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Battle of Forlì

2010-09-06T07:31:30Z

74.43.21.103: /* Dealing with the Orsi */

{{WPtimeline}}
{{Battle
|width=
|prev=[[Hunt in Venice]]
|conc=
|next=[[Spanish Inquisition]]
|imageBG=
|image= [[File:Battle for forli.jpg|300px]]
|name= Battle of Forlì
|timeframe= [[Renaissance]]
|conflict=
|date= 1488
|place= [[Forlì]], [[Romagna]]
|outcome= [[Assassins]] victorious
|key=*[[Assassins]] & [[Caterina Sforza]]
*[[House of Orsi]]
|participants=*[[Assassins]]
**[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]
**[[Niccolò Machiavelli]]
*[[Caterina Sforza]]
*[[House of Orsi]]
**[[Checco Orsi]]
**[[Ludovico Orsi]]
|side1= [[Templars]]
|side2= [[Assassins]] / [[Caterina Sforza]]'s City Guard
|commanders1= *[[Checco Orsi]]
*[[Ludovico Orsi]]
|commanders2= *[[Niccolò Machiavelli]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]
|forces1=Unspecified numbers of:
*Militia
*Brutes
*Agiles
*Seekers
*Elites
*Leaders
|forces2=Unspecified numbers of:
*Forlì Militia
*Forlì Brutes
*Forlì Leaders
*Forlì Seekers
*Forlì Archers
|casual1=Unknown
|casual2=Unknown
|civilian=Unknown numbers}}

{{youmay|the event|the [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|downloadable content]]}}

The '''Battle of Forlì''' was a major military conflict between the [[Knights Templar|Templar]] forces of [[Rodrigo Borgia]] – commanded by the [[House of Orsi|brothers Orsi]]; and those loyal to [[Caterina Sforza]], Countess of Forlì, in the year 1488.
==Shelter in the Wetlands==
After procuring the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]] from Templar hands in the city [[Venice]], and the induction of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] into the [[Assassin's Order]], Ezio, [[Mario Auditore]] and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] met with the inventor [[Leonardo da Vinci]] in hopes that he might be able to shed some light upon the nature of the artifact. Leonardo knew little more than the assassins' themselves. Fearing it's presence, Leonardo thought it best to hide the apple within the city of [[Forlì]], where a powerful ally of the assassin's reigned; [[Caterina Sforza]], an old acquaintance of Ezio.

Accompanied by Machiavelli, Ezio met up with Caterina, who was surprised to hear Ezio's allegiances. Escorted by the city [[Guards|guards]], Caterina, Machiavelli and Ezio make their way to the city. As they did, Caterina talked about her rise to power, reminiscing about the death of [[Girolamo Riario|her husband]] by the hands of the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]]. Ezio offered his condolences, but Caterina informed him that her husband's death was her doing, stating that she hired the Orsi herself, much to Ezio's surprise.

As they made their way towards the city however, they found the people fleeing from the advancing forces of an unknown force. When Caterina asked one of the fleeing civilians who was attacking, she was given the name of [[Checco Orsi|Checco]] and [[Ludovico Orsi]], the ones she hired to kill her husband, has now invaded and taken control of much of the city. Fearing the worst, Caterina made her way to the city, but was blocked from entry, for the city gates was locked. Ezio asked if there was another way into the city, to which Caterina confirms.

She told Ezio to swim under the city drain, and open the gates once he is inside. As he made his way into the city, Caterina was throwing insults to the Orsi brothers, shouting and screaming at the top of her lungs. After making his way through the city, avoiding the open conflict, Ezio managed to open the gates for Caterina and her militia.

==Defending the citadel==
{{quote|Caterina! Caterina Sforza! I know you're in there! I have something you may want back...Are you missing any children?|Checco Orsi, addressing Caterina}}

Ezio, together with Machiavelli and Caterina, made their way to the citadel, and fought off the Templar invasion, managing to retain both the Apple and the Codex map. As her militia rested, Caterina went on to check on her children. Making her way home, she saw two of her children, [[Ottaviano Riario|Ottaviano]] & [[Bianca Riario|Bianca]], missing. The servant informed her that the two were playing outside during the attack, and feared the worst. Before Caterina can speak, the guards that were posted on the city walls informed them of the Orsi's reinforcement.

Preparing for combat, Ezio, Caterina and Machiavelli fought off the invaders as they made their way into the citadel. After fending off most of the attackers, Caterina heard some very familiar voices. Looking outside the citadel, Caterina spotted the [[House of Orsi|Orsi Brothers]], who made their statement. [[Checco Orsi|Checco]] informed her that her children was with them. The two was also surprised to see Ezio, and introduced themselves to the assassin. Caterina demanded her children to be free, to which the Orsi acknowledged, stating that they will be free once Caterina hands over her husband's map.[[File:BOF.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Orsi brothers leading the Templar attack]]

Caterina refused to give the map, and even went as far as to say that the Orsi can have her children, stating that she has "the instrument to make more". Figuring that Caterina would change her mind, Orsi gave her some more time to think about the deal. After this, the brothers and their men leave the area.

Caterina cried out of concern for her children. Ezio told Caterina that he can't let her make the sacrifice. Caterina told him that their will be no sacrifices. Ezio was then tasked by her to rescue her children. Before leaving, Ezio gives Caterina the Apple of Eden. After this, Ezio leaves to rescue Caterina's children.

==Dealing with the Orsi==
With two of Sforza's children still in Orsi hands, Ezio was tasked with the liberation. The assassin overpowered the guard detail assigned to imprison Bianca, who directed Ezio to her brother Ottaviano. As Bianca fled back to the city, Ezio made his way the the lighthouse upon which Ottaviano was being held by Ludovico himself. Climbing the tower, Ezio dispatched the Orsi brother, and liberated Ottaviano; though not before learning that the distraction of the captured siblings had allowed the brothers to steal the Apple. Hurrying back to the citadel, Ezio learned that Ludovico's jeering had been true, and that Checco had acquired the Apple; Ezio swiftly tracked down and killed the remaining Orsi brother.[[File:Zw-bof7.png|thumb|300px|Ezio blacks out after being stabbed by Checco Orsi]]

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 monk with a missing finger pick up the Apple and walk away, despite Ezio's warnings against doing so. The battle was over, and the city remained within the hands of Caterina Sforza.
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II events]]

Giovanni Auditore da Firenze

2010-09-06T03:45:06Z

74.43.21.103: /* Betrayal and execution */

{{Era|AC2|Assassins|Ren}}
{{NomF}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Giovanni Auditore da Firenze
|image = Zw-giovanniauditore.png
|imgdesc = Giovanni Auditore in the Animus database.
|birth = 1436<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death = 1476<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|period = Renaissance (15th century)
|faction = [[House of Auditore]] [[Assassins]] [[House of Medici]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|actor = [[Romano Orzari]]
|voice = [[Romano Orzari]]
}}
{{Quote|I am Giovanni Auditore, and like my ancestors before me, I am an Assassin.|Giovanni Auditore.|Assassin’s Creed: Lineage}}
'''Giovanni Auditore '''(1436 - 1476) was [[Florence|Florentine]] noble and head of the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]] in [[Florence]]. A nobleman and banker working for the [[House of Medici|Medici family]], Giovanni's true nature as an [[Assassin]] was known only to a few. Raised and trained along with his brother [[Mario Auditore|Mario]] from birth to be an Assassin, Giovanni had been aware of the [[Templars|Templar Order]] for almost all of his life.

The husband of [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|Maria Auditore]], and father to [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]], [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], Giovanni sought to induct his children into the Order, but had only revealed his allegiance to his wife by the time of his death; despite this however, he had already begun to train his eldest son in the Assassin ways, albeit secretively.

==Biography==
===Early years===
{{quote|Tu sei un Auditore. Sei un combattente. Perciò Combatti! (You are an Auditore. You are a fighter. So fight!)|Giovanni Auditore speaking to Ezio at his birth|Assassin's Creed II}}
The second son, or grandson, of [[Ilario Auditore]], Giovanni was born in [[Monteriggioni]], in 1436, two years after his elder brother [[Mario Auditore|Mario]]. From an early age, both Giovanni and his brother were taught to be [[Assassin's Order|Assassins]], although Giovanni was also tutored in banking and other subjects as well<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

With time, Giovanni left the [[Auditore Villa|family Villa]] and joined Ilario in Florence, where he was serving as Gonfaloniere to [[Cosimo de' Medici]]. As such, Giovanni joined the [[House of Medici|Medici]] banking family and adopted the title of ''da Firenze''. Sometime later, he saved a young [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] from drowning in the Arno river, ensuring the continued friendship of the Medici and Auditore family. In 1452, Giovanni met and married [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|Maria de' Mozzi]], whom he revealed himself to be an Assassin to. After four years, their first son – [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] – was born, followed by [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] in 1459, [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia]] in 1461, and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]] in 1463<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

At some point during this time, he also revealed Lorenzo, his patron, of his true nature as an assassin, and undertook several missions for him behind the back of his own children. In 1476, Giovanni Auditore tracked down [[Rodrigo Borgia]], Grand Master of the [[Knights Templar]], in a Florentine alleyway; although he managed to eliminate to of his bodyguards, and incapacitate the third, Borgia himself escaped. The assassin handed the third guard over to the [[Uberto Alberti]], the Gonfaloniere, for questioning<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>.

[[File:Giovanniassassin.png|thumb|left|Giovanni Auditore, in his Assassin garb]]

===In pursuit of Rodrigo Borgia===
Through torture, the guard revealed that [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]], the Duke of [[Milano|Milan]] was to be assassinated by the Templars, and Giovanni was quickly sent to prevent this. Though he arrived too late to save the Duke, Giovanni was able to eliminate some of his murderers whilst the Duke’s bodyguards killed the rest. With all the assassins dead, Giovanni searched the corpse of [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], and found a collection of coins stamped with the seal of [[Venice]] <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />.

Arriving in Venice, Giovanni infiltrated the [[Basilica di San Marco]], and eavesdropped on a group of men conversing in a nearby room. The men then dispatched a courier, with a message for their master in [[Rome]]. Giovanni chose to pursue the courier, before finally confronting him. After a lengthy battle, he overpowered and pinned down the courier, his [[hidden blade]] to the man’s throat. Refusing to answer his questions, the courier impaled himself on the blade, leaving Giovanni frustrated, albeit with a letter sealed with the crest of the [[House of Barbarigo]]. Returning to Florence, Giovanni presented the letter to Lorenzo de' Medici, although it was encoded<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />.

That night, Giovanni was summoned to meet with Lorenzo and Alberti. Before leaving, Maria reminded her husband that their second eldest son, Ezio, who was watching them from behind a nearby haystack, was becoming suspicious of his banker father having to leave the [[Palazzo Auditore|Palazzo]] at night so often; Giovanni promised that he would speak with him soon, and then left. Arriving at the meeting, Alberti falsely claimed that Father [[Antonio Maffei]] had been unable to decrypt the letter, and that as such, the only course of action was for Giovanni to deliver the letter himself. Giovanni agreed, and headed for Rome with the letter in hand<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />.

In Rome, he delivered the letter, and followed it until it reaches Rodrigo Borgia. Giovanni followed Borgia into St. Peter's Basilica, where the two finally share words; Borgia remarked at his respect for the assassin's skills, offering him the chance to join the Templar Order, and live to see the "new world". Giovanni refused, and was subsequently attacked by a number of Borgia's henchmen. Despite being heavily outnumbered, he prevailed, although a [[Throwing knives|knife thrown]] by Rodrio Borgia did wound him, allowing the Templar the opportunity to escape<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />.

Returning home, Giovanni had his wife tend his wound, and confessed that he feared the assassination of the Duke of Milan was just the beginning of a much wider conspiracy. Before he could go on however, the two were interrupted by their son Federico, who warned that Father Maffei had arrived with armed guards. Asking his son to provide him cover, Giovanni slipped out of the palazzo through a secret passage within the fireplace<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />.

[[File:QuickTimePlayer 2009-09-25 20-14-39-52.png|thumb|right|200px|Giovanni and his sons, moments before their [[Auditore Execution|execution]].]]

===Betrayal and execution===
At some point after this, Giovanni found evidence suggesting [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] had committed murder, and had Uberto Alberti arrest him; as a result of this, Francesco's son – [[Vieri de' Pazzi|Vieri]], developed an intense rivalry with Ezio Auditore. Following a brawl the two had on the [[Ponte Vecchio]], Giovanni scolded his son for his behavior, although he noted that it reminded him of himself when he was younger. He then tasked Ezio with delivering a letter to Lorenzo de' Medici, but was surprised to learn that Lorenzo had left the city for a short while. Undeterred, Giovanni had Ezio deliver several more letter, as well as pick up a letter from a pigeon coop near the [[Piazza della Signoria]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

Whilst his son was away however, armed guards sent, unknowingly to Giovanni, by Uberto Alberti, invaded the Palazzo Auditore and arrested Giovanni and his two other sons, taking them to be imprisoned in the clock tower of the Piazza della Signoria. Before long, Ezio had managed to climb the clock tower, where Giovanni told his son to empty his chest in the room behind the fireplace, and take the evidence exonerating him to the Gonfaloniere. The next day however, Giovanni was shocked to find Uberto and Rodrigo Borgia together, with Uberto denying ever receiving the evidence; he was subsequently [[Auditore Execution|sentenced to death]]. A horrified Ezio, watching from below cried out that Uberto was lying, but was unable to prevent his father's hanging<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

==Legacy==
{{quote|My dear sons, dark skies are rising over Florence and time is running low. The enemy is closer than I thought. Now, the final battle is about to unfold. Every man is mortal, every life bounds to an end but certain things will never change. Federico and Ezio, my sons, always remember: WE are the Auditore da Firenze and WE are Assassins.|Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Assassin's Creed: Lineage}}
Despite his death, Giovanni's actions would have lasting consequences for his surviving son: Ezio Auditore.

Having predicted a turn of events similar to what ultimately happened, Giovanni had arranged for his live-in servant [[Annetta]] to take his wife and daughter to her sister's establishment, where they would be safe. There, Annetta's sister [[Paola]], a [[courtesan]] Giovanni had previously represented in court, and introduced into the Assassin's Order, provided Ezio with some basic training in blending, and gave him the skills necessary to execute his revenge on Uberto Alberti before he left the city. When Ezio arrived in Monteriggioni, his uncle Mario was shocked to discover that his brother had never told Ezio of his assassin heritage, or that Giovanni himself had indeed been an assassin. Despite this, Ezio soon vowed to take up all his fathers work, which included locating what remained of [[the Codex]], and to avenge his death with the blood of Rodrigo Borgia and his Templar lackeys<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

Eventually, Ezio returned to Florence and provided the body of his father with a proper funeral; he was cremated, alongside his two sons, and set adrift down the river in a small boat<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>.

==Personality and traits==
Giovanni Auditore da Firenze was trained from birth in the Assassin ways, alongside his brother Mario. Despite this mutual upbringing, the two parted ways later in life due to a philosophical divide over how to live their lives. Giovanni, who had been tutored in banking, preferred to live a calmer life whereas Mario wished to live a life with more action. This divide eventually saw the two brothers lose touch with one another; to such a degree that upon his arrival in Monterigionni in 1476, Ezio Auditore was unaware who exactly his uncle was<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. The divide also affected how Giovanni brought up his children, with none of them explicitly knowing of their heritage.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />; however, although his children were unaware of his true nature, Giovanni did allow others to know of it, trusting in their secrecy. Among these individuals were his wife, who would often tend to his wounds, as well as the ruler of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, and the city's Gonfaloniere: Uberto Alberti<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />. They were not the only ones to know however; many of Giovanni's contacts within the [[mercenaries]], [[courtesans]] and [[thieves]] also knew the assassin by name, suggesting a certain degree of mutual-trust between the parties<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

Despite never revealing to his children the heritage, Giovanni did work to prepare them for life as an assassin. By the time of his death, he had already begun preparing his eldest son, Federico, in the assassin ways, and was preparing to begin training Ezio as well. A strict father, Giovanni nonetheless showed great affection for his children, and saw a younger version of himself in their antics at times<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

A skilled warrior, Giovanni was able to hold himself against a number of opponents in combat with relative ease, armed only with a sword and his hidden blade; early in 1476, Giovanni pursued Rodrigo Borgia to Rome, survived being ambushed by Templar soldiers, despite receiving a wound from the hands of Rodrigo himself. He was also a compentent [[Free Running|free runner]], much like his sons, and would often use the skill when shadowing a target<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" />.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery>
File:Giovannilineage2.png|Giovanni in his usual clothes.
File:Giovanni lineage 1.png|Giovanni in the Assassin robe.
File:Giovanniac2ingame.jpg|Giovanni behind his desk, talking to Ezio
</gallery></center>

==Trivia==
*Giovanni's ring finger remains intact due to improvements to the "Hidden blade," in effect to the changes of the Assassin Order's tactics and traditions, made by Altaïr after the events of the first game.
*Giovanni died before telling Ezio (as well as his youngest son, Petruccio and his daughter Claudia) of their assassin heritage which disappointed his brother, Mario. However, he had began training his eldest son, Federico, but couldn't actually get far enough to teach him any intermediate Assassin skills.
*Giovanni knew about Ezio's Eagle vision, although it is unknown if he too possessed the skill.
*Giovanni leaves his assassin outfit behind for Ezio to find, however in the short-film '[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]', it lacks the 'Eagle's beak' on the hood, as well as several other details.
*Giovanni died at the age of forty, the same age Ezio turned when he confronted Rodrigo Borgia in Rome.

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
{{ACII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auditore, Giovanni}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Auditore da Firenze, Giovanni]]
[[Category:Assassins|Auditore da Firenze, Giovanni]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr]]