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Masyaf

2011-07-18T18:40:33Z

24.13.225.178: /* Renaissance */

{{Era|AC|Revelations|TSC}}
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{{Location Infobox
|name =
|image =Assassins-Creed-Revelations-Screenshots-400x400.jpg
|hidep =
|state =Independent city-state
|rulers =[[Assassins]] (c.1191) [[Templars]] (c.1511)
|factions =
|hideh = yes
|founded =
|date =
|abandoned =
|hidea =
|landmark =The fortress
|flags =20 [[Assassins|Assassin]] flags
|targets =[[Al Mualim]]}}
'''Masyaf''' is a mountain city located in [[Syria]], which served as the base of operations of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] during the [[Third Crusade]]. Here, Assassins underwent educational and physical training for the trials they were to endure in the land outside.

==History==
===Third Crusade===
Masyaf acted as the headquarters for the Syrian sect of the Assassin Order. In 1176, the fortress came under seige from [[Saladin]], who hoped to prevent the Assassins from making a third attempt on his life. On the second night of the seige, [[Umar Ibn-La'Ahad]] infiltrated the Arabic Warlord's tent, leaving a feather as warning; he was forced to kill a [[Saracen]] nobleman however, during his escape. Heeding the warning, Saladin left Masyaf, his only condition being the head of the one who had killed the nobleman. At first the Assassin's refused, though eventually relented.

During the [[Third Crusade]] the city was, for the most part, unscathed by the wars ravaging the Holy Land, as neither the [[Crusaders]] and Saracens were directly associated with the Order, although aware of their existence. In 1191, Al Mualim used the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]] to enslave the population of Masyaf, placing all the citizens in a trance like state. However, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was able to thwart his master's plan and return the population back to their original state of mind.

Following the death of Al Mualim during the [[Retaking of Masyaf]], Altaïr gained the position of [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order]].

In 1257, the fortress was visited by[[Niccolò Polo| Niccolò and]] [[Maffeo Polo]] to interview and learn about the life of Altaïr. Eventually, Altaïr decided that the Order should abandon the fortress in order to expand the Order throughout the world. Eventually the fortress was invaded by the Mongolians, wanting revenge for their part in [[Genghis Khan|Genghis Khan's]] murder. Though limited in numbers, the Assassins held the Mongols at bay long enough for the Polo brothers to escape. It was unknown what came of Altaïr and the remaining Assassins after the Mongol siege.

===Renaissance===
[[File:Masyaf_Revelations.jpg|thumb|250px|Masyaf, 300 years after the time of Altaïr.]]During the early 16th century, over 250 years after the fortress was abandoned, the Mentor of the Assassin Order, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], traveled to the mountain castle, to discover more about the Order's history. However, the village was crumbled and the castle was overrun with Templars. The Templars planned to gain an ancient artifact buried under the city, which could only be obtained using a set of [[Seals of Altaïr|five seals]].

==Layout==
<p style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Masyaf was built onto a mountain nestled in the Orontes Valley, with a village at its base, and the Assassin fortress at the peak.
===The village===
<p style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The village was composed of several dozen small cottages at the far end of the village and a built on several slopes. While the village market was at its lower end, along with several resources for civilains: areas to store grain, basket weaver, etc. It appeared to also offer sanctuary to the citizens loyal to the Assassins' cause. Along with regular citizens, several Assassin scholars roamed the village, as well as patrolling Assassin guards.

===The Fortress===
<p style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[[File:5445488769_3a4b522de4_b.jpg|thumb|202px|The Assassin's fortress.]]At the peak of the mountain lay the Assassin fortress. Within the fortress there is a training ring in which the Assassins practiced combat. In addition to the training ring, the fortress housed [[Al Mualim]]'s personal library as well as a magnificent garden. Inside the fortress library, one could witness the true scholarly habits of the Order, wherein instructors constantly maneuvered the shelves, seeking books to further their education on worldly politics, as well as the "[[The Creed|Assassin's Creed]]." Al Mualim as well, delved into these books on a daily basis, constantly seeking knowledge to properly guide and educate the fearsome political warriors that faithfully served under him.

<p style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The fortress also housed accomodations for all the Assassins that resided there, as well as the Master's private chamber from the top of the fortress temple. Addtionally, several watchtowers surrounded the walls, each with Assassin [[archers]] posted around them.

==Trivia==
*The Assassin's Fortress in Masyaf is very similar to Alamut Castle in Iran.
*Masyaf is the first location that is encountered during the game after [[Solomon's Temple]], and is also the smallest city outside the [[Kingdom]].
*There are no harassers of any sort in Masyaf (i.e. beggars, jar carriers, and guards blocking access).
*Outside of Masyaf, there is a small part of the Kingdom controlled by the Assassins, where one can use [[Eagle Vision]] to locate an [[Jamal|Assassin guard marked]] as an enemy.
*During the [[Siege of Masyaf|siege of Masyaf]], and during the mini cut-scene before the first [[Leap of Faith]], you can see Assassins keeping watch over the lake below.
*Although considered your allies (and indicated to be as such by [[Eagle Vision|eagle vision]]), guards in the city will fight you if provoked.
*Despite the Third Tenet stating that you must not, indirectly or otherwise, harm your fellow Assassins, you can kill Masyaf guards with no synchronization penalty, and no mention is made by anyone.
*The gardens behind the fortress (accessible after [[Tamir]]'s assassination) are a reference to the legend of the secret Paradise behind the real Assassins' headquarters. The garden Paradise was supposedly an illusion created by [[Hassan-i Sabbah]] - the real Assassins' founder - in order to make his followers believe in his divine mission, and execute any order given (usually assassination attempts) without fear of death.
*Masyaf guards sound exactly like the [[Saracens|Saracen]] [[guards]] of [[Jerusalem]] or [[Damascus]], even going so far as to use the same lines in combat such as ''"Infidel, die!" ''or ''"I'll have your head!"''. The same goes for the two novices fighting in the training arena.
*Even though you are not supposed to use weapons inside the fortress (except the training area), you may push guards off the tower and watch them die from the fall without suffering a loss of synchronization.
*Masyaf is the only Assassin headquarters in the Assassin's Creed series so far to have guards.
*The Assassins' main headquarters during the Crusades and until the strike of the Mongol Empire was the Alamut fortress in Iran, but there are references to another headquarter in Syria.
*Masyaf in Arabic (مصيف) translates to "summer resort" or "summer residence."

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Ac-masyaf1.jpg|Concept art of Masyaf.
Ac-masyaf2.jpg|Concept art of the city walls.
Ac-masyaf3.jpg|Concept art of [[Assassins]] in Masyaf.
Ac-masyaf4.jpg|Concept art of the city walls.
Masyaf.png|Map of Masyaf.
Masyaf_by_murcuseo-d39htz6.jpg|Masyaf, Panoramic.
Masyafezio.JPG|Ezio Auditore at Masyaf.
Insignia.png|The courtyard [[Assassin insignia|Assassins' insignia]].
4498816948_27d080aeb7_z.jpg|Atair at Masyaf
489745-mysaf.jpg|Siege of Masyaf in Assassin's Creed
Panoramic view of Masyaf interior.jpg|Panoramic view of Masyaf interior
5446091136_e2d352bfb6_b.jpg|Panoramic view of lands around Masyaf
5446092580_b96694af6a_b.jpg|Masyaf village
Map-crusades.jpg|Map showing the location of Assassins state
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Alep]]
*[[Monteriggioni]]
*[[Tiber Island Hideout]]

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' (mentioned only)
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''

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[[es:Masyaf]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin Order]]
[[Category:Assassin Order Headquarters]]
[[Category:Cities of Asia]]

Papal Guard

2011-01-26T01:26:31Z

24.13.225.178:

{{stub}}
{{Quote|The Papal guards are basically the ultimate elite guards that we're gonna have in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.|Ubisoft developer Christopher Weiler <ref name="Brotherhood Dev Diary 3">''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XoffSkVgsc&feature=channel ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' Dev Diary 3]''</ref>}}
[[File:Y_1b5d9d53.jpg|thumb|A member of the Papal Guard]]
The '''Papal Guard''' were elite soldiers commanded by the [[Papacy]] to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. By 1503, the Papal Guard protected [[Rodrigo Borgia|Pope Alexander VI]], and were led by the Pope's son and Papal Commander, [[Cesare Borgia]]. The sole purpose of the Papal guards is to protect the Pope and his family with their lives.

The Papal guards are the most versatile and difficult enemies, as they carry the best of abilities held by all other [[Guards|guard archetypes]] and can easily deflect and counter many of [[Ezio Auditore]]'s attacks.<ref name="Brotherhood Dev Diary 3"></ref> They can wield wheel-lock firearms (most likely pistols) in one hand, and a sword in the other, making them deadly opponents in both short and long range. Other than swords, they can also be equipped with a variety of long weapons, short weapons, and heavy weapons.

==Skills==

*Papal guards are extremely fast and difficult to escape from, as they possess the speed of [[Agiles]], and will always be able catch up to Ezio in a chase.

*Papal guards can dodge Ezio's attacks, also behaving similar to an Agile.

*When confronted with a group of Papal guards it is common for them to grab Ezio from behind or directly from the front. This can be considered as a team work strategy.

*Papal guards often in groups, rarely when encountered alone, throw sand in Ezio's face, a skill that is common for Seekers to use in close range combat.

*Although not considered a skill, Papal guards cause significantly more damage in close range than other guard archetypes, aside from Brutes.

*Papal guards are the only guards (other than Cesare Borgia) in the whole game that hold a wheel-lock firearm in one hand, while equipped with a melee weapon in the other, being able to shoot at Ezio when attempting to escape or at close range. Another strategy can be considered involving the firearms when two or one Papal guards will attack Ezio at close range while at least one will repeatedly shoot him from a distance.

*Papal guards also hijack a horse when engaged in a fight.

==Trivia==
*The Papal guards were the precursor to the [[wikipedia:Swiss guard|Swiss Guard]], who have protected the pontiff since 1548.
*The Papal guards may be less skilled than Ezio, however they are considerably stronger and have a larger build; with all of them being at least a head taller than Ezio.
*Depending on the weapon that they are armed with, Papal guards are able to fight as a [[Brutes|Brute]], [[Agiles|Agile]] or [[Seekers|Seeker]].
*Although Papal guards are one of the toughest opponents in the game they aren't commonly found in Rome, and will appear more often in storyline missions. However, a group of four Papal guards are always stationed right outside the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] in the [[Vaticano District]], and will also attack Ezio on sight.
*By Cesare Borgia's arrest in December 1503, the Borgia had lost all their power in Rome. However, when Cesare was arrested by [[Fabio Orsini]] and the Papal troops, they still carried the emblem of the Borgia.
*[[Smoke bombs]] have no effect on a Papal guard while engaged in combat, however, the bombs function as normal if the guard is taken by surprise.
*Cesare Borgia himself fights much like a Papal guard, and is able to dual-wield a rifle and sword as they do.
*In Sequence 8, the Papal guards become much more common in the Vatican district. If you're attempting the Mercenary Guild Challenge then it is wise to wait until Sequence 8 before tackling this challenge.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Papal.png|A Papal Guard threatens Ezio Auditore at gunpoint.
ACB papalguard.png|A Papal guard and Ezio Auditore.
Papal Guard.PNG|A Papal guard, wielding a spear.
Papal guard.jpg|A Papal guard is impaled by Ezio Auditore
Cesare_and_the_Papal_Guard.jpg|Cesare and his Papal infantry
Pguard&borgia.jpg|Twelve Papal Guards prepare to attack Ezio
Papalguardledbycesare.png|Papal Guards led by Cesare
</gallery>

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

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]

Borgia tower

2011-01-02T22:34:46Z

24.13.225.178:

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[[File:Borgia_Tower.jpg|thumb|304px|Borgia Tower destroyed.]]

'''Borgia towers''' are large towers set up by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] in [[Rome]], used to spread their influence throughout the city. To stop this oppression, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] has to kill each tower's Captain, and then burn the towers down. To escape the collapsing structure, he performs a [[Leap of Faith]].<ref>http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=260729</ref> The tower also functions as the[[ view point]] for the surrounding area. There are twelve towers (and Captains) in total, and each Captain can act differently when they spot him; wherein some might flee, while others choose to fight. If Ezio lets the Borgia Captain escape, he will have to wait a full 12 hours (in-game) for the Captain to regroup with his guards before he can try to kill him again. With each tower blown up, the Borgias' influence decreases in that particular district, which also provides its [[merchants]] the opportunity to reopen their shops and allows Ezio to recruit one more potential assassin into the guild. Crime will decrease, as bandits will start to leave and the number of [[guards]] in that area will decrease.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm7cPxAdoto&feature=player_embedded</ref>The map on the pause menu identifies the towers with a small castle icon, unlike regular view points which are marked with an eagle. To enter a Borgia tower, Ezio will sometimes need to find and access it using a secret entrance.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_kMAhM6Hao</ref>

Once Ezio has destroyed a Borgia tower, it will function as an Assassin tower, which works in the same way as a pigeon coop (assassin recruit contracts and skill point distribution).

==Captains==
==='''[[Centro District]]'''===
*[[Iacopo de Grassi]]
*[[Pietro da Siena]]
*[[Domenico da Padova]]
*[[Belardino da Verona]]
*[[Valentino da Siena]]

===[[Antico District|An'''tico District''']]===
*[[Prospero da Siena]]
*[[Tommaso di Viterbo]]
*[[Ippolito di Foligno]]

==='''[[Campagna District]]'''===
*[[Francesco da Velletri]]
*[[Antonio da Fiorentino]]
*[[Battista Borgia]]
*[[Ferdinando di Napoli]]

==Trivia==
*Borgia towers are surrounded by many crows, whereas view points are circled by a single eagle.
*If a Borgia Captain escapes, the player may quit the game and reload their save position to make the Captain 'reappear' instead of waiting 12 in game hours.
*If you kill a Borgia Captain and die before burning the Borgia Tower (falling from a high building for example) you'll have to go through the process of killing him again.
*When the final Borgia Tower becomes accessible, the Borgia captain will be on top of the tower. If you send your assassins to assassinate him, they'll appear as if they've teleported and kill him, but stand still until they're out of sight, even when the tower is burning.
*All Borgia Captians with the name "da Siena" will flee.[[Video: Burning A Borgia Tower|thumb|300px|right| Burning A Borgia Tower]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]