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Brute

2011-12-07T19:43:43Z

78.171.150.124: /* Trivia */

{{era|ac2|acb}}
[[File:Brute.png|300px|right]]
'''Brutes''' were heavily-[[Armor|armored]] [[guards]] in the [[Renaissance]]. They were essentially human tanks, wearing durable armor and carrying large, [[Heavy weapons|heavy weapons]]. They were one of the strongest guards, however, they moved very slowly due to the weight of their equipment.

The Brutes in [[Rome]] bore different, more elaborate armor, though they were now comparable in terms of skill to the [[Papal Guard]]s.

==Combat==
[[File:AC2_Brute.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ezio fighting a Brute.]]
Brutes were tricky enemies to defeat, due to the power behind each of their attacks; some of which could not be blocked or countered.

===Normal attacks===
Normal attacks of Brutes could be blocked with [[Assassin's Creed II Weapons|any weapon]], however they could not be countered with a [[Short Blade|short blade]] or any [[Swords and maces|sheath-able weapon]].

A counter could only been performed with another heavy weapon, such as those the Brutes themselves carried, a [[Long weapons|long weapon]], often carried by [[Seekers]], or by a [[Hidden Blade]]. The successful timing chance for the last, however, was notoriously small, as one was given only a fraction of a second to react.

The normal attacks of Brutes could also be countered through a [[Fists|disarm]], which left them open to a lethal, follow-up attack. The timing for the disarm was short, albeit slightly longer than that of the hidden blade counter.

[[File:LMS 9 v.png|thumb|right|250px|A high-ranked Brute facing Ezio.]]
Additionally, like all other enemies, Brutes were most easily dispatched by being assassinated either from above, or while undetected; with either the hidden blades, or a ranged weapon, such as the [[Hidden Gun]] or [[crossbow]].

===Special attacks===
Neither of the Brute's special attacks could be blocked or countered, and could only be avoided by striking preemptively, or by dodging. There were two variants of a Brute's special attacks.

====Smash====
A Brute would perform a Smash by raising his weapon overhead, and taking a strong downward swing; knocking his target onto his back, and doing about as much damage as a normal attack.

[[File:LMS 8 v.png|thumb|250px|left|Effect of a disarm smash.]]
The Smash special attack took less time for a Brute to prepare (approximately one second), in comparison to a Disarm Smash.

====Disarm Smash====
More forceful than an empty-handed disarm, a Brute performed a Disarm Smash by holding his weapon out behind him, then swinging it from right to left, breaking through an opponent's guard, and often knocking away his weapon.

The attack essentially did no damage, but as mentioned, it opened an enemy up to attacks from other foes in the fight.

{{-}}

==Characteristics==
[[File:assassins_creed_2-800.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio fighting a Brute on a rooftop.]]
Brutes were not highly intelligent and could be escaped once out of sight by [[blend]]ing, or hiding. They were also neither agile nor quick, and could not [[Free Running|free-run]] or climb. Thus, taking to the rooftops was an easy method of escape.

Certain Brutes appeared to have a black-brown finish or trim on their armor plating, marking them as higher-ranked Brutes that were more resistant to enemy attacks.

Additionally, Brutes rarely ran from a fight, even if forced to face an opponent alone; unless they were disarmed. Inversely, killing a Brute caused the other guards accompanying him (particularly those with lower ranks) to flee.

==Weaponry==
[[File:Heavy_weapons_ac2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|From left to right: Labrys, Bearded Axe, Bastard Sword.]]

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width="65%" border="1" style="text-align:center;"
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Damage
!scope="col"|Speed
!scope="col"|Deflect
|-
!scope="row"|Bastard Sword
|3
|4
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Bearded Axe
|4
|3
|4
|-
!scope="row"|Labrys
|5
|3
|3
|}

==Special Brutes==
*[[Dante Moro]] carried a Labrys axe, and fought like a Brute; though with an immunity to being disarmed (unless through the Disarm Smash).
*[[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]] behaved like a Brute in combat, and carried what appeared to be a Bastard Sword (although the design and coloring of the handle differed from those carried by Brutes), which he fondly called "Bianca."
*[[Francesco Salviati]] carried a Bearded Axe with him when in his [[Villa Salviati|villa]] and fought like a Brute.
*[[Mercenaries]] also fought like Brutes, and carried similar weapons.
*The Templar Spy from during Ezio's trip to [[Spain]] used the model of a Brute.
*Some Papal Guards, when equipped with a heavy weapon, would fight like Brutes.
*[[Auguste Oberlin]] (the [[Blacksmith (multiplayer character)|Blacksmith]]) fought like a Brute, and carried either a Bearded Axe (when he faced [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]), or a [[Multiplayer Weapons#Hammer|large hammer]].

==Trivia==
*Ezio uses certain taunts that are specific to Brutes, usually insulting their weight.
**Among them are: ''"Can you even hear me in there metal man!?"'', "''Well you're certainly well-fed!"'', ''"That looks heavy!"'', "Fatti sotto, porco! ''(Come on, pig!)"'', and "Ehi, grassone! ''(Hey, fatty!)"''
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', Brutes are rarer, and harder to disarm than in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''.
*In the mission "[[Infrequent Flier]]," during the cutscene where Ezio abandons a burning [[Flying Machine]], you can see a Brute and a Seeker on the roof of the [[Palazzo Ducale]]. Strangely, these are the only two guards that cannot Free-Run or climb.
*When using the [[Throwing knives|throwing knife]] special attack, Brutes can be killed with one knife, despite their armor.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]'', Guard Captains possess the same appearance as Brutes, and are armed with Bastard Swords. However, unlike Brutes, they are extremely fast.
*The [[Almogavars]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' are based on Brutes. However they are armed only with one weapon called [[Almogavar Axe]].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left" widths="180">
soldat52x86 copy.jpg|Concept art of a Brute.
Assassins-creed-ii-brute bymbs.jpg|A Brute with two other guards.
Z da19fec4.jpg|A Roman Brute with a reworked appearance.
</gallery>

==Source==
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
[[Category:Guards]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]

Shao Jun

2011-12-07T19:39:56Z

78.171.150.124: /* Time in Italy */

{{Era|Rbook|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<br>[[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 [[Auditore execution|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]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Novel) Characters]]