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Francesco Vecellio

2011-04-21T02:34:11Z

71.109.88.83: /* Assassination of Niccolò di Pitigliano */

{{WP-REAL}}
{{Era|PL|Assassins}}
{{Character Infobox
|image = Francesco Vecellio.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = c. 1475
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]] 
(15th Century)
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''
|death = 1560}}
'''Francesco Vecellio''' (c. 1475 - 1560) was an [[Italy|Italian]] painter and a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:The_Understudy.jpg|left|thumb|Francesco and Perotto, during Francesco's training.]]
{{quote|In a way, I already have a child. His name is Francesco, one of the newest members of our Brotherhood. Though he is not yet a man, he is a promising understudy.|Perotto, regarding Francesco Vecellio|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Francesco Vecellio was born into the Assassin Order, in the year 1475. Around 1498, he began his training as [[Perotto Calderon]]'s understudy.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 4 - Perotto Calderon]]</ref><ref name="PL Giovanni Borgia">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 2 - Giovanni Borgia]]</ref>

In his younger years, he was described by Perotto as tall and thin for his age, a stubborn perfectionist who quickly grew frustrated over his own shortcomings. During the early stages of his training, he would often attack in anger, losing control over his emotions. However, despite his anger and self-insults, Perotto also praised him as wise beyond his years.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon" /><ref name="PL Giovanni Borgia" />

After Perotto fell for [[Lucrezia Borgia]], she suggested that the Assassin kill Francesco if he caught onto their relationship, but Perotto loved Francesco like a son and refused to harm him.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon" /><ref name="PL Giovanni Borgia" />

===Perotto's betrayal===
[[File:PL_Mercy.jpg|thumb|right|Francesco attempting to bargain for Perotto's life.]]
{{quote|I have exhausted nearly every resource to lessen Perotto’s punishment for his crimes, but I fear there is little left I can do. We will hunt him tonight.|Francesco, upon setting off with other Assassins to find his master.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Francesco was later involved in the hunt for Perotto when the latter went berserk, breaking all three tenets of [[The Creed|their Creed]] in a desperate attempt to save [[Giovanni Borgia|his child]]. Francesco was deeply hurt by his master's betrayal, though he still attempted to persuade his Brothers to show him mercy. However, due to his young age and the severity of Perotto's crimes, Francesco's objections were outweighed, and the rest of the Assassins concluded that they were duty-bound to kill Perotto.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon" />

Tracking Perotto to Agnadello, Francesco and a team of Assassins discovered that he was attempting to use [[the Shroud]] to save his son's life. Following a trail of bodies, Borgia [[guards]] and their own Brothers alike, the Assassins reached the home of [[Rinaldo Vitturi]], in which the Shroud had been stored. Perotto was nowhere in sight, but the locals informed them that he had set up camp outside the city.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon" />

The Assassins surrounded Perotto's camp, but despite their numbers, Perotto's skill with a bow was unmatched, and he managed to kill several of them. Despite still wondering if his master could be reasoned with, Francesco fired upon Perotto nonetheless. Though his arrow grazed him, Perotto only looked at Francesco sadly and did not return fire. Eventually, Perotto was overwhelmed and killed.<ref name="PL Perotto Calderon" />

===Apprenticeship in Rome===
[[File:The_High_Road_PL.jpg|thumb|left|Francesco training with Ezio in Rome.]]
{{quote|We struggle to oppose Cesare Borgia, who, with his wretched family, controls the Church as well as the city.|Francesco, regarding the [[Liberation of Rome]].|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
After his mentor's death, Francesco was [[Apprentices|apprenticed]] to the [[Master Assassin]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] in 1501, and was taught various skills such as [[free-running]] and [[pickpocketing]].<ref name="PL FV Italian Wars">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 2 - Francesco Vecellio|Chapter 2 - Francesco Vecellio (Italian Wars)]]</ref>

After his training, he was placed in charge of a team of Assassins, whose purpose was to disrupt [[Cesare Borgia]]'s influence over [[Italy]]. Notable members of his team were the African [[Cipriano Enu]], who specialized in archery, and the stealthy [[Tessa Varzi]], who was skilled with poisons. While many of the team's missions took place in Rome, they also visited [[Romagna]], [[wikipedia:Camerino|Camerino]] and [[Venice]], among others.<ref name="PL FV Italian Wars" />

The team faced the likes of the French Templar, [[Charles de la Motte]], and also teamed up with the Borgia-traitor [[Fiora Cavazza]] to kill Templar agents [[Mercenary (multiplayer character)|Rocco Tiepolo]], [[Cahin]], [[Caha]] and [[Baltasar de Silva]].<ref name="PL FV Italian Wars" /><ref name="PL Fiora Cavazza">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 1 - Fiora Cavazza]]</ref>

Sometime in 1503, Francesco also recruited Perotto's son, [[Giovanni Borgia]], into the Assassin Order.<ref name="PL Giovanni Borgia" />

===Assassination of Niccolò di Pitigliano===
{{main|Assassination of Niccolò di Pitigliano}}
[[File:PL_Memory_Bloodwork.jpg|thumb|right|Francesco and Niccolò.]]
{{quote|My target is old, unsuspecting. Age will take his life soon, but I will not allow it.|Francesco, regarding Niccolò di Pitigliano.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Francesco received an important solo mission in 1510, which involved killing [[Niccolò di Pitigliano]], and freeing the population of [[wikipedia:Lonigo|Lonigo]] from the latter's rule. After learning what he needed to know about his target and slowly destroying his influence over Lonigo, Francesco assassinated Niccolò. Initially, Niccolò survived the attack with the help of a [[The Shroud|mysterious artifact]], but when it backfired and brought his brutal end, it was Francesco who took possession of the artifact. By this time his former team was dead and he was probably a master assassin.<ref name="PL FV Rome">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 3 - Francesco Vecellio|Chapter 3 - Francesco Vecellio (Rome)]]</ref>

===Painting career===
[[File:Francesco_Vecellio_Painting.jpg|thumb|left|A painting by Francesco titled ''"Saint Antonio Searches with Great Interest for the Heart in the Coffin."'']]
{{quote|Francesco Vecellio. The blossoming painter. I never would have suspected.|Fiora Cavazza, upon discovering Francesco's identity as an Assassin.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
Alongside his Assassin life, Francesco pursued a painting career during the 1520s to 1530s in [[wikipedia:Cadore|Cadore]], but he would never become as successful as his younger brother [[wikipedia:Titian|Tiziano Vecellio]]. In 1524, he signed an altarpiece for San Vito in Cadore. During the 1540s, he painted a polyptych in Candide, as well as the organ shutters of [[wikipedia:San Salvatore|San Salvatore]] in [[Venice]]. He also painted an ''Annunciation'' for San Nicola di Bari, which is now in the Accademia.

He died in 1560.

{{-}}

==Equipment==
Francesco was known to carry a unique combinations of weapons, some of which are not mentioned elsewhere. His first [[hidden blade]] was attached to his right arm, though he would later be granted a dual hidden blade.<ref name="PL FV Italian Wars" /><ref name="PL Giovanni Borgia" />

Despite begging Ezio to allow him to carry a firearm similar to Ezio's [[pistol|hidden gun]], at the time, his mentor told him that he was not ready for such a weapon. Instead, he had [[Leonardo da Vinci]] craft Francesco a [[poison blade]], as well as a Hidden Bolt, a weapon that fired small crossbow bolts.<ref name="PL FV Rome" />

Other than these, Francesco also carried the standard sword, knife, and bow of an Assassin.<ref name="PL FV Italian Wars" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vecellio, Francesco}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Ezio Auditore da Firenze

2011-03-23T03:34:34Z

71.109.88.83: /* Others */

{{Era|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|PL|Renaissance|Bbook|Lineage|Assassins|Good}}
{{Character Infobox
|image = char_ezio.png
|imgdesc = Ezio Auditore as a [[Master Assassin]].
|birth = June 24, 1459<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Auditore|Auditore]] [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
|actor = [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]]
|voice = [[Roger Craig Smith]] [[Kid Beyond]] (''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery|Discovery]]'')
}}
{{Quote|My name is Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and like my father and grandfathers before me, I am an Assassin.|Ezio Auditore da Firenze.|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Ezio Auditore da Firenze''' (born 1459) was a [[Florence|Florentine]] noble during the [[Italy|Italian]] [[Renaissance]] and, unbeknownst to most historians and philosophers, a central member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]]. A descendant of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and ancestor to both [[Desmond Miles]] and [[Subject 16]], Ezio was unaware of his Assassin heritage until the age of 17, when his [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|father]] and two brothers, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], were murdered. Ezio fled [[Florence]] – his birthplace – and took refuge at the [[Villa Auditore]] in the [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] town of [[Monteriggioni]].

Learning of his heritage from his uncle, [[Mario Auditore]], Ezio began his Assassin training, as well as his quest for vengeance against the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]], [[Rodrigo Borgia]], who had ordered the executions of his father and two brothers. During his quest, Ezio managed to not only unite the pages of Altaïr's [[Codex]] for the first time since [[Domenico Auditore]], but also to save the cities of Florence, [[Venice]] and [[Rome]] from the [[Templars]]' control. He ensured the future travels of [[Christoffa Corombo]] to the "New World" and, in [[Liberation of Rome|liberating Rome]] from Borgia control and preventing the rise to power of [[Ercole Massimo]]'s [[Cult of Hermes]], helped spread the Renaissance and Assassin ideals of independence and free thought throughout Italy.

Shortly before the death of Rodrigo Borgia in 1503, Ezio was pronounced the [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order|Grand Master]], or "ll Mentore", of the Assassin Order.

==Biography==
===Early life===
====Pre-execution====
[[File:Eziolineagechess.png|thumb|left|250px|A much younger Ezio, portrayed by [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]].]]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze was born in Florence on June 24, 1459 AD, the second son of Giovanni Auditore 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 Assassin Order. As a youth he was apprenticed to the great banker Giovanni Tornabuoni, presumably to learn the banking trade, so that he could become the leader of the Auditore bank in the future.<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, and friends of the family fought with [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] and his gang. Ezio pummeled several members of the opposing gang, but Vieri managed to flee the scene before Ezio could do anything to him. Just before the fight, Ezio received a cut on his lip – caused by Vieri throwing a stone – for which Federico suggested that they visit the local doctor. After looting several people left unconscious by the fight, the two brothers ran across the rooftops to the doctor.

After the doctor 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 traveled 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 softened, admitting that it reminded him of his own youth. He then assigned Ezio 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, [[Duccio]], 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 [[feather]]s from the rooftops, as he was ill and couldn't leave the house or get out of bed. After a tiring search for feathers – about which Petruccio was secretive – 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}}
Upon returning home, Ezio was asked by his father to deliver two letters to contacts of his in the city then retrieve a letter for him from a pigeon coop not far from the house. Ezio agreed, and after two odd encounters with the people he'd delivered the letters to, Ezio retrieved the note from the pigeon coup only to witness guards running across Florence. 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]]'s personal assistant and a close friend of the Auditore family. Doing so, Ezio found his father's Assassin robes 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 traveled to the home of Cristina Vespucci, where he spent the night.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>

[[File:Inhertance.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ezio inheriting his robes and weapons]]
The next day, Ezio returned to the Piazza della Signoria to find Alberti presiding over the execution of the Auditores. Giovanni protested his innocence, citing the information given to Alberti as evidence. But Alberti denied any knowledge of such information. Ezio shouted that Alberti was indeed lying, but his 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 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.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>After killing Alberti, he took the documents that Alberti stole from Ezio and his father. Ezio also took a letter from Alberti that was supposed to be for his wife and son. Ezio decided he would see that she gets the letter, not wanting to sink to Alberti's level.

====Family ties====
{{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 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, 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 afterward, 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 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 to 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 [[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 [[Teodora Contanto|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|Ezio, receiving the Assassin's mark.]]

Two more years passed before word of the Templar vessel reached Ezio once again on his twenty eighth birthday, 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 [[Initiation to the Assassin Order|inducted]] into the Order.He got a ring burned onto his flesh of his left hand instead of losing a finger.<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 [[Rodrigo Borgia]] had dubbed "[[Sixth Apple|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 to 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 an acquaintance to meet Antonio at the Thieves Guild in Venice. Upon arriving there, Ezio found Antonio accompanied by another man, [[Luis de Santángel]]. 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>

[[File:Acd23.png|thumb|right|250px|Ezio locked in combat with a guard during his time in Spain.]]
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 held captive by the Spanish Inquisitor General, [[Tomás de Torquemada]]. Feeling it was his duty 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 met with to Antonio's contacts and was directed to the local Thieves Guild. When he arrived at the location, he found that it empty. He was then ambushed by the Inquisitors' men. After making his escape through the sewers, he met a man who called himself [[Raphael Sanchez]], who 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|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|250px|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 (DLC)}}
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. 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, who had also been trying 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|250px|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 saw the Assassins come 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 Rodrigo from above. As he was about to deal the killing blow, Rodrigo 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 illusional copies of himself with the Apple, and it seemed that Ezio had bested Rodrigo, but the Pope overcame him. Rodrigo then took the Apple and stabbed Ezio in the abdomen, leaving him to die before fleeing into the Vault. However Ezio soon regained conciousness and, following his nemesis to the outside of the Vault, Ezio watched as Rodrigo tried in vain to open it. Laying down his arms, Ezio challenged and defeated Rodrigo in a final brawl, obtaining possession of both the Apple and the Staff, but refusing to take the 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, before disappearing abruptly, leaving Ezio with many unanswered questions.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

====Siege of Monteriggioni====
[[File:Monterigioni.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio destroying a siege tower.]]
Following his encounter in the vault, Ezio returned to Monteriggioni with his uncle Mario Auditore, who had traveled to Rome to aid his nephew. During their journey, Ezio imparted onto his uncle what he had learned from Minerva, but soon found solace in the fact that his own battles were finally at an end. That evening, Ezio once again retold the events of his encounter in the Vault, this time to Machiavelli, his sister and mother. Machiavelli in turn criticized Ezio for his failure to kill Rodrigo Borgia. That night, unconcerned with Machiavelli's outburst, Ezio returned to his bedchamber to share an intimate night with Caterina Sforza. He soon learned however, that the Borgia threat was far from over.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

On January 2nd 1500, [[Cesare Borgia]], the son of Rodrigo, Commander of the Papal armies and a high ranking [[Templar]] in his own right, [[Siege of Monteriggioni|laid siege to Monteriggioni]]. Taking the Assassins by surprsie, Cesare's forces were quickly able to level half the city before Ezio managed to reach the cannons above the wall ramparts and return fire, destroying many of Cesare's own siege weapons. This was a futile effort on Ezio's behalf in order to get the citizens to safety however, as Cesare's forces managed to breach the city gates, despite the defense put up by Ezio and his uncle. Entering the city, Cesare brought a mortally wounded Mario Auditore and captured Caterina Sforza before him. Seeing his uncle lying on the ground, Ezio ran across the rooftops in a vain effort to reach them, but was shot by an [[arquebusier]] upon the city walls. At the same time Cesare "invited" Ezio to come to Rome with a shot of his own firearm; the shot killed Mario.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Ezio, having soon regained consciousness as two of Mario's mercenaries were dragging him, continued to partake in the battle, which had by now spilled into what was left of the city streets. Retreating to the Sanctuary, Ezio and the fleeing civilians fled through a secret passageway that had been hidden behind the statue of Altaïr. After ensuring his mother and sister were safe, Ezio then made his way for Rome. An undetermined amount of time later, Ezio passed out off of his horse however, his wounds having not been treated.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

====War in Rome====
[[File:Zw-acb-ezio-injured.jpg|thumb|left|306px|An unknown woman treating Ezio's wounds.]]Ezio eventually awoke to find his wound being treated by a stranger, who told him that he had simply been dropped off at her doorstep, the man who had brought him there had also supplied him with a new set of robes. After leaving the house Ezio had his wounds tended by a practiced doctor before setting out to make contact with Machiavelli in the centre of the city. His attention was soon caught, however, by the discussion of a group of guards who were set on injuring an innocent civilian for "causing the Borgia guards trouble.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Following the guards and aiding the distressed civilian, whose wife had recently been executed by a Borgia ally known as [[Il Carnefice]], Ezio got his first taste of life in the city. Making his way up to Il Carnefice's abode, Ezio assassinated him and continued on his way to meet with Machiavelli. From him, Ezio discovered that under the Borgia, Rome had fallen into a state of disrepair and that its citizens were being oppressed by them. Machiavelli also told him of Cesare Borgia, the son of the Templar Grand Master and the man responsible for the death of Mario Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Together, Ezio and Machiavelli met with [[Fabio Orsini]], an ally of Bartolomeo d'Alviano who had been forced into serving Cesare Borgia. Fabio lent to the Assassins an [[Assassin headquarters (Rome)|old storehouse]] of his on [[Tiber Island]], in the hope that they would find a better use for it. From here, Ezio travelled to the [[Rosa in Fiore]] in an attempt to gather the support of the city's courtesans. When he arrived however, he learned that [[Madonna Solari]], the head of the brothel, had been kidnapped by the [[Cento Occhi]], Cesare's hired thugs, and was being held for ransom.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Gathering the funds necessary, Ezio made his way to the kidnappers location, but was double crossed. Madonna Solari was murdered and Ezio attacked. Ezio survived the ambush and returned to the Rose in Fiore to discover his mother and sister there. With no-one to lead them, the courtesans turned to Claudia Auditore to act as their Madonna; Ezio agreed to her appointment, albeit with great reluctance. Ezio then moved on to gather the support of both [[La Volpe]]'s thieves, who were suffering at the hands of the Cento Occhi, and d'Alviano's mercenaries.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

After receiving intelligence reports from Claudia, La Volpe and Bartolomeo indicating the Caternia Sforza was being held in the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] Ezio departed to rescue her, though not before Machiavelli demanded that, should he get the oppertunity, he kill Cesare and Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

[[File:Eziolavolpesforza.jpg|thumb|296px|Ezio talking with La Volpe and Caterina Sforza.]]Infiltrating the castle, Ezio scaled the fortresses double walls and apprehended [[Lucrezia Borgia]], who was holding the keys to Caterina's cell. From there they escaped, making sure they remined undetected, until they had procurred a mount. Fleeing across the [[Ponte Sant'Angelo]] Ezio ordered Caterina to ride on whilst he dealt with the pursuing guards; only a timely explosion from within the Castel prevented him from being overwhelmed however. Returning to his base of operations, Ezio decided that in order to free Rome from its Borgia oppression, he must involve those who were being oppressed. Despite Machiavelli's reservations, the two agreed to begin recruiting citizens of Rome into Ezio's new brotherhood, so that the [[liberation of Rome]] could begin.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Within a year, Ezio had turned a number of Rome's citizen into Assassin [[apprentices]], as well as adopting several existing members of the Order into his guild; member such as [[Francesco Vecellio]], whose [[Perotto Calderon|former master]] had betrayed the Order to save his [[Giovanni Borgia|infant son]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref> The apprentices fought and trained alongside Ezio, as well as undertaking missions to aid their fellow assassins in cities across Europe, and as far a field as Calicut, India. He also had his apprentices by aid him in removing a number of Templar agents, such as [[Malfatto]] and [[Silvestro Sabbatini]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Eventually, Ezio received a surprise visit from his old friend Leonardo da Vinci, who informed him that he had been pressed into providing the Borgia with various forms of advanced weaponry and [[war machines]]. Leonardo promised to provide Ezio with the tools necessary to destroy his weapons, albeit at a small monetary cost. Ezio agreed, and throughout his war against the Borgia managed to destroy all of da Vinci's war machines.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Learning that [[Juan Borgia the Elder]], a corrupt cardinal and cousin to Cesare Borgia, was providing Cesare with the financial backing he needed to wage his wars in Italy, Ezio decided to remove this pillar of support. From Claudia's courtesans, Ezio discovered that a local senator, [[Egidio Troche]], was in debt to Juan, and as such provided an avenue of approach. Ezio decided to help Egidio by fending off his attackers and provided to money to settle Egidio's debt. In return, Egidio agreed to lead the assassin to his target. Ezio tailed Egidio to a Borgia captain, where Egidio turned over his money. Ezio then assassinated the captain and took his place. Arriving at the location of a pagan party being hosted by Juan, Ezio handed over the money and proceeded to sneak in undetected. Ezio struck his target from a bench, and then escaped undetected.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

====Trouble with the French====
[[File:Gatekeeper4.jpg|thumb|left|272px|Ezio discussing the French with Bartolomeo d'Alviano.]]
Following the Banker's death, Ezio travelled to Bartolomeo d'Alviano's barracks, where he soon discovered that Bartolomeo's wife, [[Pantasilea Baglioni]], had been kidnapped by the [[Octavian de Valois|Baron de Valois]], commander of Cesare's French allies in Rome. Despite putting up a valiant defense of his barracks, Bartolomeo saw no feasible way he could secure his wife's safety short of surrendering; Ezio however, had another idea. Eliminating a large number of French soldiers, Bartolomeo's mercenaries took on the guise of a French patrol escorting a defeated Bartolomeo d'Alviano to the [[Castra Praetoria]], the base of operations for Octavian de Valois' forces.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Infiltrating the fortress, Bartolomeo and Ezio came face to face with the Baron, who very nearly killed Bartolomeo were it not for a timely interruption from Ezio. Battle soon broke out, and with Bartolomeo's mercenaries engaging the French forces Ezio was free to pursue the Baron and Pantasilea, eventually freeing her and killing him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

====Securing the keys to the Castel====
Not long after his victory over the Baron de Valois, Ezio travelled once more to [[La Volpe Addormentata]], where he and La Volpe discussed the latter's suspicion that Machiavelli had in fact betrayed the Assassins by guiding the Papal Army to Monteriggioni, and by informing Rodrigo and Cesare to stay away from the Castel during Ezio's infiltration. Ezio disagreed, but promised to look into their being a traitor. La Volpe later informed him that [[Pietro Rossi]], an actor and Lucrezia Borgia's lover, had the key to the Castel and that Cesare intended to kill Pietro over his feelings for Lucrezia. Locating Cesare at one of the city gates, Ezio witnessed the assassination of [[Francesco Troche]], brother of Egidio, by Cesare's personal assassin [[Micheletto Corella]]. Ezio then tailed Micheletto, who was to infiltrate a play that Pietro would appear in, and kill him. As he followed him, Ezio had his apprentices discreetly replace those guards Micheletto tasked with partaking in the murder.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

[[File:Coliseum.jpg|thumb|278px|right|Ezio carrying Pietro Rossi through the Colosseum.]]
Eventually, Micheletto arrived at [[Colosseo|il Colosseo]], the site of the play. Climbing up the outside of the building, Ezio made his way down from the roof to the backstage area below, picking off Micheletto's marksmen as he went. Ezio soon struck Micheletto, but spared his life hen he learned that Pietro had been poisoned previously, as a means of insurance. He hurried from the Colosseum, Pietro in his arms, whilst his apprentices covered the retreat. After handing Pietro over to a doctor and receiving the key to the Castel from him, Ezio spotted a thief that he recognized from the siege of Monteriggioni When the thief ran, Ezio gave chase. He quickly caught the thief and discovered that he was in fact the traitor, not Machiavelli. Ezio then raced back to Tiber Island to stop La Volpe from killing Machiavelli, as he had promised to do so previously.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Learning that Cesare's thugs had made their way to the Rose in Fiore, Ezio hurried to protect his family, arriving too late to save them; Claudia had already killed the attackers. Impressed with the kills, Ezio inducted Claudia into the Order, and was in turn elected to the position of [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order|il Mentore]] by Machiavelli, who stepped down to allow Ezio's promotion.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

====Sede Vacante====
With Cesare's supporters in Rome dead, the Brotherhood and it's allies were in command of the city. Ezio was informed that Cesare had returned to Rome, and was meeting with his father in the Castel Sant'Angelo. Once again infiltrating the Castel, Ezio witnessed Rodrigo's attempt to poison his son, only to be murdered in response. As Cesare hurried from the Castel to obtain the Apple of Eden that his father had hidden away, Ezio entered the Castel and gave Rodrigo's body his blessing. He then learned from Lucrezia where Rodrigo had hidden the Apple and raced out of the fortress.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

[[File:Anarmyapple.jpg|thumb|left|292px|Ezio revealing the Apple of Eden to his comrades.]]Ezio arrived at St. Peter's Basilica and obtained the Apple with just moments to spare, as he was soon joined by Cesare and a sizeable contingent of Papal soldiers. Using the Apple, Ezio drove mad those pursuers he did not kill; then in tandem with his fellow assassins worked over the next few months to completely destroy what little support in Rome Cesare still had. Eventually, the Assassins caught up with Cesare himself, who was awaiting reinforcements from Micheletto Corella and his army. Cesare's forces were defeated, although their leader had retreated behind the city gate; he was not safe however, and was quickly arrested by Fabio Orsini on the orders of Pope Julius II. As he was dragged away, Cesare scream that "chain will not hold [him]…" and that no man would ever kill him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Despite their victory, Ezio was troubled by Cesare's comments, and meeting with Leonardo da Vinci, he confessed his concerns to him. At Leonardo's suggestion, Ezio decided to look into the Apple in order to see if Cesare's threats were true. He quickly let go of the Apple, commenting that he must leave immediately. Before he left however, Ezio left Leonardo a parting gift: a chest full of gold, in recompense for his losing a patron.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===In pursuit of Cesare Borgia===
Running from the [[Tiber Island headquarters]], Ezio made his way to the Castel Sant'Angelo and was greeted by a scene of mass confusion. Questioning a guard, Ezio learned that Cesare had escaped, likely with the aid of an inside-man, but that Lucrezia had been left behind. Summarizing that the best way for Cesare to escape the city was by boat, Ezio ran to the docks nearest the Castel.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

The docks were extremely busy when he arrived, and as such Ezio was forced to use the Apple of Eden to prise a location for Cesare; pointed to the red-sailed caravel on pier six, Ezio made his there only to find it had already set sail. Heading to the nearest boat, Ezio offered to pay the boat-master handsomely if he pursued him. Ezio was surprised to see that it was Claudio who captained the boat, having been given money to do so by La Volpe previously.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

The ships were already nearing [[Ostia]] by the time Claudio's scoop had caught up. Locking sails, Claudio gave Ezio the order to jump aboard, and together Ezio and Claudio quickly overpowered the ship's crew, whilst Cesare watched helplessly from the secure wooden crate he had been hidden in. Upon docking in Ostia, Cesare was securely sent back to Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

====Councilor to the Pope====
{{Dialogue2|Julius II|Cesare Borgia has been safely delivered into one of their strongest and most secure rocca!|Ezio|Where?|Ah, that's classified information, even to you. I can't take any chances with Cesare.|Pope [[Julius II]] and [[Ezio Auditore]]|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
By 1504 Ezio had become councilor to Pope [[Julius II]], and was with him when the Pope received word that Cesare Borgia had been successfully handed over to King [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] and his wife Queen [[Isabella I of Castile]]. When Ezio enquired as to where he was being held, Julius politely refused to answer, perhaps cautious of any attempts Ezio might make on the Templar leader's life. Later in the conversation, a tired Ezio nonchalantly suggested the name "Swiss Guard" for the contingent of Swiss mercenaries Julius II was thinking of hiring as his personal bodyguards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

The following day, Ezio called a meeting with La Volpe, Bartolomeo, Machiavelli and Claudia to discuss rooting out those [[Borgia diehards]] who still pocketed Italy. Together they formulated a plan that would keep control of the Borgia loyalists until the time to strike presented itself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Following the meeting, Ezio and Machiavelli met with a number of Rodrigo's former lovers and associates, including [[Vannozza dei Cattanei|Vannozza]] and [[Giulia Farnese]], as well as Cesare's wife: [[Charlotte d'Albret]] . On their way to meet Giulia, Ezio and Machiavelli noticed they were being followed by someone, and had been since leaving Vanozza's palazzo. After making their way onto the rooftops, the Assassins were eventually able to lose their pursuer, although it took a lot of effort on their part.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

During this mission, Machiavelli repeatedly asked Ezio to use the Apple to locate Cesare, though Ezio consistently refused, not wishing to become dependant on its power and lose his own skills.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

====Rescuing Claudia, capturing Micheletto====
After leaving d'Albret's palazzo, Ezio and Machiavelli were approached by [[Bruno]], one of Machiavelli's spies, who informed the two that the Borgia had had them followed, so as to ensure they were not present when they kidnapped Claudia Auditore. Upon learning her location, the two quickly made their way to liberate her from her captors only to discover they had been led into a trap; Bruno had been working for the Borgia for at least a year.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Making their way Borgia diehards' facility, Ezio saw Claudia tied to a chair, half-dressed and bruised. The leader of the diehards held a knife to Claudia's throat and threatened to kill her if Ezio did not leave Rome once and for all; Ezio refused and, together with Machiavelli, quickly overpowered and eliminated the diehards. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

After rescuing Claudia, Ezio learned that Micheletto had holed up in the Ludus Magnus in [[Zagarolo]], east of Rome. Bringing together a force of one-hundred apprentices and thieves, Ezio's forces quickly surrounded and overpowered the two-hundred and fifty strong force commanded by Micheletto. Taking Micheletto to Florence, he was incarcerated in the cell atop the Palazzo della Signoria, the same cell that had held his father twenty-eight years earlier, and tortured by Machiavelli, [[Amerigo Vespucci]] and [[Piero Soderini]], the gonfaloniere of Florence and Machiavelli's "master". Despite learning nothing from Micheletto, Machiavelli promised to continue in his attempts to prise any information from him, and parted ways with Ezio warmly when the later was forced to return to Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

====Manhunt====
Days later, Ezio was awoken in the early hours of the morning by Machiavelli, who informed him that Micheletto had managed to escape from the Palazzo della Signoria with the aid of a Borgia-friendly priest, and the diehards. Ezio quickly realised that this could work to their advantage; ''if'' they could track Micheletto down, they could follow him to Cesare. Convening an emergency meeting, Ezio organized a manhunt for Micheletto that focused on the area surrounding Rome and Ostia. Later, Ezio was effectively ordered by Machiavelli to use the Apple to locate Micheletto, but was once again provided with the same vague image of a Spanish castle, with nothing about Micheletto Corella.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio was confused by this, and expressed his confusion to Machiavelli who recommended he ask the Apple why it wasn't showing him what he wanted. The Piece of Eden told Ezio that the time had come for him to relinquish it, so that future generations might make use of it; it also indicated [[Colosseum Vault|where]] it should be hidden. As a parting gift, the Apple informed the Assassin that Micheletto Corella was making his way to Spain via the port in [[Naples]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Before making their way to Naples, Ezio and Machiavelli decided to relinquish the Apple just at it had requested. Entering the Colosseum, the two Assassins made their way through the old [[Lairs of Romulus|lair of Romulus]], marking the way as they went, until they reached the entrance to the Vault. Entering the Vault, Ezio placed the Apple on the central pedestal, and then exited. As the door closed behind him, both Ezio and Niccolò noticed that the door seemed to vanish, instead taking the appearance of the surrounding wall.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

===Hermetic troubles===
[[File:Roleofthedice2.png|200px|thumb|left|Ezio and Leonardo look upon an unfinished [[Mona Lisa|portrait of a smiling lady]].]]
With the Apple safely hidden away, Ezio met with Leonardo to discuss his need of chartering a ship to Navarre. Leonardo interjected that he knew the name of a friendly ship captain, but was unable to remember it at the time. Whilst here, Ezio and Leonardo briefly discussed the ancient [[Greece|Greek]] scholar [[Pythagoras]], whom Leonardo was researching, though Ezio suggested he instead focus on his painting now, positively remarking on an unfinished [[Mona Lisa|portrait of a smiling lady]]. Despite this, Leonardo wished to accompany Ezio to the docks, though he was unable to leave the studio unaccompanied; Ezio offered to bring back Leonardo's apprentice: [[Salaì]].<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] - [[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]''</ref>

Ezio found Salaì in La Volpe Addormentata, enjoying a game of [[Hazard|dice]]. Despite some initial resistance, Salaì eventually agreed to return to his Master's workshop with Ezio, much to the chagrin of three cloaked individuals who had been playing against Salaì. Once outside, the three individuals, who were revealed to be [[Hermeticists]], attacked Ezio and Salaì, being supported by a number of other cloaked men. Once defeated, Salaì remarked that only one individual could fight with such skill, correctly guessing Ezio's name. Ezio simply suggested they continue on to Leonardo's workshop.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

Circumventing the throngs of Hermeticists between them and the workshop, Ezio and Salaì returned to find the workshop wrecked and Leonardo missing. Salaì regretfully informed Ezio that he did not know the location of [[Temple of Pythagoras]]. Looking down to the floor in sadness, Salaì spotted some writing on the floor. It suggested Leonardo's artwork which had been kept at the Villa Auditore, had kept clues to the location of the temple. At first Ezio was dismissive, commenting that all the paintings had been destroyed in the attack, though Salaì quickly responded by saying only two had been destroyed and one had been sold (by Salaì himself to buy a "now out of fashion" doublet), leaving five more to find; and that these five were in the hands of Lucrezia Borgia, Duchess of [[Ferrara]].<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

====Hunting down the paintings====
{{Quote|I count five Leonardo da Vinci paintings you have stolen, and I want them returned.|Ezio Auditore to Lucrezia Borgia, Duchess of Ferrara|The Da Vinci Disappearance}}
Ezio made his way to [[Delizia di Belriguardo]], climbing over the palazzo's outer walls and overhearing a paranoid Lucrezia ordering the guard onto high alert. Infiltrating the palazzo through the attached stables, Ezio confronted Lucrezia on the stolen paintings, saying that he had not come for her life. Willingly, Lucrezia revealed that she only had one of the paintings still, as the rest had been taken after the fall of her family. Ordering her men to place the painting ''[[Da Vinci's Annunciation]]'' in a cart outside the palazzo's walls, Lucrezia was then thrust against the wall by Ezio, who begun to kiss her neck intimately.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />
[[File:Theone5.png|220px|thumb|right|Ezio Auditore confronts Lucrezia Borgia inside the [[Delizia di Belriguardo]].]]

Lucrezia told Ezio that three of the paintings had been sold to [[Francesco Colonna]], whilst the fifth went to an old flame of Lucrezia's name [[Patrizio]]. Ezio apologised to Lucrezia and then pulled back, revealing that he had tied her to the hanging drape. Lucrezia angrily called for her husband's personal guard, who pursued Ezio through the palazzo until he escaped out of a window and into a bale of hay near where the painting had been placed in a cart.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

Returning to Rome, Ezio made his way to the [[Vaticano district]], where he followed Patrizio, who was hoping to sell the paintings to the Hermeticists. Ezio watched as [[Ercole Massimo]] belittled Patrizio for his racist views on Lucrezia's Spanish heritage, and then had him murdered when he tried to destroy the painting out of anger. Ezio then pursued the hermeticist Ercole had tasked with transporting the painting, eventually recovering it.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

{{Dialogue|[[Duccio de Luca]]|Ezio Auditore. Living in this third-rate city instead of beautiful Firenze? How low you have sunk.|Ezio Auditore|You are going to shut your mouth and give me what I want. The three da Vinci paintings.|Duccio and Ezio, 1506|The Da Vinci Disappearance}}
Ezio then traveled to the home of Francesco Colonna, only to find that the house had been seized by the bank. He was told that the da Vinci paintings had been sold to an art merchant from Florence, who was waiting at the docks outside the Mausoleo di Augusto. Making his way there, Ezio was surprised to see that the art merchant was his sister's former love interest [[Duccio de Luca]]. Duccio immediatly set about insulting Ezio for living in a "third-rate city" such as Rome, and then again for his sister being the Madame of the Rosa in Fiore. For his troubles, Duccio received a short, stout punch to the face from a now angered Ezio Auditore. Duccio ordered his entourage to attack Ezio, though he was able to easily hold off his attackers. He eventually gained the information he wanted from Duccio, but the merchant pushed his insults even further against Claudia, resulting in a final blow to the old nemesis.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

After knocking Duccio out, Ezio made his way to the merchant's boat, which had been occupied by Hermeticists, to retrieve the [[Lady with an Ermine|third painting]]. Ezio swiftly eliminated them without being seen, and claimed the painting as his own. He then made his way to the Rosa in Fiore in order to ascertain a means of obtaining the last two paintings, which had been bought by a cardinal and put on display inside the Castel Sant'Angelo.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

====An art exhibition====
Upon reaching the Rosa in Fiore, Ezio warmly greeted his siter, neglecting to mention his previous encounter with Duccio. From her he learned that access to the art exhibition inside the Casterequired an invitation, though fortuately she knew where he could obtain one. Ezio then infiltrated the palazzo of the noble holding the invitation only to find the box supposedly holding it empty, though he soon learned that the noble had already departed without the invitation and that a courier was on his way to hand it to him. Ezio chased down and tackled the courier, stealing the invitation. Ezio then met up with a small cohort of Claudia's courtesans and made his way into the Castel, saying that he would mark the paintings to be stolen.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

Ezio marked the first painting after distracting the guards protecting said paintings on display outside the inner building. He then proceeded to infiltrate the Castel, backtracking along the same path he had used to escape with Caterina Sforza years previously, before continuing on into the upper chambers of the Popes' residences. After marking the second painting, he quickly exfiltrated the Castel as cries over the theft of two paintings rung out around him.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

{{Dialogue|Salaì|[Leonardo] also experimented with inks, including an ink that vanishes! But we can't see invisible ink, can we? Ezio, use your gift.|Ezio Auditore|You know about that too?|Salaì inadvertedly reveals Leonardo's loose tongue to Ezio|The Da Vinci Disappearance}}
Ezio returned to Leonardo's workshop, where the five paintings had been stored. Inside he found Salaì already working to find any clues towards the location of the temple, though he had found nothing. Salaì was on the verge of giving up when Ezio prompted him to think of ways Leonardo might have concealed his work. Salaì remembered that Leonardo had work on invisible inks, and suggested to Ezio he use his gift of Eagle Vision to find any clues. Despite his annoyance at Leonardo for telling Salaì about his gift, Ezio did as was asked, finding small diagrams in each painting.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

After inspecting all the paintings, Ezio drew out each diagram and laid them on the table. Salaì immediately worked out it was a map, although there were probably pieces missing from the two paintings destroyed during the Siege of Monteriggioni six years previously. Nonetheless, Ezio managed the piece together the map and located the entrance to the catacombs containing the Temple of Pythagoras. He immediately made his way there.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

====The Temple of Pythagoras====
{{dialogue|Leonardo|Those are not Pythagorean symbols. 43 39 19 N 75 27 42 W. Nothing. The Cult of Hermes is wrong, the number is meaningless.|Ezio|It is not intended for us.|Leonardo da Vinci and Ezio Auditore in the [[Pythagorean Vault]]|The Da Vinci Disappearance}}
[[File:Acbdlc4sp05pythagoriantemple.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Ezio Auditore and Leonardo da Vinci enter the [[Temple of Pythagoras]].]]
Entering the catacombs, Ezio made his way towards the temple. As he did so, he could heard Ercole Massimo beating Leonardo, demanding he open the door to the temple. Ezio ordered the hermeticist to stop, and after a brief exchange of words, was attacked by Massimo's underlings. He dealt with them swiftly, before climbing up to Ercole and assassinating him with the hidden blade. Ezio suggested they now leave the temple, though Leonardo quickly spoke otherwise, saying that the "number" the Hermeticists had been seeking must be destroyed, least another go searching for it. Reluctantly, Ezio agreed.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

In each room of the Temple, Ezio and Leonardo found themselves confronted by a complex puzzle. The first room required Ezio to redirect a series of beams of light, whilst the second forced him to redirect the flow of air into a large, fan-dominated, locking mechanism. In the final room, Ezio had to active several switches which directed streams of burning oil into a central plate. Once activated, the central plate lowered, reveal a large circular pedestal. Ezio and Leonardo recognized the symbols upon the pedestal as those shown to them by the Apple, albeit in the wrong order. Ezio watched as Leonardo rotated the pillars so the images fit, opening the door into the temple's final chamber.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

Entering the final chamber, Ezio recognised the architecture as matching that of the Vatican and Colosseum Vault. He approached the central [[Vault pedestal|pedestal]] and placed his hand above it; a bright light activated above him and soon enough, the entire chamber was cloaked in a dim green light. Before them, six numbers and two letters repeated themselves: 43 39 19 N 75 27 42 W. Although Leonardo totally dismissed the numbers as nonsense, Ezio silently recognised that the numbers were not meant for his generation. In order to take his mind off of the numbers, Ezio distracted Leonardo by asking of his works.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" />

===Spain===
Arriving in Naples on Midsummers day, 1506, Ezio, Leonardo and Machiavelli were met with a wall of silence from the local populous when questioned on Micheletto. They perservered, fortunately happening upon a courtesan named [[Camilla]] who claimed to have spent the previous night with a man matching their description of Micheletto. She pointed them to the docks, and to [[Valencia]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio, Machiavelli and Leonardo booked passage to Valencia. The crossing took five days as the sea was particularly rough, which lost the three any chance of catching up with Micheletto. Once they arrived however, they quickly learned that Micheletto had headed to the [[Lone Wolf Inn]], a place being described as "not for gentlemen". Nonetheless, the three made their way to the Lone Wolf Inn and entered, only to be immediately set upon by ten men whose eyes were already accustomed to the darkness. Ezio and Machiavelli fought off the ambushers, whilst Leonardo hid behind the bar. At one point, Ezio was approached from behind and garrotted by Micheletto himself; a well placed strike to the stomach from Machiavelli's blade forced Micheletto to let go and flee.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Although Micheletto had fled, one of his underlings had survived the Assassins' onslaught, and reluctantly surrendered his master's destination: the [[Castillo de la Mota]]. The next day, after a short rest, the three continued on to the Castillo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

They arrived too late. Ezio learned from a lieutenant that Cesare had escaped, although they were not yet sure how exactly he had managed it. Ezio immediately demanded a fresh horse, but Leonardo's tiredness and Machiavelli's counsel convinced him to stay a while and rest; within the month they were back in Valencia and found the city in the grip of Cesare's diehards. Disheartened by the turn of events, the assassins contemplated their next move. Leonardo piped up with a suggestion, asking them to gather sulphur, charcoal and potassium nitrate, as well as thin sheets of malleable steel. They complied, and in short time Leonardo managed to construct twenty small [[hand-held bomb]]s which could be thrown onto enemy positions after lighting the fuse. Leonardo then revealed to Ezio and Machiavelli that he was returning to Italy on the next ship, as he was becoming homesick.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

====Attack on Valencia====
Despite this setback, Ezio and Niccolò were determined to destroy Cesare's new army, and together formulated a plan. Whilst Machiavelli made his way to the diehards' camp, Ezio headed to the docks. Approacing the first ship, Ezio lit the fuse and threw it into the vessel, dismissive of what destructive power such a small device could possible contain. He was shocked when the device exploded, cracking the warship's mast and felling it, splintered wood flying high into the air. Ezio continued to target Cesare's vessels, and in several case the initial bomb's explosion was followed by the detonation of the vessel gunpowder reserve; at one point, the explosion of one ship brought down the two on either side of it. All in all, Ezio managed to destroy twelve vessels with his ten hand-held bombs. He then met up with Machiavelli on the corner of the street where the Lone Wolf Inn was located.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Climbing onto the roof of the building, Ezio and Machiavelli peered over the open top skylight onto Cesare and Micheletto, who were discussing the recent turn of events. Cesare angrily belittled Micheletto, blaming him for what had happened and driving him to launch himself across the table at his Master. Cesare quickly pulled one of his pistols from his belt and shot at Micheletto, destroying his face completely. Ezio pulled back, hoping to catch Cesare as he left the building, though Machiavelli, who had craned forward to get a better look, kicking a tile in the process, drew Cesare's attention. Drawing his second pistol just as rapidly as he had his first, Cesare shot at the assassin, hitting Machiavelli in the shoulder.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

Ezio briefly thought of pursuit, but Machiavelli's injury was severe and required immediate medical attention. Finding a doctor, they learned the bullet had gone straight through, and that Machiavelli would be sufficiently healed for travel in two weeks. Before Ezio left to pursue Cesare, Machiavelli wished him good luck.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

====Siege of Viana and aftermath====
[[File:20101124-182428-pic-669259067 t300.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ezio attacks Cesare Borgia.]]
{{Dialogue|Cesare|How did you find me?|Ezio Auditore|The Apple you stole from Mario Auditore led me here.|Cesare Borgia and Ezio Auditore}}
In 1507, Ezio finally located Cesare Borgia. The former Captain General of the Papal Army was leading the forces of his brother-in-law, [[John III of Navarre]], in a [[Siege of Viana|siege]] of the city of [[Viana]]. Ezio engaged Cesare on the battlefield, but was almost overwhelmed by Cesare's guards. Narrowly surviving an artillery strike, Ezio chased after Cesare, making his way towards the city. Eventually, having managed to climb one of Cesare's own siege towers, Ezio engaged Cesare in combat a top the city walls. Despite a continual stream of soldiers engaging him, Ezio was able to whittle away Cesare's armor and overpower him. When Cesare angrily repeated his claim that no man could kill him, Ezio coldly replied he would leave it to Fate, before throwing Cesare to his death from the city walls.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Years later, a much older Ezio returned to the Sanctuary beneath the Villa Auditore to leave a clue to the password that protected the Vault's entrance, as suggested by his close friend Leonardo years previously. The clue was visible only to those who possessed Eagle Vision.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

==Legacy==
[[File:Eziostatue.png|thumb|250px|A statue of Ezio at the Dubai Facility.]]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze's actions had a profound affect on the Order. His descendants continued to take a leading role in the running of the Order for almost five-hundred years after his death.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" /> A statue of him could be found in "[[The Mentor (2000)|the Mentor]]'s" [[Dubai]] facility.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: The Fall - Issue #3>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]'' - Issue #3</ref>

==Personality and characteristics==
{{quote|Ezio's learning fast. He reminds me of you.|[[Maria_Auditore_da_Firenze|Maria]] to [[Giovanni_Auditore_da_Firenze|Giovanni]]|Assassin's Creed: Lineage}}

[[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 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, barring 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 mother and 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"/> That said, Ezio was still prone to losing control of his emotions at the right trigger; in 1506 he brutally beat [[Duccio de Luca]] after he provoked Ezio by insulting his sister, Claudia, for her position as the Madame of the Rosa in Fiore.<ref name="The Da Vinci Disappearance" /> By the time he confronted Rodrigo Borgia, he had become more dedicated to his role as an Assassin, ceasing to use revenge as a motivation. He also spared the lives of targets he thought there was no need to kill, such as [[Micheletto Corella]].

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

Ezio Auditore da Firenze was both a highly skilled Assassin and adept Grand Master of the Order. Having learned and developed a vast array of skills, such as pick-pocketing, blending, armed and unarmed combat, alternative or multiple weapon attacks, stealth and public assassination techniques, free-running and long-distance combat, he was able to use a variety of weapons including two hidden blades, the [[longsword]], [[throwing knives]] and many more. Born with the ability to use [[Eagle Vision]], Ezio could instinctively differentiate friend from foe. After talking to his captive father, he would later inherit his father's Assassins robe, which he would update with various armor and dyes by purchasing them throughout his life.<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 da 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 was later lost during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]]. He also collected [[capes]] that had helped him stay incognito to city guards. 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 1500, during the Siege of Monteriggioni, Ezio lost most of his equipment, being able to keep only one of his Hidden Blades. His hidden blade has also gone under some alterations and improvements, anonymously due to [[Machiavelli]]. Machiavelli keeps the Codex additions of Ezio's hidden blade intact, however, the former leather and metal bracer is replaced with a new, fully plated version bearing a different design. Also, the former blade is replaced with a newer one that bears a black tribal design running down the center of the blade.

During his time in [[Rome]], Ezio's usual attire would be replaced by a new suit based on elements from both his father's clothing and Altaïr's robes. It is also possible that he had obtained the [[Armor of Brutus]] after stealing all the scrolls from the [[Followers of Romulus]].

Ezio has been a very skilled free-runner at a young age. He possibly had learned how to free-run by the tutoring of his father and/or older brother. Ezio shows himself as a much more skilled free-runner than his ancestor Altaïr, being able to do certain actions much more quickly and efficiently, such as sprinting, climbing, and jumping. In addition, he is also an enduring athlete, being able to perform all these actions without being encumbered by his large variety of weapons and armor. Although he has aged rather significantly, in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', Ezio has become an even faster and more agile free-runner, being aware of all of his surroundings as well as planning his next move very quickly and carefully, as observed from younger Assassins such as [[Francesco Vecellio]]. His speed and abilities have given him a legendary status among the Roman Thieves Guild, so far as going to convince some of the members to believe that Ezio's free-running skills are overexaggerated and impossible for someone his age.

===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">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Throughout the latter part of his life being centered around his hunt for Rodrigo Borgia, Ezio shared 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 Florentine girls and courtesans before the execution of his family; insulting Vieri de' Pazzi by suggesting that his [[Francesco de' Pazzi's daughter|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"/> Eight 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. When Ezio returned to Florence again in 1497, he learns from a wounded Manfredo that he and Cristina have been attacked by Savonarola's men. Ezio tracks down Cristina and kills her assailants. As he proceeds to take Cristina to a doctor, she dies in his arms, after telling him that she wishes that they could have had a second chance together.<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 Forlì, 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 Caterina 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"/>

Since their first meeting in Forlì, Ezio's feelings for Caterina Sforza developed, and in January 1500, Ezio had an intimate encounter with her, sleeping with her in the Villa Auditore before it was besieged by Cesare Borgia and his army.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

After her capture, Ezio sank into a state of near depression, where his feelings for Caterina conflicted with his suspicion she was merely using him. Despite this suspicion, Ezio was determined to rescue her from the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]], despite the insistence of Machiavelli that Cesare and Rodrigo Borgia be the focus of his attention.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)]]''</ref>

During their escape she hesitantly explained to him that the night they had shared had only been in the name of politics, as she had needed his help in defending Forlì. Ezio continued to hope that his feelings for Caterina were reciprocated, though she soon informed him otherwise. Despite his subsequent decision to no longer pursue Sforza's affections, the two remained close allies for the sake of the Brotherhood. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)" />

==Trivia==
===''Assassin's Creed II''===
*The names Ezio and Altaïr have similar 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 Animus database in ''Assassin's Creed II'' only details his life before he became an Assassin, holding no information on his life within the Order; unlike his database entry in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*Throughout the game Ezio will remove his hood during cutscenes, this will only happen if wearing his fathers Assasins robes
*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.
*Ezio has been seriously injured in battle twice. The first was when Checco Orsi stabbed Ezio in the right side of his lower abdomen during the Battle of Forli. The second was two gunshot wounds from [[arquebusiers]], which he sustained in the left shoulder and back at the siege of Monteriggioni.
*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.

===''Assassin's Creed: Discovery''===
*Ezio's title was slightly misspelled, since his biography lists him as "Ezio Auditore '''de''' Firenze" instead of "Ezio Auditore '''da''' Firenze."
*Despite taking place after the Battle of Forlì, Ezio is depicted without a beard.
*It is stated that Ezio is an atheist.

===''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''===
*Although Ezio received the Assassin's mark on his left hand's ring finger when being introduced in the Order, it is somehow gone in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', though this is probably just an oversight.
*Ezio is able to perform a climb leap before the Villa Attack, but requires the [[Climb Leap Glove]] from Leonardo subsequent to being injured.
*It is revealed that Ezio can speak some French, as there were ''"a couple of French girls in Firenze."''
**During his infiltration of Baron [[Octavian de Valois]]' camp, Ezio is asked (due to his peculiar French accent) what part of France he is from. He replies with "Montréal," which is a reference to [[Ubisoft|Ubisoft Montreal]], the company responsible for the ''Assassin's Creed'' series.
*The only time you can play Ezio shirtless is when fighting in the Fight Club.
*The only time Ezio removes his hood in Brotherhood is when he recives his new outfit after waking up in Rome, the other is in 1506 when he is seducing Lucrezia Borgia
*In art for ''Brotherhood'', Ezio is shown with two identical bracers for his hidden blades; however, in-game, it is not possible to obtain a bracer for Ezio's right arm that matches the first one for his left.
*In the novelization of ''Brotherhood'', during the Villa attack Ezio loses all his codex inventions (the pistol, the poison blade and the second hidden blade), but in the game Ezio only loses the Armour of Altair and the second hidden blade.

===Others===
*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 Assassins robes from ''Assassin's Creed II'' is an outfit that can be bought.
*Neca manufactured through highly detailed figures of Ezio. The white edition includes Ezio in his default robes with two hidden blades, though the right arm one is removable. The black edition includes Ezio with a single hidden blade, his robes dyed in the Wetlands Ebony fashion, and the Missaglias armor. Later they fashioned a figure that resembles Ezio in his default robes in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, though it was never included in any game version and is only available to buy separately.
*On the Xbox 360 it is available to purchase an Avatar, which looks like Ezio, for 400 Microsoft points.
*It seems that Ezio is remebered by the assassins as a memorial figure because in The Mentor's (2000) office in dubai, there is a statue of Ezio. This implies that, like Altair before him, Ezio became one of the legendary master assassins.

{{GalleryBox|Ezio Auditore da Firenze}}

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

{{ACII}}
{{AC2D}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACLL}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auditore, Ezio}}

[[es:Ezio Auditore de Florencia]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II: Discovery Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Assassin apprentice

2011-01-09T16:15:36Z

71.109.88.83: /* Development */

{{Quote|The [[Liberation of Rome|liberation of Roma]] has begun. If you choose to flee, do so now, but if you choose to fight, stand with me against the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]].|[[Ezio Auditore]] to one of the rescued [[civilians]], after saving him from corrupted Borgia [[guards]].|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:Assassins1503E3.png|thumb|400px|Ezio, with four apprentices.]]
The '''apprentices''', also referred to as recruits, are [[Assassins]] who were formerly [[citizens]] that were [[Save Citizen|saved]] by [[Ezio Auditore]] from the rough streets of [[Rome]], during the [[Rise of the Brotherhood|war]] against the [[Templars]]. They have subsequently devoted themselves to learning the ways of the Assassin Order, motivated by their lust for revenge against the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] for corrupting the beautiful city of Rome.

Operating out of the [[Tiber Island]] headquarters, the apprentices were sent on [[Side Missions and Events#Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|missions]] across [[wikipedia:Europe|Europe]] in order to improve their skills and [[Combat and weapon tactics|combat]] experience beyond their traditional training. However, the apprentices did not always survive these missions. When not on missions assigned by Ezio outside Rome, the apprentices would support the efforts of Ezio and his allies, providing reinforcement during Ezio's own missions.

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''==
==='''Recruiting'''===
After destroying a [[Borgia Tower]], symbols will randomly appear on your map where citizens can be recruited. You can choose whether to save them or not, but they will eventually die if you don't. After saving a citizen from the guards, you'll have a choice to either speak to them or leave them, if you speak to them they will always join you, if you don't talk to them, they will eventually disappear. After successfully recruiting someone for his cause, Ezio sends them to [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] to become an Assassin understudy. You can only recruit twelve apprentices (all of whom can be either male or female), but if one dies, they can always be replaced. Recruiting citizens as apprentices begins in Sequence 4, Memory 5.

==='''On the Field'''===
In-game, Ezio is able to have up to six support him during his missions, and each time they fight, they will gain experience points to rank up. On the field, Ezio signals these Assassins by raising his arm and clenching his fist, indicating that they should strike. This signal, followed by an eagle's screech, is known as a "B.A.M." or a Brotherhood Assistance Maneuver. The apprentices can appear from anywhere, usually from inside hiding spots or over ledges. Particularly when against a mounted enemy, the apprentices can also come in on horseback, and can engage in [[Horses|horse]] chases. On rare occasions, when there are no hiding spots or buildings to appear from, the apprentices may be teleported into the battle by the [[Animus]].

==='''Missions'''===
During the course of the game, players have the opportunity to send the apprentices to different cities across Europe to complete tasks and assassinations. If they finish the mission, the apprentices earn money for Ezio and experience points; but if they die, they will be lost forever. The chances of the Assassins completing the mission depend on how difficult the mission is, the amount of experience the Assassins already have, and how many Assassins you send. Though sending more Assassins increases the probability of success, each receive less experience, as the total experience gained must be divided equally among all of them. Missions take place in Rome, [[Florence]], [[Venice]], [[wikipedia:Constantinople|Constantinople]], [[wikipedia:Lisbon|Lisbon]], [[wikipedia:Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Moscow]], [[wikipedia:Paris|Paris]], [[wikipedia:London|London]], [[wikipedia:Cologne|Cologne]], [[wikipedia:Vienna|Vienna]] and [[wikipedia:Calicut|Calicut]].

==='''Customization'''===
Players can also customize the apprentices' [[Tailors|colors of their robes]]. Each one of the apprentices also has a different personality. Later on, players can use the experience points they've gained to upgrade their apprentices' [[Armor|armor]] and [[weapons]]. Once an apprentice achieves [[Ranks|rank]] ten (''[[:File:Rank Assassino.jpg#file|Assassino]]'') his/her armor will change and appear to look almost identical to Ezio's Master Assassin outfit, only having very subtle differences. Only the cape that the apprentices obtain at this rank are automatically given a unique color that corresponds to their dye used before becoming an Assassin (although the colors are not the same as dyes used for Ezio's cape). These Master Assassin robes that the apprentices wear once having achieved the final rank cannot be customized however, and always remain as Assassin White.

==='''B.A.M. System'''===
As Ezio recruits and trains more apprentices, he will gain signals, which appear as red bars underneath the [[Synchronization]] bar. Up to 3 signals can be earned. The signals represent the amount of times Ezio can use the B.A.M. system (Brotherhood Assistance Maneuver) which allows him to call his apprentices to aid him in the field.

The first signal is rewarded once one Assassin apprentice is recruited, then another when you have 4 Assassin apprentices. The third and final signal is unlocked once you have 6 Assassin apprentices. Once Ezio has used a signal, the signal won't be usable until roughly one minute has passed, and using all three of them will not allow Ezio to use the B.A.M. until the first one has recharged. B.A.M. signals can become unavailable if an insufficient number of apprentices are present in the guild, such as if some have left on missions.

Apprentices can also ride and use horses in battles, either attacking on horseback with their sword or hidden gun, or performing assassinations from horseback.

The apprentices are capable of several attack strategies:
*'''Arrow Storm''': This move is particularly useful if Ezio is blocked by a group of [[guards]]. He signals to the apprentices, and they shoot arrows at the targets and kill any in sight. If there is a large number of apprentices to aid Ezio, all the guards will be killed simultaneously. You must have at least six Assassin apprentices at your disposal to use the arrow storm, as it requires all 3 signals to use. Targeted guards may not always be killed by the Arrow Storm, however, all other nearby guards will be killed.
*'''Air Assassination''': This move is where the apprentices jump and assassinate the indicated targets. If there are some enemies remaining, the apprentices engage them in combat.
*'''Smoke Bomb Assassination''': A combination of air assassinating and [[smoke bombs]], the apprentices jump and assassinate as many enemies as possible, then throw smoke bombs, creating a distraction and allowing Ezio to move in and attack as well. They may also run in and throw a smoke bomb first, stunning the guards and assassinating them before they recover, depending on the type and number of guards.
*'''Throwing Knife Assassination:''' The apprentices [[Throwing Knives|throw knives]] at the targeted guard and his group at a safe distance. This strategy helps keep them out of sight or danger unless there are guards on nearby rooftops, or multiple guards nearby.
*'''Horse Assassination:''' The apprentices ride into battle on horseback, either swinging their weapon on horseback, or performing an air assassination from their horse. This strategy is usually performed in the more open districts when there are multiple guards or mounted guards.

==='''Known In-game Apprentices'''===
The following is an alphabetical list of known names of apprentices that appear in the game, which are randomly generated for each citizen Ezio saves.

*Alighiero Abate
*Annetta Abete
*Allesandro Albarella
*Bettina Aliotti
*Sofia Barbieri
*Laura Boccanera
*Gabriele Buonavieri
*Carlotta Caci
*Bianca Carsidoni
*Ciro Cavallari
*Cristiano Corsellini
*Desideria Donati
*Enrico Emilione
*Ermanno Erba
*Ercole Esposito
*Fedele Fabiani
*Filippo Foglia
*Augusto Fornari
*Fabiola Fornari
*Giacomo Gadda
*Ghita Gargani
*Giordano Gaspari
*Giovanni Guglielmi
*Lorenzo La Falce
*Luciana Lanese
*Luca Lombardi
*Lamberto Luni
*Rocco Martucci
*Candida Masini
*Giovanni Migliore
*Marco Melozzi
*Nino Nastagio
*Nando Nicodemi
*Nestore Nucci
*Orfeo Occhionero
*Ottavio Oliveri
*Ortensia Orlandi
*Panfio Petaccia
*Primo Penna
*Piero Piacentini
*Paolo Profeta
*Bastiano Pulci
*Raffaele Raniere
*Mino Ricoveri
*Rinaldo Rocca
*Severino Sabelli
*Salvatore Salucci
*Emiliana Santi
*Saverio Selerno
*Beatrice Simoni
*Paolo Simoni
*Adele Sozzi
*Stefano Spallone
*Severino Stornello
*Tullio Tagliapietra
*Guido Tuccerini
*Ugo Ubaldi
*Ulrico Ursini
*Valeria Viozzi
*Vittorio Vitelli
*Zaccaria Zaccagno
*Zeno Zaccardi
*Zita Zanovelli

== Trivia ==
===Development===
* Gabriel Graziani, the Community Developer for ''Brotherhood'', had once stated that there will be a special cutscene when an Assassin dies. Although there is no such cut scene, Ezio may approach and close the eyes of the fallen Assassin, honoring them.
* It was stated by developers that the player could pick a single Assassin recruit to be a ''"right-hand Assassin."'' However, this action is not present in any form in the game.
* In the game, the recruits attack in a pair, but in the rome demo, the come in a group of five.

===Guild Management===
* Though you can only have twelve apprentices at a time, the ability to recruit them is infinite, which means that, even if many of them die in battle, they can always be replaced.
* Each apprentice's appearance is randomized. However, their gender is dependent on the location of the map from which they are recruited.
* When managing Assassins for an Assassination contract, even when the odds of success are 100%, sometimes the mission can still be failed, although you will not lose the Assassin(s) used for that contract.
* When viewing the apprentice menu, if any are currently performing a contract mission, they may appear pale, blonde (for females), and have incorrect eye color.

===Equipment===
* Upon reaching the rank of ''Assassino'', the apprentices are garbed in outfits almost exactly the same as Ezio's white robes, albeit with minor aesthetic differences between one another, such as the interior cape color.
* The apprentices are equipped with only a single [[hidden blade]], and are never given dual blades even upon reaching the highest rank.
* When reaching the rank of ''Assassino'', the recruit will acquire a sword that is identical to the [[Sword of Altaïr|swords]] used by the [[Masyaf]] guards and [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''.
* Upon reaching ''Assassino'' rank, they recieve a [[crossbow]], but will not use it. The only time it is implied that they use the crossbow is during an Arrow Storm; however even low-ranking recruits can still be used for the attack, even if they weren't carrying a crossbow to begin with.(which is false as they also use the crossbow to shoot running targets who are on rooftops.)

===Combat===
* While the Arrow Storm is meant to kill all guards within sight, at times there will be one that might survive the attack, particularly if they are targeted by Ezio.
* Unlike Ezio, Assassin apprentices can use their pistol at the same time as a heavy weapon (if equipped).
* Apprentices are able to grab the horse of a dismounted enemy. This prevents the horse's escape, and allows either Ezio or the Assassin themselves to ride it.
* It is possible to kill an apprentice by using the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]] with him/her in the blast range. However, this doesn't seem to apply to the PS3 version of the game, as the recruits can enter the blast radius when the Apple is activated without getting killed.
* There is a glitch that occurs when both an Assassin and Ezio try to assassinate the same target simultaneously. You will both appear to leap on him in high profile, but Ezio will then promptly teleport onto the next closest guard, killing him as well.
* Sometimes when Assassins are called into battle, they will jump out of haystacks, without any explanation of how they got there, or how long they had been waiting inside. If there are no hiding places nearby, they will simply be "teleported" into the fray.

===Behavior===
* Once an apprentice is promoted to the rank of ''Assassino'', there is a cutscene showing the Assassin performing a [[Leap of Faith]] into the [[Tiber River|Tiber]], despite the fact that they cannot swim.
* The Assassins receive no damage from falling, even from the top of the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]].
* Assassin Recruits can sometimes be heard saying ''"Requiescat in pace,"'' among other phrases when a skirmish is won.
* When a battle is over, a recruit may walk up to Ezio and do a bow or gesture and say ''"I wont forget what you did for me"'' or ''"It is an honor to fight alongside you,"'' among other things.
* Sometimes after a battle is won, your recruits will kneel and stay kneeling until you leave the area.
* If you try to follow an Apprentice, they will eventually get to Tiber Island and stop; though taking various confusing turns along the way, in an attempt to disappear from the player's screen.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
File:Recruit.jpg|Ezio recruiting a citizen.
File:Assassins45.png|Assassin apprentices descend from above.
File:AssassinApprentices.jpg|Ezio and his Assassin apprentices.
assassins-creed-brotherhood-20101017102243981_640w.jpg|Ezio and a group of apprentices.
Apprentices.jpg|Ezio calling his apprentices.
Mounted Assassins.jpg|Ezio and his apprentices on horseback.
Assassin Apprentice.jpg|Ezio and Niccoló watching an apprentice about to perform a leap of faith.
assassin.s_creed-_brotherhood_-_video_dev_diary_2_hd-404301-1284432964.jpeg|Ezio and his apprentices walking at night.
Assassin's Guild.jpg|Ezio and his guild of Assassins.
Ezio Recruiting Assassin.JPG|Ezio Auditore recruiting a citizen as an apprentice.
Raffaele Ranieri.JPG|A male Assassin apprentice in the selection screen.
Fabiola Fornari.JPG|A female Assassin apprentice in the selection screen.
Www totalvideogames com ACB SP S 07 Brotherhood Reinforcement 71640 size 655 1500.jpg|Ezio initiating a BAM
800px-BrotherhoodApprenticeScreen.jpg|The Brotherhood Management Screen
</gallery>

[[es:Los aprendices]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]

Cristina Vespucci

2010-12-23T22:30:45Z

71.109.88.83: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC2|Ren}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Cristina Vespucci
|image = Zw-cristinavespucci.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1459 [[Italy]]
|death = 1498 [[Florence]], Italy
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]]
|hidep = yes
|faction =
|hider =
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice =
}}
'''Cristina Vespucci''' (1459 - 1498), was a well-known [[Florence|Florentine]] beauty and a favorite of painters, most notably [[wikipedia:Sandro Botticelli|Botticelli]], who used her as a model for several of his paintings.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Cristina Vespucci was born in [[Florence]], [[Italy]], circa 1459.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> From an early age, she caught the eyes of many boys who wanted to become intimate with her. One of those boys was [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who was encouraged to go speak with Cristina by his brother [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]]. However, Cristina wasn't interested in him and walked away. Ezio, who wasn't used to being turned down by a woman, followed Cristina to her home, where she was confronted by [[Vieri de' Pazzi]], who asked her why she "hadn't spread her legs to [him] yet." After Cristina turned Vieri down, he was about to sexually attack Cristina, when he was interrupted by Ezio, who had come to Cristina's rescue. The two fought and Ezio was the victor. Cristina was thankful of Ezio's actions and so began a relationship between the two.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Ezio visited Cristina quite frequently and was "unbelievably dexterous," as the guards were never able to catch him trespassing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Middle years===
Cristina was a bit responsible for starting her cousin [[wikipedia:Amerigo Vespucci|Amerigo]]'s career. Cristina attended a dinner party, where she had a conversation with [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] and Manfredo Soderini about her cousin. She exaggerated Amerigo's brilliance, saying: "Try Amerigo out. I bet after several years you'll have your shipping company named after him." Lorenzo, charmed by Cristina's beauty, took her advice to heart and several years later, Amerigo was the first to map out the New World and had it named after him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

In 1476, directly after the [[Auditore execution]], Cristina helped Ezio give his father and brothers the proper final rites by burning and setting their bodies adrift in the Arno. Ezio asked Cristina to leave with him, but Cristina refused as she didn't want to leave her family. As he needed to leave for [[Monteriggioni]] with his family, Ezio gave her a crest-shaped pendant to remember him by.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

As of 1478, Cristina was engaged to be married to Manfredo Soderini. When Ezio returned to Firenze for the first time in two years, Cristina was the first person he visited. After a short talk, she sadly mentioned that she had not expected him to return, before telling him of her engagement, and breaking Ezio's heart. After being informed of Manfredo being attacked by people whom he owed money, Ezio rushed to save Cristina's fiance. After killing the gamblers, Ezio hung Manfredo over a bridge and demanded to know if he truly loved Cristina, to which Manfredo sincerely replied yes. Ezio ordered him to stop gambling and to be a great husband to Cristina, or else he would hunt him down and kill him. Afterward, Ezio returned to Cristina and kissed her, telling her that he had made sure that Manfredo would be a good husband to her.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Eight years later, 1486 in Venezia, [[Leonardo da Vinci]] revealed to Ezio that Cristina was attending Carnevale. Worrying that she would not agree to see him after all the years, Ezio snuck a letter to Cristina, posing as her husband and requesting her to meet him alone in an alley. Cristina obliged and the two kissed, with Cristina believing Ezio to be Manfredo, as he was wearing a mask. After discovering the truth, she yelled at Ezio for kissing her, both because she was already married and because she hadn't seen Ezio in so many years. Cristina told Ezio that, before, she had loved him and would rather have married him; however it was now too late. She angrily told him to never look for her again and left.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Death===
In 1494, [[Girolamo Savonarola]] took control of Florence after [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]'s death. Savonarola claimed that all Renaissance material was evil and that they should go back to the medieval times, instigating the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

[[File:Christina's Death.jpg|thumb|Cristina dying in Ezio's arms.]]

In 1498, Savonarola's fanatics infiltrated the Palazzo d'Arzente to kill Manfredo Soderini. Manfredo attempted to fend them off, however this was a vain effort, as there were too many attackers. Cristina managed to escape, but was soon cornered by the fanatics. At this point, Ezio, after hearing about what had happened from a dying Manfredo, came to her aid and killed all of the soldiers. However, Cristina was already mortally wounded and she died in Ezio's arms, though not before showing him the pendant she had kept with her the past twenty-two years, and telling him that she wished they could have had a second chance.<ref name = "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

==Trivia==
[[File:YouTube_-_Assassin's_Creed_2_Walkthrough_-_Mission_4_Nightcap_HD_638_358.jpg|thumb|Ezio and Cristina share an intimate moment.]]
*Even though Cristina was married for twenty years and saw Ezio only for a few short minutes once every several years, she still loved him more than her own husband, even just moments before she died.
*Cristina features in several [[Cristina Memories|repressed memories]] during ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', which are unlocked when the player achieves certain amounts of [[Synchronization]].
*She is probably based on Simonetta Cattaneo Vespucci.
*Cristina, like many characters in the ''Assassin's Creed'' series, does not physically age during the course of ''Assassin's Creed II'' or ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Cristina dies in Ezio's arms whereas in Assassin's Creed Renaissance, he is told by Machiavelli that she died.
* Seconds before Cristina dies she tells Ezio that she wished that they coudlve had a second chance.This is similar to what Ezio wished several years before he became an assassin( Only thing is Ezio had his wish fufilled, but Cristina did not).

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vespucci, Cristina}}
[[Category:Characters|Vespucci, Cristina]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Vespucci, Cristina]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters|Vespucci, Cristina]]