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Caterina Sforza

2010-12-22T22:05:59Z

79.168.60.32: /* Meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze */

{{WP-REAL}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Caterina Sforza
|image = Char catarina.png
|imgdesc = Caterina, as she appeared in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''.
|birth = 1463 [[Milan]], [[Italy]]
|death = 28 May 1509 (aged 46) [[Florence]], Italy
|period = Italian Renaissance (15th Century)
|faction = [[Girolamo Riario|House of Riario]] [[Assassins]] (ally)
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Cristina Rosato]]
}}
'''Caterina Sforza''' (1463 - 28 May 1509) was the Countess of [[Forlì]] and Imola and the daughter of [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]]. She married the Pope's nephew, [[Girolamo Riario]], at only 14 years of age.

==Biography==
===Meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze===
[[File:Assassins-creed-2-battle-of-forli-boat-screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|Caterina being rescued by Ezio]]
Close to the departure of [[Leonardo da Vinci]] from [[Forlì]], Caterina somehow managed to trap herself on a small rock in the middle of a lake. Luckily for her, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] came and helped her back to land. For this aid, Caterina thanked Ezio by telling the captain of the [[Venice|Venetian]] ship to grant Ezio passage to Venice.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

While sailing away from Forlì, Ezio stated that Caterina was "his next conquest", before being reprimanded by Leonardo, who explained Caterina's importance to Ezio and remarked that seducing her would not be such a good idea. Leonardo described her as being "as powerful and dangerous as she is young and beautiful." Ezio simply replied that Caterina is his "kind of woman."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Battle of Forlì===
In 1488, Caterina was contacted by her allies, the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], who asked her if they could hide an "[[First Apple|important artifact]]" inside the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]] in Forlì. Caterina agreed and met with [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] and Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whom she previously hadn't known to be an Assassin, in the countryside of [[Romagna]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

While walking towards Forlì, Caterina informed Niccolò and Ezio that she had hired the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] to kill her husband [[Girolamo Riario]], as he was a [[Templars|Templar]], as well as "boring in bed", "a lousy father" and a "pain in [her] ass." As they drew closer to the city, they were met by a large crowd of Forlì's citizens fleeing. One of them informed them that Forlì was being attacked by the Orsi brothers. Niccolò concluded that the two brothers were working for [[Rodrigo Borgia]], and were probably looking for the map that Girolamo had made of all the locations of the [[Codex]] pages.

Caterina took her soldiers to fight and retrieve her city, while Ezio served in the battle as both a soldier and protector to Caterina. By the time the group had reached the Rocca di Ravaldino, the Orsi brothers had taken two of Caterina's children hostage as a guise to steal the Apple of Eden, of which they heard was in the possession of Ezio. When they threatened to kill her children if she did not relinquish the Apple, Caterina lifted her skirt, showing her genitals, and cried that she had "the instrument to make more."

Caterina did not wish the brothers to think that they were victorious, but she was desperate to get her children back, and requested Ezio retrieve them for her. Ezio left the city immediately, found the children and managed to kill [[Ludovico Orsi]]. Meanwhile, the Templars attacked the citadel again and took the Apple, which Ezio had placed in Caterina's hands.

After Ezio returned with Caterina's children and found out about the attack, he left Forlì and followed [[Checco Orsi]] into the countryside, where he assassinated him and retrieved the Apple. Checco managed to stab Ezio right before dying, and Ezio lost conciousness because of his wound, though not before seeing the Apple being stolen from him by a [[Girolamo Savonarola|black robed monk with a missing finger]]. Caterina's soldiers found Ezio's unconsious body next to Checco's and took him to the [[Palazzo Comunale (Forlì)|Palazzo Comunale]], where Caterina nursed him until he regained conciousness. Ezio then set off to find the monk, after Caterina gave him the map her ex-husband had made of the Codex pages.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Florence===
Caterina was exiled to [[Florence]], where she married [[wikipedia:Giovanni de' Medici il Popolano|Giovanni de' Medici]]. They had one son, baptized as Ludovico. However, after Giovanni's death in 1498, Caterina re-Christianised her son's name to Giovanni.

{{Spoiler}}
===Siege of Monteriggioni===
In 1500, Caterina and some of her soldiers went to temporarily stay in [[Monteriggioni]] to gain the help of some of the mercenaries working for the Villa. When Ezio was relaxing in his tub after the events in Rome, Caterina entered in his room and took her dress off. The two kissed and spent the night together. However, the next morning, they were interrupted as the town was besieged by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]], under the command of [[Cesare Borgia]]. Caterina joined her soldiers in the defense outside the city, but was captured by some of Cesare's soldiers. She was held captive by [[Juan Borgia]], and witnessed the execution of [[Mario Auditore]] by Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Caterina was brought to [[Rome]] in a carriage, and was seen being taken out of it just outside the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]]. [[Lucrezia Borgia]] welcomed her to Rome, and warned the citizens the same would happen to any of those who opposed Cesare. After being taken away by the guards, Caterina was held captive within the Castel.

Shortly after this, Ezio infiltrated the Castel in order to assassinate Rodrigo and Cesare Borgia. Unfortunately, Cesare left before Ezio could assassinate him, and Rodrgio had evidently not been at the Castel for some time. Nevertheless, Ezio eventually found Caterina locked up in a cell, and witnessed her being injured by Lucrezia. Ezio pursued Lucrezia, as she had taken the key to Caterina's cell.

After killing a few guards, Ezio carried Lucrezia back to Caterina's cell, where she slipped her hand into Lucrezia's dress and took the key. Ezio and Caterina both forced Lucrezia into Caterina's old cell, with Caterina banging Lucrezia's head against the door to knock her unconscious. As she was unable to walk from her injury, Ezio carried Caterina out of the Castel. Upon reaching the walls, the two rode on horseback and Ezio ordered her to go to [[Tiber Island]] while he stayed behind to distract the guards. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Later life===
{{quote|You are the leader of the Assassins now. Unite them, Ezio Auditore, and take back [[Rome|Roma]]! Vittoria agli Assassini! (Victory to the Assassins!)|Caterina Sforza, before returning to Forlì on horseback.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
After staying with the Assassins in Rome for a certain amount of time, Caterina finally decided to leave in order to care for her children and await the restoration of Forlì, the land she once ruled over. She planned to leave unannounced on horseback, though Ezio caught her just before she left. She then encouraged Ezio to unite the Assassins as their [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order|master]], and take back Rome. Her last words before galloping out of Ezio's sight were "Vittoria agli Assassini!" (Victory to the Assassins).

Caterina died on May 28th, 1509 at the age of 46, from pneumonia, after being exiled to [[Florence]] for 3 years.
{{Spoiler End}}

==Personality and characteristics==
She is depicted as a strong, fierce woman, but also seems to be quite maternal and caring. Her colorful vocabulary was displayed in taunts and vulgarities shouted at her enemies during the [[Battle of Forlì]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

==Trivia==
{{GalleryBox|Caterina Sforza}}
*In the novel ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'', the scene where Ezio first met her is a little different. As she walked on the port, she was seen arguing with her husband, Girolamo Riario. Tired of her, he told Caterina to sit in the nearest gondola. While she entered the boat, Girolamo then gave a powerful shove to the prow and walked away. As the gondola drifted farther away from land, she began to shout, and Ezio, who had watched the scene unfold, came to her rescue.
*In the [[Battle of Forlì]] sequence, she used the sultan's knife as her weapon.
*Caterina, like every other character in ''Assassin's Creed II'' besides Ezio, cannot swim. When she is trapped on the small rock, she will shout for help or swear, and will sometimes yell that she cannot swim.
*Caterina Sforza's face, like those of most recurring characters from ''Assassin's Creed II,'' has changed greatly by ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*In ''Assassin's Creed Brotherhood'', Ezio aks "Caterina, did they- ? Did Cesare- ?", to which Caterina replied "No. I was left... unspoiled." This is contradicting history, in which Caterina was raped by both Rodrigo and Cesare.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sforza, Caterina}}

[[es:Caterina Sforza]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Caterina Sforza

2010-12-22T22:05:04Z

79.168.60.32: /* Meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze */

{{WP-REAL}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Caterina Sforza
|image = Char catarina.png
|imgdesc = Caterina, as she appeared in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''.
|birth = 1463 [[Milan]], [[Italy]]
|death = 28 May 1509 (aged 46) [[Florence]], Italy
|period = Italian Renaissance (15th Century)
|faction = [[Girolamo Riario|House of Riario]] [[Assassins]] (ally)
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Cristina Rosato]]
}}
'''Caterina Sforza''' (1463 - 28 May 1509) was the Countess of [[Forlì]] and Imola and the daughter of [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]]. She married the Pope's nephew, [[Girolamo Riario]], at only 14 years of age.

==Biography==
===Meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze===
[[File:Assassins-creed-2-battle-of-forli-boat-screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|Caterina being rescued by Ezio]]
Close to the departure of [[Leonardo da Vinci]] from [[Forlì]], Caterina somehow managed to trap herself on a small rock in the middle of a lake. Luckily for her, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] came and helped her back to land. For this aid, Caterina thanked Ezio by telling the captain of the [[Venice|Venetian]] ship to grant Ezio passage to Venice.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

While sailing away from Forlì, Ezio stated that Caterina was "his next conquest", before being reprimanded by Leonardo, who explained Caterina's importance to Ezio and remarked that seducing her would not be such a good idea. Leonardo described her as being "as powerful and dangerous as she is young and beautiful." Ezio simply replied that that made Caterina is his "kind of woman."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Battle of Forlì===
In 1488, Caterina was contacted by her allies, the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], who asked her if they could hide an "[[First Apple|important artifact]]" inside the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]] in Forlì. Caterina agreed and met with [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] and Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whom she previously hadn't known to be an Assassin, in the countryside of [[Romagna]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

While walking towards Forlì, Caterina informed Niccolò and Ezio that she had hired the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] to kill her husband [[Girolamo Riario]], as he was a [[Templars|Templar]], as well as "boring in bed", "a lousy father" and a "pain in [her] ass." As they drew closer to the city, they were met by a large crowd of Forlì's citizens fleeing. One of them informed them that Forlì was being attacked by the Orsi brothers. Niccolò concluded that the two brothers were working for [[Rodrigo Borgia]], and were probably looking for the map that Girolamo had made of all the locations of the [[Codex]] pages.

Caterina took her soldiers to fight and retrieve her city, while Ezio served in the battle as both a soldier and protector to Caterina. By the time the group had reached the Rocca di Ravaldino, the Orsi brothers had taken two of Caterina's children hostage as a guise to steal the Apple of Eden, of which they heard was in the possession of Ezio. When they threatened to kill her children if she did not relinquish the Apple, Caterina lifted her skirt, showing her genitals, and cried that she had "the instrument to make more."

Caterina did not wish the brothers to think that they were victorious, but she was desperate to get her children back, and requested Ezio retrieve them for her. Ezio left the city immediately, found the children and managed to kill [[Ludovico Orsi]]. Meanwhile, the Templars attacked the citadel again and took the Apple, which Ezio had placed in Caterina's hands.

After Ezio returned with Caterina's children and found out about the attack, he left Forlì and followed [[Checco Orsi]] into the countryside, where he assassinated him and retrieved the Apple. Checco managed to stab Ezio right before dying, and Ezio lost conciousness because of his wound, though not before seeing the Apple being stolen from him by a [[Girolamo Savonarola|black robed monk with a missing finger]]. Caterina's soldiers found Ezio's unconsious body next to Checco's and took him to the [[Palazzo Comunale (Forlì)|Palazzo Comunale]], where Caterina nursed him until he regained conciousness. Ezio then set off to find the monk, after Caterina gave him the map her ex-husband had made of the Codex pages.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Florence===
Caterina was exiled to [[Florence]], where she married [[wikipedia:Giovanni de' Medici il Popolano|Giovanni de' Medici]]. They had one son, baptized as Ludovico. However, after Giovanni's death in 1498, Caterina re-Christianised her son's name to Giovanni.

{{Spoiler}}
===Siege of Monteriggioni===
In 1500, Caterina and some of her soldiers went to temporarily stay in [[Monteriggioni]] to gain the help of some of the mercenaries working for the Villa. When Ezio was relaxing in his tub after the events in Rome, Caterina entered in his room and took her dress off. The two kissed and spent the night together. However, the next morning, they were interrupted as the town was besieged by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]], under the command of [[Cesare Borgia]]. Caterina joined her soldiers in the defense outside the city, but was captured by some of Cesare's soldiers. She was held captive by [[Juan Borgia]], and witnessed the execution of [[Mario Auditore]] by Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Caterina was brought to [[Rome]] in a carriage, and was seen being taken out of it just outside the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]]. [[Lucrezia Borgia]] welcomed her to Rome, and warned the citizens the same would happen to any of those who opposed Cesare. After being taken away by the guards, Caterina was held captive within the Castel.

Shortly after this, Ezio infiltrated the Castel in order to assassinate Rodrigo and Cesare Borgia. Unfortunately, Cesare left before Ezio could assassinate him, and Rodrgio had evidently not been at the Castel for some time. Nevertheless, Ezio eventually found Caterina locked up in a cell, and witnessed her being injured by Lucrezia. Ezio pursued Lucrezia, as she had taken the key to Caterina's cell.

After killing a few guards, Ezio carried Lucrezia back to Caterina's cell, where she slipped her hand into Lucrezia's dress and took the key. Ezio and Caterina both forced Lucrezia into Caterina's old cell, with Caterina banging Lucrezia's head against the door to knock her unconscious. As she was unable to walk from her injury, Ezio carried Caterina out of the Castel. Upon reaching the walls, the two rode on horseback and Ezio ordered her to go to [[Tiber Island]] while he stayed behind to distract the guards. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Later life===
{{quote|You are the leader of the Assassins now. Unite them, Ezio Auditore, and take back [[Rome|Roma]]! Vittoria agli Assassini! (Victory to the Assassins!)|Caterina Sforza, before returning to Forlì on horseback.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
After staying with the Assassins in Rome for a certain amount of time, Caterina finally decided to leave in order to care for her children and await the restoration of Forlì, the land she once ruled over. She planned to leave unannounced on horseback, though Ezio caught her just before she left. She then encouraged Ezio to unite the Assassins as their [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order|master]], and take back Rome. Her last words before galloping out of Ezio's sight were "Vittoria agli Assassini!" (Victory to the Assassins).

Caterina died on May 28th, 1509 at the age of 46, from pneumonia, after being exiled to [[Florence]] for 3 years.
{{Spoiler End}}

==Personality and characteristics==
She is depicted as a strong, fierce woman, but also seems to be quite maternal and caring. Her colorful vocabulary was displayed in taunts and vulgarities shouted at her enemies during the [[Battle of Forlì]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

==Trivia==
{{GalleryBox|Caterina Sforza}}
*In the novel ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'', the scene where Ezio first met her is a little different. As she walked on the port, she was seen arguing with her husband, Girolamo Riario. Tired of her, he told Caterina to sit in the nearest gondola. While she entered the boat, Girolamo then gave a powerful shove to the prow and walked away. As the gondola drifted farther away from land, she began to shout, and Ezio, who had watched the scene unfold, came to her rescue.
*In the [[Battle of Forlì]] sequence, she used the sultan's knife as her weapon.
*Caterina, like every other character in ''Assassin's Creed II'' besides Ezio, cannot swim. When she is trapped on the small rock, she will shout for help or swear, and will sometimes yell that she cannot swim.
*Caterina Sforza's face, like those of most recurring characters from ''Assassin's Creed II,'' has changed greatly by ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*In ''Assassin's Creed Brotherhood'', Ezio aks "Caterina, did they- ? Did Cesare- ?", to which Caterina replied "No. I was left... unspoiled." This is contradicting history, in which Caterina was raped by both Rodrigo and Cesare.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sforza, Caterina}}

[[es:Caterina Sforza]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Villa Auditore

2010-12-22T21:50:15Z

79.168.60.32: /* History */

{{Era|Good}}

{{Location Infobox
|name = Villa Auditore
|image = Klljhljljiljhhyu.jpeg
|imgdesc = The Villa Auditore
|hidep =
|state = [[Toscana]]
|rulers = [[House of Auditore]]
|factions =[[Assassins]], [[Mercenaries]], [[Thieves]], [[Courtesans]]
|hideh =
|founded = [[Domenico Auditore]]
|date = 1290
|abandoned = After 1554
|hidea = yes
|landmark =
|flags =
|targets =
|}}

The '''Villa Auditore''' was a familial home and stronghold of the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], located within the city of [[Monteriggioni]], in [[Toscana]]. Constructed by [[Domenico Auditore]] in 1290, the Villa remained home to the Auditore family up until the turn of the 16th century, when it was heavily damaged during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]].

During the ownership of [[Mario Auditore]], the Villa became rundown and in desperate need of repair; the arrival of his nephew – [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] – in 1476, heralded a rebirth for not only the Villa, but the city of Monteriggioni as well.

==History==
Domenico Auditore, who built the Villa in 1290, designed the Villa not only as a home, but as a fortress and training ground for the town. The building itself was filled with hidden compartments and rooms, whilst the grounds catered to a number of different uses.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> In 1296, Domenico constructed the [[Auditore Family Crypt]]; although initially unconnected, the construction of an escape route from within the Villa brought the two constructions together.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Crypt">''[[Auditore Family Crypt|Uplay Content - Assassin's Creed II: Auditore Family Crypt]]''</ref>

In 1320 a Florentine attack left the facade damaged. A new facade was erected and a [[painting gallery]] was subsequently added to the interior.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

By 1436, the Villa hosted the newest generation of Auditore assassins; the brothers [[Mario Auditore|Mario]] and [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]]. Following the death of their father and Giovanni’s departure for [[Florence]], Mario became the sole ruler of Monteriggioni and resident of the Villa in 1454. Despite his love for the Villa, it fell into disrepair along with the city it protected, due to him spending his money on war.

In 1476, Mario's nephew, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], as well as his [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|mother]] and [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze]], came seeking shelter in Monteriggioni. Following the [[Auditore execution|execution]] of Giovanni and his brothers, Ezio had become wanted in Florence. Ezio intended to take his mother and sister to Spain, to Mario's protest.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Ezio decided to stay instead in Monteriggioni and seek revenge on those responsible for the execution. Ezio became, in effect, co-ruler of Monteriggioni, and was the one responsible for the renovation of the town.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Although the exact length of time it took for the Villa to be rebuilt is unknown, by December 1499 it was once again an opulent structure, as well as the headquarters of the Assassin Order in Italy.

On January 2nd 1500, however, the [[Papacy|Papal forces]], led by [[Cesare Borgia]] [[Siege of Monteriggioni|besieged Monteriggioni]], devastating the town and Villa and killing Mario.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref> The Villa was abandoned for at least 7 years, as Ezio, his now elderly mother and sister left the ruins of Monteriggioni to wage war against the [[House of Borgia]] in [[Rome]].

However, sometime before 1554, possibly in Ezio's lifetime, the Auditore resiezed control of Monteriggioni, presumably reparing the Villa, too. In 1554, however, the Auditore were betrayed by Giovannino Zeti, keeper of the garrison and a Florentine exile, who gave the keys to the city to the [[House of Medici|Medici]]. The Medici conquered Monteriggioni, they allowed the Auditore to continue ruling the city due to the families' good relationship.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

On the ninth of September 2012, [[Desmond Miles]], [[Lucy Stillman]], [[Rebecca Crane]] and [[Shaun Hastings]] set up a temporary base of operations within the [[Sanctuary]] beneath the Villa Auditore, by then in disrepair once again; during their stay the Assassins lived within the Villa, coming out only to collect provisions. They left for Rome on October 10.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

==Rooms==
[[File:Zw-mainhall.png|thumb|250px|Villa Auditore's main hall]]
[[File:Zw-armorroom.png|thumb|250px|Villa Auditore's armor room]]
The Villa Auditore had a multitude of rooms, some hidden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> Below is a list of known rooms;

*Main hall
*The [[Armory]], with a room dedicated to weapons and armor each
*Mario's study
*[[Maria's room]]
*The [[painting gallery]]
*[[Ezio's room]] and study
*The [[Sanctuary]]

==Trivia==
*The glyph on the wall of the villa is a barcode, incorporated with the number 12212012. This presumably represents the end date of the Mayan calendar, December 21, 2012. That date is also when [[Abstergo Industries]], the modern day [[Knights Templar]], will launch a communications satellite containing at least one [[Piece of Eden]].

==Appearances==

*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|''Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy'']]

==Notes and references==

{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}

[[es:Villa Auditore]]
[[Category:Monteriggioni]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Locations]]
[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Locations]]
[[Category:Villa Auditore| ]]
[[Category:Articles revamp]]
[[Category:Good Articles]]

Hidden Blade

2010-11-23T21:16:03Z

79.168.60.32: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC|AC2|Assassins}}
{{Revamp}}
[[File:Hiddenblade.jpg|thumb|300px|Altaïr stabbing a crusader with the Hidden Blade.]]
{{quote|The hidden blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would say it defines us - and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it.|[[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]]'s [[Codex]], Page 13|Assassin's Creed II}}

The iconic weapon of the [[Assassin's Creed series|''Assassin's Creed'' series]], the '''Hidden Blade''' is used both for stealth assassinations and for regular combat.

==''Assassin's Creed''==
Although [[Altaïr]] already has this weapon at the start of the game, he loses it when he is demoted to [[Novice]]. At his first promotion to [[rank]] 2, however, he earns it back (along with his [[sword]]) so that he may perform his first assassination on [[Tamir]], the black marketeer, in [[Damascus]].

===Basic usage===
[[Video:12 Ways to Wield the Hidden Blade|thumb|300px|right|Video tutorial on usage of the Hidden Blade.]]
This weapon is mostly used for stealthy, low profile assassinations upon soldiers. An unaware soldier may be assassinated without drawing too much attention, with stealth assassinations being possible from both behind and in front of the target. Altaïr rams the blade into the victim's abdomen (front) or through his spine (back). When stealth is not a priority, Altaïr may perform a high profile assassination. This involves Sprinting towards the target at hand, jumping and thrusting the blade into the victims throat, or major arteries in the neck. Also, Altair will perform another assassination by pushing the target onto his knees and stabbing him in the neck when approached from behind.

The Hidden Blade is the only weapon that Altaïr may wield while sprinting. When Altaïr is close enough to the victim during a foot pursuit, the button on the ''weapon hand ''button on the HUD will change to "assassinate", which can be pressed to carry out the assassination. Altaïr will perform a running leap, landing on his victim from behind and burying the blade in the neck. This feature makes it an ideal choice for running down targets who flee such as [[Talal]], the slave trader, in [[Jerusalem]].

[[File:Altaïr_using_the_hidden_blade.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Altaïr performing an air assassination.]]
Both low and high profile assassinations may fail. A guard wary of your actions may catch your arm when you attempt the kill and throw you back. Attacks from behind and attacks made upon guards who are prone on the ground will never fail, no matter the circumstances. Be aware, of course, that you will lose one third of your [[synchronization]] if you assassinate innocent civilians with the Hidden Blade, just as with any other weapon. However once you complete the game and replay a memory block, you will not lose synchronization if you kill innocent civilians.

===Air Assassination===
In a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blXy3W2O2PE 2007 demo] of the [[William of Montferrat|William V of Montferrat]] mission, [[Jade Raymond]] introduced a move called ''air to assassinate'' that combines some of Altaïr's acrobatic skills with his Hidden Blade. From higher ground above a target such as a nearby roof or beam, Altaïr leaps directly onto his victim and stabs him in the throat. Although the move was not covered in the manual or in-game tutorials, air to assassinate does exist within ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' and the controls were documented by stabguy on [http://www.thehiddenblade.com/air-assassinate-guide The Hidden Blade] website. All forms of air to assassinate draw attention of nearby guards, even when performed in low profile. Note that in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', ''Air to Assassinate'' was renamed ''Air Assassination'' and included as a required tutorial with simplified controls.

===In combat===
The Hidden Blade can also be used while in combat. An enemy who has been grabbed and thrown (or counter thrown with a grab break) can easily be killed while he lies on the ground. Using the Hidden Blade in combat against large groups is challenging, as Altaïr cannot block ''any'' attack. The time frame in which Altaïr can counter-attack is extremely small compared to the sword and the short blade, but successfully countering enables one of several different – and always lethal – counter-attacks in which Altaïr stabs his opponent in the chest, head, abdomen, base of the skull, or spine. It is also possible to assassinate the enemy in combat, while he is caught in a moment of inattention or grappling with a vigilante, or if he is taunting Altaïr (this is documented on The Hidden Blade as the "taunting penalty"), but any other time it will fail because the enemy will always block the attack. It is also possible to assassinate your targets even if they are aware of you by getting behind them and assassinating them.

===Mechanism===
[[File:Assassinscreedbladema5.png|thumb|The ring mechanism.]]
The hidden blade is worn on the left hand. The blade is integrated into the vambrace, and when not in use, sits retracted inside of the slide mechanism. Though not fully or officially understood, as to ''how'' the blade functions, there are a number of theories. One being that when the Assassin flicks his wrist, the blade is ejected with the combined force of the arm and gravity. The user is "unhinging" or "releasing" the blade which is kept locked in place. If the Assassin keeps pulling with his arm on the mechanism, the blade stays out and can be used in open combats. Another popular theory is that a ring mechanism is used and that opening the hand ejects the blade, but this raises the question that why the blade does not activate every time he opens his hand, say when leaping for a ledge, and how he can hold the blade in his fist without it retracting. Another, more sensible theory is that it uses both mechanisms to operate the blade and that the blade wont eject or retract without both systems being used. One being the flicking of the wrist, and the ring mechanism. This explains why assassins flick their wrist ''and'' opens their hand to eject the blade and why they can close their fist without the blade retracting and why there is no fear of an unexpected stabbing.

The true mechanics behind the retraction of the blade yet remains a mystery. To retract the weapon, the assassin loosens his wrist. At this point, the blade returns to the vambrace seemingly of its own accord. Some other theories on the blade's mechanics exist, with some maintaining that the blade works on a spring-retraction system, and with others stating that the blade is never truly locked when it is released, and therefore the blade will return ift it is not hold in place.

It is probable that it works on the same system as modern full automatic [[switchblade]] knives. There are two springs of equal strength present. The inertia from the pull/push of one spring is enough to overcome the resistance of the other spring for the blade to lock into place.

In the E3 teaser trailer of the game it is seen that Altair is pushing a button to operate his hidden blade but in the actual game no such button exists and he does not seem to push anything with his other hand.

===Role in investigations and missions===
====Informant missions====
The Hidden Blade is also used for some of the [[investigation]]s given to you by [[informants]]. You are asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets. If any guard even once confronts you, the mission is failed. If you attack the targets or the guards with [[fists]], the [[short blade]], the [[sword]], or any other high profile weapon, you will fail the mission. Because of this, you may '''only''' use [[throwing knives]] and/or the Hidden Blade to assassinate your targets.

====Interrogation missions====
During [[Interrogation]] missions, after successfully interrogating the target, Altaïr is forced to kill them, so they cannot reveal his plans to the enemy. He will bury the blade in their stomach to kill them, then gently lower their body onto the ground so as not to draw further attention to himself.

====Save Citizen missions====
In the optional [[Save Citizen]] missions to save citizens from soldiers threatening to kill them, this weapon will come in handy. Successfully and stealthily used, you might take out three of the soldiers before they notice you, draw their weapons, and engage you in a swordfight. Also, the Save Citizen missions are commonly located in alleyways or dark corners, so it is possible to begin the mission by starting from an elevated position and performing an air-to-assassinate.

====Assassinations====
The hidden blade is used in every storyline assassination you perform. Even if you begin by attacking the enemy with a sword, you will always finish them off with the hidden blade before it cuts to the death cutscene.

==''Assassin's Creed II''==
[[File:Lineage Hidden Blade.png|thumb|300px|Giovanni's (later Ezio's) Hidden Blade in ''Lineage''.]]

{{quote|The blade is designed to ensure the commitment of whomever wields it.|[[Leonardo da Vinci]]|Assassin's Creed II}}

In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', [[Ezio]] possesses two hidden blades, whereas Altaïr has only one. In addition, unlike Altaïr who had to sacrifice his ring finger, both of Ezio's ring fingers are intact due to a design that raised the base of the weapon itself, as outlined in the Codex.

[[File:Double_assassination.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A Double Assassination from directly in between two guards.]]
This revised hidden blade had been designed by Altaïr (presumably through using the Apple of Eden) so that the Assassins, who he intended to go undercover, could not be identified by the lack of a ring finger. Furthermore, the mechanism did not require a wrist "flick" to extend the blade, thus the user could retract the blade without any wrist or hand movement, and as pictured the weapon could be used with a clenched fist (Giovanni has only been depicted as using a clenched fist, while Ezio would use the "traditional" open hand as did Altaïr). While there is a forward/downward-rotating wheel atop the rear portion of the mechanism's housing, its function has not been identified, and there are no known schematics or explanations for the mechanism. In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'', there were no shots of it operating while explicitly being worn on the actor's arm without gimmicks (such as an open-ended rear housing through which the blade could be pushed or pulled), so it is probable that no actual working prop exists that operates as depicted.

[[File:Demond_blade2.jpg|thumb|250px|The blade given to Desmond by Lucy.]]
Ezio's first blade would be inherited from his father, which, along with the corresponding Codex page, the Assassin's Robes and a common sword, had been in Giovanni's secret room after his arrest. The weapon had become inoperative ever since [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] had fought [[Rodrigo Borgia|Borgia]]'s men (in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''), when a single sword strike against the blade had dislodged it from the bracer and mechanism, but Ezio brought it to his friend [[Leonardo da Vinci]] to repair it.

Later on, Ezio would acquire another Codex page which upon decryption by Leonardo detailed the construction of a hidden blade with a metal plate on the top side of the vambrace, allowing the wielder to safely deflect enemy attacks and thus to properly engage in armed conflict with the blades.

At the end of the game, [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] receives from [[Lucy Stillman|Lucy]] a similar model of the Hidden Blade (if not the same one) used by Ezio to face [[Warren Vidic|Vidic]]'s henchmen, but the Poison Blade and Gun are seemingly absent and/or inoperable, possibly due to the fact that the hidden blade that is given still needs improvements from a skilled engineer such as Leonardo, or the fact that lead bullets or the certain alloy used to make the hollowed out blade isn't available anymore.

In ''Brotherhood ''however, Desmond does not use Giovanni's blade, because it was lost in the Siege of Monteriggioni. In AC II that chapter was not present yet, so Desmond still uses the blade.[[Desmond Miles| ]]

===In combat===
[[Video:---The Guide to the Hidden Blade---|thumb|left|300px|Video Guide to the Hidden Blade.]]
In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the use of the hidden blade in combat is more classical. It can be used like a regular weapon, and is capable of breaking an enemy's defense. It attacks fairly fast, becoming faster after the acquirement of the second blade, allowing Ezio to unleash a constant barrage of strikes, suppressing a foe's ability to attack or killing them before they can attack. While attacking with the hidden blade, enemies cannot counter-attack, unlike when you attack with swords, maces and smaller weapons. Unlike the first game, it is also possible to block attacks while using the Hidden Blade once he has the upgraded vambrace. The hidden blade also allows you to attack very quickly and gives you more freedom in movement rather than the other weapons. For example, Ezio can easily strafe a 180 degree arch in the time it takes for the enemy to attack. This is barely possible except from very close range range with the sword or dagger. It also allows Ezio to quickly flee from a battle without having to take the time to sheath his weapon.

Veterans of ''Assassin's Creed'' combat may want to challenge themselves by using the Hidden Blade(s) in combat. While the counter-kill timing window is very short (a fraction of a second), skillful timing will be rewarded nicely; except for against the [[Brutes]]' smashes which knock Ezio's weapon away (does not work against Hidden Blades) and [[Seekers]]' (sweep Ezio's feet) special attacks, a successfully timed counter will always kill the guard against which it is performed, even if the guard has high health and/or is a high-ranking soldier. In addition, Brutes are very vulnerable and easy to combo kill with the hidden blades. Even a 3 hit combo can be used to kill a brute: see 1:44 in the video to the left.

In addition, he can repeatedly hit his opponent in a wild fashion and eventually break through their defenses and slash their throat or stab them in the chest repeatedly, while sometimes it does a short cinematic, if you are in open combat or in an odd position like on a ledge then it just does it in normal view. It also does this sometimes for no reason, and may be a possible glitch.

===Upgrades===
[[File:Hidden_Blade_Gun_Design_by_arceus2012.jpg|thumb|Pistol]]
The second Hidden Blade is acquired later and the main blade gets upgraded with the [[poison blade]] and the [[pistol]] installed. Also, both blades get vambraces allowing Ezio to block heavier attacks with the hidden blades. Ezio can buy poison for the blade from [[Doctors]] and ammunition for the pistol at [[Blacksmiths]].

===Techniques===
[[File:Air_assassination.jpg|thumb|left|250px|An Air Assassination in process.]]
Later on, Ezio can assassinate enemies below with an Air Assassination, a Double Air Assassination if the target is adjacent to another, by leaping from a platform onto the victim. This, however, is easily noticeable by [[guards]] and they will attack once they see you doing it. It is possible to assassinate two guards at the same time (at ground level) by standing between them and piercing both their throats.

[[File:956856_20090525_790screen003.jpg|thumb|Ezio performing a 'Hiding Spot' assassination.]]
At the same time Ezio learns the aforementioned techniques, he also learns how to assassinate enemies that are standing on ledges above him, as well as how to assassinate targets from a hiding spot (e.g. Hay, Wells and Benches).

There are also other techniques that aren't actually part of what Ezio learns, but rather what players use to kill guards. One example would be side-stepping around a guard right after he attacks and then doing a instant kill to their backs with the hidden blade. Also, one can may grab an enemy and strike or throw him so that he falls, and then run to his body to perform a instant kill using the hidden blade before he can get back to his feet. A flashier and possibly quicker alternative is to perform an Air Assassination while running up a nearby wall or other vertical surface (i.e. a pillar). This sort of Air Assassination may also be attempted against standing enemies, though the chance of success is low if the enemy is aware of Ezio's presence during Open Conflict.

Ezio can also perform special combo kill animations and counter kill animations with the dual hidden blades.

==''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''==
[[File:Acbeziohiddenblades.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio's new hidden blades in ''Brotherhood''.]]

In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', 1499, at the beginning of the game, Ezio's hidden blade (or at least its bracer) can be seen on a table, while he is sleeping with [[Caterina Sforza]].

However, in 1503, Ezio has two new [[Hidden Blade]]s and bracers on each forearm, both of which match the other new parts of his robes. However, in some screenshots and pictures, Ezio has only one hidden blade instead of two because he lost one of them during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], and during the game, he meets up with Leonardo again and asks him to rebuild a new second hidden blade(though this time he asks for money for the new one). A new upgrade is the poison darts which can be shot from the [[Pistol]].

[[Assassin apprentices|Ezio's apprentices]] are each equipped with a hidden blade. The right to two hidden blades is only reserved for the most trusted of Assassins or the Assassins who have earned the rank of the Master Assassin.

The [[smuggler]] from the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' multiplayer also appears to sport a hidden blade, although it is inverted, with the blade extending from the top of the arm, rather than the bottom.

[[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] wields a hidden blade without a bracer in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', with only three straps to attach it to his arm.[[File:Hidden_Blade.png|frame|The Hidden Blade as seen in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]

==Trivia==
[[File:Zw-darius.png|thumb|Darius, the first to wield a Hidden Blade]]
*On one of the [[Codex Pages]] it states that the blade has to be connected or linked with the user, thus explaining part of why Altaïr had his ring finger removed. Altaïr opens his hand and spreads his fingers whenever the blade is extended. Similarly, he never uses the blade with his hand clenched in a fist; all stabbing moves and assassinations are performed with an open hand. The only time the blade sits in the space left by the amputated finger is when the player extends the blade and holds it out (by holding the weapon hand button while out of combat). Holding the button will keep the blade extended, but it does not act as other weapons, it will not scare away civilians.
*In both games the trigger mechanism is not visible on Altaïr's or Ezio's hands, even when they aren't wearing gloves.
*[[Malik]], from the first game, had the hidden blade before he lost his arm but did not have an amputated finger.
*The first recorded usage of the Hidden Blade by an Assassin was [[Darius]], when he assassinated [[Xerxes]] of Persia. Moreover, his [[Assassin's Seal|seal]]'s symbol is the Hidden Blade. However, his ring finger is still intact and he wields it on his right hand.
*[[Patrice Desilets]], the creative director of the game, stated that the addition of a second blade in ''Assassin's Creed II'' also had a lucid reason: it's ''Assassin's Creed II,'' so there are 2 blades.
*In the film ''Smokin' Aces'', one of the assassins sport a weapon similar to the hidden blade. Also, in the movie ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra'', Storm Shadow uses a weapon similar to the Hidden Blade, though it is limited by the fact it must be operated with both hands. In the new ''Mortal Kombat: Rebirth'' trailer Dr. Alan Zane, a.k.a. Baraka has similar forearm hidden blades. In ''Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny'', the character Dampierre fights with two similar hidden blades, although much bigger in size.
*The Hidden Blade is the only weapon that has a counter attack that cannot be blocked by enemies, though the timing has to be more precise than with a counter with a sword or short blade.
*Ezio's second Hidden Blade on his right arm in ''Assassin's Creed II'' is black, compared to the original white one. The original design of the second hidden blade was displayed as a brown glove with a white hidden blade, but it is unknown why it was changed into a bracer with a blade like Ezio's primary Hidden blade and bracer..
*According to the Codex, the second Hidden Blades were made of the rare metal with which Altaïr crafted his armor. Due to the rarity of the metal few blades were made, and given only to trusted Assassins.
* Ezio's second Hidden Blade is black, making it look like its made in Altaïr's secret metal. It is uncertain however how did Leonardo find that metal, since the way to make it was gone lost, and Ezio did not bring any ancient broken blade.
*The ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' multiplayer character, the [[Smuggler]], has a Hidden Blade which extends from the top of her forearm, rather than under her wrist.
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', after Giovanni tells Ezio to grab everything in his secret chest behind a secret room, Ezio goes home and finds the Assassin robes and wears them. While Ezio puts on the robes, the scene where he is fixing something on his right arm, he is really putting on the brown glove which is displayed in the inventory menu, in the E3 demo, and in some pre-release pictures. Somehow, Ezio's glove is not displayed even though it is displayed that he has it in his inventory where it says "Fists". It is ironic how he obtains the glove when he receives his second hidden blade.
*In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, when you are given the second hidden blade by Leonardo as a gift from his marked benches, it resembles the design for the second hidden blade from E3 trailer from Assassin's Creed II until you buy armor for it.

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed Weapons]]
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[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]
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