Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

2009-11-29T09:41:09Z

67.167.2.61: /* Assassin's Creed */

{{Character Infobox
|name = Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
|image = 1190119344.jpg
|imgdesc = A full body portrait of Altaïr.
|arabic = الطائر ابن لا أحد
|meaning = "Bird of Prey, Son of None"
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
''[[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 Masyaf's fortress}}
'''Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad''' (الطائر ابن لا أحد in [[wikipedia:Arabic|Arabic]]) is main protagonist in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', as well as the ancestor of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] and [[Desmond Miles]]. His first name, "Altaïr", means 'Bird of Prey' or 'Eagle'. His last name Ibn-La'Ahad means "Son of None".

==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]].

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''===
{{spoiler}}
Altaïr's backstory before the events revealed through [[Desmond Miles]]' memories. In the prequel, Altaïr is still a high-ranking assassin who is tasked with recovering an artifact known as Chalice. On his way to find it, he has to acquire three keys and fight off Templars. It is later revealed that the Chalice is in fact a woman named [[Adha]], but she is kidnapped by Templars under the leadership of Basilisk. Altaïr succeeds in killing Basilisk, but is unable to save Adha, who is taken away by ship. Altaïr yells that he will find her, but has he eventually succeeded or heard of her again is unknown. In Assassin's Creed II, one of the Codex pages reveals that he later caught up to Adha and had found her corpse. In the text, Altaïr states that he held her corpse and exacted vengence on those that killed her. It is hinted that he loved her, and her death deeply hurt him. The circumstances of Adha's death are not made clear.
{{spoiler End}}

===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===

{{quote| You're wrong. And that's why you must be put to rest.|Altaïr to Jubair}}

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 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 sword back, he also is given a deal of nine lives for his own.

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 and Richard believes that God was on Altaïr's side, but it was only a matter of skill, truthfully.

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. He then discovers the Al Mualim was responsible for this and he had used the [[Piece of Eden]] which was recovered at Solomon's temple and he then confronts his 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]]''===
Some point after the events of ''Assassin's Creed'', Altaïr travels to the island of [[Cyprus]] in an attempt to eliminate the remaining [[Templars]]. This is also mentioned in one of the [[Codex Pages]] in Assassin's Creed 2.

=== 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 it is likely he either died in battle or 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 Altair remains unclear.

===''[[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 [[wikipedia:codex|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.

==Characteristics and personality==
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 "" and the importance of the second [[tenet]]. Altaïr, bound by the second tenet of the "" 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 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.

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 "". 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.

== Equipment and skills ==
Like other assassins Altair 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 katar, 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 yellow.

==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>.

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

{{AC}}

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

2009-11-29T09:40:20Z

67.167.2.61: /* Assassin's Creed */

{{Character Infobox
|name = Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
|image = 1190119344.jpg
|imgdesc = A full body portrait of Altaïr.
|arabic = الطائر ابن لا أحد
|meaning = "Bird of Prey, Son of None"
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
''[[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 Masyaf's fortress}}
'''Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad''' (الطائر ابن لا أحد in [[wikipedia:Arabic|Arabic]]) is main protagonist in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', as well as the ancestor of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] and [[Desmond Miles]]. His first name, "Altaïr", means 'Bird of Prey' or 'Eagle'. His last name Ibn-La'Ahad means "Son of None".

==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]].

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''===
{{spoiler}}
Altaïr's backstory before the events revealed through [[Desmond Miles]]' memories. In the prequel, Altaïr is still a high-ranking assassin who is tasked with recovering an artifact known as Chalice. On his way to find it, he has to acquire three keys and fight off Templars. It is later revealed that the Chalice is in fact a woman named [[Adha]], but she is kidnapped by Templars under the leadership of Basilisk. Altaïr succeeds in killing Basilisk, but is unable to save Adha, who is taken away by ship. Altaïr yells that he will find her, but has he eventually succeeded or heard of her again is unknown. In Assassin's Creed II, one of the Codex pages reveals that he later caught up to Adha and had found her corpse. In the text, Altaïr states that he held her corpse and exacted vengence on those that killed her. It is hinted that he loved her, and her death deeply hurt him. The circumstances of Adha's death are not made clear.
{{spoiler End}}

===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===

{{quote| You're wrong. And that's why you must be put to rest.|Altaïr to Jubair}}

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 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 sword back, he also is givin a deal of nine lives for his own.

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 and Richard believes that God was on Altaïr's side, but it was only a matter of skill, truthfully.

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. He then discovers the Al Mualim was responsible for this and he had used the [[Piece of Eden]] which was recovered at Solomon's temple and he then confronts his 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]]''===
Some point after the events of ''Assassin's Creed'', Altaïr travels to the island of [[Cyprus]] in an attempt to eliminate the remaining [[Templars]]. This is also mentioned in one of the [[Codex Pages]] in Assassin's Creed 2.

=== 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 it is likely he either died in battle or 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 Altair remains unclear.

===''[[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 [[wikipedia:codex|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.

==Characteristics and personality==
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 "" and the importance of the second [[tenet]]. Altaïr, bound by the second tenet of the "" 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 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.

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 "". 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.

== Equipment and skills ==
Like other assassins Altair 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 katar, 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 yellow.

==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>.

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

{{AC}}

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Ezio Auditore da Firenze

2009-11-21T12:21:00Z

67.167.2.61: /* Biography */

{{Character Infobox
|name = Ezio Auditore da Firenze
|image = Ezio.jpg
|imgdesc = A full body portrait of Ezio.
|meaning = "Eagle of Florence" (Ezio from Greek: Aetos)
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''
|period = Italian Renaissance (15th Century)
}} '''Ezio Auditore da Firenze''' is the protagonist of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''. He is an ancestor of [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] and a descendant of [[Altaïr]], as well as being the earliest known link between the lineages of Subject 16 and that of Desmond.

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

[[File:Eziolineagechess.png|thumb|left|Ezio in ''Lineage'' playing chess with his brother [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]]. He is portrayed by [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]].]]
'''Ezio Auditore Da Firenze''', is a young member of the Florentine Nobility. 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 2]]'' ===
Ezio Auditore Da Firenze's story begins moments after he exits the womb of his mother, Maria Auditore. A sense of threat is clear at the sight of the baby boy. Giovanni Auditore, dismisses the trepidation of the wet nurse and his Mother by welcoming Ezio into the world and bestowing his name upon him. We rejoin Ezio years later during a rousing pre-fight speech,addressing the other members of the House of Auditore. Ezio is holding one side of a bridge against Veiri Di Pazzi and his men, whom insult the House of Auditore, and Ezio's mother and Father personally. Reprimanded gently by his elder brother, Frederico and his father, Ezio becomes more involved with his family's affairs. 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 the Giovanni home and arrest Giovanni, Federico, and Petruccio. Ezio delivers evidence that can prove his family's innocence to Uberto, who promises to defend them at the hearing. But it turns out Bernaldi 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 Courtesans, and later combat, by his uncle Mario, of the Mercenary faction.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 taken. Now wanted in Florence, Ezio has to flee Firenze to Tuscany with his family to the Auditore villa. He meets up with Uncle Mario, whose mercenaries save his family from an attack by Pazzi.

== Background ==

[[File:QuickTimePlayer_2009-09-25_19-22-34-26.png|thumb|300px|Young Ezio trying to kill the ones who murdered his father after attending powerless to his execution.]]
Ezio is a young Florentine nobleman who lives in [[Florence]] during the 15th century. Unlike Altaïr, he is a seducer, and he easily blends with any social classes. He has an affluent lifestyle and many friends until a life-changing event. 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.

From that day, Ezio is considered as a criminal and a traitor, and has to protect his mother and his sister. He becomes an [[assassin]] to accomplish his vengeance against the ones responsible for the tragedy that befell him and his family (it is likely that those men are [[Templars]](see the last shot of Lineage Part II - The swords are lain down in the shape of the Templar symbol). 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]] 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]]. We will live a large period of Ezio's life through the game, from his youth to when he becomes an old Master Assassin. In ''Assassin's Creed II'', we will be playing approximately 27 years of his life from 1476 to 1503.

== Equipment ==
It has been announced that Ezio will be able to use a variety of weapons including two [[Hidden Blade|hidden blades]], allowing him to eliminate two enemies simultaneously. 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 will be able to use Da Vinci's flying machine in some parts of the game, gaining altitude from fires set throughout the city by his allies. Ezio will gain many upgrades from Da Vinci on his wrist gauntlet like a small pistol of some sort (most likely an early wheel lock firearm) concealed near his left hidden blade, or a poison needle. Ezio is said to possess 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.

[[File:Iexplore_2009-09-25_20-01-09-16.png|thumb|300px|Master Assassin Ezio assassinating two guards at once.]]

==Trivia==
* 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 to make way for the [[Hidden Blade]]), Ezio has all ten fingers (as evidenced by the fact he wears a ring -either a signet or wedding ring- marked with the Assassin's symbol). This was not, as is widely believed, made possible by a modification by Leonardo Da Vinci, as Giovanni da Firenze (Ezio's father) has all of his fingers as well. It is likely the change was made at some point between Altaïr's time and Ezio's. This seems odd, as the sacrifice of the finger was originally intended to 'ensure the commitment of whoever wields [the blade]'. However it is possible that as the Assassin brotherhood became more secretive, the missing finger became too obvious as a signal of involvement and was phased out.
* It is stated in the Philosophical Codex that after Altaïr defeated Al-Mualim at the end of Assassin's Creed 1 and became the leader, that the Assassins were forced to realize the scope of their fight against the Templars, and would have 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, making this weapon most likely one of the very first of its type to appear in Europe, thus many people may not know what the weapon is in game. The earliest firearms were single shot and took time to reload, so will most likely be only used as a last resort weapon. Once again Leonardo Da Vinci didn't create the Hidden Gun, but found instructions to make one from a Codex page, meaning Altaïr invented the Hidden Gun (and most likely the first ever firearm). 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''.

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