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Siege of Monteriggioni

2010-12-12T21:50:57Z

66.155.211.12: /* Escaping the city */

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{{revamp}}
{{Battle
|name = Fall of Monteriggioni
|imageBG = Fall of Monterigioni
|image = [[File:Siege-of-Monteriggioni.jpg|300px]]
|date = January 1500
|place = [[Monteriggioni]], [[Tuscany]]
|result = Major Borgia (Templar) Victory:

Pillage of Monteriggioni by Borgia forces. 
*Death of Mario Auditore
*Caterina Sforza captured
*[[Apple of Eden]] acquired

Minor Auditore Victory:
*Ezio, Claudia, Maria and villagers escaped through tunnels
|side1 = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] ([[Templars]])
|side2 = [[House of Auditore|Auditore]]
|commanders1 = *[[Cesare Borgia]]
*[[Lucrezia Borgia]]
*[[Micheletto]]
*[[Octavian de Valois]]
*[[Juan Borgia]]
|commanders2 = *[[Mario Auditore]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]
*[[Caterina Sforza]]
|forces1 = Unspecified numbers of:
*Militia
*[[Brutes]]
*[[Agile guards]]
*[[Seekers]]
*Elites
*Leaders
*[[Arquebusiers]]
|forces2 = Unspecified numbers of:
*[[Mercenaries]]
*Monteriggioni city guards
*Mercenary [[arquebusiers]]
|casual1 = *Large number of Borgia soldiers
*Moderate destruction of Borgia siege machines
|casual2 = *Mario Auditore
*Large number of mercenaries
|civilian = Unknown numbers|prev = [[Confrontation at the Vatican]]
|undefined|next = [[Liberation of Rome]]||conflict = Siege of Monteriggioni}}

The '''Fall of Monteriggioni''' was a series of events leading up to an engagement between the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]], under the command of [[Cesare Borgia]], and the [[House of Auditore|Auditore]] which took place in January, 1500.
==Return from the Vatican==
{{quote|Steel yourself, Ezio. They will have many questions.|Mario to Ezio, before returning to the villa.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
After [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] received the message of [[Those Who Came Before]] from [[The Vault|the Vault]] under the Vatican, Ezio and [[Mario Auditore]] return to [[Monteriggioni]] after escaping the Papal forces, with the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]] with them.

In the countryside of Monteriggioni, Ezio and Mario conversed about what Ezio had learned in the Vault, though Mario assured him that many of the things that the [[Minerva|mysterious figure]] had mentioned would happen in the future, thus they need not worry about it. As they came within sight of the town, Ezio was slightly startled by a cannon ball impacting the ground near them, and Mario explained that his [[Mercenaries|mercenaries]] were merely testing out the [[Mounted cannons|cannons]] they had installed during Ezio's absence. Entering Monteriggioni, Ezio and Mario were joyously greeted by the townspeople on their return.
[[File:Zw-ach-ezio-mario-horse.jpg|230px|left|thumb|Ezio and Mario, riding back to Monteriggioni.]]
Arriving at the foot of the [[Villa Auditore]], the two were welcomed by [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]], Ezio's sister, who told Ezio of [[Caterina Sforza]]'s presence in Monteriggioni. Claudia then asked if what Ezio had started was finally finished, to which Ezio replied that he would explain everything to both her and the others later in Mario's study. As Claudia left, Mario told Ezio to prepare himself for many questions, before going back into the Villa.

Before entering the Villa, Ezio helped some of the townspeople; and while doing so, he learned of Claudia's birthday party that would take place the next day in the Villa. After helping the townspeople and some of Mario's mercenaries by delivering flowers to the Villa Auditore and testing out the new cannons himself, Ezio headed off to the Villa. Caterina Sforza stood waiting in the main hall of the villa, and she greeted Ezio with glee. Caterina explained that she had come to Monteriggioni seeking the assistance of their mercenaries to defend Forli against the Papal army. Ezio told Caterina that they would discuss things after the meeting at Mario's study, to which she agreed.

Ezio arrived at the study, where Claudia, [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|his mother]], Mario, and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] were waiting. Ezio told them of what he had seen in [[The Vault|the Vault]], and of his confrontation with the Spaniard, [[Rodrigo Borgia]]. He spoke of the "moving portrait" of the goddess [[Minerva]], who had told Ezio about a disaster that would occur in the distant future, as well as the existence of Temples that could aid humanity. After her message, she had called out to a phantom named [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]], much to Ezio's confusion. After this, the goddess had disappeared.[[File:Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h26m26s59.jpg|230px|thumb|right|Ezio and Caterina, in Ezio's room.]]

The others were astounded by Ezio's discoveries, and Claudia asked if the goddess had appeared human. Ezio told her that she had, though her words proved otherwise. Mario asked who Desmond was, and where the Temples that Minerva mentioned were. Ezio could not provide the answer to either. Machiavelli asked Ezio how it had ended with Rodrigo, if he had begged for mercy or had offered him power. Ezio told him that none of these happened, for he had allowed Rodrigo to live. Enraged, Machiavelli told Ezio that sparing him was a mistake. Ezio attempted to explain why he had spared Rodrigo, saying that they should forget the past and focus more on the future, but Machiavelli disagreed vehemently with him, and abruptly left for [[Rome]].

As Machiavelli left, Mario tried to comfort Ezio with his decision, stating that he trusted his decisions. After this, Ezio left the study and returned to his room. There, he undressed and bathed, and was soon by Caterina, who "comforted" him. After the bath, Ezio and Caterina continued their "activities" in bed, which lasted until dawn.

==Siege==
{{quote|We've had too much bloodshed. I think a cleansing is in order. So consider this as an invitation from my family...to yours!|[[Cesare Borgia]], moments before killing Mario.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:AssassinsCreedBrotherhoodE32010SinglePlayerGameplayMovie.jpg|thumb|230px|[[Monteriggioni]] under fire.]]
As they finish, Caterina asked Ezio if he wants to "go again". Ezio replied that she need not to ask. As they were about to begin, cannon fire can be heard from the outside. When Caterina wondered aloud what it was, Ezio assumed it was just the mercenaries training with the new cannons. This was proven wrong, as a cannon ball tore through the windows of Ezio's room, destroying the [[Armor of Altaïr|armor of his ancestor]]. Surprised, Ezio got out of bed and dressed himself for combat. Taking up a common sword and his [[Hidden Blade|hidden blade]], while dressed in common clothes, Ezio headed out of the villa through the wall blown open by cannon fire. Caterina leaves the room through the stairs and tells Ezio that she will assist the civilians. After this, the two part ways.

What greeted Ezio was the site of [[Monteriggioni]], under cannon fire, with buildings and structures burning and falling apart. As his eyes wandered, Ezio sees a cannon ball headed his way, which he barely dodged. Ezio falls off the roof of the Villa, but was able to recover quickly. He was then helped up by his uncle, who told him that [[House of Borgia|the Borgia]] has come to attack them. Ezio wondered why they were not able to see them coming, to which Mario replied that they must've taken a different route to the east. As the Villa fell apart, Mario instructed Ezio to climb the walls of the city and help the mercenaries as the villagers flee. Mario told Ezio that he will lead a frontal assault against the Borgia.

Ezio asked his uncle if he had [[First Apple|the apple]], to which he replied that he is keeping it safe. After this, the two bid each other safety and farewell, before Ezio tells Mario to be careful, with Mario reassuring him that he will be. Ezio, with haste, dropped off the villa's courtyard and jumps onto a [[Horses|horse]], where he rode across the city as it fell apart. Arriving at the side of the city walls, a building nearby falls, which causes Ezio's horse to trip and fall. Ezio dismounts just in time, and proceeds to climb up the tower, after small nuisances. Ezio made his way to the mounted cannons, which he used to defend the city from cannon fire. As Ezio and the mercenaries defend the city, the townspeople flee to safety. After all the townspeople made their way out, as Ezio manned the cannon, the siege towers arrived at the side of the city walls. One of the mercenary took Ezio's place, as the assassin prepared to defend the other side of the wall.[[File:Cesare with the Apple.jpg|230px|thumb|left|[[Cesare Borgia]], holding the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]] alongside his sister]]

Ezio made his way to the other side, and disposed off all the soldiers. As he did, he sees from afar, his uncle Mario arriving at the city gates, barely alive. Who followed was [[Cesare Borgia]], along with some of his generals and his sister [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]]. Cesare called Ezio out, stating that he knew of him and the [[Assassins]], and also the apple. Ezio rushed to Mario, as Cesare takes a gun fashioned by [[Leonardo da Vinci|the assassin's friend]], and points it to Mario's head. Claiming that a cleansing is in order, Cesare shoots Mario with the gun, serving as the invitation of the Borgia to the [[House of Auditore|Auditore]]. Subsequently, Ezio was shot across the shoulder by one of the [[Arquebusiers|arquebusiers]] at the city walls, which causes Ezio to fall into unconsciousness.

==Escaping the city==
Waking up, Ezio is greeted by two mercenaries, dragging him across the ground. Ezio abruptly told them to let go, stating that he can stand on his own. As he did, the Borgia's soldiers arrive to finish off what they began. Knowing he cannot handle the guards alone, Ezio called for the mercenaries to back him up, to which they did. After a brief fight, Ezio and the mercenaries made their way to the villa, to meet up with Claudia.[[File:Zw-acb-hiddenpassage.jpg|250px|thumb|The escape passage constructed at the Sanctuary.]]

As he made his way through the city rubble, Ezio arrives at the villa, and sees Claudia and a group of mercenaries being assaulted by more soldiers. Ezio and his group of mercenaries assisted them, and successfully fended them off. After this, the group made their way to the Sanctuary, taking out everyone that stood in their way. Eventually, Ezio made his way to the Sanctuary, after being greeted by one of the [[Thieves|thieves]] of Monteriggioni. The thief told Ezio that they thought he was dead, before asking where the passage led to. Before Ezio closed the passage to the sanctuary, the thief left to aid the other factions assisting Ezio. After this, Ezio locked the secret door to the hidden passage, before meeting up with the others.

Ezio met up with Claudia, his mother, and the other civilians. There, he led the escape through a long passage constructed behind [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|his ancestor]]'s statue, that leads to the outside of the northern walls. After a long journey, navigating through the complex structure and dealing with the guards that managed to catch up with the group, Ezio and the other civilians managed to escape the city.

==Aftermath==
{{dialogue|Claudia|You're not coming with us? Where are you going?|Ezio|To [[Roma]].|Ezio and Claudia, before Ezio rides off to Rome.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

While asking for a horse, Ezio instructed Claudia to take their mother back to [[Florence]]. Claudia asked where he was headed, to which he replied that he was going to [[Rome]]. As the civilians leave the area, and as Maria bid her son farewell, Ezio rides off to Rome. In the midst of his journey however, Ezio passed out.

After a while, Ezio woke up, covered in bandages. He was greeted by the sight of a kindly woman, who nursed him back to health. There, she told him that a man took him there and left new equipment for him to use. After this, the woman instructs Ezio to meet up with [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] at the Mausoleo di Augusto.

The [[Liberation of Rome|liberation of Rome]] has begun.

==Source==
*[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]

{{Timeline}}
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]
[[Category:Major Events]]
[[Category:Monteriggioni]]

Claudia Auditore da Firenze

2010-12-05T09:57:27Z

66.155.211.12:

{{Era|AC2|Ren}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Claudia Auditore da Firenze
|image = char_claudia.png
|imgdesc = Claudia, as she appears in [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]].
|hideb =
|birth = January 1461 [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death =
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Auditore|Auditore]] [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|actor = [[Devery Jacobs]]
|voice = [[Angela Galuppo]]
}}

'''Claudia Auditore da Firenze''' (born 1461) was a [[Florence|Florentine]] noblewoman during the [[Italy|Italian]] [[Renaissance]]. She later became a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Claudia Auditore da Firenze was born in Florence, the daughter of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] and [[Maria Auditore da Firenze]] and sister to [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

In 1476, Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio were [[Auditore execution|executed]] as they were accused of treason against Florence. In fact, they were executed by the [[Templars]], the sworn enemies of the [[Assassins]], the latter of whom her father was a member of. Following this, her brother Ezio exacted revenge on [[Uberto Alberti]], the city's Gonfalioniere, and left Florence with Claudia and their mother. They fled to [[Monteriggioni]], the city ruled over by their uncle [[Mario Auditore|Mario]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Although Ezio at first meant only to stay in Monteriggioni for a day, he decided it was best to stay at the [[Villa Auditore]] so that he could finish his father's work.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Monteriggioni's treasurer===
Mario assigned Claudia to being Monteriggioni's treasurer, keeping track of all of Monteriggioni's incomes and objects Ezio brought in from the outside.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

She kept on doing this for twenty-three years, with occasional visits from her brother.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> She was quite bothered by the fact that her brother rarely visited her, but she "thought the world of him" nonetheless.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Member of the Assassin Order===
{{dialogue3|Claudia|What?|Ezio|So, my little sister knows how to wield a knife.|And I'm ready to do it again.|Spoken like a true [[House of Auditore|Auditore]].|Claudia and Ezio, after Claudia killed four guards single-handedly.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In January of 1500, Ezio, along with Mario and other family friends were preparing for Claudia's birthday party, but the town of Monteriggioni was besieged by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]], the most prominent Templar organization, under the command of [[Cesare Borgia]]. As a result, Mario was killed and Ezio left for [[Rome]], the Templars' headquarters, to exact revenge. Ezio told her and her mother to go to Florence, but feeling obligated to take revenge as well, Claudia and Maria followed Ezio to Rome. There, Claudia took control over the [[Rosa in Fiore]] after the former owner, [[Madonna Solari]], was killed. With the use of the courtesans, Claudia was able to find the location of [[Caterina Sforza]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

[[File:Zw-acb-ceremony-4.jpg|thumb|Claudia being initiated into the Brotherhood.]]

Three years later, she assisted her brother in assassinating [[Juan Borgia]] by sending her courtesans to the pagan party that he held. Her courtesans stole [[Egidio Troche]]'s money and brought it back to the brothel. However, several Borgia guards followed them back to the brothel. When Ezio heard this, he was alarmed and immediately went into the brothel, but instead discovered an unharmed Claudia standing above several corpses, holding a knife nonchalantly.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

After the events of the passion play, Claudia, in her brother's recommendation, joined the Order of Assassins, undergoing the initiation process of burning her ring finger as well as performing a [[Leap of Faith]] into the [[Tiber River]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

She later fought alongside Ezio, [[Niccolò Machiavelli]], [[La Volpe]] and [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]] against [[Cesare Borgia]]'s last remaining followers, after which Cesare was arrested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

==Characteristics and personality==
It is evident that she had been too spoiled by Giovanni, unafraid to be violent when a girl "looked at her boyfriend" and at times immature, such as when Mario assigned her to manage Monteriggioni's finances. Due to her violent streak, Giovanni had to raise her dowry by 1,000 florins because she scared off all of her suitors.

Regardless, Claudia was very capable of handling and keeping track of the town's bankroll and her brother's purchases and earnings. Her capability in business management again came to play when she volunteered - despite Ezio's initial protest - to take over the brothel in Rome when its previous owner was killed, and under her management it turned from a run-down joint to the most popular brothel in Rome, as well as a far more effective intel-gathering arm for the Order of Assassins.

She was also kind with her family, being especially emotional over her father and brothers' execution and her mother's emotional trauma.

==Gallery==
{| align="center"
|<gallery width="auto" perrow="3" style="font-size:95%; padding:0;" widths="170" captionalign="left">
File:CLaudia ..jpg|Claudia, some time before her family's execution.
File:Ezio_and_Claudia.JPG|Claudia speaking about her trouble with [[Duccio]].
File:Ezio_Claudia_Maria.jpg|Claudia reuniting with Ezio after the execution.
File:claudia_in_brotherhood_by_ladyve-d31a3bd.jpg|Ezio talking with Claudia in 1500.
File:vlcsnap-2010-11-12-19h17m08s89.jpg|Claudia with Ezio.
File:Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h54m41s96.jpg|Claudia with Bartolomeo d'Alviano and La Volpe, waiting for Ezio.
File:Zw-acb-claudia-2.jpg|Claudia in her Assassin robes.
</gallery>
|}

==Trivia==
*Claudia, as with most of the characters, appears not to age over the course of the ''Assassin's Creed II''. She remains at the same desk in the Villa Auditore for 23 years. After she complained about being put to work, her only interaction with Ezio was asking if he was "... [there] to look at the book" of finances.
*She was Ezio's only sister and unlike her brothers who were executed in order for Rodrigo Borgia to prove a point to Ezio, she was spared, likely because of her gender.
*When Ezio started earning income from Monteriggioni, Claudia stated she would keep any money past the chest's maximum capacity (based on your collectibles and renovations to Monteriggioni), with no explanation of what she intends to do with all that money.
*Although she is always sitting in the Villa Auditore most of the game, she along with Maria, appear in the "memory" Ezio has at his home during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].
*There is a glitch is Assassin's Creed II where, if you manage to bump into Claudia and knock her down, she will be given the voice of one of the guards (since normally knocking her down is not supposed to be possible).
*When Claudia is inducted into the Assassin Order her outfit is almost identical to her ancestor [[Maria Thorpe| Maria Thorpe's]] outfit in [[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines|Assassin's Creed:  Bloodlines]] and [[Assassin's Creed II]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auditore, Claudia}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]