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Soldier

2011-12-04T19:24:20Z

78.170.247.208: /* Trivia */

{{era|ac|ac2|acb|acr|templars}}
{{Revamp}}
[[File:Giartnewenemies 2.jpg|thumb|350px|From left to right: The Agile, the Archer, the Brute, the Militia, and the Seeker.]]
{{quote|Ein Assassine! Haltet ihn auf!|A German guard upon seeing [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]].|Assassin's Creed}}
'''Guards''' were the most commonly found opponents in both the High Middle-Ages and the [[Renaissance]].

==High Middle Ages==
{{quote|Hashshashin!|A Saracen guard, upon seeing Altaïr.|Assassin's Creed}}
[[File:CAPTAIN.png|thumb|A Guard Sergeant in Acre.]]
During the course of the Middle-Ages, there were two main types of guards: Soldiers and [[Archers]]. The archers used to be mostly the same, while there were three ranks of soldiers, all of whom were armed with swords of varying styles.

The ordinary Crusader and Muslim guards spoke English. Crusader Captains and Sergeants spoke French or German. Muslim Captains and Guards spoke Turkish or Arabic and the Templar Knights spoke all of the dialects (but only spoke Arabic in Altaïr's fight against [[Maria Thorpe|Robert's imposter]]).

The following were the different ranks of a soldier guard, as well as certain special types of guards:

===Regular Guards===
The ordinary guards didn't wear helmets (or wore turbans instead, for those in Muslim cities) and were only equipped with leather armor or light Lamellar armor. They weren't able to grab or break a grab, couldn't combo attack or couldn't counter attack. They'd only deflect attacks, with a 25% chance of dodging a light attack. Guard archers were on par with ordinary guards, except that they were only found on rooftops, wore a hood, and used bows for ranged attacks.

===Guard Sergeants===
These Guard Sergeants were equipped with helmets, the Crusader variant wearing chain mail tabards, and Saracen Sergeants possessing medium Lamellar armor. They could grab with a 50% chance of them being able to break a grab attack, as well as a 50% one of countering or dodging a light attack. There was also a 25% chance of breaking one's defense, but they could not perform a combo attack.

===Guard Captains===
Guard Captains were the most powerful guards besides the [[Knights Templar]]. The Muslim Captains wore Baidah helmets and heavy Lamellar armor while Crusader captains wore chain mail tabards with surcoats, chain mail mittens and varying knight helms (with faces usually covered, due to helmet size). They were also able to grab with a 75% chance of them being able to break a grab attack and counter or dodge a light attack. There was also a 50% chance of breaking through defense. If a successful heavy attack was delivered, they would perform a combo attack.

===Templar Knights===
{{main|Templars}}
Templar Knights were a special variation of guard, of which only 60 could be found throughout the [[File:Templar2.jpg|thumb|189px|A Knight Templar]]accessed cities. They were similar to the Crusader guard captain, except possessing higher stats and a special armor, most notably a version of helmet that always appeared bloodstained. They also provoked a fight when seeing [[Altaïr]], no matter what social status, ordinary guards always standing back while Altaïr and the Templar Knights engage each other. Strangely enough, Templar Knights could be found in many places, including mountain paths and Muslim cities. Templar Knights could always been found standing in front of a chest, making it hard to assassinate them from behind with a hidden blade.

In the Xbox 360 version of the game, killing all 60 Templars will award the player the 'Personal Vendetta (40G)' achievement.

===Masyaf Guards===
The guards of [[Masyaf]], despite being marked as an ally via [[Eagle Vision]], function exactly like normal ones. They are equipped with robes similar to Altaïr's, but they only have a long sword and their robes are shorter. The ordinary guards wear no hoods, the elite guards wear hoods, and the guard captains wear hoods and cloth face masks, leaving only their eyes visible. They all speak English and have all five fingers, indicating that, though members of the order, they are not Assassins themselves, instead serving as the "Common Soldiers" of the Assassins.

==15th Century==
{{quote|Assassino!|A guard in Venice, upon seeing [[Ezio]].|Assassin's Creed II}}

There were seventeen types of enemy guards during the Renaissance:

[[File:Pazzi2.jpg|left|90px]]

===Thugs===
'''Thugs '''were people hired by [[Vieri de' Pazzi]]. While not officially or technically guards, they function in a remarkably similar manner. They would attack Ezio even as he was Incognito, and fought with fists, making them the easiest to counter. Sometimes they would pick up weapons on the ground such as broomsticks. They also noticed Ezio more easily than other guards did. Much like civilians who had discovered you pickpocketing, Thugs fled shortly after Ezio drew a sword, and could be killed with just a single strike. After assassinating [[Uberto Alberti]], they could no longer be found in game, except for in the [[Courier Assignments|Courier mission]] 'Casanova'.

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[[File:Ac2-guard.png|left|100px]]

===Standard guards===
Regular type of guards could be found almost everywhere on the ground. However, they used a large variety of swords, as well as with maces and war hammers. These regular troops were divided into three ranks themselves: Militia, Elite and Leaders. The Regular Guards were not especially agile, but were able to climb up to the rooftops in order to follow Ezio (though are not as fast as him). Also, they recognized Ezio sitting on a bench, but could be assassinated before spreading word of his presence.

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[[File:Militia.jpg|left|100px]]

===Militia guards===
'''Militia''' were soldiers of the lowest rank. They wore little armor, and could easily be killed (with one counter-kill). They were also the most easily frightened during combat, and were consequently, the first guards to flee from a losing battle.
* They were the only guard archetype to pick up money when Ezio threw it.

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[[File:Elite.jpg|left|90px]]

===Elite guards===
'''Elite''' guards were stronger, wore a moderate amount of armor, and needed 2-3 counter-kills to be defeated, not to mention they would dodge Ezio's attacks. Elites were also more courageous than Militias, although if killing the leader, they would still retreat.

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[[File:Sergent.jpg|left|80px]]

===Leaders===
'''Leaders''' were the best fighters and most tenacious of all the regular soldiers. They wore slightly more armor than their Elite counterparts. The Leaders would last slightly longer than Elites during Ezio's counter-attacks. They also hardly gave up their weapons unless significantly damaged, making them harder to disarm than the others. Also, like Brutes, Leader Guards could not be grabbed very easily.

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[[File:Seeker.jpg|left|200px]]

===Seekers===
{{main|Seekers}}

Seekers, also called "Paranoid Guards", were constantly looking in hiding spots (such as the haystacks, benches, crowds and wells) and checking them for Ezio (although Ezio could assassinate the seeker from his hiding spot if this occurred). They were armed with long weapons, giving them an increased reach so that they could also perform "Sweep attacks" which required a wind up and resulted in them sweeping Ezio off his feet. This attack affects anyone in range of the long weapon, including fellow guards. The long weapon's main attacks could only be countered with the Hidden Blade, another Long Weapon/Polearm or a [[Heavy weapons|Heavy Weapon]]. They wear slightly more armor than a Leader-Ranked Standard, but not as much as a Brute. When unarmed, they occasionally approached Ezio from behind and then held him while the other guards assaulted him. Disarming the Seeker will give you an advantage, as you can effectively use his own weapon against him. They also had a morale rate of 80% which made them the second bravest fighter after the Brute.

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[[File:Agile1.jpg|left|100px]]

===Agile guards===
{{main|Agile guards}}

One of the new Guard archetypes was the Agile, which, as the name suggests, was a very fast, light enemy. These guards were more fragile than Militia-Ranked Standards, making them very weak to a combo attack. They ran faster than Ezio and also had adept [[Free Running]] abilities, which could lead to chase sequences. They wielded small weapons such as daggers and other short blades. Agiles were extremely good at dodging attacks, thus the best way to kill an Agile was by tiring them out or assassinating them before being spotted, which could be done by constantly attacking and dodging his moves, however, simply countering an attack performed by the Agile results in a instant kill, just as with the Militia. Agiles have a morale rate of 40% which makes them the third-most cowardly after Militia guards and archers. You also can kill them by counterkill after they attack.

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[[File:Brute.png|left|150px]]

===Brutes===
{{main|Brutes}}

The Brutes were both heavily armored and equipped, wielding two-handed weapons such as heavy swords and axes. Their armor covered almost every part of their bodies, making them tough to bring down, but also making them cumbersome and slow. They were not very intelligent, and wouldn't be able to tell Ezio from anyone else in a crowd.

When deflecting a short weapon, Brutes would not take damage (while all other guards do), but can still be damaged with a counter. A good way to make short work of them is to disarm them and counterattack, as they were very easy to disarm. Brutes have two types of attack: one quick, and one special, which began with a wind-up during which they stirred their weapon slightly in mid-air. The latter attack cannot be deflected or countered, and must be dodged. Ezio had to possess a Brute's weapon to counter the wind-up attacks of another Brute. Also, the Brutes were the only type of enemy that wouldn't flee a battle; they only ran away if disarmed and if they weren't able to find another weapon. Easiest tactic: taking out a Brute by using the Hidden Blade, either in combat (As it was possible to execute them in a 3 hit combo) or by stealth assassinating them. When facing multiple guards who were unaware of your presence, killing the brute first was most efficient.

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[[File:Archer.png||left|150px]]

===Archers===
{{Main|Archers}}
Archers were guards that patrolled and defended the rooftops. They were armed with long-ranged bows and short-ranged melee weapons (such as swords or maces), and warned Ezio on sight to leave the place, no matter the notoriety. Approaching them would force them to warn you, then draw their weapon and commence a fight. Archers were seemingly just of Militia-ranked standard, with only the additional capability of attacking at a distance with their longbows, however their arrows were very slow and easy to dodge. However, the Archers in the [[Sistine Chapel|Vatican]] were Leader-ranked Standards.

While Florentine and Tuscan Archers could be killed with a single Throwing Knife, archers in the other cities and regions (such as Venice and Romagna) would need two [[Throwing Knives]] to be taken down. Since they were almost always on the rooftops of buildings, Archers were fairly easy to dispatch in melee combat, as they had the skill and hardiness of a Militia-ranked standard. Another good way to dispatch them was to simply throw them off the roof, resulting in an instant kill if they fell from more than two stories or if they landed in water. The archers also had a morale rate of 30% which made them a little braver than the average guard.

==16th Century==
[[File:Enemies Concept Art.jpg|thumb|280px|Guard archetypes in the 16th Century.]]In addition to the guards of the 15th century, there were several new guard types to reflect the changing location and time period. Guards would also be more aggressive and had new moves of their own, such as being able to grab Ezio, though this was counterable by flipping them to the ground.

Compared to the previous century, there were no longer Elite-ranked Regular guards, only Militia or Leaders, and both Militia and Seekers now had the ability to [[Fists#Assassin's Creed II|throw sand]] at Ezio.
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[[File:Crossbowguard.png|left|110px]]

===Crossbowmen===
{{main|Crossbowmen}}
Similarly to archers, '''Crossbowmen''' patrolled and defended the rooftops, but were more deadly; [[crossbow]] bolts causing more damage and increased accuracy thus hitting Ezio faster than arrows fired from a longbow. Unlike the Archers, the Crossbowmen had no melee weapon, and if being closed in, would start walking backwards to create distance. However, compared to the Archers they had increased free-running ability, and if investigating, they would leap over towards where they detected Ezio.

{{-}}
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[[File:512px-Horseman.png|left|130px]]

===Horsemen===
{{main|Horsemen}}
'''Horsemen''' patrolled the streets of Rome and were deadly in both short and long range, being able to slash Ezio while on a [[Horses|horseback]]. They also tried to hit Ezio with the arrows from their crossbow, or in some cases, their throwing knives, if he attempted to flee.

Amongst the Regular guards, the armored ones sometimes mounted horses and acted as Horsemen, but only those that spawned as Horsemen (already on horseback) count towards the [[Guild Challenges]].

The easiest way to kill a horseman was to take a long or heavy weapon and counter attack, or use a spear's special attack; usually this resulted in them being pulled off the horse, where it's easier to finish them off. Otherwise a ranged or thrown weapon would kill them while on the horse.
{{-}}
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[[File:Arquebusier BH.png|left|120px]]

===Arquebusiers===
{{main|Arquebusiers}}

The '''Arquebusiers''' were firearm-wielding soldiers who served and protected the pontiff during their tenure. They acted similarly to Crossbowmen, but were able to fire faster shots that caused more damage.

They usually found in the rooftops near Pantheon, or patrolling in pairs near Guard Posts.

{{-}}
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[[File:PapalGuard.png.png|left|120px]]

===Papal Guards===
{{main|Papal Guard}}

The '''Papal Guard''' were elite soldiers commanded by the Papacy to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. The armor worn by these guards is heavy, though seems largely ceremonial in design. They also combined the best qualities of all the other guards, like speed and combat abilities (dodging reflexes), and they were also able to dual-wield a pistol alongside their primary weapon. They are very unique because even if they wear heavy armor, they are perfectly capable of doing [[Freerunning|freerun]], a skill that cannot be found in Seekers and Brutes, so Papal Guards will be able to catch up to Ezio in a chase sequence.

{{-}}
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===Captain===
[[File:ACB-BorgiaCaptain.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Ezio as a Borgia Captain]]
The '''Captain''' replaces leader. They are stronger than in the previous game and have more experience. They are stubborn, have more armor than regular guards and manages to counter Ezio. They use a variety of weapon, sword and maces.
{{-}}
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[[File:Cento Occhi v.png|left|100px]]

===Cento Occhi Bandits===
{{main|Cento Occhi}}
On very rare occasions, mostly at night, sunset, or at dawn, masked thieves would attack Ezio in addition to the guards. In appearance, they wore hats similar to that of the militia, clothes of a civilian or thief, and a bandanna over their faces. They attacked with [[Short blade|small daggers]] and throwing knives. They could not be seen or picked out of a crowd, as they appeared to jump into the battle randomly to support their Papal overlords. They each carried large amounts of money and a trade item, similar to a [[Borgia Courier]] or a [[pickpocket]]. They also appear in the [[High-Stakes Negotiations]] memory. They can dodge attacks much like the Agile and can only be killed by counter attacks and attacks from behind.

{{-}}
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[[File:Gatekeeper12.jpg|left|thumb|130px|French Soldiers]]

===French Soldiers===
Up until after Sequence 6 after the French general [[Octavian de Valois]] was killed, French guards appeared in the [[Campagna district]] in Rome. They were stationed in military camps (referred to as Guard Posts) throughout the Campagna district, the small camps consisted of ten soldiers guarding their territory. The main French camp was the most heavily guarded, and was where Octavian was located before his death. French soldiers would behave exactly the same as Borgia guards in combat, patrols and ranking. However, there were no French arquebusiers outside of the final mission of Sequence 6, and they were colored a dark blue instead of the Borgia red.

{{-}}
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===Viana Guards===
[[File:PaxR 2.png|thumb|left|244px|Viana soldiers attack Ezio.]]Viana guards were the soldiers to Viana. During the [[Siege of Viana]], they engaged Ezio in fights if he was seen, or they would either attack the invading soldiers of [[John III of Navarre|King John]]'s army. These guards acted the same in combat patrolling and ranking, and their clothes and armor were dyed yellowish-green.

{{-}}

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===Navarre Soldiers===
These guards served King John III of Navarre and only appeared in Sequence 9 at Viana, under the command of Cesare Borgia as he tried to retake the [[Viana Castle]] from the Count of Lerin. These guards would attack Ezio on sight or fight Viana guards. They behaved exactly the same as any other regular guard in terms of combat, ranking and patrols. Their clothes and armor were colored red and yellow.

{{-}}
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===Byzantine soldiers===
[[File:The Wounded Eagle 3.png|left|thumb|230px|A group of Byzantine Templars.]]
After driven from Italy by Ezio, the Templars seized control of the remnants of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Byzantine Templars wore small grey capes over their shoulders. Byzantine Templars had the colors of red and white on their uniform as well as bearing the Palaiologos Dynasty emblem on their uniform, most noticeable across their chest. Byzantine Templars carried a variety of weaponry. Depending on the ranks, different soldiers had slight different clothing, such as some having longer robes, capes, or different helmets. The Byzantine equivalents of brutes and seekers were [[Almogavars]] and [[Varangians]].

{{-}}
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===Janissaries===
[[File:Ottoman Janissary.png|left|170px]]
{{Main|Janissaries}}
Elite soldiers and guards to the Sultan, Ottoman Janissaries were highly trained soldiers. During the early 16th century, Ottoman Janissaries wore golden masks covering all of their face. Their uniform consisted of colorful robes with many patterns embroidered on them. Janissaries also wore hats over their masks.

{{-}}

==Coloring==
The coloring of the guards uniforms identified whom they served, whether it be a city or a person:
* Black caps and red sleeves meant they served the [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi family]]. These guards disappeared after Sequence 5, but before then, were only found in Florence and Tuscany.
* Dark red caps and black sleeves with red going down the side indicated they serve the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]]. These guards are usually protecting [[Codex]] pages and appear whenever encountering [[Rodrigo Borgia]] outside of [[Rome]]. They could be found at the north strip of Venice.
* Dark yellow caps and sleeves with black armor plates were the guards that served the [[House of Medici|Medici Family]]. These guards first appeared helping fight the Pazzi during Sequence 4, and were found in Florence and San Gimignano.
* Green caps and sleeves meant they were serving the city of [[Forlì]]. They give aid in Sequence 12, and were found only in Forlì.
* Blue caps and sleeves with gold armor plates meant they served the city of [[Venice]]. They had much better armor than any other regular guard in the game, and were only found in Venice.
* Black caps, sleeves, and armor plates indicated they served [[Girolamo Savonarola]]. They only appeared in Sequence 13, were as heavily protected as Venetian guards, and could be seen fighting Borgia guards throughout the city.
* White caps with red and white sleeves were the guards of the [[Vatican]]. They could only be seen in Sequence 14 in Rome, and were the most heavily protected class of guards.

==Taunts==
The following are examples of taunts that Ezio uses to anger the guards, and to provoke them into an easily countered attack:
* ''"It's a fight, fesso'' (fool)''! Start fighting for a change!"''
* ''"Come now! You bore me!"''
* ''"Come on! There's only one of me!"''
* ''"Are you afraid?!"''
* ''"Bring it on!"''
* ''"Your mama can't help you this time!"''
* ''"Hurry up! I need to meet a lady friend!"''
* ''"Shall we dance?"''
* ''"I hate these awkward moments! Will you come to me, or should I go to you?"''
* ''"Generally they are made for swinging at people, yes?"''
* ''"Never had to actually have use it?!"''
* ''"They send bambini (children) to do a man's job?"''
* ''"Your nonna (grandma) is coming".''
* ''"Hai paura?"'' (Are you afraid?)
* ''"Sai, l'armi serve a duellare!"'' (''You know, weapons are made for fighting!)''
* ''"What, diarrhea got you stuck? Try leeches!" ''(only to Brutes)
* ''"Let's see what you've got, metal man!"'' (only to Brutes)
* ''"Can you even hear me in there?" ''(only to Brutes)
* ''"Come on, you fat pig!"'' (only to Brutes)
* ''"Well, you're certainty well fed!"'' (only to Brutes)

==Modern Times==
[[File:Zw-desmond-fighting.png|thumb|200px]]

Desmond only encountered the [[Abstergo]] Guards twice; when escaping from the Abstergo Building with [[Lucy]], and upon leaving the [[Hideout]]. They were armed with asps, which could be disarmed for own use. They were quite weak to fight and were easily dispatched even when in larger numbers. They can be killed even more easily as Desmond couldn't be killed. Lucy would also be fighting, so it was an option to leave them to her. They would never run away from a battle and fought to the death or until they were unconscious.

==Trivia==
[[File:YouTube_-_Assassin's_Creed_Brotherhood_E3_Trailer_North_America_.flv_000060583.jpg|thumb|260px|A militia guard wielding a Arqebus]]
* In the ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' [[E3]] trailer, you will see a militia guard wielding an arquebus.
* The quickest way to defeat any guard is to counter kill with the [[hidden blade]]. This requires reflexes and timing, however, as the counter kill window is only a fraction of that of a sword or dagger, unless you are playing ''Brotherhood'', where it is much easier to counter kill.
* The amount of counter attacks needed to kill a guard does not affect counter kills with heavy weapons, long weapons or the hidden blade. For all of these, the guard being countered is unable to block or parry.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the taunts Ezio says to brutes are different from the taunts he says to the other guards, mainly insulting them about their weight. For example, the taunt, ''"Well, you're certainty well fed!"''
* In ''Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles'', there is another guard archetype which is the shield guard.
* In the mission "[[Play Along]]," Ezio assassinates an Agile so he can disguise himself as a guard, but instead of having an Agile's outfit, he wears the outfit of a Leader guard.
* In the memory "[[The Cowl Does Not Make The Monk]]", the guards were disguised as monks. The guards fight like normal militia guards.
* Similarly in the mission [[French Kiss]] from ''Brotherhood'', Ezio kills twenty guards of different archetypes. However, in [[Trojan Horse]] (the mission after) the mercenaries are equipped with only Leader suits of armor, while Ezio wears one similar to a Borgia Captain (albeit in French colors despite the fact that no such guard was ever encountered).
* In the cut scene where Ezio's [[Flying Machine]] crashes on the Doge's Palace in Venice, you can see a Brute and a Seeker stationed on the rooftop. They are the only guards who can't climb, or free run.
* In the mission "[[Clothes Make the Man]]", [[Ugo]] tells Ezio that the thieves are to impersonate the archers. Yet in the next mission, "[[Everything Must Go]]", after Ezio kills the archers on the rooftops, the thieves wear the armor of Leader guards instead of archer armor.
* In Florence, Borgia guards are often seen guarding treasure. If you go up to them and start a fight, then run into a group of Medici guards, the two groups will start fighting each other, making this an effective escape tactic. The Borgia guards will nearly always win, unless there is a massive number of Medici guards fighting them. After the fight, they will then return to guard the treasure (Borgia) or patrol the city (Medici).
* In the mission "[[Having a Blast]]" when you pickpocket the mask from [[Dante Moro]], you will find a massive number of archers on a certain rooftop. Unlike most archers, they will ignore you, but if you enter a fight with all of them, they will not give chase if you flee.
* In PlayStation home, you can purchase the design of a Seeker for your avatar, which also comes with a spear.
* On Xbox Live, you can purchase the outfit of one of the Militia guards.
* In ''Assassin's Creed II'' and ''Brotherhood'', Ezio can successfully loot dead rooftop guards even if they slide off the roof; as long as Ezio begins looting when the guard is still on the roof, this can be done on any deceased body.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', there are several guard archetypes never encountered in any other game of the series. I.e. the duelists, the unnamed archetype carrying large shields (similar to modern riot police), a mysterious masked shirtless archetype and another shirtless archetype wearing a robe and carrying maces.
* In early concept arts for ''Assassin's Creed II'', Abstergo guards were shown with the company of guard dogs.
* In ''Brotherhood'', an extremely rare glitch occurs with a group of four guards. They will stand in place and will not pay any attention to you, even if you killed someone nearby. You are free to attack them, in which case an execution will be performed, but it will not kill them. Instead they will simply stand back up. You can do this until eventually the guards will begin to die from your attacks. This glitch usually ends in the game freezing, and has a danger of crashing the entire console system.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'', Altaïr disguises himself as a guard to gain access into the [[Crusaders|Crusader]] camp that is besieging [[Acre]].
* In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', the guards in the French camps are French, but speak with Italian accents.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', rooftop guards can use thunder [[bombs]].
* In ''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' there are two entire different variant skins for the regular Guards, [[Byzantines|Byzantine]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]], like the original game where there were [[Crusader]] and [[Saracen]] skins.
* In ''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'', Ottoman and Byzantine soldiers fight each other on contact, provided they are given a reason, for example a nearby guard corpse.
* On the minimap the Ottoman Guards appear as a yellow dot while Byzantine soldiers appear as a red dot on the minimap, this is because Ottoman guards are not your direct enemies and will only attack if you break the law, even with a full Templar awareness bar, however, the Byzantine soldiers work for the Templars and will attack you on sight regardless.
**For a reasonable gameplay experience in [[Cappadocia]], Byzantine guards will only attack if you anger them, because they are the only guard faction present.
*In Assassin's Creed: Revelations, [[Janissaries]] behave and fight exactly like [[Papal Guards]]. They run faster than Ezio and are able to catch him. They wield pistols and can shoot Ezio. They also can't be killed with a single counter.

{{GalleryBox|Guards}}

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Shao Jun

2011-12-04T19:02:22Z

78.170.247.208: /* Gallery */

{{Era|Embers|Assassins|Featured}}
{{WPAssassins}}
{{Spoilerhd}}
{{Quote|I have traveled a long time, followed many roads and suffered much grief to find him. To learn his secrets before our enemies find us.|Shao Jun regarding her search for Ezio Auditore.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Shao Jun
|image = Shao Jun SS v.png
|faction = [[Chinese Assassins]]
|birth = 1505 [[China]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''
|voice = [[Angela Galuppo]]
}}

'''Shao Jun''' (1505 - unknown) was an [[Assassins|Assassin]] from the [[Chinese Assassins|Chinese branch]] of the Order. A former concubine for [[Zhengde|Emperor Zhengde]], she was rescued by the Assassins after the emperor's death, and had devoted her life into the Order afterwards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

After some years, Zhengde's successor, [[Jiajing]], ordered a purge of those who opposed him, the Assassins being among them. After the order's decline in China, Shao Jun and her [[Mentor]] fled west and sought out the [[Italian Assassins|Italian Assassin]] Mentor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

==History==
===Early life===
{{Quote|I was born a concubine, but my Mentor freed me when I was young.|Shao Jun, telling Ezio about her past life.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
Shao Jun was born into royal captivity during [[China]]'s Ming Dynasty, under the lackluster rule of Emperor Zhengde. Zhengde, known for his childish disposition and lack of interest for the urgent matters that concerned his country, preferred Shao Jun as one of his concubines, after Jun had reached her teens. Living a decade of her life under Zhengde, she traveled with him to various places and met many foreigners.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

However, after Zhengde's death in April of 1521, the royal ministers fell into disarray, bickering over who should succeed Zhengde, who died without a proper heir. It was during this chaotic time that Shao Jun came into contact with the Assassins, and was rescued along with several other concubines after they broke into the royal palace.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

Loyal immediately to those who rescued her, Shao Jun dedicated her first years of freedom in servitude to the Brotherhood that saved her, training in their ways.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

===Decline of her Order===
Some years after her rescue, Jun and her Mentor decided to rescue the other concubines whom she grew up with. Breaking in to the Imperial Palace, Jun discovered most of her friends, though tortured and killed through ''Ling Chi'' ("slow slicing" or death by a thousand cuts), by order of Zhengde's nephew and successor, Jiajing. Jun and her Mentor then fled the palace.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers">''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref>

Jiajing, who possessed the worst traits of Zhengde yet harbored none of his best, sought out to detain and execute any opposition and possible threats against his rule. The Assassins were the most prioritized in the purge, and under Jiajing's orders, a majority of the Assassins in China were killed. Those who survived either went into hiding or fled westward.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

Shao Jun and her Mentor fled west like the other Assassins, though they fled farther than most of their brothers. Heading for [[Italy]], the two sought to find the legendary Mentor Ezio Auditore for help, hoping that he might know how to restore their Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

===Time in Italy===
{{Dialogue2|Jun|I want to understand.|Ezio|Understand what?|How to lead, to rebuild my Order.|Shao Jun, asking Ezio for help.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
[[File:EzioFlaviaJun.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun's first encounter with Ezio.]]
By 1524, Shao Jun and her Mentor were able to make it as far as [[Venice]]. However, Imperial Soldiers sent by Jiajing to detain the two were able to follow them, and caught up to them in Venice. Fending the soldiers off, Shao Jun's Mentor ensured Jun's safety and escape, though died in the ensuing battle. Continuing onward, Shao Jun arrived at Ezio Auditore's villa.<ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

First meeting Ezio's daughter [[Flavia Auditore|Flavia]], Shao Jun was initally seen as a threat by Ezio. After seeing the [[Assassin insignia]] on her necklace, Ezio let his guard down. Later that day, Ezio and his wife [[Sofia Sartor|Sofia]] confronted Jun, who asked him for aid in restoring her Order. Ezio, who retired from his life as an Assassin, refused to associate himself with the order again, and asked her to leave. However, Sofia, knowing that Shao Jun came a long way to meet Ezio, asked her to stay, welcoming her into their home. Shao Jun thanked Sofia, and accepted her offer.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />
[[File:ShaoJunEzio.png|thumb|250px|Jun, listening to Ezio.]]
The next day, Shao Jun rummaged through Ezio's study and read some of his writings, without his consent. Ezio, who found Jun in his study, furiously told her to leave. Afterwards, Shao Jun was told by Ezio to leave Italy entirely, stating that she just wasted her time looking for him. Jun, reciting a portion of Ezio's writing, stated that all she wanted was to understand her Order like he did, hoping to learn how to restore them. Ezio then stated why he was so reluctant to help her, before inviting her for some food. He then asked her to come with him to [[Florence]] to assist him with the grape harvest.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

There, Jun observed the crowd as Ezio attended to his business. Afterwards, Ezio took Jun to the [[Palazzo della Signoria]], where half of [[House of Auditore|his family]] were hung. Once there, Ezio taught Jun how the Assassins live their lives; through pain, in order to end the pain. After the brief discussion, Ezio and Jun prepared to leave Florence. On the way back however, the two were intercepted by one of the Imperial Soldiers in an obscure alleyway. Jun managed to kill the soldier, and fled the city with Ezio afterwards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />
[[File:Embers ShotBreakdown 01.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Ezio in Florence.]]
On the way to Ezio's villa, Shao Jun explained her plight and informed him about those who were those after her. Afterwards, Ezio told Sofia to bring their children to [[Niccolò Machiavelli|Machiavelli]]'s home, suspecting that the soldiers would come to the villa. After Sofia and his children left, Ezio stayed in the villa with Jun. That night, Ezio lectured Jun on how he defeated the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] through the means of fraternity and love, and how he reformed the Brotherhood in both [[Rome]] and [[Constantinople]]. Afterwards, Shao Jun rested for the night while Ezio kept himself awake in the living room.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

Later that night, the villa was invaded by the Imperial Soldiers just as Ezio had predicted. The two fended off most of the soldiers, with Ezio saving Jun from [[Mounted cannons|cannon]] fire from a brutish soldier. Bringing the fight outside, both Jun and Ezio worked together to deal with the last soldier, the same brute who carried a portable cannon. Working together, Jun and Ezio fought the brute, and defeated him after Ezio was able to impale him with a sword when he pinned the Assassin down to a tree. Jun then helped Ezio recuperate.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

===Departure===
{{dialogue|Ezio|It is a long way home, no?|Jun|Much to see along the way. Thank you, Mentor.|Jun and Ezio, moments before the former's departure back to China.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
[[File:ACE-V 10.png|thumb|250px|Ezio handing Jun a small box during her departure.]]
The morning after, Shao Jun, with a renewed resolve, looked on the horizon while Ezio approached her. Ezio stated that the trip back to China would be long, but Jun replied that it will be worthwhile, with so much to see along the way. Thanking Ezio, Jun prepared to leave.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

Before Jun left, Ezio gave her a small chest that contained something that could aid her in the future, stating that she should only open it if she were to lose her way. As government guards arrive on horseback, Ezio bid that Shao Jun should leave before they arrive. Jun then left Ezio's villa, and prepared to head back for China.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

==Personality and characteristics==
{{quote|I want to understand, like you do. To help my people.|Shao Jun confides with Ezio, on his villa.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
[[File:ACE-V 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao, on Ezio's villa at night.]]
Shao Jun had the desire to learn, specifically about how the Assassin Order functioned and lived their lives. She often searched for information when none was given to her, even going against the wishes of others just to learn, as evidenced by her invading Ezio's study. She was sincere about wanting to understand her Order, and often took Ezio's lessons and lectures to heart.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" />

She kept her vigil at all times, keeping a close eye on her surroundings for any possible threats. She was somewhat restless, often staying up at night and preparing for an attack instead of sleeping.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" /> She also loved to meet and learn from new cultures and societies, often excited about the opportunity to understand people with different nationalities than her.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Embers" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia" />

===Equipment and skills===
[[File:ACE-V 9.png|thumb|250px|Jun, utilizing her concealed knife.]]
Shao Jun wielded a Chinese jian as her primary weapon. She had no [[hidden blade]], though she had a total of six throwing needles tucked under her bracers as secondary weapons. She also had a concealed blade under her right foot that she used in tandem with her acrobatic skills against enemies.

Shao Jun, extensively trained in combat by the Order, was an adept and acrobatic fighter. Her fighting style was heavily reminiscent to the traditional Chinese martial art of [[Wikipedia:Chinese martial arts#Wushu|Wushu]], which involved much flexibility and knowledge in both unarmed and sword combat. Whenever in a fight, she was able to utilize her acrobatic skills in executing difficult moves to help her subdue her enemies.

Her arsenal of weapons were also fitted for her style of combat, using only light yet deadly armaments against her enemies. To lower suspicion in a public area, Shao Jun had to conceal most her weapons in inconspicuous parts of her attire. Only the sword was left unconcealed, though it was still kept within a sheath.

==Trivia==
*In her entry on the ''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]'', it states that Shao Jun met Ezio in Florence. However, in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'', Ezio's villa was located in [[Tuscany]].
*Shao Jun knew part of the Italian language, as she was able to say ''"Grazie"'' (Thank you) to Sofia when she allowed her to stay, and also understood some of Ezio's chatter.
*The ''"Jun"'' in Shao Jun's name is pronounced as ''"yoon"'' in ''Embers''.
*A replica of Shao Jun's [http://www.ubiworkshop.com/2011/11/16/shao-juns-necklace/ necklace] is being sold in [http://store.ubiworkshop.com Ubiworkshop's store], for 24.99 US Dollars.
*Shao Jun was voiced by [[Angela Galuppo]], who also provided the voice of both Flavia and [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]].

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="160" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" captiontextcolor="#ffffff">
ACE-V 4.png|Shao Jun and Flavia Auditore, with Ezio running towards them.
ACE-V 5.png|Shao Jun confronted by Ezio.
ACE-V 7.png|Shao Jun, inside the Villa with Sofia and Ezio.
ACE-V 6.png|Shao Jun's necklace.
Embers-Mysterious-Character.jpg|Jun, before returning to China.
ACE-V 11.png|Shao, departing from the Villa.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Embers Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Claudia Auditore da Firenze

2011-12-04T18:53:10Z

78.170.247.208:

{{Era|AC2|ACB|ACR|Renaissance|Bbook|ACL|Embers|Assassins}}
{{WPAssassins}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Claudia Auditore da Firenze
|image = char_claudia.png
|imgdesc =
|hideb =
|birth = 2 January, 1461 [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death =
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Auditore|Auditore]] [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' {{mo}} ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{mo}}
|actor = [[Devery Jacobs]]
|voice = [[Angela Galuppo]]}}
'''Claudia Auditore da Firenze''' (1461-unknown) was a [[Florence|Florentine]] noblewoman during the [[Italy|Italian]] [[Renaissance]], and a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Claudia was born on the 2nd of January, 1461 in the city of Florence. The daughter of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] and [[Maria Auditore da Firenze]], she was the third child, and only daughter to the [[House of Auditore]]. She had three brothers, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

In 1476, she was betrothed to [[Duccio de Luca]]. However, rumors (and later, evidence) of his infidelity subsequently ended the relationship between the two.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Later that year, Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio were wrongly arrested by the city [[guards]], upon the orders of Gonfaloniere [[Uberto Alberti]], for the crime of treason. Uberto was, in fact, acting upon the orders of [[Rodrigo Borgia]], [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. Despite evidence gathered by Claudia's remaining brother, Ezio, the three were [[Auditore execution|executed]] the next day.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Arrivederci 3 v.png|thumb|200px|left|Ezio comforting Claudia after the execution of their family.]]
At the behest of her brother, Claudia and her mother were safely escorted by the Auditore housemaid, [[Annetta]], to the safety of [[Brothels#La Rosa Colta|La Rosa Colta]], which was operated by Annetta's sister, [[Paola]]. There they stayed until Ezio, having taken up his father's mantle as an Assassin, exacted his revenge on Uberto.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Soon afterwards, the three remaining Auditore left Florence for [[Monteriggioni]], to stay with Claudia's uncle [[Mario Auditore|Mario]]. Although they had originally planned to stay in Monteriggioni only for a few days before moving to [[Spain]], Ezio decided that it would best to remain at the [[Villa Auditore]] so that he could finish his father's work.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Life in Monteriggioni===
[[File:ACoP 9 v.png|thumb|250px|Claudia at her desk in the Villa Auditore.]]
{{dialogue2|Claudia|Our uncle is un mostro. This is outrageous!|Ezio|What's happened?|He's making me work! If father was here, I'd never be stuck behind a desk like this.|Claudia and Ezio discussing Claudia's duties.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Mario assigned Claudia to be Monteriggioni's treasurer and bookkeeper, a job in which she would keep track of all the city finances, as well as the objects that Ezio brought in from the outside.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this time, Claudia married, though the marriage would end soon after with the passing of her husband. She also became pregnant, though it is unknown whether the baby was a boy or a girl.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref>

Claudia was often quite bothered by the fact that Ezio rarely came to see her over their twenty year stay in Monteriggioni. Despite this, she ''"thought the world of him"'' nonetheless.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

[[File:EzioClaudiaTalking.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Claudia greeting Ezio upon his return to Monteriggioni.]]
On 1 January 1500, Claudia's brother and uncle returned from their [[Confrontation in the Vatican|excursion to Rome]]. Upon reuniting with Ezio, Claudia asked him if the Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, was finally dead, though he declined to answer straight away. In Mario's office later that day, she expressed her interest in the "wonders" Ezio had witnessed in the [[Vatican Vault]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

That day, the city of Monteriggioni was also preparing for Claudia's birthday, though Claudia wished to keep the party a secret from her brother, in order to surprise him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

The next day however, before any celebrations could begin, the city [[Fall of Monteriggioni|came under siege]] by the [[Papacy|Papal]] army, under the command of [[Cesare Borgia]], Captain-General and son of Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

As a result, Mario was killed, and Ezio left for the Templars' headquarters in [[Rome]] to exact revenge. Before he departed, Ezio instructed Claudia and their mother to go to Florence, where they would be safe. However, both women felt obliged to take their revenge as well, and thus later followed Ezio to Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Madame of Roma===
[[File:Highstakes3.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio and Claudia in the Rosa in Fiore.]]
{{dialogue2|Ezio|You do not belong here, Claudia.|Claudia|I know how to run a business. I ran Uncle Mario's for years.|This is different.|Ezio and Claudia, after Claudia volunteers to run the Rosa in Fiore brothel.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
That year, Claudia took control over the [[Rosa in Fiore]] after the former owner, [[Madonna Solari]], was killed. Through the [[courtesans]] she managed, Claudia was able to find the location of [[Caterina Sforza]]. Despite her success, her decision to run the brothel strained her relationship with her brother, with whom she acted coldly towards for some time.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Three years later, in 1503, she assisted Ezio in assassinating [[Juan Borgia the Elder|the Banker]] by sending her courtesans to the [[Incident at the Pagan Party|pagan party]] that he held. After infiltrating the event, the courtesans reclaimed [[Egidio Troche]]'s money and brought it back to the brothel. However, several Borgia guards discovered the theft and followed them.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

When Ezio heard of this, he was alarmed and immediately hurried into the Rosa in Fiore. However, when he arrived, he only discovered an unharmed Claudia standing over several corpses, nonchalantly holding a [[Short blade|knife]]. He praised her efforts, easing the tension that had been between them for years.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Member of the Assassin Order===
[[File:Claudiakiller.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Claudia, after successfully defending herself.]]
{{dialogue3|Claudia|What?|Ezio|So, my little sister knows how to wield a knife.|And I'm ready to do it again.|Spoken like a true Auditore.|Claudia and Ezio, after Claudia had killed four guards single-handedly.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In 1503, sometime after the events of the [[Colosseum Passion Play]], Claudia (by her brother's recommendation) joined the Order of Assassins. At the [[Tiber Island headquarters]], she underwent the [[Initiation to the Assassin Order|initiation]] process of branding her left ring finger, as well as performing a [[Leap of Faith]] into the [[Tiber River]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

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

[[File:Zw-acb-ceremony-4.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Claudia being initiated into the Brotherhood.]]
In 1506, while investigating [[The Da Vinci Disappearance|the disappearance]] of [[Leonardo da Vinci]], Ezio went to the Rosa in Fiore searching for the location of an art viewing that may lead him to his friend. He was greeted by Claudia, who knew her brother enough to know that he wouldn't just visit her if it wasn't on business. She told him of a viewing having place at the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] later that day, and that he would need an invitation, but that she knew where to find one.

Later that day, she sent some of her girls to help Ezio at the viewing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Later life===
During Ezio's travels in [[Constantinople]], he wrote [[Ezio Auditore's letters|several letters]] to Claudia about his adventures.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref> By 1524, Claudia was living in Florence once again.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref>

==Characteristics and personality==
[[File:claudia_in_brotherhood_by_ladyve-d31a3bd.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ezio talking with Claudia in 1500.]]
In her younger years, it was evident that Claudia had been too spoiled by Giovanni, and was unafraid to be violent when a girl merely "looked at her boyfriend." Due to her temper, Giovanni was forced to raise her dowry by 1,000 florins, since she scared off all of her suitors. At times, she was also seen to be immature, complaining vehemently after Mario assigned her to manage Monteriggioni's finances.

Regardless, Claudia was quite capable of handling and keeping track of the town's bankroll, as well as of her brother's purchases and earnings. Her capability in business management again became useful when she volunteered - despite Ezio's initial protest - to take over the brothel in Rome. Under her leadership, the Rosa in Fiore became the most popular brothel in the city, as well as an effective intel-gathering arm for the Assassins.

Claudia was also kind with her family, being especially emotional over her father and brothers' execution, her mother's emotional trauma, and leaving her home and her friends in Florence. Claudia was Ezio's only sister, and unlike her brothers (who were executed in order for Rodrigo Borgia to prove a point to the Assassins) she was spared, likely because of her sex.

==Trivia==
===''Assassin's Creed II''===
*Claudia, as with most characters, appears not to age over the course of the game, and remains at the same desk in the Villa Auditore for 23 years. After she complains about being put to work, her only interaction with Ezio is asking if he is there to look at the book of finances.
*When Ezio starts earning income from Monteriggioni, Claudia states that she will keep any money past the chest's maximum capacity, with no explanation of what she intends to do with all the money.
*Although she is always sitting in the Villa Auditore through most of the game, Claudia appears in the "[[Easter Eggs#Ghosts of the Past|vision]]" Ezio has at his home during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].
*There is a glitch where, if you manage to bump into Claudia and knock her down, she will be given the voice of one of the guards (since knocking her down is normally not supposed to be possible).

===''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''===
*Claudia still appears quite young, despite her being 38 years old at the beginning of the game. Her skin appears to be paler than it was before as well.
*When Claudia is inducted into the Assassin Order, her outfit is similar to that of [[Maria Thorpe]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''.
*Like her brother, Claudia wields a knife with an Icepick Grip, as shown in the memory "[[Paper Trail]]."
*Claudia is not listed as an Assassin in the [[Animus]] [[Database|database]].

==Gallery==
{| align="center"
|<gallery width="auto" perrow="3" style="font-size:95%; padding:0;" widths="170" captionalign="left">
Zw-claudiaauditore.png|Claudia's database picture.
CLaudia ..jpg|Claudia, some time before her family's execution.
Ezio_and_Claudia.JPG|Claudia speaking about her trouble with Duccio.
Ezio_Claudia_Maria.jpg|Claudia reuniting with Ezio after the execution.
Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h54m41s96.jpg|Claudia with Bartolomeo and La Volpe, waiting for Ezio.
vlcsnap-2010-11-12-19h17m08s89.jpg|Claudia with Ezio in the Tiber Island headquarters.
ACBSP 2011-04-06 14-59-36-69.jpg|Claudia speaking with Ezio.
Zw-acb-claudia-2.jpg|Claudia in her Assassin robes.
</gallery>
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auditore, Claudia}}

[[de:Claudia Auditore]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Courtesans]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Novel) Characters ]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance Characters]]

Cristina Vespucci

2011-12-04T18:19:52Z

78.170.247.208: she's mentioned once in acr

{{Era|AC2|acb|Renaissance}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Cristina Vespucci
|image = Cristina Vespucci V.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1459 [[Italy]]
|death = 1498 [[Florence]], Italy
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|hidep = yes
|faction =
|hider =
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' {{fb}} ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' {{mo}}
|voice = [[Amber Goldfarb]]<ref>[http://www.kimvaincourt.com/talent/profile/42/Amber+Goldfarb.html Amber Goldfarb Talent Profile]</ref>}}

'''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.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Cristina was born in Florence, [[Italy]], circa 1459.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

She was somewhat 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.<ref name="AC2"/>

There, 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="AC2"/>

===Beauty of Firenze===
{{dialogue2|Cristina|I told you, I'm not interested.|Vieri|Sì. But I am.|Get in line.|Cristina turning away one of her many suitors.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

From an early age, Cristina caught the eyes of many boys who wanted to become intimate with her.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

One of those boys was [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], who was encouraged to go speak with Cristina by [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|his brother]] one night in 1476. However, Cristina had no interest in him, and walked away. Ezio, who was not used to being turned down by a woman, followed Cristina to her home, where he saw her being confronted by [[Vieri de' Pazzi]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Vieri, who had already attempted to impress Cristina on previous occasions, grew impatient when Cristina turned him down yet again. Saying that he was "tired of waiting for her to open her legs on her own," he began to sexually assault her.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

[[File:Eziocristina123.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Cristina thanking Ezio for saving her from Vieri.]]
However, he was interrupted by Ezio, who came to Cristina's rescue. The two engaged in a [[Fists|fistfight]], and Ezio emerged the victor. Cristina was thankful of Ezio's actions, and thus began a relationship between the two.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Ezio visited Cristina in her home quite frequently and was described to be "[[Freerunning|unbelievably dexterous]]," as the [[guards]] knew that he visited her, but were never able to catch him trespassing.<ref name="AC2"/>

On one occasion that Ezio slept with Cristina, and was discovered by her enraged father the next morning, her father set the guards on him, demanding for his head; though he was able to escape.<ref name="AC2"/>

[[File:Eziocristina002.jpg|thumb|250px|Cristina with Ezio before his departure from Florence.]]
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.<ref name="Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>

Afterwards, Ezio asked Cristina to come with him, as he needed to leave for [[Monteriggioni]] with his family. However, Cristina refused, saying that she could not leave her family. Understanding her decision, Ezio gave her a crest-shaped pendant to remember him by, before they parted.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Engagement and Married life===
In 1478, by the insistence of her father, Cristina was engaged to be married to Manfredo Soderini. The day before their wedding, Ezio returned to Florence for the first time in two years, and Cristina was the first person he visited.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Picture1.png|thumb|250px|left|Ezio visiting Cristina in 1478.]]
After a short talk, she sadly told him that she had not expected him to return; before revealing her engagement, and breaking Ezio's heart.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

After being informed that Manfredo was being confronted by people to whom he owed a gambling debt, Ezio rushed to save Cristina's fiance. Upon killing the gamblers, Ezio hung Manfredo over a bridge and demanded to know if he truly loved Cristina, to which Manfredo sincerely replied yes.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Ezio demanded that he stop gambling, and that he be a good husband to Cristina, otherwise he would hunt him down and kill him. Afterwards, 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="Brotherhood"/>

Though she was heartbroken for losing Ezio, Cristina nevertheless married Manfredo, and the two of them began living together in Florence.

[[File:Persona Non Grata 4.png|thumb|250px|right|Cristina storming away from Ezio.]]
Eight years later, 1486 in [[Venice]], Cristina travelled to attend [[Carnevale]] with her husband. Noticing her there, [[Leonardo da Vinci]] remembered that she and Ezio had been close, and informed the latter of her presence.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

However, Ezio worried that Cristina would not agree to see him after all the years, thus he slipped a letter to her, 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.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

After discovering the truth, she yelled at Ezio for kissing her, both because she was already married and because she had not seen Ezio in so long. Cristina told Ezio that, before, she had loved him and would rather have married him, but it was now too late. She angrily told him to never look for her again and left.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Death===
{{quote|I wish we could have had a second chance.|Cristina's final words to Ezio.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

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="AC2"/>

[[File:Christina's Death.jpg|thumb|250px|Cristina dying in Ezio's arms.]]
In 1498, Savonarola's fanatics infiltrated Cristina's and Manfredo's home to kill Manfredo. He attempted to fend them off, however, this was a vain effort as there were too many attackers, and he was gravely injured. Cristina managed to escape, but was soon cornered by the fanatics.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

At this point, Ezio, after hearing about what had happened from a dying Manfredo, came to her aid. The fanatics, who were taunting Cristina for the rich fineries she owned, were startled as Ezio came up behind them and yelled for Cristina to run. Though he killed all of the soldiers, Cristina had already been mortally wounded, and was slowly dying.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

After showing him the pendant that she had kept with her the past twenty-two years, and telling him that she wished they could have had another chance together, Cristina died in Ezio's arms.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

==Trivia==
[[File:Eziocristina.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio and Cristina sharing an intimate moment.]]
* Even though Cristina was married for around sixteen years, and saw Ezio only for a few short minutes once every several years, she admitted that she still loved him more than her own husband.
* In ''Assassin's Creed: Renaissance'', Cristina's surname is "Calfucci," rather than "Vespucci."
* Cristina features in several [[Cristina Memories|repressed memories]] during ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', which are unlocked when the player achieves certain amounts of [[Synchronization]] with Ezio.
* Though Ezio witnesses Cristina's death in ''Brotherhood'', in ''Renaissance'', he is only later informed of her death by [[Niccolò Machiavelli]].
* Cristina's eye color appears to have changed from blue to brown in ''Brotherhood'', although in some missions her eyes remain blue.
* To start each repressed Cristina memory, the player must talk to a woman who closely resembles Cristina. Each time, the woman is doing something that Cristina was most likely doing before each memory.
* Ezio briefly mentions Cristina in [[Ezio Auditore's letters|a letter to Claudia]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''. He writes that ''"After the death of Cristina, something inside me withered."''

==References==
{{reflist}}

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