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Ezio Auditore da Firenze

2010-10-21T00:48:49Z

68.45.150.112: /* Pre-Execution */

{{Era|AC2|AC2D|Assassins|Ren|Good}}
{{spoilerhd}}

{{Character Infobox
|image = Assassins-creed-brotherhood-20100614064141263.jpg
|imgdesc = Ezio Auditore as a Master Assassin
|hideb =
|birth = June 24, 1459<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death =
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]]
|hidep =
|faction = [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]] [[Assassins]]
|hider =
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
|actor = [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]]
|voice = [[Roger Craig Smith]]
}}
{{Quote|My name is Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and like my father and grandfathers before me, I am an Assassin.|Ezio Auditore,|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Ezio Auditore da Firenze''' (born 1459) was a Florentine noble during the Italian Renaissance and, unbeknownst to most historians and philosophers, a central member, and later leader, of the [[Assassin's Order]]. A descendant of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and the ancestor to both [[Desmond Miles]] and [[Subject 16]], Ezio was unaware of his [[Assassin]] heritage until he was 17 years old, when, following the murder of his [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|father]] and two brothers, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], Ezio fled from the Italian province of [[Florence]] - his hometown - and took refuge in the town of [[Monteriggioni]] in the Tuscan region at the [[Auditore Family Villa]].

After being trained by his uncle [[Mario Auditore]], Ezio proceeded on his quest for revenge against the [[Grand Master of the Knights Templar|Grand Master]] of the [[Knights Templar]], [[Rodrigo Borgia]], who had ordered the executions of his father and two brothers. During his quest for revenge, Ezio managed to not only unite pages of Altaïr's [[The Codex|Codex]] for the first time since [[Domenico Auditore]], but also to save the cities of Florence, and [[Venice]], and later [[Rome]] from the Templars' wrath, ensured the future travels of [[Christoffa Corombo]] to the "New World," and bring the Renaissance ideals and Assassin Order to the city of [[Rome]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
====Pre-Execution====
[[File:Eziolineagechess.png|thumb|230px|left|A much younger Ezio, portrayed by [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]].]]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze was born [[Florence]] on June 24, 1459 AD, the second son of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] and [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|Maria Auditore]]. Until the age of 17, Ezio lived a life of luxury as a member of the Florentine noble class, unaware of his father's allegiance to the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]]. As a youth he was an apprentice to Giovanni Tornabuoni, a great banker, presumably to learn the ropes of banking, so that he could become the leader of the [[Auditore]] bank<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>.

In the year 1476, Ezio, his older brother [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and friends of the family got into a fight with [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] and his gang. Ezio single-handedly defeated several members of the opposing gang, but Vieri managed to escape the scene before Ezio could do anything to him. During the fight, Ezio gained a cut on his lip, so Federico suggested that they visit the local doctor. After looting several people left unconscious from the fight, the two brothers ran across the rooftops to the [[Doctor]].

After the doctor had tended to his wound, a church nearby caught the eye of the brothers,and Federico suggested a race. Ezio won and together the two looked out over the city. Realizing that they were nearby, Ezio travelled to the house of [[Cristina Vespucci]] and spent the night with her. Caught by Cristina's father the morning after, Ezio fled from a group of pursuing guards before meeting with his father at the [[Palazzo Auditore]]. Giovanni scolded him (but later softens, and admits that he is reminded of his own youth) and assigned him the task of delivering several letters to his contacts.

After returning home, Ezio found his distraught [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|sister]] crying after discovering her boyfriend had been unfaithful. After obtaining his whereabouts, Ezio beat the man and warned him to stay away from his sister. Upon returning to the palazzo again, his little brother Petruccio asked Ezio to collect eagle [[feathers]] from the rooftops, as he was ill and couldn't leave the house or get out of bed. After a tiring search for feathers, Ezio's mother secured his services in picking up some paintings from a young artist that she patronized, [[Leonardo da Vinci]]. On the walk home, Leonardo struck up a conversation, beginning a friendship between the two young men that would last throughout their adult lives<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

====The Auditore Execution====
[[File:QuickTimePlayer 2009-09-25 20-14-39-52.png|thumb|Ezio's family being hanged for treason.]]
{{Quote|I'll kill you for what you've done!|Ezio Auditore to Uberto Alberti after watching his family's execution in 1476|Assassin's Creed II}}
After completing his errands, Ezio returned home to find the house ransacked, his father and brothers missing and his mother and sister hiding. Learning that city guards had been ordered to arrest Giovanni and all of his sons, Ezio made his way to the [[Palazzo della Signoria]], where his father and brothers were being held. Climbing the building and speaking to his father through his cell window, Ezio was instructed to find a chest hidden in his office, take everything out of it, then deliver a sealed letter to [[Uberto Alberti]], [[Lorenzo de' Medici|Lorenzo de' Medici's]] personal assistant and a close friend of the Auditore family. Doing so, Ezio found the Assassin robes that he would wear for the next 23 years and the letter containing details of a plot against the city of Florence and the Auditore family. Ezio brought the incriminating documents to Alberti and was assured that his family would be released the following day when the information was presented as evidence of their innocence<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. Ezio then travelled to the home of Christina Vespucci, where he spent the night<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>.

The next day, Ezio returned to the [[Piazza della Signoria]] to find Alberti presiding over the execution of the Auditores (watched over all the while by a [[Rodrigo Borgia|mysterious stranger]] who had been present with Alberti the previous night). Giovanni claimed his innocence, citing the information given to Alberti as evidence. But Alberti denied any knowledge of such information. Ezio's efforts to prevent the execution were ultimately in vain, and he could only watch helplessly as his father and brothers were hanged. When he attempted to charge the scaffold to avenge his kinsmen, Alberti ordered the city [[Guards|guards]] to murder him. At the urging of one of Giovanni's friends, a [[Thieves|thief]], Ezio fled the Piazza della Signoria and sought shelter in a [[Courtesans|brothel]], run by the sister of the [[Annetta|Auditore housemaid]], a courtesan named [[Paola]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

===Heritage===
====Exacting revenge====
{{Quote|The Auditore are not dead! I'm still here! Me! Ezio! Ezio Auditore!|Ezio Auditore, 1476.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Paola, who unbeknownst to Ezio was an Assassin herself, agreed to assist Ezio in his quest for vengeance, teaching him how to survive in the city as an outlaw through [[pickpocketing]] and blending in crowds. She further directed Ezio to Leonardo da Vinci to repair the [[Hidden Blade]] of the late Giovanni Auditore, but did not notice that Ezio was being watched. At Leonardo's workshop, a guard banged on the door, ordered Leonardo outside, and tried to beat Ezio's location from him. Ezio realized something was wrong and crept up behind the guard, stabbing him from behind.[[File:Uberto2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ezio furiously stabbing Uberto Alberti.]]

After Leonardo had thanked him, Ezio sought out and assassinated Alberti in the courtyard of the [[wikipedia:Basilicia of Santa Croce, Florence|Basilica of Santa Croce]], who was attending Verrochio's latest exhibit. After making his way inside the courtyard, he attacked Alberti in a frenzied rage, stabbing him multiple times in the chest, before proudly proclaiming the survival of the Auditore family through him to everyone present, marking Alberti as his first kill.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

====Family reunion====
{{Quote|Don't you recognize me? It's a-me, Mario!|Mario Auditore greets his nephew upon his arrival at Monteriggioni.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Now the most wanted man in Florence, Ezio fled the city with his mother and sister in the hopes of making their way to Spain, stopping beforehand at the Auditore family's [[Auditore Villa|villa]] in the town of [[Monteriggioni]] for shelter. During their travel to Monteriggioni, the three were accosted by [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] and his followers, but were saved by the timely arrival of Ezio's uncle, [[Mario Auditore|Mario]], and his [[Mercenaries]]. Mario informed Ezio of the existence of the Assassins, in an obvious attempt to induct him into the Order, revealing that many of his ancestors, including Giovanni, were part of it. However, Ezio refused his ancestry, wishing only to continue his journey to Spain to ensure his mother and sister's safety. Enraged, Mario left Monteriggioni for the city of [[San Gimignano]], where Vieri de' Pazzi had been located, in the attempt to relieve Monteriggioni of continual assaults by his minions. Guilt-ridden and knowing his presence was a primary reason for the ongoing attacks, Ezio traveled to San Gimignano to accept Mario's offer<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

When Ezio arrived outside the city, he joined Mario and his mercenaries in their assault, waiting until nightfall to make their way to Vieri de' Pazzi by killing guards patrolling near the city gates. After witnessing a brief meeting between [[Rodrigo Borgia]], [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]], [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] and Vieri, Ezio made for his foe; while Mario and his mercenaries kept Vieri's thugs distracted, Ezio challenged and fought Vieri for the last time, eventually overpowering and killing him after a brief duel. Ezio tried to extract a confession from his old enemy, but to no avail as Vieri chose to be snide even to the very end. Infuriated by this, Ezio flew into a rage and insulted Vieri's corpse, continuing until his uncle calmed him down, and reminded him of a tradition of the Assassins: showing respect to those they have killed<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

====Business with the Pazzi====
{{Quote|I've been sent from Firenze by Il Magnifico to attend to some unfinished business; I'm looking for [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]].|Ezio, upon returning from Florence after dealing with [[Francesco de' Pazzi]].|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:FrancescoDeath2.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio and Francesco]]
Following Vieri's death, Ezio returned to Florence in 1478 to gather information from [[La Volpe]] and prevent the planned [[Pazzi]] [[Pazzi Conspiracy|takeover]], as well as the deaths of Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. Arriving too late to save Guilano, Ezio managed to prevent the death of Lorenzo, the ruler of Florence, and restored his family's good name. However, the Pazzi had already succeeded in their plan and brought the city into a state of civil war. After escorting Lorenzo to safety at [[Palazzo Medici|his palazzo]], Ezio learned from Lorenzo's lieutenant [[Poliziano]] the location of [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] at the Piazza della Signoria. As Pazzi and Medici troops battled in the streets below them, Ezio chased down and slew Francesco, although Jacopo de' Pazzi and several other conspirators were able to escape the city. Shortly afterwards, the Medici publicly cleared the name of the Auditore family and provided Ezio with the names of the conspirators who had escaped<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

Learning that the Pazzi conspirators had fled to San Gimignano, Ezio tracked down and killed [[Antonio Maffei]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]], [[Bernardo di Bandino Baroncelli]] and [[Francesco Salviati]], extracting from each man information on Jacopo de' Pazzi's hiding place. Using the information, Ezio located his quarry and tracked Jacopo to an ancient Roman theatre. Once there, Ezio eavesdropped on a meeting between Jacopo, Rodrigo Borgia and a Venetian merchant, [[Emilio Barbarigo]]. After fatally wounding Jacopo for his failure to capture Florence, Borgia revealed that he was aware of Ezio's presence. While Borgia and Emilio fled, Ezio was apprehended by Borgia's bodyguards, but he overpowered and killed them, before swiftly putting the dying Jacopo out of his misery<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

====Journey in Venice====
{{dialogue3|Carlo|Your little house of cards is crumbling, Emilio...|Emilio|A minor setback, it will be dealt with. This povero scemo (poor fool) Antonio and his thieves...|Never mind that! It's the assassin you should be worried about!|Why? Is...is he in Venezia?|Carlo Grimaldi and Emilio Barbarigo discuss Ezio minutes before the latter's assassination|Assassin's Creed II}}

With the Pazzi conspiracy ended, Ezio returned to Lorenzo in 1480 and declared his success. Before leaving the city for [[Venice]], Ezio was granted a gift; a [[Outfits|Medici cape]], that would keep the city guards' attention from him. Ezio then made his way to Leonardo's workshop, only to find that he had just left for Venice himself. Meeting with Leonardo in the [[Appennine Mountains]], Ezio accompanied him to the city of [[Forlì]], narrowly avoiding the Templar soldiers sent after them by Rodrigo Borgia<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.[[File:Ezio carrying rosa.png|thumb|left|250px|Ezio, carrying Rosa to safety.]]

Eventually arriving in Forlì, one year later, the two made their way to the city docks, where Ezio was refused passage without a pass. It was at this moment that the two heard the screams of a noble lady stranded in the city's wetlands. Ezio swiftly hastened to her rescue and was able to row the woman ashore. The lady introduced herself as [[Caterina Sforza]] and coerced the dockman into granting Ezio passage to Venice. Once in Venice, Ezio and Leonardo were given a brief tour of the city by [[Alvise Da Vilandino|Alvise]] before Ezio began to seek a way into the Palazzo of Emilio Barbarigo, although this effort proved to be in vain. Suddenly pushed aside, Ezio watched as a gang of [[thieves]] attempted and failed to breach the Palazzo, leading Ezio to subsequently aid the thief [[Rosa]], who had been shot through the leg with an arrow. After successfully escaping the city guards, Ezio was introduced to the leader of the Venetian thieves guild, [[Antonio]], and together, they concocted a new plot to kill Emilio Barbarigo and liberate the merchant district<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

The plot, taking place during 4 years, was successful and gave Ezio the name of another Templar conspirator – [[Carlo Grimaldi]]. A government official and member of the Council of Ten, Carlo was close to [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], the Doge of Venice and hoped to turn him to the Templar cause. Overhearing another meeting between Borgia and Carlo, Ezio uncovered a plot to poison the Doge and replace him with [[Marco Barbarigo]]. Returning to Antonio, he sought to find a way into the [[wikipedia:Doge's Palace|Palazzo Ducale]]. The pair searched the front gates, the rear walls and even passing over the [[Basilica di San Marco]]; but they were hampered at every turn. Returning to the piazza below, an enraged Antonio remarked that only birds might get into the Doge's palace, reminding Ezio of Leonardo's [[Flying Machine|flying machine]], which he had seen on the way to Forlì. After a somewhat unsuccessful test flight, Leonardo came up with a way to ensure that Ezio reached his destination<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

[[File:Ezio assassinates Carlo.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio assassinates Carlo Grimaldi.]]
After removing the city guards at four separate locations, Antonio's thieves proceeded to light massive bonfires throughout the city, giving Ezio the lift Leonardo's flying machine needed to make it to the Palazzo Ducale. The plan worked, and Ezio breached the Palazzo Ducale, although he was too late to save the Doge. Carlo fled the scene, crying out that Ezio had assassinated the Doge, only to meet his own end at Ezio's hands moments later. However, Ezio was now the most wanted man in Venice and was forced to flee the city guards.

Returning to Leonardo's workshop for help in 1486, Ezio was directed to [[Sister Teodora|Sister Teodora's]] brothel, where Antonio was hiding. Under the cover of [[Carnevale]], Ezio made his way to the brothel and began planning the death of Marco Barbarigo, competing in the four games of the Carnevale to win the [[Golden Mask|golden mask]] that would gain him entrance to Marco's private party. Ezio was successful but found that Marco's cousin, [[Silvio Barbarigo]] and Marco's personal slave-bodyguard, [[Dante Moro]] intimidated and bribed the judges into denying him his prize. However, Ezio was successful in regaining the mask from Moro and managed to infiltrate the Doge's personal party and assassinate Marco with [[Pistol|an ingenious new weapon]], leaving the door open for [[Agostino Barbarigo|Agostino]], a Barbarigo not involved with the Templars, and an ally of Antonio's, to legitimately become Doge<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

With his quest nearly at an end, Ezio tracked down Silvio Barbarigo and Dante Moro, who had occupied the Arsenal with an army of mercenaries. Needing a force of his own, Ezio was directed to find the mercenary leader, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], only to find Silvio's thugs had attacked Bartolomeo's headquarters and captured him and a number of his soldiers. Ezio swiftly located and liberated Bartolomeo and his soldiers; once he learned of Ezio's purpose, the mercenary captain was more than willing to assist in Silvio's destruction. Having tracked the Templars down to the city's Arsenal, Ezio managed to storm the building with the help of Bartolomeo and his men, and killed Dante Moro and Silvio Barbarigo in the ensuing battle. However, he was astonished to learn that the plot to remove the Doge was merely a distraction, so that the Templars could move their vessel to [[Cyprus]], although the reasons for this were unknown to Ezio<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

===Induction into the Order===
====The Spaniard and the Apple====
{{Quote|It's been over ten years since I watched my father and brothers die. Ten years hunting the men responsible. I'm close to the end now, but no closer to knowing what any of it was for!|Ezio discusses his life as an Assassin}}
[[File:Zw-ezio-seal.png|thumb|250px|right|Ezio, receiving the Assassin's mark.]]

Two more years passed before word of the Templar vessel reached Ezio once again on his twenty ninth birthday<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSagHiz6Ujo&feature=related</ref>, when Rosa brought him a shipping manifest detailing the return of the ship that very day. Sneaking into the Arsenal, Ezio watched as a Templar soldier carrying a [[Piece of Eden]] disembarked from the ship and made his way to a Templar base in the city. Following the soldier, Ezio assassinated and impersonated the guard, carrying the Piece of Eden to a meeting with Rodrigo Borgia himself. Finally able to confront the man ultimately responsible for the deaths of his father and brothers, Ezio criticized the Templar Grand Master for the non-appearance of the supposed "prophet" detailed in the [[Codex]] prophecy. Borgia responded, proudly naming himself the prophet before engaging Ezio in battle. The battle was short, and Ezio easily bested the Templar. On the backfoot, Borgia called upon the city guards and taunted the Assassin, saying that "his people" had failed to show up<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

At this very moment Mario Auditore, Antonio, Paola, Teodora, La Volpe and Bartolomeo d'Alviano appeared, driving off Borgia and revealing themselves to Ezio as Assassins. With the arrival of [[Niccolò Machiavelli]], it was revealed to Ezio that he was in fact the supposed "prophet", and that for the past decade they had all worked together to induct Ezio into the Assassins Order. That night, they all met again and Ezio was formally inducted into the Order<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

====Time in the Wetlands====
{{quote|Muori col tuo orgoglio, per quanto vale... Requiescat in pace. (Die with your pride, for what it's worth... Rest in peace.)|Ezio Auditore to Ludovico Orsi|Battle of Forlì (DLC)}}
Shortly after his induction, Ezio met with Mario and Niccolò, and travelled to Leonardo da Vinci's studio, hoping he could shed some light upon the strange artifact Borgia had dubbed "[[Piece of Eden|the Apple]]". Leonardo examined the unique device, commenting that the metal it was made of should not exist, and that its design was highly advanced despite its age. Briefly touching the Apple, Ezio accidentally activated the device, which started to glow and show strange holographic images. De-activating the device, Niccolò announced that he had arranged for the Piece of Eden to be held in the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]], protected by an ally of the Assassin's, Caterina Sforza. Niccolò and Ezio met with Caterina in [[Romagna]], just outside the city of Forlì. After briefly discussing the Apple, the three made their way back to the city, only to find that it had been invaded by the Orsi brothers: [[Checco Orsi|Checco]] and [[Ludovico Orsi|Ludovico]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì">''[[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì]]''</ref>

As the group fought its way to the city's locked gates, Ezio managed to find another way inside and opened the gates, allowing them to continue their way to the Citadel. Reaching the Rocca di Ravaldino, they found out that two of Caterina’s children, [[Ottaviano Riario|Ottaviano]] and [[Bianca Riario|Bianca]], were in the hands of the Orsi brothers, who had recently arrived and begun attacking the Citadel. Repelling the attack, Ezio left the Apple in Caterina's hands, before going to rescue her two children.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì" />

[[File:Zw-bof7.png|thumb|250px|Ezio briefly glimpses Savonarola, before passing out.]]
Making his way into Romagna, Ezio overpowered the guard detail assigned to imprison Bianca, who directed Ezio to her brother Ottaviano. As Bianca fled back to the city, Ezio made his way the the lighthouse upon which Ottaviano was being held by Ludovico himself. Climbing the tower, Ezio dispatched Ludovico and freed Ottaviano, though not before learning that the kidnapping was a distraction, which had allowed the brothers to steal the Apple. Ezio swiftly tracked down and killed Checco Orsi and his remaining men. Retrieving the Apple, Ezio failed to notice that Checco had stabbed him in the abdomen. Injured, Ezio collapsed to the floor, the Apple rolling from his hand. Before losing consciousness Ezio saw a [[Girolamo Savonarola|monk]] with a missing finger pick up the Apple and walk away, despite Ezio's warnings against doing so.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì" />

Caterina’s guards later found Ezio next to Checco’s corpse and returned him to Forlì, where Caterina nursed him back to health. Returned to his senses, Ezio, now bearded, hurriedly explained to Caterina that the Apple had been stolen from him by a man in black. She recognized him for a monk and told Ezio to search for the monk at the church outside the city walls. There was no sign of the monk, but Ezio met with [[Brother O’Callahan]], who told him to continue his search at San Vincenzo, in central Forlì. An abbot there identified Ezio as Stefano de Bagnone's killer and ran away, but was intercepted, and, once convinced he was not about to die, gave Ezio the name of the nine fingered monk: [[Girolamo Savonarola]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance" />

====[[Sailing to Spain|Journey in Spain]]====
{{Quote|My thirst for vengeance is strong, but my responsibility to the Assassins is stronger still.|Ezio Auditore, 1491|Assassins Creed II: Discovery}}
While trying to locate Savonarola, Ezio was told by a Thief to meet Antonio at the Thieves' Guild in Venice. Upon arriving there, Ezio found Antonio accompanied by another man, [[Luis Santangel]]. Luis was looking for a good "killer" who could oversee a meeting involving Luis' friend [[Christoffa Corombo]], but Ezio expressed no interest. However, when he heard that Rodrigo Borgia was also involved in the meeting, he rushed to Christoffa's location, finding out that it was a trap. However, he managed to save Christoffa, who explained that Rodrigo was interested in his plans to sail west. Soon afterwards, Ezio met with Antonio again, who told him to go see both Luis and Christoffa in the gardens district<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>.

They then told him that the Templars were in possession of Christoffa's atlas, which featured the journey's route. Ezio quickly recovered the atlas and brought it back to Christoffa and Luis. Luis informed Ezio of the presence of Spanish Assassins, who were[[File:Acd23.png|thumb|right|250px|Ezio locked in combat with a guard during his time in Spain.]] held captive by the Spanish Inquisitor General, [[Tomas Torquemada]]. Thinking it his mission to rescue them, Ezio temporarily diverged from his goal to reclaim the Apple of Eden and set out to Spain, but not before Antonio gave him the names of two of his contacts<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery" />.

After arriving in Spain and briefly losing his sword to a thief, Ezio went on to look for one of the contacts. When he arrived at the location, he met a man who called himself [[Raphael Sanchez]] and soon after revealed himself to be an Assassin. He informed Ezio of the location of the first captured Assassin, and Ezio rushed to save him. Right before the Assassin could be burned by the Inquisitors, Ezio killed all the guards and freed him. After Ezio's return, Raphael revealed that it was [[Gaspar Martinez]] who was ordered to capture the Assassins by Torquemada. Ezio located Gaspar and found him, Torquemada and a guard surrounding a captured Assassin<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery" />.

Torquemada revealed to the captured Assassin, and indirectly to Ezio, that Rodrigo Borgia had ordered him to capture Assassins in Spain, because they were "non-believers" (in the Catholic religion). After the guard killed the Assassin, the group disbanded and Gaspar was left unguarded. Ezio then met with him and asked him what he knew of the Templars, but Gaspar feigned ignorance and said that they "went away two centuries ago." He fell silently to Ezio's blade, and Ezio acquired a list of six other Assassins' names. 
After freeing the first man on the list, Ezio took him back to Raphael, informing the latter of the existence of the list. However, all the remaining Assassins were located in [[Zaragoza]].[[File:Ezio others.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ezio with Luis, Raphael, and Christoffa]]

Once in Zaragoza, Raphael told Ezio to find the Inquisition's Calficador, [[Pedro Llorente]], whose tribunal met at the far side of town. Arriving there, Ezio found that Torquemada was also present. One of the Assassins was being tried, and after he refused to convert and confess, was killed. Ezio eavesdropped on the ensuing conversation and found out that Torquemada was under orders from Rodrigo Borgia to arrest the Assassins. He hurried to locate the remaining five Assassins. Four of them where held captive inside some catacombs. The last was held inside a church. After securing their safety, Ezio killed Pedro Llorente. Returning to Raphael, he requested to return to Italy. However, Raphael still needed some help against the Inquisitors in Granada. Ezio complied, helping to assassinate a Templar spy in the city and discovering along the way that Luis Santangel was also an Assassin<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery" />.

Once again he excused himself to return to Italy, but disturbed again by the Templars. He is forced again to fight off the Templars to defend Luis, and informed that Raphael has been captured. Ezio fights to rescue Raphael, then finally infiltrate Torquemada's fortress. Torquemada escapes, but Ezio still have duties for the Piece of Eden and decide not to pursue him, Ezio excuses to finally return to Italy and Telling Luis and Raphael to tell him when Christoffa returns from his journey to find the "New World."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery" />

====The [[Bonfire of the Vanities]]====
[[File:Ac2bonfire.jpg|thumb|left|Ezio about to knock the Apple of Eden out of Savonarola's hand. ]]
{{quote|There is no book or teacher to give you the answers, to show you the way. Choose your own way! Do not follow me, or anyone else.|Ezio after Savanarola's death|Bonfire of the Vanities}}
After Lorenzo de’ Medici's death, Savonarola was able to easily take control over Florence with the Apple of Eden at his command. He taught the population of Florence that personal property and knowledge made the difference between the rich and the poor. Therefore, he burned everything related to the Renaissance in the Bonfire of the Vanities<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities">''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities]]''</ref>.

Ezio and Niccolò Machiavelli wanted to put a stop to Savonarola's rule with the aid of their two comrades in the city, [[Paola]] and [[La Volpe|Volpe]]. Ezio began eliminating the monk's brainwashed followers while Niccolò, Paola, and Volpe organized a riot in the city. Soon after Ezio killed Savonarola's followers, the rioters formed an angry mob and went to the Palazzo Pitti, where Savonarola resided, demanding an end to the bonfires. Savanarola tried to use the Apple to quell the riot, but before he could, Ezio threw a knife at him, knocking the Apple out of his hand. In the ensuing chaos, the Apple was picked up by a guard in service to the Borgia (the Templars had also been trying, without success, to recover the Apple from Savonarola). Ezio followed him, killed him and recovered the Apple. Savonarola was then sentenced to be executed in the same way he had dealt with the city's knowledge: burned at the stake on the [[Piazza della Signoria]]. However, Ezio decided that no one should have to die in such agony.

[[File:Assacreed2_b15_451.jpg|thumb|Ezio assassinating Savonarola before he can be burned.]]The Assassin leapt onto the execution platform and put Savonarola out of his misery. He then looked at the stunned mob and gave a speech to them, urging them to follow their own path and rely on their own thoughts, not what they were told by the ones in power. He then left with Mario, Niccolò, Paola and La Volpe, ready to uncover the answers hidden within the Apple<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities" />.

===Dealing with the Borgia===
====Trip to the Vatican====
{{Quote|I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much. Requiescat in pace, you bastard!|Ezio to [[Rodrigo Borgia]] during his first assassination attempt|Assassin's Creed II}}

The following year, in 1499, the Assassins came together once more at the Villa Auditore, with the Piece of Eden and the completed Codex in hand. Using the two objects, they discovered the location of [[the Vault]] to be in [[Rome]], specifically, beneath the Vatican. Unfortunately, Rodrigo Borgia had become Pope in 1492, although Mario believed he had only done so to gain access to the Papal Staff, another of the Pieces of Eden. Undeterred, Ezio went to assassinate Rodrigo Borgia<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.[[File:Ezio Rome.jpg|thumb|280px|left|Ezio battles his way to the [[Capella Sistina|Sistine Chapel]].]]

Fighting his way along the entire length of the Passetto di Borgo, Ezio snuck into the Sistine Chapel and struck at Borgia from above. As he was about to deal the killing blow, Borgia surprised him by using the Staff to blast him away and drain the energy of those in the room. Since Ezio held the Apple, he was immune to the Staff's effects, and the two engaged in a duel. Ezio repeated history by using the same technique [[Al Mualim]] utilized in his duel against Altaïr in 1191, by creating multiple illusions of himself with the Apple. Ezio seemingly bested Borgia, but the Pope overcame him. Borgia took the Apple, stabbed Ezio in the abdomen and left him to die before fleeing into the Vault. Outside the Vault, Ezio watched as Borgia tried in vain to open it. Laying down his arms, Ezio challenged and defeated Borgia in a fist fight, obtaining possession of both the Apple and the Staff, but refusing to take Borgia’s life, having realized the futility of revenge<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

{{Quote|Killing you won't bring my family back...I'm done.|Ezio spares Rodrigo's life|Assassin's Creed}}

Entering the Vault, Ezio stood in shock as he was confronted by a hologram of an individual naming herself "[[Minerva]]" and claiming to be one of "[[Those Who Came Before]]". Ezio was further confounded when the hologram sought to speak to an unseen figure named [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]], before disappearing abruptly, leaving Ezio with many unanswered questions<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.
{{Spoiler|Plot details for ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]'' follow.}}

====Siege of Monteriggioni====
[[File:Monterigioni.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ezio destroying a siege tower.]]
Following his experience in the Vault, Ezio returned to Monteriggioni. However he soon learned that the Templar threat had diminished little when [[Cesare Borgia]], the son of Rodrigo and a high ranked Templar laid siege to Monteriggioni. His army of soldiers, towers and cannons breached the city's gates and destroyed much of the city and Villa. Ezio, who was sleeping with Caterina Sforza at the time of the attack, was shocked when a cannonball shot through his wall and hit the centre pillar of his room. He quickly got dressed and met with Mario to discuss their options. Mario tasked Ezio with keeping the Templars from the city walls, whilst Mario himself led the evacuation of the city <ref name="Assassin's Creed Brotherhood - E3 gameplay demo">''[http://e3.g4tv.com/videos/46470/Ubisoft-E3-2010-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood-Demo/ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - E3 gameplay demo]''</ref>.

Ezio made his way to the city walls, and using the cannons, destroyed several of Cesare’s siege engines. Eventually however, the Templars breached the city gates, and entered, bringing a mortally wounded Mario Auditore and a captured Caterina Sforza with them. Seeing his uncle mortally wounded and lying on the ground, Ezio ran on the rooftops trying to reach Mario before Cesare could kill him. Standing at the city gates, the Apple of Eden in his hand, Cesare 'invited' Ezio to come to Rome with a shot of his firearm; the shot killed Mario. The Apple in hand, Cesare returned to Rome whilst Ezio, who had been shot by a Borgia arquebusiers atop the city walls, blacked out and fell off the building he was observing the situation from <ref name="Assassin's Creed Brotherhood - E3 gameplay demo" />.

Upon regaining consciousness, Ezio travelled to Rome to avenge Mario's murder at the hands of Cesare.

====War in Rome====
In 1499, with no headquarters, and the [[assassins]] in disarray, Ezio arrived in Rome, where he found the city in ruins and disrepair under [[House of Borgia|the Borgia]]. Basing himself on [[Tiber Island]], in the centre of the city, Ezio rebuilt the complex, and began his mission to rid the city of Cesare and his father<ref name="Assassin's Creed Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]''</ref>.
{{Spoiler End}}

== Personality and characteristics ==
[[File:QuickTimePlayer 2009-09-25 19-22-34-26.png|thumb|left|286px|A young Ezio gets approached by a Florentine guard after protesting at his father’s and brothers’ execution.]]

Ezio was raised as a young [[Florence|Florentine]] nobleman, living during the 15th and 16th Century. Unlike his ancestor Altaïr, he was brought up without knowing of the Assassins' existence, or of his heritage. A seducer of women and a playful man, Ezio possessed acrobatic skills far beyond those of his peers, save for his brother. He came from an affluent background and had many friends until the deaths of his father and brothers drove him out of Florence. Forced to protect his [[Maria de' Mozzi|mother]] and [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|sister]], Ezio became an [[Assassin]], exacting revenge on the conspirators who had betrayed his family and plotted to seize both [[Florence]] and [[Venice]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Initially, Ezio allowed his emotions to get the best of him, going so far as to disrespect the corpse of Vieri de' Pazzi just after his death. However, Ezio did manage to gain control of his anger, and by the time he had become a Master Assassin, could control it almost completely.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Equipment and skills===
[[File:Ezio Auditore da Firenze-Brotherhood.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ezio Auditore, 1503.]]
{{Quote|Despite its age, its construction is rather advanced.|Leonardo da Vinci, on Ezio's hidden blade.|Assassin's Creed II}}

Ezio Auditore da Firenze was a highly skilled Assassin and a leader amongst the Order. A master of multiple skills, including theft, blending, armed and unarmed combat, stealth assassination techniques, free-running and long-distance combat, he was able to use a variety of weapons including two [[Hidden Blade|hidden blades]], the [[longsword]], [[throwing knives]] and more. He is one of few assassins known to have skills equal to or greater then Altari Ibn-La'Ahad. Born with the ability to use [[Eagle Vision]], Ezio could instinctively differentiate friend from foe.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

An explorer, throughout his quests, Ezio scoured the cities he visited in search of Codex pages and seals from the [[Secret Locations|six assassins tombs]] spread across northern Italy. The Codex pages allowed Leonardo di Vinci to upgrade his weaponry, including the addition of a wheel lock firearm and poison needle concealed beneath his left hidden blade.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

By collecting the six tomb seals, Ezio gained access to the [[Altaïr's Armor|armor]] created by his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] which may have later been lost during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]]. He also collected [[capes]] that helped him stay incognito. The only exception to this was the cape bearing the Auditore family crest, which made him easily recognizable, due to his family's history.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

In 1503, when Ezio started the Brotherhood of Assassins, he wore a uniform that resembled a combination of his own when he just started to become an assassin and Altaïr's uniform as an assassin. The robes coming with Altaïr's armor were black, while this one was the usual Assassin white. It was also longer in comparison to his old outfit. It still bore the Assassin seal on his belt, with a white cape hanging from the left side of his shoulder.

===Romantic life===
[[File:Zw-ezio-cristina.png|thumb|286px|left|Ezio and Cristina kissing in her room.]]
Ezio was known for his good looks, flirtatious nature and predisposition for womanizing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> Despite the latter part of his life being centered around his hunt for [[Pope Alexander VI|Rodrigo Borgia]], Ezio still managed to find the time to share multiple romantic relationships with a number of different women.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance" />

By 1476, Ezio had had many encounters with various unnamed [[Florence|Florentine]] girls and [[Courtesans|courtesans]] before the execution of his family; insulting Vieri de' Pazzi by suggesting that his sister seemed "quite satisfied with the handling he gave her earlier." That year, Ezio was in a permanent relationship of sorts with [[Cristina Vespucci]], against the wishes of her father. Following his street brawl with Vieri de' Pazzi on the [[Ponte Vecchio]], Ezio visited Cristina during the night, despite his brother's request otherwise; he was chased out by her father the next morning, and subsequently had to flee the city guards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> Two years later, when Ezio returned to Florence, Cristina was married to one of her suitors, Manfredo d'Arzenta, though she admitted to still loving Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance" /> Ten years later, when Cristina and Manfredo travelled to Venice for carnevale, Ezio, posing as her husband, wrote to her asking her to come to the Rio Terra degli Ogniscanti; Cristina complied. As both wore carnevale masks, she did not recognise him until he kissed her. She then took off his mask and asked him how he dared kiss her like that, telling him she never wanted to see him again. When Ezio tried to understand, she explained that if he really loved her, he wouldn't simply have let Manfredo marry her. Ezio was deeply hurt upon learning of Cristina's death at the hands of [[Girolamo Savonarola]]'s men, during the Bonfire of the Vanities.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance" />

Before meeting with Cristina during Carnevale, whilst trying to find a way to Venice, Ezio accompanied his friend, Leonardo da Vinci, to [[Forlì]]. He was initially refused passage aboard the ship to Venice, but his fortunes changed after encountering [[Caterina Sforza]], who had become stranded on a small island with no means of escape. Ezio rescued her, and she repaid the favor by granting him passage to Venice. She also told him that the next time he returned to Forli, it would "be her pleasure" to entertain him. Moments later, after Ezio revealed to his close friend that Sforza was a future conquest and his type of woman, Leonardo informed Ezio of the ladies' identity, and that she was married to the Count of the city.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

[[File:Caterina_Sforza_&_Ezio.jpg|thumb|286px|Ezio and Catherina Sforza together in bed.]]
Also, at some point during his time in Forlì, Ezio encountered a girl named [[Amelia]]. During this encounter, Amelia and two of her friends were discussing whether anyone could beat their record in a horseback riding race. Ezio took on the challenge, in return for an intimate encounter with Amelia should he prove successful.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

When Ezio arrived in Venice for the first time, an unknown young woman unsuccessfully attempted to pickpocket him. Later the same day, Ezio witnessed the woman and a group of thieves attempting to scale the Palazzo della Seta. The attempt ended in failure, and the girl was shot in the leg by an archer. Ezio intervened, defending her from Emilio Barbarigo's thugs. Upon helping her to get to safety, he learned that her name was [[Rosa]], and that she was a member of the city's Thieves Guild. At first, Rosa's attitude towards Ezio was very aggressive and unfriendly, but after he saved her, she became much more amiable.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

While trying to acquire the Golden Mask, Ezio was seen flirting with many of [[Sister Teodora]]'s [[Courtesans]]. After the Carnevale challenges, when Ezio goes up to accept the Golden Mask as his prize for victory, he was accompanied by a Courtesan. After assassinating Marco Barbarigo and seeking sanctuary in the brothel, Ezio was known to have flirted with Sister Teodora, who invited several of her girls to "comfort" Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

In 1499, Ezio was seen sleeping with Caterina Sforza in the Villa Auditore before it was [[Siege of Monteriggioni|besieged]] by [[Cesare Borgia]] and his army.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Brotherhood - E3 gameplay demo" />

==Trivia==
*Ezio is 40 years old in 1499 (15 years older than Altaïr was in 1191); the same age as his father, Giovanni Auditore, when he was executed in 1476.
*Ezio is, thus far, the only character whose physical appearance undergoes observable changes over the 23-year period of the game. Others (like Altaïr and Desmond) mostly stay the same.
**With the camera at a certain angle, the evidence of Ezio's aging becomes apparent. By the time he turns 40, he grows a beard and develops wrinkles in his forehead. His voice also matures over time, making him sound calmer and talk more slowly. He also loses his tan, which is likely due to him hiding in the shadows for the majority of his life.
** However, by the time of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' other characters, such as Mario Auditore and Leonardo da Vinci have shown signs of aging as well.
*Just like Altaïr and Desmond, Ezio has a scar on his mouth. It was acquired after the mission "Boys Will Be Boys" during Sequence 1, when Vieri de' Pazzi throws a rock at his face.
*The Animus database only details his life before he became an [[Assassin]], holding no information on his life within the Order.
*Both Ezio and Altaïr have similar name meanings and origins. Altaïr means "the flying one," while Ezio means "eagle." Altaïr also comes from the name of the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (which also translates to "eagle").
*Ezio's robes in ''Brotherhood'' more closely resembles Altaïr's in color and design. At this point, the bracers of his father's hidden blade have also been replaced.
*Ezio's outfit can be unlocked in [[wikipedia:Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands|''Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands'']], via Uplay for 30 points.
*A Sackboy version of Ezio's outfit can be purchased for ''LittleBigPlanet'' via the PlayStation Store.
*In Playstation Home, Ezio's Assassin robe from ''Assassin's Creed II'' was a limited edition outfit and could be bought; but it is currently unavailable.
*In the first memory of The Bonfire of Vanities (Sequence 13), a group of women can be heard talking about an Assassin (Ezio), on the bridge where Machiavelli is waiting, and reveal that the stories of Ezio's assassinations in Firenze reached a mythic status.
*Ezio has been seriously injured in battle three times. The first is when [[Checco Orsi]] stabbed Ezio in the right side of his lower abdomen during the small cutscene. The second is when Rodrigo Borgia stabbed Ezio in the left side of his lower abdomen. The third is when Ezio was shot in the left shoulder at the siege of Monteriggioni by [[arquebusiers]].
*Ezio's title was slightly misspelled in ''Assassin's Creed II: Discovery''. In the game, his biography lists him as "Ezio Auditore '''de''' Firenze" instead of "Ezio Auditore '''da''' Firenze."
*Despite being a womanizer, Ezio has only had intercourse with three women throughout his memories in ''Assassin's Creed II'' and ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''; this includes, Caterina Sforza, Cristina Vespucci and Amelia.
*If examined carefully, the player will recognize the difference in free-running between Ezio and Altaïr. In ''Assassin's Creed II,'' Ezio's legs move in a different motion and style than Altaïr. When switching to the Altaïr costume through the costume menu, free-running in the Altaïr costume will make Ezio run just like Altaïr from the first game.
*If the player chooses to play Sequence 13 before Sequence 12, by clearing the DLC cache, Ezio's beard will disappear until the player kills Checco Orsi.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery widths="188" captionalign="center" captionposition="below" bordersize="medium" orientation="none" rssfeed="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100614171959/assassinscreed/images/thumb/e/e2/Assassins1503E3.png/400px-Assassins1503E3.png">
</gallery></center>

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
{{ACII}}
{{AC2D}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACLL}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auditore, Ezio}}
[[Category:Characters|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II: Discovery Characters|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy Characters|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Assassins|Auditore, Ezio]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr|Auditore, Ezio]]

Niccolò Machiavelli

2010-10-15T04:17:26Z

68.45.150.112: /* Trivia */

{{WP-REAL}}
{{Era|AC2|Assassins|Ren}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
|image = Zw-niccolomachiavelli.png
|imgdesc = Niccolò Machiavelli in the Animus database.
|birth = 3 May 1469 [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death = 21 June 1527 (aged 58) Florence, Italy
|period = [[Renaissance]] (15th century)
|faction = [[Assassins]] [[Mercenaries]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Shawn Baichoo]]
}}
{{Quote|I am an Assassin. Trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each one of us here.|Machiavelli to Ezio upon their first meeting|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli''' (3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527) was an [[Italia]]n philosopher, writer, and is considered one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, musician, and playwright, but foremost he was a civil servant of the Florentine Republic.

==Description==

Niccolò was in secret a member of the Assassin's Order, and the leader of the Florentine [[Mercenaries]][1]. This was perhaps why he was such a secretive person, to not reveal too much about himself. Niccolò and the other Assassins were to attack [[Rodrigo Borgia]], who was at that point in possession of the Apple of Eden. Unbeknown to them, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] also knew about Rodrigo having the Apple and had already attacked him. The other Assassins went to help him fend off Rodrigo's guards. Eventually, Rodrigo ran away, leaving the Apple behind. Niccolò revealed himself along with the other Assassins, who had helped Ezio assassinate the Templars before.

At the age of 19, Niccolò was present at Ezio's initiation into the Assassin Brotherhood, performing a [[Leap of Faith]] along with the other Assassins in 1488.

Eventually, Niccolò helped Ezio defend [[Caterina Sforza]] and the city of [[Forlì]]. He also aided him during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]], in which [[Girolamo Savonarola]] acquired the Apple of Eden.

In 1500, Niccolò, at the age of 31, accompanied Ezio to Rome. They renovated [[Tiber Island]] and turned it into the headquarters of the Assassins. While Ezio went out undermining the Borgia's rule over Rome, Niccolò stayed on the island, training new Assassin recruits sent by Ezio. Machiavelli also set up means of communication between Ezio and the guild using pigeon coops.

==Trivia==
*In real life, Machiavelli witnessed the execution of [[Girolamo Savonarola]], and wrote about it the night of the event. The location, or even the name of these writings are unknown today.
*The debate over Machiavelli's true intentions are often distorted due to the fact that many people concentrate on "Il Principe" (The Prince), which was one relatively short book, written in a few months. The Prince was written for a specific reason during a specific time in Italian history (a period when the Medici family had the opportunity to build a strong Italian state in central Italy and drive out the 'barbarians').
**Machiavelli also wrote a thesis called the "Discourses on Livy". This thesis (which was written over a significant period of his life) reflected Machiavelli's more republican notions of government, and is a far more comprehensive thesis than the Prince. Together the Discourses and the Prince show us that, in real life, he was an individual who preferred a republican government, but was prepared to accept a principality if it ensured the survival of the state.
*The facts that the fictional Machiavelli was the leader of Florence's [[Mercenaries]] doesn't match with his real-life counterpart. In real life, Machiavelli was against the use of Mercenaries, because he believed they were unreliable. However it is possible that [[Mercenaries]] are meant to represent the Florentine militia that Machiavelli commanded in real life. This is supported by the fact that he made complaints about [[Mercenaries]] in [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].
*Historically Machiavelli had good relations with the Borgia family. In 1502, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia. He called Rodrigo Borgia/Pope Alexander VI a very successful politician, because he was the prototype of a leader who has no scruples to reach his target.
*ezio is 10 years older then Machiavelli. ezio born 1459 and Machiavelli bprn in 1469

==Gallery==

<center><gallery>
Image:AC2-M.jpg|Concept art for Niccolò Machiavelli.
Image:Machiavelli pose.jpg|Machiavelli with a longsword.
Image:Battle for forli.jpg|Battle of Forlì: Machiavelli (left) and Ezio (right) protecting Caterina Sforza from the Templars.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Machiavelli, Niccolò}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Desmond Miles

2010-10-05T20:58:26Z

68.45.150.112: /* Trivia */

{{FAimp}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Desmond Miles
|image = Desmond_Miles.jpg
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1987 "[[The Farm]]"
|death =
|period = [[Modern Times]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Nolan North]]
}}
{{Quote|I'm a bartender, for Christ's sake! What do you want me to do, teach you how to mix a Martini?|Desmond to Vidic and Lucy.|Assassin's Creed}}
'''Desmond Miles''' (born 1987) is the main protagonist of the main installments in the Assassin's Creed series and the descendant of a long line of ancestors who swore their allegiance to the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]]. He is initially forced to use a machine, called the [[Animus]], created by [[Abstergo Industries]] – the modern front of the [[Knights Templar]] – to relive the memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] during the Crusader era, in their quest to locate the [[Piece of Eden|"Apple"]], a [[Piece of Eden]].

Eventually escaping with the aid of modern day [[Assassins]], Desmond once again uses an improved version of the Animus to explore the memories of his second ancestor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], so as to learn the ways of the Assassins in a [[Bleeding Effect|much faster way than normal]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{quote|You have any idea what it's like to be trapped in a place, knowing there was a whole world out there I'd never get to see.|Desmond to Lucy about his childhood|Assassin's Creed}}
Desmond Miles was born in an Assassin "hideout" in the desert, an "off the grid" compound with a population of about thirty people, much like the city of [[Masyaf]], where he was destined to be trained as an Assassin. He was frustrated by his parents' explicit instructions not to leave the compound, and believed them to be overly concerned and paranoid. On his 16th birthday, he finally fled, "wanting to see the rest of the world." He later told [[Lucy Stillman]] that he had no regrets over leaving his parents, because as far as he was concerned, they were little more than his "wardens." After leaving the Assassin compound, he went into hiding for nine years. While keeping a low profile, he eventually became a bartender. Aware of the Knights Templar, and wanting to avoid both them and the Assassins, Desmond never used his real name and used only cash to purchase items. However, he was eventually found, traced through a fingerprint needed for a motorcycle license, and was brought to [[Abstergo|Abstergo Laboratory]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

===Kidnapped by Abstergo===
[[File:Warren-vidic-assassins-creed-2-character.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Dr. Vidic watches Desmond inside the Animus.]]
{{Quote|I'm not an assassin… not any more.|Desmond Miles to Warren Vidic.|Assassin's Creed}}

In September 2012, Desmond Miles was kidnapped by [[Abstergo Industries]], a pharmaceutical company and front for the [[Knights Templar]], for use as a test subject in the [[Animus]], a device that can read the memories of Desmond's ancestors through the "genetic memory" left behind in their descendants' DNA. At first [[Warren Vidic]], attempted to pry the information he wanted from Desmond's mind, but was met with failure. Whilst Desmond claimed to be nothing more than a bartender, Vidic revealed that they knew of his history as an Assassin, forcing Desmond to finally admit his past life. Vidic and [[Lucy Stillman]] told Desmond that they were trying to access a certain memory, but Desmond's subconscious was resisting their efforts. Vidic warned Desmond that if he refused to assist them, they would induce a coma, continue their work, and when done with Desmond, leave him to die. Without much choice, Desmond agreed to help them.
[[File:Desmond_&_Lucy_1.png|thumb|200px|Desmond & Lucy having their first private conversation.]]

[[File:Eagle_vision.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Desmond's Eagle Vision]]

Desmond was made to explore the genetic memories of his ancestor – [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], a member of a clan of Assassins during the [[Third Crusade]], specifically Altaïr's experiences during the year 1191 – and does so over several days under the watchful eye of Warren Vidic. During the nights however, Desmond discovered that he was able to explore the lab he was being held in, accessing the Animus computer and, after stealing Warren Vidic's pen, gaining access to his personal computer. Through e-mails, Desmond learned of a [[Subject 16]] who had suffered from a "[[bleeding effect]]" due to prolonged exposure to the Animus, as well as tidbits of information from the outside world. Eventually, with the aid of Lucy, the Assassins learned of Desmond's capture and attempted to liberate him, with the gunfire of their assault being heard through an intercom device, although the rescue attempt failed. Vidic boasts that those Assassins were in fact the last of the group; their desert hideout having been previously destroyed. Lucy Stillman's actions, however, suggest otherwise, and when Desmond asked if Lucy knew anything about his parents, she responded by saying that she didn't know, but that they probably escaped. During this discussion, Lucy revealed herself to be an undercover member of the Assassins. Desmond eventually achieved Vidic's goal and discovered the location of numerous Pieces of Eden. Executives of Abstergo Industries ordered his execution, but his life was saved by Stillman's intervention, who asked to keep Desmond alive in order to re-access his memories if need be. After the executives leave, Desmond suddenly accesses the "[[Eagle Vision|eagle vision]]" of his ancestor Altaïr, seeing Warren and Lucy for their true allegiances, as well as countless scrawled messages and puzzles on the floor of the main laboratory.

===Escape to the [[Hideout]]===
{{Quote|Wait! Why aren't I following Altair! Oh SHIT!...|Desmond discovering the birth of his lineage|Assassin's Creed II}}
At the beginning of [[Assassin's Creed II]], Desmond was still being held within the laboratory at [[Abstergo]], continuing directly from the last game from a couple of hours. [[Lucy]] suddenly arrives, covered in blood and demanding Desmond to get into the [[Animus]] before Abstergo discovers what she’d done. Desmond, rather confused, agrees and manages to sync with closest genetic match recorded in the Animus’ memory core. Inside the Animus, he experiences the birth of another of his ancestors, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], a joint ancestor of his and Subject 16's. He was quickly pulled out, though, and both make their escape.

[[File:Zw-desmond-fighting.png|thumb|200px|Desmond fighting off the [[Abstergo]] guards]]

They were quickly spotted by Abstergo security and forced into an engagement which [[Lucy]] quickly ended, allowing them to continue on stealthily. The two soon entered a large open room filled with office blocks, and lined with a large number of Animi, although Desmond's questions about them are met with silence. Desmond instinctively called upon his recently activated [[Eagle Vision]] to open the door to an elevator, locked with a password that Lucy did not have. Once in the car park, the two were halted by yet more Abstergo guards, but were able to overcome them and escape.

Arriving at the [[Assassin's hideout]], Desmond was introduced to two more Assassins – [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] – who have worked with Lucy over the years. Lucy told Desmond that they wanted him to become trained in the ways of the Assassin, and thanks to the [[Bleeding Effect]], they could achieve this in a matter of days, although it required him learning the ways of an Assassin through a new ancestor; [[Ezio]]. Desmond agrees to help almost immediately, and was quickly plugged in the [[Animus 2.0]].

After learning the ways of the Assassin through Ezio's memories, Desmond was retracted from the Animus, partly to test his retention of the memories, but also to prevent the mental
degradation that [[Subject 16]] had suffered from being in the Animus for an extended period of time.

[[File:Zw-desmond-dream.png|thumb|220px|left|Desmond experiencing the [[bleeding effect]]]]
Tasking him with initiating security protocols around the Assassin hideout, Lucy left it to Desmond to work out how to reach them through the use of his [[Eagle Vision]] and new-found [[Free Running]] skills. Just as he began, however, he started suffering vivid hallucinations of the [[Third Crusade|Crusader era]] and the [[Renaissance|Italian Renaissance]]. At first the visions were short, and were nothing to worry about, but after completing the task, Desmond was incapacitated as the visions became more real.

Taken back to [[Acre]], Desmond once again followed the memories of [[Altaïr]], this time without the use of the Animus, and discovered Altaïr and [[Maria Thorpe]] conceived a child, Desmond's next ancestor.
[[File:Demsondanimus2.jpg|thumb|250px|Desmond sitting in the [[Animus|Animus 2.0]] next to [[Lucy]].]]
 
The next day, Desmond had recovered from the experiences and returned to the Animus, neglecting to tell the Assassins what had happened. He continued the watch over the genetic memories of Ezio Auditore, despite at one time being thrown out by a "corrupted memory sequence." Eventually, they learn that Ezio's arch-nemesis, the Templar Grandmaster [[Rodrigo Borgia]] had, in 1492 become Pope Alexander VI, so as to gain access to yet another Piece of Eden, the Papal Staff, as well as [[the Vault]]. As Ezio's story began to conclude, Desmond and the Assassins watched deep within [[the Vault]] beneath the Vatican. Ezio found himself confronted by a "[[Those Who Have Gone Before|god]]" hologram who called herself [[Minerva]]; Minerva warns the Assassins of the end of the world, as well as retelling the story of the war between "Those Who Came Before," and their human subjects. The Assassins are shocked when Minerva addresses Desmond by name, confusing even Ezio, and it is revealed that Minerva was in fact talking to Desmond ''through'' Ezio. Desmond was quickly pulled out of the Animus, and upon seeing the three rushing to collect their belongings, realized that the Templars had found their location.

Immediately after getting out of the Animus, Lucy tossed Desmond a [[Hidden Blade]] with the Assassin's emblem on it, and asks for his assistance in covering the escape. Making their way into the warehouse, Vidic appeared, flanked by Abstergo security officials with the intent of reclaiming Desmond. The two Assassins fought off the Templars, with Desmond, now fully synchronized with Ezio, masterfully using his Hidden Blade to kill many of the guards. With his entourage eliminated, Vidic was left to confront Desmond on his own, but instead retreats, promising that their victory is only temporary. The four Assassins then fled north, and Desmond is hooked up to the Animus inside the van and told to continue to search through his memories for anything useful. Meanwhile, the other Assassins begin to discuss the nature of [[Minerva]] and her talk.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

==Characteristics and personality==
[[File:Zw-desmond-bleeding.png|thumb|300px|Desmond's new free-running skills.]]
Desmond has an uncanny resemblance to both Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze, despite having very little in common with their personalities. And being a discreet individual, he does not wear extravagant clothing, accustomed to a white hooded jacket, jeans, and white sneakers. Interestingly, if raised, the hood exhibits a beak-like feature similar to Ezio's and Altaïr's. In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, his attire differs, now having a backpack, black converses, white hooded jacket with a red collar, similar to Ezio, with a black shirt underneath. His sleeves are rolled up to reveal a tattoo where the Hidden Blade should be. Also, he has been shown to have grown a beard out making his appearance more like Ezio in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood.

Desmond was a gruff and cynical individual, who held a serious outlook on life, due to being aware of the Templars and Assassins since his youth, although he was unaware of Abstergo Industries being a Templar company. Despite this, he was not above jesting about his situation, and would occasionally make jokes, although they rarely elicited a good reaction. After his emancipation from Abstergo, Desmond's demeanor became considerably more relaxed, and he spent a noticeable amount of time conversing with Lucy.

===Equipment and skills===
Being that Desmond was trained during childhood as an Assassin, he was proficient in basic reconnaissance skills, such as eavesdropping and pickpocketing, and was also a competent fist fighter. After about a week of being forced to relive the memories of his ancestor, Altaïr, Desmond began to experience the [[Bleeding Effect]], and developed an extra-sensory ability called [[Eagle Vision]]. Later on, after willingly exploring the memories of another ancestor, Ezio Auditore, Desmond learned how to free-run and use weapons. Not long afterwards, he was able to easily fend off a Templar attack with Ezio's combat skills.

Since synchronizing with Ezio, Desmond has been able to use all of the skills and abilities his ancestor could, both within the Animus and in real life.

==Trivia==
*He is modelled after [[Francisco Randez]] and voiced by [[Nolan North]]. Curiously, Randez also used to be a bartender before he became a model. This may have inspired the makers of the game to give Desmond the same profession.
*His face changes slightly in Assassin's Creed II to match the look of Ezio, whose face also slightly differs from Altaïr's in the first game. <ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
*In [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] he has grown a beard and his skin is more pale, similar to the look Ezio gained near the end of [[Assassin's Creed II]].
*Desmond possesses the same scar on his lip as his ancestors Altaïr and Ezio had. <ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>[[File:Zw-desmond.png|thumb|Desmond (notice the scar).]]
*Desmond and Altaïr share the same age during the first game, both being 25 years of age in 2012 and 1191 respectively. <ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
*Desmond is a descendant of [[Those Who Came Before]] and [[Humans]]. Proof of this is his [[Eagle Vision]], product of the unification of those two races, which also led to the birth of the first "Assassins", [[Adam and Eve]]. <ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Collector's Edition Official Game Guide">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Collector's Edition Official Game Guide]]''</ref>
*Desmond has A+ blood type. <ref>[[“Assassin’s Creed” game manual]]</ref>
*Desmond's history shows he never wanted to be an assassin, nor does he have the skills yet before the second game to be one. However in the graphic novel, included with the limited edition of the first game, he does call himself an assassin and shows skills of stealth and lethality. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Graphic Novel">''[[Assassin's Creed: Graphic Novel]]''</ref>
*Desmond acquires a [[Hidden Blade]] at the conclusion of [[Assassin's Creed II]]. The original owner of the blade is uncertain, but it shares the same design as the one Ezio inherited from his father, [[Giovanni]].
*The relationship between him and Subject 16 is currently unknown.
**Due to the fact that Desmond and Subject 16 are both descendants of Ezio, it is certain that they are somewhat blood related.
*The etymology of Desmond's name "The World" (or Man of the World in Celtic and Latin) is not related to either of his ancestors, whereas [[Altaïr]]'s and [[Ezio]]'s names pertain to avians; Altaïr's being "The Flying One" and Ezio's "The Eagle". His surname "Miles" is also the Latin word for "Soldier".
**The name however suits him, as he wanted to leave his parents' watchful eyes to see the rest of the world outside the compound, and refers to his role in saving it from [[File:Desmond3.png|thumb|Desmond as he appears in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'']]destruction.
**Desmond is also known as Subject 17, for he is the 17th person that was used to test the Animus.
*Desmond's hood changes subtly between the events of AC1 and AC2. It visibly begins to take the shape of Ezio's hood, becoming pointier, while in AC1 it was rounder and more similar to [[Altaïr]]'s. In [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]], Desmond's hoodie changes drastically, to look more like Ezio's [[Master Assassin]] cloak. It is unknown what his backpack is used for, but it's possible that it contains other weapons or inventory.

*Desmond has grown facial hair in brotherhood similar to that of Ezios towards the end of AC2

== Video ==

[[Video:Real Life Storyline|thumb|480px|left|Real Life Storyline: Desmond Miles, Lucy Stillman and Warren Vidic]]
 

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

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassins|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Characters]]