly, and warns Altaïr that in time he will come to the same conclusions the Templars did. After this, Armand Bouchart collapses and dies.

Altaïr leaves Armand Bouchart to die and meets up with Maria who has been laying unconscious during the battle. They both opt to escape the Templar Archive - but all the while, the Archive is falling to pieces fast. Altaïr boosts Maria up to the upper floors of the archive while climbing after her, and they barely make their escape before everything tumbles down.

After escaping Limassol Castle Altaïr and Maria walk up to the docks, both speaking of what life will hold for the both of them now. Maria tells Altaïr she no longer wants to be a Templar, nor wishes to look for the original spirit the Templars were once formed in. She does not wish to return to England either. She mentions she will travel for a while, somewhere far East - to India perhaps, or further.

Maria then asks Altaïr of his plans. Altaïr reminisces about his former devotion to the Creed, but realizes his life's purpose changed dramatically since the death of Al-Mualim. Altaïr speaks of his curiosity about the Apple of Eden, not out of greed, but out of pure intellectual wonder. He hopes to learn everything he can about the artifact; why it is here and to what end it was created. Maria states that such a thing is a bit much to learn in one lifetime, but Altaïr states that “one lifetime just might be enough.” Maria then asks Altaïr where he will continue his journey. Altaïr responds, “East...” and walks away from the port. Maria turns to follow.

'''Codex Scene 6: '''Altaïr write wonders why life is formed around chaos, around warfare and around murder. Yet the world received such gifts as the Apple of Eden. What is mankind’s purpose? As Altaïr continues scribbling in his Codex, Maria enters and leans over his shoulder in an almost wifely manner.....

{{Spoiler End}}

==Enemies==
* ''Templar Guards'' - Comes in many variations (white guard, red guard, multi-colored guard, slim and brutish prison guards with naked torso), the basic enemies Altair faces throughout the game.
* ''Templar Archers'' - Like in original game, they patrol rooftops, and could switch to close combat if needed.
* ''Templar Elite Guards'' - Towering guards with shields. Seen leading other guards, and protecting various Templar locations like prisons, castles, and [[Templar Archive]].
* ''Templar Knights'' - Well-trained warriors, and members of Templar Order. They wear helmets which clearly distinguish them from other enemies.
* ''Pirates'' - They roam the dock areas of Limassol and Kyrenia. Knowing about the bounty on Altair and Maria, they will attack, sometimes in groups, in order to get it.
* ''Fanatics'' - These men are the followers of [[Moloch]] and are known for their aggressive nature and strong, almost insane faith.
* ''Duelists'' - These men are bandits employed by the Templars as soldiers. They uses dual weapons: a sword and a knife. Could be seen extorting, threatening and torturing the populace. Act mostly under the orders of [[Shalim]].
* (also at one point, Maria)

==PS3/PSP Connection ==
You can collect Templar Coins and Treasures on the PSP, to later connect to your PS3, and share value across both SKUs. Additionally, as players unlock Health and Weapons upgrades in Assassin’s Creed 2 PS3, the same upgrade will be unlocked in Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines. Also, the weapons of each person you killed in Bloodlines can be found in the Villa in AC2.

==Reception==
The reception among reviewers have been mainly mediocre with an aggregate score of 63.71% on Game Rankings.

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[[Category:Games]]