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Horse

2012-06-10T01:24:32Z

42.2.179.142: /* History */

{{Era|AC|AC2|ACB|PL|ACR|AC3|Renaissance|Bbook|TSC|Rbook|Lineage|Ascendance|Embers}}
{{WP-REAL|Horse}}
{{Quote|Any worthwhile mercenary will know the value of a reliable, trained horse. Riding an animal that startles on the battlefield or loses speed quickly is a risk we will not take.|Mario Auditore.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
[[File:AC_horse_logo.jpg|thumb|300px|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on a horse outside of Masyaf.]]

'''Horses''' are a species of hoofed mammals, which have been used as a means of transport throughout most of recorded [[Humanity|human]] history.

Their presence and use was widespread throughout the Middle Ages and [[Renaissance]] era for several purposes, resulting in a variety of breeds to match their use.

==Breeds==
{{Quote|The stable keeper gives me a short tour. He presents the different breeds - some bred stocky for labor, some wiry for travel, and of course, the unflinching steeds we will ride into combat.|Mario Auditore surveying the horses of Monteriggioni.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}

Three breeds of horse in particular were common throughout [[Rome]] in the early 16th century, and differed in both appearance and characteristics.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

[[File:ACB_SP_S_55_AerialAssassinationOnHorse_1280.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio assassinating a guard mounted on a Rouncey.]]
The common horse, or {{Wiki|Rouncey}},<ref name="Brotherhood User Manual">''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' User Manual</ref> which was heavily laden with saddle bags, could usually be found in the [[Antico District|Antico]] and [[Campagna District]], with the [[guards]] riding them (possibly messengers) always pushing them into a quick gallop.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

The standard horse, or {{Wiki|Jennet}},<ref name="Brotherhood User Manual" /> was mostly found in the [[Centro District|Centro]] and [[Vaticano District]], and was usually ridden by [[civilians]]. This horse was the fastest of the three breeds.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

The rarest type, the armored warhorse or {{Wiki|Destrier}},<ref name="Brotherhood User Manual" /> could be found in any of Rome's districts still occupied by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]], or at stables after all of them had been renovated. Despite being the slowest type of horse, this armored breed was able to withstand more damage from enemy attacks without falling.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Other slightly uncommon breeds used at the time were the {{Wiki|Percheron}}, which [[Lucrezia Borgia]] used for her carriages, and two sub-varieties of warhorse.<ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

{{-}}
==History==
The horse and the [[Wagon|horse-drawn carriage]] were equally common modes of transportation, and indispensable for the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] from the High Middle Ages until the Renaissance.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===High Middle Ages===
[[File:AC horseback charge.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Altaïr fighting on horseback against a [[Templars|Templar]] knight.]]
A stable could be found directly outside the Assassin-controlled village of [[Masyaf]], and horses residing there were often used by the Assassins to traverse the expanse of the [[Kingdom]], allowing them to reach other cities for missions or assassinations.<ref name="AC" />

A variety of horses could be found throughout the Kingdom as well, either in corrals or stables, or standing alone on the path with their rider nearby. During the height of the [[Third Crusade|Crusades]], horse-drawn carriages and warhorses were also common sights on the battlefield.<ref name="AC" />

As such, guards stationed along the paths of the Kingdom were always wary of horsemen, particularly if they were riding hard, or acted as if they were being pursued. With this in mind, most Assassins made it a point to ride slowly when in the presence of alert guards.<ref name="AC" />

===Renaissance===
[[File:Animal Husbandry.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The stables of Monteriggioni.]]
By the Renaissance, though ridden horses still held their importance, horse-drawn carriages had grown significantly in popularity. [[Fast Travel Booths|Travel stations]] could often be found just outside of major cities, and offered citizens safe and easy carriage rides, for a price.<ref name="AC2" />

In the large city of Rome, horses were often used to travel between districts, and were ridden by citizens, guards, and Assassins alike, with the latter able to hijack horses from the former two.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Horses also remained essential for warfare. [[Mario Auditore]], as ruler and protector of [[Monteriggioni]], always held the horses in high regard, noting that ''"some of them will die alongside us; others will actually be key to keeping us alive."''<ref name="Project Legacy" />

As such, each of the Monteriggioni [[mercenaries]] was made to get to know his horse before riding out into battle.<ref name="Project Legacy" />
===Renaissance===
It is known that horses will return and will act as a kind of transport for [[Connor]].

==Combat and movement==
[[File:AC horseback battle.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Altaïr striking an enemy from horseback.]]
In the High Middle Ages, horses were somewhat rare off of the battlefield, and Assassins were able to use the strength and speed granted by their mounts in order to gain an advantage over their enemies. [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], for instance, could wield his [[Swords and Maces|sword]] to combat opponents while on horseback, or flee from them if necessary.<ref name="AC" />

However, while an Assassin's horse could outrun any pursuer and leap most obstacles, a single sword strike could trip it and send its rider into the ground.<ref name="AC" />

Though horses could easily plow through crowds, pulling the horse into a rear would normally startle nearby civilians, clearing a path in the process.<ref name="AC" />

Ezio Auditore was also equally skilled at riding and combat, though he could use a horse directly before or after [[Freerunning|free-running]]. He was able stand on the saddle at any time, and jump from horseback onto a wall or beam. Inversely, he could also jump directly onto horseback from a nearby building, or from a [[Parachutes|parachute]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Unlike Altaïr, Ezio (as well as any opponent he faced) was able to use a variety of his weapons while on horseback, both long and short-ranged; however, this excluded any heavy or two-handed weapon, the [[Hidden Blade]] and [[Short blades|daggers]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />

[[File:Horse_combat_1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ezio jumping from his horse to air assassinate a Borgia soldier.]]
Though Ezio could not remain on horseback while wielding his hidden blade, he could perform assassinations from horseback. To do this, he would leap from the saddle to assassinate either an enemy on the ground, or a mounted horseman, wherein he would subsequently steal their mount. Conversely, he could also drag the rider of a horse to the ground, before using his hidden blade to assassinate them while they lay on the floor.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Upon dismounting a horse, depending on whether or not the steed had been stolen, it would either follow its rider or flee immediately. Additionally, if their rider was in battle next to them, horses would often kick out at attacking guards, causing them to fall.<ref name="Brotherhood" /><ref name="AC" />

==Trivia==
*So far throughout the [[Assassin's Creed (series)|''Assassin's Creed'' series]], only two rideable horses have ever died. The first died during the [[Fall of Monteriggioni]], when it was hit by a collapsing tower damaged by cannon fire, and the second during the [[Siege of Viana]], when it was struck by a cannonball.
**Never once in full, physical gameplay can a ridable horse die, instead only tripping over and causing the player to fall off. This can particularly be seen during the memory "[[Outgunned]]", as horses shot by the [[Machine gun]] will not die, instead falling over and getting up again.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', horses taken from within the Kingdom have a tendency to abruptly change color when passing from one region to another.
*Though ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' was the first to allow horses inside cities, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2g-COZpMXs early gameplay videos] show that riding horses inside of a city was originally intended to be possible in ''Assassin's Creed''.
*Horses are only used by guards in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' during one mission, "[[Romagna Holiday]]", wherein they attack [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s carriage.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', horses cannot enter into cities or the Harbor of Forli.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', the only time horses are encountered in-game is during the carriage missions, and they are not ridable.
**However, Altaïr and his son [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad|Darim]], along with [[Selim I]] and a [[Janissaries|Janissary]] guard, can be seen on horseback in two cutscenes.

'''''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'''''
*''Brotherhood'' is the first game where citizens are shown on horseback; though this leads to a minor anachronism: female citizens are depicted as straddling their horse rather than sitting side-saddle. This is historically inaccurate, as seeing a woman's legs spread apart was considered a most vulgar and insulting sight during the Renaissance period.
*Galloping is disabled throughout Rome; and is only possible in [[Viana]], Monteriggioni, [[Colli Albani]], and the [[Colosseo]]'s [[Lairs of Romulus|Lair of Romulus]].
**When the game was ported to the PC, the gallop option was reintroduced, presumably because the Xbox 360 and PS3 couldn't provide the loading times for the speed at which the horse travelled, in comparison to the scenery being generated.
*Jumping from a horse onto a beam 20 times is a requirement for the completion of the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Guild Challenges#Thieves Guild|Thieves guild challenge]].
[[File:Grand Thief Dressage.png|65px|right]]
*The [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Achievements|achievement]] "Grand Theft Dressage" can be unlocked by stealing five horses in a row, without touching the ground.
*Destriers cannot be found in any color but white, despite their image in the in-game manual showing a black-haired coat.
*A minor glitch may occur if Ezio is using his sword while on horseback. If he is knocked off while attacking, once he gets back to his feet, he will still hold his sword with his arm raised above his head. It will remain this way, even when supposedly attacking or countering, until the weapon is sheathed.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Big Talker.jpg|Horses used in the [[Defense of Monteriggioni]].
www.totalvideogames.com_69739_AC2_S_082_Rome_HorseChase.jpg|Ezio fleeing soldiers on the [[Passetto di Borgo]] with a Jennet.
ACB_SP_S_50_HorseTakeDown_1280.jpg|Ezio facing a horseman on a Destrier.
Assassin s Creed Brotherhood 1 .jpg|A horseback battle between Ezio and a Borgia soldier.
Mounted Assassins.jpg|Ezio and his [[apprentices]] on horseback.
1524387-996093_20100916_790screen004_super.jpg|Ezio attacking a horseman with a spear.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{ACIII}}
{{AC3L}}
{{ACFC}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Gameplay]]
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Usable transportation]]
[[Category:Animals]]

Leap of Faith

2012-06-10T01:16:57Z

42.2.179.142: Updated with new information

{{Era|AC|Bloodlines|AC2|AC2D|ACB|PL|ACR|AC3|Secret Crusade|TF|FC|Ascendance}}
{{Revamp}}
[[File:Assassin's Creed (3).png|thumb|300px|[[Altaïr]], [[Rauf]], and another Assassin performing Leaps of Faith before the Templars.]]
The '''Leap of Faith''' was an acrobatic move in which the person performing it dived from atop a high structure to land, unharmed, in a conveniently placed pile of hay or other soft landing material.

The Leap of Faith was integral for the members of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], and served as a requirement for their [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiation]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Concept art for Leap of Faith.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Three Assassins performing a Leap of Faith.]]
The acrobatic move itself consisted of a vertical leap, with a completely straight back, followed by a body-roll in mid-air to allow the one performing it to land on his or her back.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

The move could also be performed by simply walking off a ledge, moving the entire body forward. This method was used by the [[Rome|Roman]] Assassin recruits after their initiation ceremony.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Leaps of Faith could be performed by [[Free Running]] off any high ledge or beam. Areas from which a Leap could be performed were often marked by bird droppings with small hay patches, and pigeons perched upon the ledge. Leaps of faith could also be performed while hanging on a ledge or climbing near a bale of hay, or even moving wagons containing hay. <ref name="AC" />

{{-}}

==Usage==
===High Middle Ages===
The Leap of Faith was used to descend from [[View Points]], each of which always provided a suitable safe target for it. However, it could be used to jump down from anywhere, if, of course, there was a safe target below.<ref name="AC" />

It was also handy in losing pursuing [[guards]] on rooftops, as leaping down to street level automatically caused the Assassin to leave the pursuers' line of sight.<ref name="AC" />

===Renaissance===
[[File:AC2 S 074 Leap Of Faith Tuscany SanGimignano-thumb-640xauto-9613.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith off a tower in [[San Gimignano]].]]
Though [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]] only performed Leaps of Faith into piles of hay, [[Ezio Auditore]] could make use of water and other piles of soft material, such as piles of leaves or flower petals.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio made use of the Leap of Faith to quickly escape the [[Borgia Tower]]s he climbed and set aflame.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

As per tradition, whenever [[Assassin recruits]] were initiated, Ezio also required them to perform a Leap of Faith from the top of the [[Tiber Island]] [[Tiber Island headquarters|hideout]], into the [[Tiber River]] below.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

===Modern times===
[[File:Arrival2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Desmond's first leap of faith.]]
In 2000, [[Daniel Cross]] performed a Leap of Faith into the Arabian Sea, in order to escape the Assassins' Dubai headquarters upon murdering [[The Mentor (2000)|The Mentor]] with his newly acquired [[Hidden Blade]].<ref name="The Fall">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref>

[[Desmond Miles]] performed his first Leap of Faith in the run-down, modern [[Monteriggioni]] in 2012, after witnessing (due to the [[bleeding effect]]) Ezio climbing up to a View Point.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Additionally, at [[Abstergo Industries]], several [[Abstergo recruits]] also performed Leaps of Faith through the simulations they participated in, within the [[Animus]] training program.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

{{-}}

==Trivia==
'''''Assassin's Creed'''''

* Near the beginning of the game, when [[Masyaf]] is attacked by Templars, three Assassins display their devotion by performing Leaps of Faith from a cliff. This is based on a historical incident involving the [[wikipedia:Assassins#Origins|Hashshashin]], in which their leader proclaimed that his followers were more devout than any, and would follow all commands he gave. As shown in the game, he ordered several men to jump from a cliff "to their deaths," which they did. The incident is also depicted in the novel ''Alamut'', by Vladimir Bartol; though only one man leaps from a tower, while another kills himself with a dagger.
* There is actually nothing coincidental about the placement of the piles of hay. It is explained that the bales of hay and the birds that denote the location of a View Point have been programmed into the memory by [[Lucy Stillman]], as a way to help out in the navigation of the memory.
'''''Assassin's Creed II'''''
* When being pursued by Ezio, [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] leaps off the [[Palazzo della Signoria]] into a haystack for a quick escape. This was the only known example for a non-Assassin performing a Leap of Faith until ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
* To achieve the "High Dive" [[Assassin's Creed II Achievements|achievement]], you must perform a Leap of Faith from [[Giotto's Campanile]] in [[Florence]], as it is the highest viewpoint in the game.
* Ezio can perform an alternative Leap of Faith by hanging from a ledge or View Point and falling backwards onto a safe spot, as long as he is high enough, and the safe spot is directly below him. Ezio is forced to do this at least once, after speaking with [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|his father]] during the "[[Jailbird]]" memory.
'''Other'''
* In reality, it is unlikely that a haystack in a cart would be able to safely cushion someone falling from a great height. The momentum may either cause the cart to collapse or the person jumping to fall through the bottom. Hay is also sharp, therefore falling into it at such a speed would surely cause injury.
* It is suggested that very few of the modern-age Assassins perform the Leap of Faith, due to Lucy Stillman saying it was ''"pretty awesome"'' when she witnesses Desmond Miles performing his first-ever Leap from the walls of Monteriggioni. It should be noted that Lucy does not perform the Leap herself, and instead takes a ladder down the cliff to follow Desmond.
* In ''[[Assassins Creed II: Discovery]]'', Ezio can also perform the alternative Leap of Faith by hanging above a haystack and letting go of the ledge. Doing so correctly will let Ezio flip three times.
* Also in ''Discovery'', Ezio can perform a Leap of Faith into a bush.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'', it is mentioned that the haystacks used in the Leaps of Faith at the Templar siege of Masyaf were placed there on the orders of [[Rauf]].
* As an [[Easter Eggs#Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker|easter egg in ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'']], Big Boss (and the soldiers he has recruited) can perform Leaps of Faith into a straw box called the "Assassin Straw Box."
* An [[Easter Eggs#The Witcher 2|easter egg in ''The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings'']] shows an individual dressed in Assassin clothing dead on top of a collapsed hay cart; the main character comments ''"Guess they'll never learn."''

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" captiontextcolor="#ffffff">
AquilusLoF.jpg|[[Aquilus]] performing a Leap of Faith.
assassins_creed1.jpg|Altaïr performing a Leap of Faith into a haystack.
4682449642 8eab870a8d.jpg|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith off the [[Santa Maria del Fiore]].
Ascension_5.jpg|Ezio performing a Leap off the Tiber Island headquarters.
TiberIslandHQ_LeapOfFaith_Concept.JPG|Assassin recruits performing Leaps off the Tiber Island headquarters.
Assassins-creed-revelations-20110607054555571.jpg|The [[Vanguard]] performing a Leap of Faith.
The Fall.jpg|Daniel's Leap of Faith.
Narrow_Escape_8.png|Ezio performs a Leap of Faith from the top of Masyaf fortress.
Assassins-Creed-Ascendance-feature-image.jpg
screenshot_1.jpg|Ezio performing a leap of faith after burning a Borgia Tower.
Vali-leapoffaith.png|Vali cel Tradat performing a Leap of Faith.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{ACRevelations}}
{{ACIII}}
{{ACFC}}
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II: Discovery Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]