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Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

2009-12-15T01:39:56Z

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

{{Character Infobox
|name = Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
|image = Alta-assassins-creed.jpg
|imgdesc = A full body portrait of Altaïr.
|faction = [[Assassins]]/Hashishin
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', ''[[AC: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' (Gameplay Chase Scene)
|period = Third Crusade
|voice = [[Philip Shahbaz]]
}}
{{dialogue|Al Mualim|Remember... nothing is true.|Altaïr|Everything is permitted.|Al Mualim and Altaïr at the Masyaf fortress}}
'''Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad''' (الطائر ابن لا أحد in [[wikipedia:Arabic|Arabic]]) (1166 - unknown) is the main protagonist in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', as well as the ancestor of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] and [[Desmond Miles]].

==Biography==
=== Early Life ===
Altaïr was born to an unknown couple, consisting of a Christian woman and a Muslim man.  During his childhood his parents left [[Masyaf]] for unknown reasons, though Altaïr felt little at their departure due to the nature of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] order.  Prior to the events of the series, Altaïr trained under [[Al Mualim]] and quickly rose among his brethren in skill.  This caught Al Mualim's eye and favor, and Altaïr was eventually promoted to the rank of "[[Master Assassin]]".

In the codex pages Altaïr states that he never felt a connection between his parents and him and that when he left them it was nothing more than departing "two strangers". He also stated that it was Al Mualim that cared for him and that was enough for him during that stage of his life.

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''===

===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===
{{quote|A small sacrifice to save many. It is necessary.|Altaïr}}

Altaïr, [[Malik]] and [[Kadar]] were sent by [[Al Mualim]] to go underneath the Temple Mount in [[Jerusalem]] to recieve an artifact from the [[Templars]]. Whilst in the temple underground Altaïr sees the Asssassin's arch-enemy, [[Robert de Sable]], Altaïr attempts to kill Robert but fails and is thrown from the temple. Malik and Kadar were trapped with Robert and his Templars. Upon return to [[Masyaf]], Al Mualim names Altaïr as a traitor to the Creed, but Malik returns with artifact. The Templars attack Masyaf, Altaïr defends the village and then he and two other Assassins climb the tower of the Castle and enact Al Mualim's plan, he performs a [[Leap of Faith]] of the tower to an area which leads to another tower full of logs which land on top of the Templars. After the attack Al Mualim deems Altaïr a failure and a traitor to the Creed and Al Mualim stabs him with a dagger, apparently killing him.

Altaïr wakes up from his ''"Sleep of the Dead" ''and Al Mualim strips him of his possessions and title. Altaïr now had to start from a novice once again and hunt down a traitor within Masyaf who had helped the Templars in the attack of Masyaf. On return to Al Mualim, Altaïr is ranked up and given his [[Hidden Blade]] and longsword back, he also is given a deal of nine lives for his own. He would later in the game find out that The nine people on the list were simply decoys for [[Altaïr]].

===The Nine===
{{dialogue3|Al Mualim|I hold here a list. Nine men adorn it, nine men who need to die. They are plague-bringers, war-makers... Their power and influence corrupt the lands, ensuring that the Crusades continue. Find them, kill them... In doing so, you will sow the seeds of peace, both for the region, and for yourself.|Altaïr|Nine lives in exchange for mine...|A generous offer indeed. Have you any questions?|Only where I need begin.}}

Altaïr starts his quest, leaving [[Masyaf]] and riding through the [[kingdom]] on horseback to [[Damascus]], location of the first target, [[Tamir]].
Arriving there, he goes to the local [[Bureau]] and asks permission for the assassination. The [[dai]] denies it, ordering Altaïr to first gather information about his target. Going through the city's poor district, Altaïr interrogates informants, pickpocket letters and maps and eavesdrop on conversations around him, acquiring the location of the target. Returing to the Bureau with this info, he receives a permission for the kill and a [[white feather]], to be wet in the victim's blood as proof of the murder.
In a plaza of the market district, Altaïr witness Tamir slaying a bussiness partner, and kills him while he does a round around the tends.
Returning to the Bureau, Altaïr is directed to Al Mualim again, who congratulates him by the accomplishment and rewards part of his equipment back. Altaïr the leaves to the other cities, [[Jerusalem]] and [[Acre]] to his next targets.

[[File:SS11.jpg|thumb|right|Altaïr chases [[Talal]] though the streets]]
Arriving at Jerusalem's Bureau, Altaïr is harshily received by Malik, that Bureau's new leader. Malik then sends him to the investigations, returning when he has the necessary information. After receiving the permission and the feather, Altaïr enters Talal's slave complex, but is ambushed by his followers. Dispatching of them, he chases Talal throughout the rooftops and streets, finally catching up to him and putting a [[hidden blade]] on his neck.

Altaïr returns to the Bureau, reports to Masyaf and then goes to Acre, where [[Garnier de Naplouse]] is to be killed.

[[File:SS4.jpg|thumb|left|Garnier's death from above]]
At Acre, he meets the Bureau leader and gather info about his target, then receives the feather and permission for the kill.
Infiltrating Garnier's hospital, Altaïr watches him make the rounds on his patients and strikes him from above. A city wide alert is issued, and after escaping from the hospital and hiding in the Bureau, Altaïr returns to Masyaf to a talk with Al Mualim.

After killing eight of the nine, Altaïr is left with the assassination of [[Robert de Sable]], who is in Jerusalem for a funeral. At the funeral Altaïr enters in a sword fight with "Robert" and his Templars, at the end of the fight Altaïr discovers that is wasn't Robert but a woman, [[Maria]], he lets her go, fleeing for [[Arsuf]] where Robert is convincing  [[Richard the Lionheart]] to join with [[Saladin]] to destroy the Assassins. Altaïr tries to convince Richard of Robert's plot to overthrow him, but Richard doesn't know who to trust and lets God decide. Altaïr and Robert then fight to the death, but Altaïr comes out victorious.

[[file: |thumb|Left|]]After the death of Robert, Altaïr discovers that Al Mualim was in fact a Templar and he returns to Masyaf to find out that the people of the Town had been put in a hypnotic trance, apart from him and few other Assassins. They make their way to the fortress. when Altair arrives he discovers that Al Mualim was responsible for this using the [[Piece of Eden]] which was recovered at Solomon's temple and after hearing many revalations Altair confronts his former master. After fighting many illusions, Altaïr manages to put his [[Hidden Blade]] into Al Mualim, ending the hypnotic trance. As Al Mualim dies he says that he did all this to ensure world peace and claims that Altaïr will not be able to destroy the Piece of Eden.

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''===
One month after the events of "Assassin's Creed", Altair fights and captures the Templar Maria Thorpe in Acre. Interrogating her, Altair learns that the sudden death of Robert de Sable has sent the Templars fleeing for the island of Cyprus. Altair decides to head there himself eliminate the remaining Templars. By the end of ''Bloodlines'', Altair learns that Cyprus has been a storehouse for a large number of Templar artifacts (all the Pieces of Eden) for quite some time. Due to Altair's relentless pursuit, however, the Templars have been forced to move the collection elsewhere, perhaps leading to their eventual scattering across the globe. By the conclusion of the story, Maria finally understands the depths of the Templars' wickedness. Her relationship with Altair, antagonistic for most of the game, soon becomes a friendly one... and ultimately romantic (as seen in AC2). It is at this same time that Altair begins writing the first pages of the [[Codex]]. The trip to Cyprus is mentioned in the Codex Pages in Assassin's Creed 2 as well.

=== Legacy ===
It is known that after Bloodlines, Maria bore at least two children with Altaïr, as the codex mentions he will have her talk with their sons. Also before his death, he wore a new armor, the same armor that would one day be worn by his descendant Ezio Auditore da Firenze as his Master Assassin Armor. This armor is the symbolic color of black, signifying the upper most rank in the Assassin Order. His death is unknown, but likely he died in old age with his children and Maria watching over him as he passed away. It should be noted however that in his last entry into the codex he remarks about his temptations and his ability to call for the Apple and use it to extend his life, as he states "I know the knowledge is there." The fate of Altaïr remains unclear and that is where assassins creed ends.

===''[[Assassin's Creed II]] ''===
At the point in which Assassin's Creed II begins, Altaïr has been dead for hundreds of years. However, it is known that he left a [[Codex]] that his descendant, [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]], will find. In it, he left a secret map which reveals the locations of Pieces of Eden scattered all over the world.

It is also shown that Altaïr bore at least two children with Maria, the templar woman who took Robert de Sable's place in Jerusalem during the first Assassin's Creed.

Altaïr's armor is accessible in the game, but acquiring it is not necessary for completing the story. It is available to the player after exploring six Assassin`s Tombs and collecting the seals therein. When brought to the vault in the Villa Auditore, all six seals will open a gate, behind which lies Altaïr's armor.

You can also get a Altaïr costume in the game from the Uplay store for 30 points. Curiously, Ezio also loses Altaïr's missing finger while wearing the clothes. Not only that, but several glitches happen with the lower half of the robes, and the second hidden blade, and the poison blade, and the gun never show up, even though the animations do. Also, when Ezio has a goatee, equipping the Altair outfit will get rid of it. All of this is because it is not Ezio putting on the outfit, it is that the Animus put Altair's appearance into the visuals with data from the memory core that Lucy steals.

==Characteristics and personality==

[[File:SS5.jpg|thumb|left|400px|Altaïr free-running from rooftop to rooftop.]]
Altaïr is an ancestor of [[Desmond Miles]] and his memories are encoded into Miles' DNA. [[Abstergo Industries]] abducted Miles in order to use the [[Animus]] on him, which would decode his genetic structure and extract vital information from the memories of Altaïr, in a project bent on New World Order. Altaïr is a master assassin instructor, capable of extraordinary acrobatic feats, a master of social stealth, fully adept in the application of the deadly arts, and a member of the [[Assassins|Assassins' Order]]. Near the beginning of the game, he is demoted to the Assassins' [[Rank]] of [[Novice]] and removed of all his equipment save for his robes. In order to regain his status, he must publicly assassinate nine men who are involved in exploiting the war hostilities in the Holy Land.

Altaïr travels between the four cities ([[Jerusalem]], [[Masyaf]], [[Damascus]], and [[Acre]]) to kill his victims. His extensive knowledge in the deadly arts are without question at the level of an instructor, able to infiltrate any fortification completely unnoticed, brush shoulders with a primary assassination target without alerting them to his hostile presence and strike from any direction, a testament of his undeniable mastery over "Hiding in Plain Sight", showing his understanding of the "Assassins Creed" and the importance of the second [[tenet]]

. Altaïr, bound by the second tenet of the "Assassins Creed" has mastered the ability to become one with the crowd, so that his deadly presence and approach is masked entirely from his intended target. His ability to blend in and appear as just another face in the crowd, makes it much more possible to get in extremely close to a target and silently assassinate them using the Hidden Blade without alerting the immediate surrounding environment. Whether investigating or silently assassinating, Altaïr constantly remains anonymous out of his instinctive assassins nature, remaining anonymous for Altaïr is second nature, very briefly[[File:SS7.jpg|thumb|260px|The eagle watches the streets of Acre from a rooftop.]]exposing himself to the publics eye preparing (even though very rare and extremely short in length and for good reason) to strike during a public assassination of one of "The Nine", and even public assassinations do not guarantee Altaïr's exposed appearance, he is a master assassin instructor and is highly skilled in adapting to changing situations and the changing environment, knowing all too well in how to still maintain control in the constantly dangerous and changing environment, possession of such sharp perceptional skills carries over into how he reads the crowd for any slight sign of danger. Sharp sense of awareness, will aid Altaïr greatly in survival moving about the dangerous cities, and kingdom throughout the Holy Land. As stated Altaïr's acrobatic skills help in both assassination and escape, he uses these skills to strike from many different locations and directions, mainly from affront, above, and behind when performing public assassinations which have all been recorded in virtual history according to entry wound. Altaïr's assassination expertise is unquestionable, seeing how he can appear from the crowd undetected, and quickly kill anyone he focuses on silently, then blends immediately back into the crowd. During primary assassinations Altaïr clearly knows the meaning of subtlety. Altaïr stalks the district most affected by the targets corruption, obtaining information on where and when he will be so that he may plan to properly strike. Using that knowledge better prepares for the opportune moment to strike. Observing, and moving silently about the large crowds that usually gather within the kill zone as only a "blade in the crowd". Altaïr strikes without flaw or mercy making him very efficient in the exact moment of the strike. Highly educated upon the politics involving the Crusaders and Saracens and their religious philosophies, this educational training will help Altaïr in better understanding their territories, and the numerous factions within. It will give better perspective on perhaps why men choose certain paths in life and as the Assassins better know themselves and understand not to judge their targets but embrace their perspective on what they call justifiable action, but to put it after our own philosophy of "peace in all things". For any who threaten our cause will die under the shining sun in public. Altaïr knows that when the opportune time presents itself to strike, he must not show mercy to the target for their politically sanctioned death will ensure peace returns or so our philosophy depicts it when taught. Altaïr's social mastery ensures that low-profile kills performed while hiding amongst the crowd will succeed, allowing him to eliminate any guards patrolling the streets. Altaïr is a master at anonymous travel and the silent approach, when moving about the city streets seeking out his target Altaïr moves with the crowd as the crowd, then at the moment to strike his target, he moves as a cloaked white ghost. To get caught in the crowd with Altaïr silently stalking you is imminent death. It is as if the target is lost in a heavy and thick fog shrouding a forest of death, only its a sea of people moving about in different directions until one of those sudden bumps turns out to be the sharp Hidden Blade being extended into one of your vital organs. During escape such skills come in handy for quickly seeking high ground or space between the encroaching city guard. When ranked a novice, Altaïr was ordered to start tracking his targets personally by [[Al Mualim]]

. He showed that, in combination with social stealth mastery and tracking knowledge, blending into the crowd and becoming simply another face in the crowd allowed Altaïr to carry out his assassination target investigations more easily.[[File:SS2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Altaïr escapes with the city on wide alert]]

His social stealth expertise helps when dealing with Crusaders and Saracen guards. When moving about a city looking for a highly public figure marked for assassination one must never call for attention, it runs the risk of possibly breaking the second and third tenet within the "Assassins Creed". Altaïr is trained extensively on how to traverse the city disguised as a holy scholar. Dressing as a scholar allows the silent eagle assassin to get close enough to a target without raising suspicion before striking. Scholar robe disguises aid in assassinations due to the simple facts they happen in broad daylight within the open public for the people to witness and spread news of its happening and the disguise masks your true appearance and intentions. This disguise also makes travel easier as scholars have less restraint within the cities, and applying the proper mannerisms to aide the disguise helps that much more. Through experience and instinct Altaïr keenly observes the environment remaining alert at all times to the extremely active guard presence that surrounds him.

[[file:SS3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Talal's follower is impaled]]
=== Equipment and skills ===
Like other assassins Altaïr is trained in stealth assassination techniques, hand to hand and weapons combat, blade throwing, climbing, urban acrobatics, eavesdropping, interrogation, and pick pocketing.

Altaïr's most interesting weapon is the Hidden Blade--a weapon similar to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katara_(sword) katara], which is used for close-range assassinations. It is mounted on the inside of his left hand gauntlet, and when deployed, extends between the space left by his amputated ring finger. He flicks a trigger on a ring to make the blade appear where his finger had once been. This amputation was part of the initiation for becoming an assassin of the Hashshashin sect. Altaïr also uses a combination of throwing knives, a sword, the Hidden Blade, and his fists. The throwing knives are very useful for taking down archers. Use of the sword is slower than use of the dagger, of which is fast and light and can be used in tandem with the throwing knives. However, attacking with the sword is much more damaging to the enemies than when using the dagger. Altaïr also uses an ability called "Eagle Vision," a sort of "sixth sense" that lets him see people's intentions. Guards appear in red, allies in blue, citizens with information in white and assassination targets in gold-yellow.

After the events of ''Assassin's Creed'' and ''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines'', Altaïr dedicated more his life on studies (especially on the [[Piece of Eden]]) rather than field missions, and revealed to be a brilliant engineer and inventor. He actually invented (perharps with the help of the Piece of Eden) the new assassination techniques, the Hidden Blade upgrades and the way to create the special metal for his armor.

==Behind the Scenes==
The name Altaïr is an Arabic word, which means "The Flying Eagle". In interviews, the game's producer, [[wikipedia:Jade_Raymond|Jade Raymond]] has stated that while in mid-air, Altaïr's shadow resembles that of an eagle. This is because of his attire, which includes a point at the front of the hood (to resemble a beak) and slits through the back of the outfit (to resemble tail feathers). The second part of his name, Ibn-La'Ahad means 'son of no-one', reflecting his mysterious origins. It has been revealed by Raymond that his father was a Muslim and his mother a Christian. His appearance is remarkably similar to Desmond's, only a few scars seeming to separate their appearances at first glance. His rebellious nature and mission failure would lead to his severe demotion, placing him on the same level as a raw initiate to the Assassin Order. That same attitude cost [[Malik]] his left arm, as well as the life of his brother Kadar at the beginning of the story. As the situation progresses and Altaïr listens to the final words of his assassination victims, listening to their revelations involving them and their justified corrupt deeds within the Holy Land and their cities, his attitude changes and he becomes less impetuous, overconfident, demanding, arrogant, self-centred and impatient, learning to perceive more between the lines and actions of the world while drawing upon the teachings of the "Assassins Creed". Near the end of the conflict, all of his brash and rebellious nature, has vanished behind a demeanour of calm, focused, driven, humble, more patient and higher wisdom of understanding. But with this he learns what it is the "Assassins Creed" truly means, and recommends of him as an Assassin.

==Trivia==
*Jade Raymond, producer of ''Assassin's Creed'', revealed during an interview at the Ubidays 2007 that Altaïr was born to a Muslim father, and a Christian mother<ref>[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/ubidays-07-assassins-creed/19929 Ubidays 07 Jade Raymond Interview Pt. 2]</ref>.
* Altair also has three different voices throughout three of the Assassins Creed games. His voice in Assassins Creed: Altair's Chronicles sounded a bit higher and not as deep as the original Assassins Creed game. His voice in Assassins Creed Bloodlines had more of a Middle Eastern accent than the one in the original game.
* The Altaïr costume can be unlocked in the game Metal Gear Solid 4 by simply putting in the correct password at the extra's screen, or by having alert 50 times or below. It can also be unlocked for Prince of Persia(2009). Users have to register at the Ubisoft Website and then link that account to an Xbox 360 Gamertag or PSN screen name.
* Altair's Outfit can also be used in Assassin's Creed 2. You can download it on UPlay. Ezio's ring finger will also vanish when this armour is worn.
* His first name, "Altaïr", means "The Flying One". His last name, "Ibn-La'Ahad", means "Son of None".
* His hood tip resembles an eagles beak.
* It is curious to note that the name Altair is in fact supposedly a feminine name in Arabic.

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

{{AC}}

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles Characters|Ibn-La'Ahad, Altaïr]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Ibn-La'Ahad, Altaïr]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Characters|Ibn-La'Ahad, Altaïr]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Ibn-La'Ahad, Altaïr]]
[[Category:Assassins|Ibn-La'Ahad, Altaïr]]

Ezio Auditore da Firenze

2009-12-14T23:52:09Z

207.170.253.180: /* Assassin's Creed II: Discovery */

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{{Character Infobox
|name =Ezio Auditore da Firenze
|status =Alive
|image =Ezio.jpg|250|
|imgdesc =Full Portrait of Ezio with his Hidden Blades revealed.
|faction =[[Assassins]]
|appear =''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period =Italian Renaissance (15th Century)
|voice =[[Roger Craig Smith]]
}} {{quote
|1 = Niente è vero, tutto è permesso.
|2 = Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
}} '''Ezio Auditore da Firenze''' (1459 - ?) is the protagonist of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''. He is an ancestor of [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] and a descendant of [[Altaïr]], as well as being the latest known link between the lineages of Subject 16 and that of Desmond.

==Character Biography==
=== ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ===

[[File:Eziolineagechess.png|thumb|left|Ezio portrayed by [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]].]]
'''Ezio Auditore da Firenze''', is a young member of the Florentine Nobility and the second son of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]], an [[Assassin]]. He is ignorant to his father's true profession, and his hereditary duties. He has slight skills at playing chess, and he is "learning fast" according to his mother (though he lost against his older brother, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]]).

=== ''[[Assassin's Creed II|Plot]]'' ===

Ezio Auditore da Firenze's story begins moments after he exits the womb of his mother, [[Maria Auditore]]. Originally it seemed like Ezio was a stillborn, but after his father arrives the newborn begins to move his limbs and cry. Giovanni Auditore, his father, welcomes Ezio into the world and bestows his name upon him. We rejoin Ezio years later during a rousing pre-fight speech, addressing his friends. Ezio is holding one side of a bridge against [[Vieri Di Pazzi]] and his men, whom insult the [http:///index.php?title=House_of_Auditore&action=edit&redlink=1 House of Auditore], and Ezio's mother and father personally. Reprimanded gently by his elder brother, Federico and his father, Ezio becomes more involved with his family's affairs. He would then sleep with [[Cristina Vespucci]] that night. His father, Giovanni, and another man, [[Uberto Alberti]] are discussing secret matters that Ezio can't make sense of, but seem urgent. Eventually, guards raid Plazzo Auditore and arrest Giovanni, Federico, and Petruccio, leaving just Maria and Claudia at the home. Ezio delivers evidence that can prove his family's innocence to Uberto, who promises to defend them at the hearing. But it turns out Uberto is a traitor who destroyed the evidence and sentenced the three Auditore men to death. Swearing vengeance, Ezio has to hide his mother and sister and learn the ways of the Assassin. He is first taught stealth by Paola of the [[:File:Zw-ezio-altair-statue-2.png|Courtesans]], mainly in survival in the streets. After assassinating Uberto, apparently a city official in charge of the law, Ezio has to balance his life between assassinations and protecting his sister and mother, who refuses to speak after Ezio's father and brothers were murdered. Now wanted in Florence, Ezio has to flee Florence to Tuscany with his family to the Auditore villa. He meets up with Uncle Mario, whose mercenaries save his family from an attack by Vieri and his men. He is taught basic combat, by his [[Mario Auditore da Firenze|uncle Mario]], of the [[Mercenary]] faction and agrees to continue his father's work as an Assassin. For the next 23 years, he works as an Assassin, killing off the Templars responsible for the deaths of his father and brothers. Rodrigo Borgia, the leader of the Templars, starts to become aware of his movements, and tries to protect the other Templars. However, all of them die by Ezio's hands. Two of Ezio's last targets, Silvio Barbarigo and Dante Moro, reveal that he and the rest of the Templars were going to sail away. When Ezio asks Silvio where they were planning to sail to Silvio refuses and dies. Dante Moro, who reveals that they were planning to sail to Cyprus and was going to tell Ezio why, but he dies before he can finish his statement. Later on, Leonardo da Vinci informs Ezio that one of the Codex Pages reveal that only the Prophet can open the Vault. Ezio finally learns that Rodrigo Borgia arrived at Venice and was receiving a package from Cyprus. He believed that Rodrigo was expecting the arrival from the prophet and tries to find a way to infiltrate and prove Rodrigo wrong. Ezio assassinates the deliverer and dresses in his armor. He is able to infiltrate the delivery, and told Rodrigo that the Prophet does not exist. Rodrigo laughs and tells Ezio that he, Rodrigo Borgia, was the prophet. Ezio fights Rodrigo and many other guards for the package. All of Ezio's past allies arrive and reveal that they are Assassins as well. After defeating Borgia, he flees the area and the Assassins tell Ezio that Rodrigo is not the prophet, but Ezio may be the prophet. Ezio is initiated into the Assassins Order that night. At the end of the game, Ezio travels to Rome to assassinate Rodrigo Borgia, who has now become the Pope, the most powerful man in all of Italy, if not all of Europe. Ezio traverses through the walls and towers of Rome and eventually reaches the Sistine Chapel, where he seemingly assassinates Borgia without being seen. To Ezio's suprise, Borgia arises with the Staff and attempts to kill Ezio and everyone else in the chapel with the Staff. Ezio had the Apple, and was able to resist the Staff's power. A suprised Borgia taunts Ezio and challenges him to a duel. Summoning four clones, Ezio duels Borgia. It appears that Ezio defeats Borgia, but Borgia uses the Staff to turn himself invisible and takes the Apple from Ezio. Borgia then lifts Ezio in the air with the Staff and stabs him, but Ezio was able to survive and using his Eagle Vision, he finds and faces Borgia one last time. The two fist fight, and Ezio emerges victorious, and uses the Staff and the Apple to access the Vault. Inside the Vault, he is greeted by a 'goddess' who identifies herself as Minerva. She explains to Ezio the true history of humanity and her race and warns that humanity is 'due for a second round'. Strangely though, she seems to be talking to another person, even though only Ezio is in the room. When Ezio asks her this, she admits that she does not wish to speek to Ezio but through him, as he is the Prophet. At the end of her speech, she says, "The rest is up to you... Desmond." A confused Ezio demands to know who Desmond is, but Minerva disappears and Ezio's story ends there.

===Assassin's Creed II: Discovery===
Sometime in late 1491, [[Antonio]] asks Ezio to pay him a visit. When Ezio arrives, Antonio is accompanied by man named [[Luis Santangel]]. Luis asks if Ezio will protect his friend, [[Christoffa Corombo]] (Christopher Columbus), who is currently on his way to meeting with Rodrigo Borgia. Seeing this an opportunity to kill Borgia himself, Ezio agrees. But Borgia is a no-show and has sent one of his own agents to the meeting to murder Christoffa. Ezio halts the attack just in time and is quickly entangled in a Templar plot to steal a mysterious atlas from Christoffa. With this atlas the Templars hope to establish a secret trade route to the Orient ... or so their cover story goes. Ezio travels to Spain to find out the Templars' new plans and to rescue a number of Assassins imprisoned by the Inquisition.

== Background ==

[[File:QuickTimePlayer_2009-09-25_19-22-34-26.png|thumb|left|286px|Young Ezio being approached by a guard (a Brute) after protesting at his fathers and brothers execution.]]Ezio is a young [[Florence |Florentine]] nobleman who lives during the 15th and 16th century. Unlike Altaïr, he is a seducer, and easily blends with any social class. He comes from an affluent background and has many friends until a life-changing event, wherein he and his family are betrayed, victims of a conspiracy that takes his [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|father]]'s, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|elder brother]]'s, and[[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze| younger brother's]] lives. Forced to protect his [[Maria de' Mozzi |mother]] and his [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze |sister Claudia]], his remaining family, he becomes an [[Assassin]], exacting vengeance on the conspirators who betrayed his family, his first victim, the [[Uberto Alberti |one who sentenced his father's and brothers' public execution]], [[Uberto Alberti]]. From that day on, Ezio and the rest of the Auditore family are considered criminals and traitors, and he flees Florence to the safety of his [[Auditore Family Villa |ancestral home]] in the Tuscan countryside. Ezio is helped not only by his uncle [[Mario Auditore da Firenze|Mario]], but also Leonardo da Vinci, who becomes his best friend and his personal engineer, as well as [[Niccolò Machiavelli]], [[Lorenzo the Magnificent |Lorenzo de' Medici]] and other famous Renaissance figures.

[[File:Ezio_and_Lorenzo.jpg|thumb|Ezio conversing with Lorenzo de Medici]]Ezio will travel across Italy to various locations like [[Venice]], [[Tuscany]] and [[Rome]]. In ''Assassin's Creed II'', all players will live approximately 23 years of his life from when he was 17 years old (a Novice), to 40 years old (a Master Assassin), or 1476 to 1499.

After he returns from Spain, he sealed his piece of Eden under the statue of Altair at the Villa. It is also speculated that Ezio does in fact have the ability to live forever due to the Staff's powers. Another popular rumour is that Ezio meets Altair at least once through out his life.   

== Equipment ==

[[File:Iexplore_2009-09-25_20-01-09-16.png|thumb|left|300px|Ezio assassinating two guards at once with the Dual-Hidden Blades.]]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze is able to use a variety of weapons including two [[Hidden Blade|hidden blades]], allowing him to assassinate two enemies simultaneously. Combat is also available with the hidden blade, as when countering an enemy, Ezio will kill the enemy, whether by stabbing repeatedly in the chest/stomach, or stabbing in the head. He can also steal (and use) several enemy weapons such as axes, hammers, maces, spears, halberds and two different sword types (one and two-handed). Ezio is also able to use Leonard Da Vinci's flying machine in some parts of the game, gaining altitude from bonfires set throughout the city by his allies. Ezio will gain many upgrades from Da Vinci on his wrist gauntlet like a wheel lock firearm concealed near his left hidden blade, and a poison needle inside one other hidden blade. Ezio possesses the ability to use [[Eagle Vision]] while moving. He can visit Blacksmiths to purchase weapons and armors including Helmschmeid and Metal Plate, or tailors to customize the colors of his clothing. After obtaining all six seals from hidden Assassin's Tombs, Ezio can open the locked gate to [[Altair's Armor]] inside the Villa Monteriggioni, created by Altair after the defeat of Al-Mualim. It is easily the best armor available in the game, giving much more health and resistance points than any prior suit or piece, and it is unbreakable.

The Codex pieces alludes to the possibility of the armor being forged from, or including parts of, the Golden Fleece - which could be a Piece of Eden. Considering that the armor is unbreakable, this is likely. The Sword of Altair can also be bought from the Monteriggioni blacksmith any time after the eighth scenario.

==Trivia==

[[File:Zw-ezioauditore.png|thumb|right|Ezio's database picture]]
* The Italian name 'Ezio' derives from the Greek word 'Aetos', which means "Eagle", similar to Altaïr whose name means "The Flying One".
* Unlike Altaïr (who had his ring finger removed as a commitment to make way for the [[Hidden Blade]]), Ezio has all ten fingers. A modification to the Hidden Blade made sometime after Altaïr defeated Al-Mualim spared Ezio's left ring finger. Leonardo Da Vinci deciphers a Codex Page written by Altaïr on which said modification was illustrated. Instead of said removal of the ring finger, Assassins now have a mark burned into the ring finger as a sign of their lineage.
* It is stated in the Philosophical Codex that after Altaïr defeated Al-Mualim at the end of the first ''Assassin's Creed'' and became the leader, the Assassins were forced to realize the scope of their fight against the Templars, and had to abandon many of their traditions: like the removal of the ring finger or the ban on using poison, in order to survive.
* Ezio uses a wheel lock firearm, a type of weapon that Europe didn't start developing until the very late 1400's and early 1500's, sometime during the Italian Renaissance, making this weapon most likely one of the very first of its type to appear in Europe. Thus, many in-game citizens do not know what the weapon is. The earliest firearms were single shot and took time to reload, so will most likely be only used as a last resort weapon. Leonardo Da Vinci didn't create the firearm mentioned, but found instructions to make one from a Codex page, meaning Altaïr was the one who invented the Hidden Gun (though it was a miniaturization of the first guns invented by the Moroccans at the time) through knowledge gained from the Apple of Eden. Also note that Da Vinci created some of the first modern wheel lock pistols, so this could be a shortened version of one.
* Ezio's face in ''Assassin's Creed II'' seems to be a mixture of Desmond's ([[wikipedia:Francisco Randez|Francisco Randez]]) and Devon Bostick's from ''Lineage'' .
* It would appear as though Ezio is unaware that he of his lineage to Assassins or that he is a descendant of Altaïr, despite learning about Altaïr in Monteriggioni and what kind of assassin he was, he never truly understands why he is such a successful assassin himself.
* Ezio is 40 years old in 1499 (15 years older than Altaïr's age in 1191); the same age as his father when his father died in 1476.
* If you move the camera to a certain angle in the game, Ezio's face has barely aged, except for the beard, even if you played through 20 plus years of his life. His voice does deepen and mature through time, though.
* It seems that his father's [[Hidden Blade]] has survived over almost 500 years (from 1499 to 2012) since [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] is seen using a similar looking one at the end of the [[Assassin's Creed II|game]].
* The scar on Ezio's mouth may have been acquired after the mission "Boys Will Be Boys", when Vieri De Pazzi threw the rock at his face during the first memory sequence

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Auditore da Firenze, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassins|Auditore da Firenze, Ezio]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr|Auditore da Firenze, Ezio]]