Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

House of Pazzi

2010-09-04T21:42:08Z

90.202.187.173:

{{WP-REAL|Pazzi}}
{{Revamp}}
{{stub}}
{{Faction Infobox
|image = Pazzi's coat of arms.jpg
|imgdesc = The Pazzi coat of arms (the ones in the game are red instead of blue).
|game = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|religion = Roman Catholic, Atheist
|nationality = Italian
|location = [[Florence]], [[Tuscany]]
|targets = [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]] [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] [[Vieri de' Pazzi]]
}}
{{Quote|The Pazzi were a venerable and potent family, reduced to rubble by one assassin.|Rodrigo Borgia, reflecting on the collapse of the Pazzi family}}

The '''Pazzi family''' were [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] nobles who were bankers in [[Florence]] during the 15th century. They are most famous for the "[[Wikipedia:Pazzi conspiracy|Pazzi Conspiracy]]". They are also part of the [[Knights Templar]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''.

==Conspiracy==
The Pazzi family were established in Florence as one of the most powerful families of the city. It held its own guards posted all around the city, but they couldn't rule it, as long as the ''de facto'' governors of Florence held it: the [[Medici]] family. [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the Grand Master of the Templar Order proposed them to overthrow the Medici by killing its head: [[Lorenzo de' Medici]].

In 1476, [[Giovanni Auditore]] a close friend of Lorenzo and a member of the Assassins, sworn enemies of the Templars discovered the involvement of the Pazzi family in a conspiracy against the Medici. He managed to put [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] in jail. But the plot already reached members of the Medici government itself: [[Uberto Alberti]], the gonfaloniere of justice freed Francesco while he executed Giovanni and most of his sons for treason, wiping out the [[House of Auditore|rival family]] of the Pazzi from Florence.

With Giovanni dead, there were no more obstacles in the way of the Pazzi, until one Ezio, a son of Giovanni decided to fulfil his vengeance against the ones responsible for his father's murder. Joining with his uncle Mario, Ezio infiltrated San Gimignano, witnessed a meeting between the Pazzi family and Rodrigo Borgia, and killed his rival, Vieri de Pazzi.

In 1478, Ezio returned to Florence. At the same moment, the Pazzi were having a meeting with the other Templars (excluding the Venetian and Forli branch) in the catacombs under the church of Santa Maria Novella. Ezio attended it unnoticed, thanks to the help of La Volpe and an Assassin Tomb. They were planning the assassination of [[Lorenzo the Magnificent|Lorenzo]] and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. Among the conspirators were: [[Stefano da Bagnone]], [[Bernardo Baroncelli]], [[Francesco Salviati]], [[Antonio Maffei]] and of course the two members of the Pazzi family, [[Jacopo de' Pazzi|Jacopo]] and Francesco and the Templar Master [[Rodrigo Borgia]], while they were given "spiritual" and military supports from His Holiness Pope [[Sixtus IV]].

On the next day, they executed their plan. In front of the Florence Cathedral, they publicly attacked the Medici brothers. Francesco and Bernado brutally stabbed Giuliano to death while Stefano and Antonio severely wounded Lorenzo, but fled when he drew his sword. Francesco confronted Lorenzo and attacked him with a group of men, but Ezio intervened and slew all the offenders except the primary conspirators. Lorenzo was forced to withdraw to his palazzo while Pazzi forces engaged Medici loyalists in earnest.

Francesco gained control of the palazzo Della Signoria, but Medici forces continued to resist. Meanwhile, Ezio had snuck/fought his way to the roof of the palazzo and confronted Francesco. Francesco fled immediately, but was pursued, hunted down, and killed by Ezio.

When Jacopo arrived at the Palazzo with the support of many citizens, it was far too late: Francesco's dead body had been hung<noinclude></noinclude> from the rooftop of the building. With the failure of their plot, the Pazzi left Florence to hide in the Tuscan countryside and the city of San Gimignano. Despite this, Ezio (again with Mario`s help) hunted down and slew all of the co-conspirators. Jacopo went to plead his case with Borgia, but was instead fatally wounded and used as bait for a trap. Ezio fought his way out of the trap and ended Jacopo`s life, and the Pazzi family with it. With its ruling family gone, San Gimignano and presumably what was left of the faction was assimilated by the Medici.

==Trivia==
*The Pazzi's personal guards are the only guards to patrol Florence, until Sequence 4. This is odd, in two ways, firstly, the Medici guards do not appear in Florence from 1476 (the beginning of the game), until 1478 (the end of Sequence 4) even though the Medici were in power, secondly, how would a single family have such a large regiment of guards to patrol all of Florence.
*Vieri de'Pazzi is the only none-Assassin to have performed the leap of faith in Assassins Creed 2.
*There is also another un-named member of the Pazzi Family, Vieri de'Pazzi's cousin who you have to assassinate for one of the assassination contract missions, it is unknown whether this family member was involved in the Pazzi Conspiracy.

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Factions]]

Flag

2010-09-04T09:01:05Z

90.202.187.173:

'''Flags''' have been scattered by members of the various factions throughout the Holy Land to lay claim to particular regions of territory. There are different kinds of flags, each representing a different religious/military faction. [[Altaïr]] can collect these flags (the assassins seem to believe the Holy Land belonged to no one and everyone), to complete Additional Memories and attain [[Achievements]]. Flags have also been known to be in ''Assassins Creed: Brotherhood.''

==The flags==
{|border="1" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:center"
!width="64"|Picture
!width="300"|Flag name
!width="200"|Location
!width="64"|Number of flags
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheCreed.jpg]]
![[Assassins]] flags
|[[Masyaf]]
|20
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheLionsPassant.jpg]]
![[King Richard]] flags
|[[Kingdom]]
|100
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheCrescent.jpg]]
![[Saracen]] flags
|[[Damascus]]
|100
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheBlackCross.jpg]]
![[Teutonic]] flags
|[[Acre]] Middle district
|33
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheOrder.jpg]]
![[Templar]] flags
|[[Acre]] Rich district
|34
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfThe8Virtues.jpg]]
![[Hospitalier]] flags
|[[Acre]] Poor district
|33
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheFourGospels.jpg]]
![[Jerusalem]] crosses
|[[Jerusalem]]
|100
|}

==Locations==
The website [http://www.assassinscreed-maps.com/ Assassin's Creed Interactive Maps] has maps for the Kingdom, Masyaf, and each district of Damascus, Acre, and Jerusalem with numbered markers for the locations of every flag. When you hover your mouse over a marker, a screen shot of the flag in-game pops up. Click on the marker for a high resolution version of the screen shot. The maps also include Templars in the same manner. Beneath each map is a checklist to assist in recording which flags have already been collected. It uses browser cookies to remember selections. These maps were created by Firestorm and thus do not infringe on the copyrighted maps from the Official Game Guide by Prima Games.

For a video walkthrough of all the flags and Templars, see [http://www.thehiddenblade.com/category/collectibles/ac1/flags The Hidden Blade] website. These videos demonstrate an efficient collection route and use the same numbering scheme as Firestorm's maps. They were created by IanXO4 and stabguy to assist players who wish to quickly collect all of the flags and Templars or recheck a district for one missing flag. Total running time of the walkthrough is 150 minutes including unedited travel from one flag to the next.

==Achievements==
Collecting all of the flags of a particular kind will, in the Xbox 360 version, give the player an [[Achievement|achievement]].

{|border="1" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:center"
!width="64"|Icon
!width="300"|Name
!width="200"|Description<ref group="note">Descriptions may not match official descriptions.</ref>
!width="64"|Points
!width="64"|Secret?
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheLionsPassant.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the Lions Passant'''
|Find all of Richard's Flags in the [[Kingdom]].
|25[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheCreed.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the Creed'''
|Find all Flags in [[Masyaf]].
|10[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheFourGospels.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the Four Gospels'''
|Find all Flags in [[Jerusalem]].
|20[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheCrescent.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the Crescent'''
|Find all Flags in [[Damascus]].
|20[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheBlackCross.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the Black Cross'''
|Find all Teutonic Flags in Acre.
|10[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfTheOrder.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the Order'''
|Find all Templar Flags in Acre.
|10[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|-
|[[File:AssassinsCreed KeeperOfThe8Virtues.jpg]]
|'''Keeper of the 8 Virtues'''
|Find all Hospitalier Flags in Acre.
|10[[File:Xbox360g.png]]
|No
|}
<references group="note" />

{{AC}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines

2010-09-04T08:54:39Z

90.202.187.173:

{{revamp}}

{{Game Infobox
|name = Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
|image = Bloodlines.jpg
|Developer = Griptonite Games
|Publisher = Ubisoft
|US Date Released = 19 November 2009
|UK Date Released = 19 November 2009
|Genre = Historic Action-Adventure
|Game modes = Single-Player
|ESRB = Mature (M)
|Platform = PSP
|Website = http://assassinscreed.us.ubi.com/
|Media = UMD, PSN download
}}

'''''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines''''' is a game released for the PSP that follows the events after the first ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''. In ''Bloodlines'', the player again takes control of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. The gameplay is much like the first game and explains the missing link between [[Altaïr]], [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]] and [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]].

This installment does not involve [[Desmond Miles]], although the HUD and interface of the game were still rendered in the likeness of the [[Animus]], similar to the first game.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Altair_blend.png|thumb|left|210px|Blending was still present in Bloodlines, albeit downgraded.]]
''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines'' contains similar, if not the same, gameplay to ''Assassin's Creed'' in terms of control style, although there were minor modifications to the control scheme, due to the lack of specific keys and buttons. Some features from the previous game, such as [[Eagle Vision]], were removed for the betterment of the controls. Due to the system platform, the AI has been seen as somewhat inferior when compared to the first game, making combat easier and simpler. A minor addition was featured in the combat aspect of the game, allowing players to instantly kill a target when they are downed in combat.

Another difference between the two games is the amount of civilians present on the street. While the first game was filled with random civilians, ''Bloodlines'' has little to no civilians, explained in-game that the civilians were in a constant state of insecurity due to the new system of governance. Still, civilians will react to Altaïr's improper behavior, such as scaling buildings, and running around the streets.

Stealth in ''Bloodlines'' was downgraded, again for the reason of controls. [[Blending]] was downgraded, due to the system platform. Although [[Scholars|scholars]] are still present in-game, Altaïr can no longer use them as a way to hide. Although Altaïr can still blend, it only acts as a way to safely bypass guards without raising suspicion. Scaling the side of buildings was made easier and faster, resulting in simpler animations, again, due to the system's inferiority. High and Low profile movements were still present in-game, though they were downgraded.

Taking the place of [[Flags|flags]], a new collectible featured in the game are Templar Coins that can be used to upgrade health bars, and the amount of damage a weapon can inflict. Three types of coins are present in game: Bronze, Silver and Gold, with Gold holding the highest value.
Similar to the previous game, Side-missions are available to players, such as saving [[Civilians|civilians]] from [[Knights Templar|Templar soldiers]] and performing specific tasks for allies of the resistance. The variety of tasks has been expanded, such as delivering letters, and intercepting couriers. In return, Altaïr will receive coins as a reward, instead of assistance from previous groups, such as [[Scholars|scholars]] and [[Vigilantes|vigilantes]].

With the game centered on the island of [[Cyprus]], the setting was based on two areas: [[Limassol]] and [[Kyrenia]]. The look of the area is very similar to some of the cities in the first game, going as far as having the same atmosphere. Due to the small setting, [[Horses|Horseback riding]] was removed in ''Bloodlines''. Like in the previous game, Altaïr can synchronize from high vantage points around the city in order to map out the city. Although the map itself is already drawn out, synchronizing will provide the locations of various side-missions.[[File:ScreenBloodLines.jpg|right|thumb|260px|New assassination techniques were featured in Bloodlines.]]

Weapons from the previous game return in ''Bloodlines'', such as Altaïr's[[Sword of Altaïr| sword]], his [[Short blade|short blade]], [[Throwing Knives|throwing knives]], and his [[Fists|fists]]. His usage of each of the weapons is very similar to the first ''Assassin's Creed''. Assassinations are also similar to the first game, although the animation has been toned down to better fit the system. A new, yet very minor assassination technique has been added to the game, allowing Altaïr to pull opponents off of ledges, similar to ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''.

Cut-scenes were changed and differed from the previous installment. In ''Bloodlines'', cut-scenes are played through preset dialogue, with the character models acting in preset motions and gestures. Unique gestures were only present in confrontations between boss characters, such as [[Moloch]] and the [[Dark Oracle]]. Subtitles were also added to the game.

Story missions and assassinations were simplified and straightforward. Previous ways to gather information, such as [[Pickpocketing|pickpocketing]] and [[Eavesdropping|eavesdropping]], were removed from the game. As a replacement, missions were played in the same structure as ''Assassin's Creed II'', with Altaïr handling one task after another and slowly gathering vital information from both his allies and enemies as each mission was cleared.

An in-game achievement system is featured in ''Bloodlines'', which rewards players with Templar coins. Achievements can be earned after performing specific tasks, such as killing a set number of soldiers in a specified order, and also collecting all of the Templar coins located throughout the game world.

==Plot==
{{Spoiler}}

===Memory Block 1===
The game opens with [[Altaïr]] leading an assault on a Templar harbor fortress in [[Acre]], where [[Templars]] boarded ships heading West. Altaïr reached a balcony overlooking the harbor and found [[Maria Thorpe]], the former steward of [[Robert de Sable]] (and his female decoy from [[Assassin's Creed]]), speaking with various [[Templar]] guards. Maria stated that she is to accompany the Templars to [[Cyprus]], but the [[Templars]] reply that this is not a good idea, as [[Armand Bouchart]] is the new Grand Master of the [[Knights Templar]] and he does not hold [[Maria Thorpe|Maria]] in high regard.

After her conversation with the Templars, Altaïr confronted Maria, and Maria asks Altaïr if he had now come to finish what he did not before. A battle ensues, in which Altaïr almost robs Maria of her life - but Altaïr decides to let Maria live a little longer. Altaïr interrogates Maria about the Templar's plans for [[Cyprus]]; Maria responded with a flippant joke: "Everyone deserves a holiday..." She then warns Altaïr that the Templars will stop at nothing to recover the Apple of Eden from him. Unshaken, Altaïr took Maria prisoner and discussed the current turmoil on [[Cyprus]] with a fellow Assassin. After learning that [[Richard the Lionheart|King Richard]] had actually sold the entire island to the Templars, Altaïr was determined find out the Templar's schemes. He asked the Assassins to send a message to their contacts on [[Cyprus]], informing them of Altaïr's imminent arrival.

'''Codex Scene 1:'''
Altaïr is at a large desk strewn with books writing an entry in his Codex. He wrote that he does not know if the power the [[Piece of Eden|Apple of Eden]] holds is truly intended to be evil; but if this proves to be true, he hoped to have within him the power to destroy it.

===Memory Block 2===
Altaïr had traveled by boat to [[Limassol]] with Maria accompanying him as a prisoner. While passing through the port, Altaïr was stopped by some men patrolling the waterfront. After Altaïr reveals himself to be an Assassin and one of the men identifies himself as [[Alexander]], a member of the Cypriot resistance, and the Assassins' primary [[Cyprus]] contact. Alexander asks Altaïr about the woman he is with; Altaïr refers to her as "Robert de Sable's girl" and says he hopes to use Maria to lure the other Templars into the open. Alexander offered to escort Maria to the Resistance safe house and Altaïr agrees, giving him time to freely look around Limassol.

Eventually, Altaïr reaches the Resistance safe house and learns from Alexander that the leader of the Limassol Templars is hidden inside the [[Limassol Castle]]. In order to have a chance at getting into the castle, Altaïr must assassinate the captain of the Templar Guards so that [[Osman]], a man working as a spy for the Resistance, can get a promotion within the ranks of the guards. Altaïr leaves the safe house and assassinates the Guard Captain, after which he returns to the safe house. Alexander gives Altaïr the mission to go speak with Osman, the spy within the Templar guard ranks and deliver a coded message: "Wish his grandmother a happy birthday - he will trust you then."

[[File:Alexander.jpg|thumb|Alexander.]]
Altaïr reaches Osman without being detected and delivers the message Alexander suggested. Osman laughs, praising his dearly departed grandmother, and tells Altaïr that he will reduce the castle watch so that the Templar guard leader, [[Frederick The Red]], can be reached. Osman also tells Altaïr that the Templars have built an Archive of some kind on [[Cyprus]], and are using it to store weapons and information. After this brief meeting, Altaïr headed back to the Resistance safe house to tell Alexander what he learned, and set out to infiltrate Limassol Castle.

Altaïr headed to Limassol Castle and infiltrates the castle, but was spotted by Fredrick the Red on the courtyard. A battle ensued, which ends in the death of Fredrick the Red. Altaïr escaped the castle and returned to the safe house. Upon entering the city, Altaïr learned that the safe house of the Assassins was under attack. Altaïr fought a wave of Templars outside the safe house, and finds Maria had disappeared. Altaïr manages to track her as far as the Cathedral square, where he finds the current Grand Master, Armand Bouchart surrounded by guards and berating the people of [[Cyprus]] for Fredrick the Red's murder. Maria suddenly appeared, shouting Bouchart's name. Her hands still bound, Maria warned Bouchart that an Assassin had come to [[Cyprus]], however Bouchart received her coldly, and assumed that she in league with the Assassins. Maria was furious at this suggestion, but before she can object, Bouchart had her arrested and hauled away.

Altaïr chose to rescue Maria rather than follow Bouchart. He disposed of the guards holding her, and in return suffered Maria's insults for being considered a traitor by her fellow Templars. She warns Altaïr that she will kill him when she gets the chance. He responds by telling her that she will never find the Apple of Eden if he died. They both then returned to Alexander in order to speak about getting to Armand Bouchart. Alexander tells Altaïr that Armand Bouchart was the one who set the Resistance safe house on fire just before leaving for [[Kyrenia]] by boat. Alexander believed a friend of his, [[Pasha]], can help Altaïr find a way to travel to Kyrenia. Altaïr left Maria with Alexander to go look for Pasha by the docks.

Altaïr found Pasha and asks him for the favor of travel to Kyrenia. Pasha makes no problem of this and also told Altaïr a rumor that secret artifacts were being shipped by the Pirate Templars via the Grand Ship headed to Kyrenia. Altaïr left Pasha to investigate the Grand Ship, searches the entire boat and finds the ship's manifest. It is filled with obvious errors and distortions. Altaïr returns to Alexander and Maria.

Altaïr stated he will head for Kyrenia. Alexander told him to meet with Kyrenia's Resistance leader, Barnabas; he is a friend of Alexander’s and can surely help Altaïr. However, Alexander told Altaïr that he had not heard from Barnabas for a month. Altaïr says farewell to Alexander and leaves for Pasha’s boat with Maria in tow. Maria struggled in order to get free from Altaïr, but complied in the end.

'''Codex Scene 2:''' Altaïr wrote that he does not know where the Pieces of Eden originally came from, but he was almost certain the Pieces are not of divine power. He felt the Artifacts were man-made in every way, modeled after the character of the humans and well handcrafted at the mercy of the beholder.

===Memory Block 3===
We find Altaïr and Maria inside the hull of the ship. Altaïr notices a ring around Maria’s finger and compliments it. Maria responds she got the ring from her former commander Robert de Sable, for the high rank she has obtained within the Templar Order. Altaïr then speaks to Maria of philosophy, eager to convince her that the [[Templar]] view of the world is a corrupt one. He speaks of the curious teachings of the Greek philosopher Empedocles, who preached a bizarre precursor to the theory of natural selection. He emphasizes the importance of free thought, and warns her that the Templars' plan for peace involves mental enslavement. Maria seems to somewhat agree with Altaïr on this subject, but remains reticent.

As the ship docks in Kyrenia, Altaïr and Maria stand make ready to climb the ladder to the ship’s deck. Altaïr cuts her bonds so that she may climb out, but when he is distracted by two combative pirates, Maria kicks Altaïr down the ladder and escapes. Altaïr deals with the pirates and escapes to Kyrenia's harbor. After a short while, Altaïr finds Maria among several men who have just saved her from several angry pirates. The leader of the men introduces himself as [[Markos]], a low-ranking soldier in the Resistance. Altaïr asks Markos and his men if Maria can stay with them for the time being while Altaïr explores the land, to which Markos agrees.

Altaïr locates the Resistance Safe House in Kyrenia Commons and enters. He is greeted by a man who calls himself [[Barnabas]] and after a short chat with Altaïr, Barnabas tells Altaïr of [[Buffavento Castle]], an old property the Templars had seized from an earlier heiress, and also where Armand Bouchart keeps his prisoners. In order to help Altaïr, Barnabas asks him to perform a service for the Resistance. Altaïr needs to seek out [[Jonas]], a respectable merchant who Barnabas claims is a traitor.

Altaïr seeks out this man named Jonas, and interrogates him. Jonas speaks of a bounty put on Altaïr's head and the head of his female "consort." This does not bode well for Altaïr, and Jonas' disrespect causes Altaïr to take his life. Thereafter Altaïr rushes to the harbor to find Maria, who is currently being attacked by Templars along with Markos. Altaïr helps the two out of trouble, and Altaïr asks Markos to bring Maria to the Assassin's safe house in Kyrenia. Markos complies. Before Altaïr leaves, he speaks with Maria about ‘The Bull’ - a man Maria calls [[Moloch]], the one behind their ambush. Altaïr then leaves to meet up with Barnabas and later meet everyone inside the Resistance safe house.

Once inside the safe house, Altaïr again speaks with Barnabas - apparently the death of Jonas has sparked riots throughout the city. Barnabas states that it is necessary for Altaïr to murder the fanatics causing the riot, and Altaïr complies. Upon returning to the safe house, he finds that Maria and Markos have arrived, but Barnabas is nowhere to be found. Altaïr speaks with Maria about this man named [[Moloch]] - specifically about his location. Maria realizes she has said more than she should have and warns Altaïr not to duel him, for Altaïr would not survive. Altaïr does not think twice and infiltrates the [[Kantara Castle]] where Moloch is hidden. Upon finding the Bull, he tries to assassinate him, but Moloch intercepts the Assassin before he can strike and throws him to the ground. A battle ensues, in which the end Altaïr takes the life of Moloch. Altaïr then escapes the Castle of Kyrenia and safely returns to the Assassin's safe house.

'''Codex Scene 3: '''Altaïr wonders why violence lives so heavily amongst people. Altaïr believes people could not live with one another, as man likes to kill each other over power. He believes the world is not made by the divine - to Altaïr the world seems the work of a madman.

===Memory Block 4===
Altaïr reaches the safe house and speaks with Markos, only to find everybody else missing. Markos tells Altaïr the Templars came in and took Maria, as well as everybody else. Markos also speaks of a [[Dark Oracle]] from Buffavento castle who was mentioned by the Templars, but Altaïr believes Barnabas was behind the attack. Markos is confused by this suggestion and tells Altaïr that the resistance leader Barnabas was executed the day ''before'' Altaïr arrived in Kyernia. Clearly the Barnabas Altaïr met was an impostor, a [[Templar Agent]].

Markos then tells Altaïr the Templars are executing fellow Resistance soldiers in the marketplace. Altaïr rushes to the marketplace, prevents the execution and saves the soldiers. Back at the safe house Markos tells Altaïr that some Resistance members are still imprisoned. Altaïr locates and interrogates a prison guard, who tells Altaïr that there is only one Templar who holds the keys to the jail cells. Altaïr can find this Templar at the Crusader Outpost. Altaïr then takes the life of the Prison Guard.

Altaïr rushes to the Crusader Outpost, kills the guards, steals the keys to the cells and heads back to Kyrenia Harbor. Once inside the harbor, Altaïr fights his way to the cells and frees the prisoners, but Maria is not among them. The freed men say that Moloch's son [[Shalim]] has taken Maria away in chains. Altaïr decides to speak with Markos about this. Upon returning to the safe house, both decide Altaïr should pay a visit to this Dark Oracle of which the Templars speak - for it seems Grand Templar Armand Bouchart knows every plan the Resistance has made.

Altaïr infiltrates Buffavento Castle in order to look for the Dark Oracle. He overhears Armand Bouchart and Shalim arguing over Maria's escape - apparently Maria has slipped from Shalim's clutches. In addition, Armand Bouchart asks Shalim to send a message to Alexander in Limassol. Altaïr is shocked to learn that Alexander has been working with the Templars.

Altaïr descends further into the castle, only to find the Dark Oracle at the bottom. She attacks Altaïr, leaving him no choice but to battle with her and in the end, kill her. Before the Dark Oracle loses her life, she babbles and cackles her devotion to her God’s will, and that there is no undoing. After her death, Altaïr escapes the castle and heads back to the Assassin's safe house.

'''Codex Scene 4: '''Altair wonders about [[Those Who Came Before]]. “Who are they? What drove them? Are these so-called artifacts mere toys or were they created for a greater purpose?”

===Memory Block 5===
Once back inside the safe house, Altaïr discusses Shalim's position. Because Markos could not give much information about Shalim, Altaïr decides to track him down to learn more about the Templars and the Archive. He finds Shalim in the heart of Kyrenia, feasting on women while spending another's coin. Altaïr first decides to assassinate the men Shalim is traveling with, after which he decides to assassinate all the duelists feasting on women as well. After all these assassinations, Altaïr returns to Markos for more information. Markos sends Altaïr to ask help from the local scholars, since Shalim's lifestyle demands frequent confession rituals at the church. Altaïr then seeks out and speaks with a scholar about Shalim's confessions, only to find the scholar unable to speak about Shalim and the Archive in public, to which he asks Altaïr to return later.

Moloch's son suddenly interrupts the conversation by standing in the midst of the Crusader Outpost and speaking towards all passers-by. But this is not Shalim - it is Shahar, Shalim's twin, although neither the player nor Altaïr are aware of this fact. Shahar is a much more level headed man, arguing very rationally for loyalty to the Templars. When Altaïr then goes to speak with the scholar a second time, the scholar is killed by falling wooden crates from above. When Altaïr looks around for the cause of this incident, he finds a mysterious, masked Templar warrior on the rooftops. Altaïr gives chase, but after a long pursuit the mysterious figure escapes from Altaïr and is left looking for clues about the unknown warrior. He then finds Maria's ring when searching the last known position of the mysterious figure and decides it’s best to go speak with Markos.

Back at the Resistance safe house, Altaïr speaks with Markos of the twisted ways of the Templar's doings and hopes to locate Shalim again. Markos mentions that Shalim can frequently be found in the harbor whenever ships full of lovely consorts arrive.

Altaïr reaches the harbor and finds Maria there, disguised as a consort herself and about to sneak into a palanquin headed for [[Saint Hilarion Castle]]. Altaïr decides to follow her in, but notes that the road ahead is full of Templars on the look out for both of them. Altaïr decides to clear the path, and quickly disposes of the guards along the road all the way to Saint Hilarion Castle. Upon entering the castle, the palanquin stops and Maria steps out. Two Templar Guards await her arrival and escort her inside the castle. Altaïr doesn’t hesitate a moment and finds a way inside the castle.

Once inside, Altaïr eventually finds the Great Hall. Meanwhile Maria sneaks into [[Shahar]]'s private room and confronts him about the Templars' wicked plans for the “Apple of Eden”. She asks Shahar if Templars would do ill with this artifact. Shahar states the Templars have no interest in liberty - just order, by any means. At this moment Altaïr busts in the room, apologizing for letting himself in. Shahar calls on his brother Shalim to join the fight. Maria escapes from Shahar's clutches, killing two guards who try to stop her.
Altaïr and Maria now stand side by side, faced against Shalim and Shahar. Altaïr smiles: "Two of them.. and two of us". Maria laughs at Altaïr and flees. The battle then ensues between Altaïr and the brothers Shalim and Shahar, ending with both their lives taken. Altaïr then escapes from the castle and heads toward the safe house. Upon entering the safe house, Markos tells Altaïr that the Templar ships are leaving the harbor of Kyrenia. This leads Altaïr to believe that is [[Templar Archive]] is not Kyrenia, for surely they would not leave it unguarded. Since all the ships are headed back to Limassol, the Archive must be there. Altaïr departs with kind words.

'''Codex Scene 5: '''Altaïr reminisces about his former leader, [[Al Mualim]], and how his leader had betrayed him using the Apple of Eden, just because a single piece of doubt was in Altaïr’s mind. Luckily, he states, he was able to embrace the truth in his his mind and set himself free of doubt and disbelief.

===Memory Block 6===
Altaïr is back on Limassol, as he and Markos thought the Templar Archive ought to be there. Altaïr heads to the Resistance Safe House in Limassol to start an argument with Alexander. They both accuse each other of treachery, until Alexander reveals the contents of the message the Bouchart sent him from Kyrenia; the head of the real Barnabas in a sack. Altaïr despises this, and tells Alexander this was not the man who met with him in Kyrenia. Additionally, Alexander tells tales of how Templars have been murdering and pillaging around the city of Limassol while Altaïr was away. Additionally, false reports of Altaïr's alleged treachery (the death of Jonas) spread fast, and many Resistance leaders have since turned against Altaïr.

Altaïr wants the heads of those responsible for the murders and pillages, and heads out to the marketplace, where he fights and kills the Templar Duelist Captain. He then heads to the Templar pirate ship in the harbor and slays its [[Pirate Captain|captain]]. Finally, Altaïr heads for the new Templar Captain in the Limassol Cathedral Square. Altaïr starts a fight with the man, and in the end, takes his life as payment.

Altaïr learns of recent murders in the ports, and interrogates the Port Watchman to find out what happened. The man states he does not know, but his men were killed last night while a Templar Captain had the watch over the port. The Templar Captain is presumably praying over at the Cathedral, and Altaïr sends out to find this man. Upon finding the Templar he flees, sending multiple waves of Templars. Altaïr slays them all, interrogates the Templar Captain and find his answers lie with a man named [[Demetris]], a rich tailor in the marketplace. Altaïr then assassinates the Templar Captain and heads for Demetris.

Upon entering Demetris’s house, he finds Demetris surrounded by women. Altaïr confronts Demetris, accusing the merchant of accepting bribes to sneak Bouchart back into Limassol. Demetris claims to know nothing about this. Altaïr puts more pressure on Demetris to speak truthfully, but the merchant is killed by a throwing knife in the back. Altaïr tries to follow, only to again find the mysterious Templar standing up and speeding away. Altaïr climbs to the roof as fast as he can, but the mysterious Templar warrior is already gone. Altaïr decides it’s best to speak with Alexander at this point and returns to the Resistance safe house.

But upon entering the safe house, Altaïr does not find Alexander. Instead, Altaïr finds a note left by Alexander, stating that he has a plan and needs Altaïr to come to the courtyard inside the Limassol Castle. Altaïr then rushes to the Limassol Castle, but reminds himself to stay cautious. After passing through the gates of Limassol Castle, he finds Alexander's lifeless body laying in the middle of the courtyard.

The mysterious Templar warrior appears, unmasked, and speaks to Altaïr as if he was already a dead man. This is the same man who previously named himself as Barnabas: the [[Templar Agent]]. Suddenly, the townspeople of Limassol breach the castle gate. They are hunting for Altaïr. As the rioting mob closes in Altaïr pulls the Apple of Eden from his belt and uses it. He tells them that they have been lied to and that they must rally their soldiers against the Templars so that [[Cyprus]] can be theirs once more. The people stand in confusion and hypnosis, and exit. The Templar above is quite pleased to find the Apple of Eden so close, and intends to claim it. But before he can attack Altaïr, the steel tip of a sword bursts through his chest, pushed by Maria's hand. The mysterious Templar Agent falls thirty feet to the courtyard floor, dead.

Maria speaks to Altaïr about the Apple of Eden as well, as Altaïr warns that it is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. Maria remarks that she does not know if Altaïr hands are the "right hands" as well. At that moment, a Templar ambush appears at the courtyard, and Maria orders Altaïr to follow her up the stairs. However, Altaïr is already closed in and has to fight waves and waves of Templars. After fighting off the ambush, Altaïr runs up the stairs and passes through the hidden door inside the wall he had previously seen Maria escape through.

===Memory Block 7===
Altaïr now suddenly finds himself inside the Templar Archive, hidden well under Limassol Castle. His final mission is to assassinate Armand Bouchart, the Grand Master of the Order of Templars. Altaïr fights through the entire Templar Archive, and finds Maria already fighting with Armand Bouchart. Armand is a skillful fighter and sends Maria flying across the room just as Altaïr intercepts them. Altaïr confronts Armand Bouchart, who spins a tale about the Archive, claiming it had been the best kept secret on [[Cyprus]] for many decades. Unfortunately, the former Cypriot Emperor [[Isaac Comnenus]] had been a foolish man and through his idiocy, forfeited the island to King Richard. Fearing the Archives would be discovered by the English king, the Templars purchased the island from him - an island they basically controlled for free under Comnenus's rule. But that time had passed and the Templars had moved on. While Altaïr was in Kyrenia, the Templars managed to empty the Archive of all artifacts and ship them elsewhere. Armand Bouchart states Altaïr must instead be left behind. A battle ensues.

After a cruel and skillful battle, Altaïr stabs Armand Bouchart, to which the Templar says that Altaïr indeed lives up to the tendencies of his creed. Altaïr says Armand Bouchart did not do the same for the Templars, as the Templars lost the true meaning of their creed. Armand Bouchart states it as "Just expanding the horizon." Altaïr then states the Apple of Eden will not be in anyone's hands but his own, for the sake of peace throughout the holy land, to which Armand Bouchart responds he should hold onto it dearly, and warns Altaïr that in time he will come to the same conclusions the Templars did. After this, Armand Bouchart collapses and dies.

Altaïr leaves Armand Bouchart to die and meets up with Maria who has been laying unconscious during the battle. They both opt to escape the Templar Archive - but all the while, the Archive is falling to pieces fast. Altaïr boosts Maria up to the upper floors of the archive while climbing after her, and they barely make their escape before everything tumbles down.

After escaping Limassol Castle, Altaïr and Maria walk up to the docks, both speaking of what life will hold for the both of them now. Maria tells Altaïr that she no longer wants to be a Templar, nor wishes to look for the original spirit the Templars were once formed in. She does not wish to return to England either. She mentions she will travel for a while, somewhere far East - to India perhaps, or further.

Maria then asks Altaïr of his plans. Altaïr reminisces about his former devotion to the Creed, but realizes his life's purpose changed dramatically since the death of Al-Mualim. Altaïr speaks of his curiosity about the Apple of Eden, not out of greed, but out of pure intellectual wonder. He hopes to learn everything he can about the artifact; why it is here and to what end it was created. Maria states that such a thing is a bit much to learn in one lifetime, but Altaïr states that “one lifetime just might be enough.” Maria then asks Altaïr where he will continue his journey. Altaïr responds, “East...” and walks away from the port. Maria turns to follow.

'''Codex Scene 6: '''Altaïr writes and wonders why life is formed around chaos, around warfare and around murder. Yet, despite this, the world received such gifts as the Apple of Eden. What is mankind’s purpose? As Altaïr continues scribbling in his Codex, Maria enters and leans over his shoulder to look at his writing.

{{Spoiler End}}

==Development==
Development of ''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines'' was announced on July 16, 2009, 6 months after [[Assassin's Creed II]] was announced, debuting on GameTrailers with a short cinematic placed on an image of the PlayStation Portable. The trailer was narrated by one of the in-game bosses, [[Moloch]], and revealed very few details, such as the location of the game (set in [[Cyprus]]) and the installment's protagonist, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. The game was being developed by [[wikipedia:Ubisoft Montreal|Ubisoft Montreal]] in conjunction with [[wikipedia:Griptonite Games|Griptonite Games]]. It was revealed in [[wikipedia:E3 2009|E3 2009]] that interconnectivity between ''Bloodlines'' and ''Assassin's Creed II'' will be available, allowing players to earn bonuses on both games after connecting the PSP system to the PS3 Console.

==Interconnectivity==
''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines'' has the ability to connect with the PS3 system to earn bonuses on both installments. Depending on how many [[Codex|Codex pages]] the player has collected in ''Assassin's Creed II'', players can unlock health bonuses in ''Bloodlines'', as well as receiving upgrades for the [[Hidden Blade|hidden blade]] that roughly resembles the ones present in ''Assassin's Creed II''.

{|width="90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col" width="30%"|Upgrade
!scope="col" width="30%"|Unlocked by
!scope="col" width="40%"|Description
|-
!Health Upgrade
|Collecting [[Codex]] Pages
|Increases Altaïr's health. The amount added depends on the number of Codex pages collected.
|-
!Hidden Blade Armor Plating
|Collecting the 13th Codex Page
|Grants Altaïr the ability to block using the Hidden Blade.
|-
!Counter Upgrade
|Collecting the 21th Codex Page
|Increases the amount of time needed to counter using the Hidden Blade, allowing easier counters.
|-
!Knife-Gun
|Collecting the 28th Codex Page
|Grants Altaïr the ability to fire [[Throwing Knives|knives]] out of the Hidden Blade.
|}

==Trivia==
*During the introductory cut-scene of ''Bloodlines'', a short version of ''Access the Animus'', one of the first game's original scores, can be faintly heard in the background.
*Throughout the entirety of the game, Altaïr's model is rendered without the [[Short Blade|short blade]]'s sheath on his back. This creates a minor visual glitch in the animation, causing Altaïr to reach for his back when drawing (and returning) the short blade, even though nothing is there.
*There is several new types of guards in ''Bloodlines, ''
*At the end of each Memory Block (except for the sixth), a cut-scene plays, where Altaïr is seen writing down his thoughts on his personal journal (this journal would later become known as the [[Codex]]). The exact time and date this occurs is debatable, but it is more likely that he began to work on the Codex after the events in ''Bloodlines'', due to conflicting events.
**Although, some entries from the Codex show that Altaïr wrote entries before his time on Cyprus.<ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page VI]]''</ref>
*The [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]] can be seen on Altair's desk while he writes the Codex pages between Memory Blocks.
*In each Codex entry, Altaïr wrote of the following subjects:
**His time with the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]].<ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page I]]''</ref>
**His opinion and observations about the Apple's creation and origin <ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page V]]''</ref>
**The common man's natural instincts that results to violence.<ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page VIII]]''</ref>
**The origins and legacy of [[Those Who Came Before]].<ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page V]]''</ref>
**His confrontation with [[Al Mualim]].<ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page I]]''</ref>
**The chaos that surrounds life, and life's purpose.<ref>''[[Codex|Codex Page VIII]]''</ref>

==Notes and References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACB}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Series]]

Soldier

2010-09-03T18:00:16Z

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{{revamp}}
[[File:Giartnewenemies 2.jpg|thumb|right|290px|From left to right: The Agile, the Archer, the Brute, the Militia, and the Seeker]]

'''Guards''' are the common opponents to an assassin throughout the ''[[Assassin's Creed series]]''.

==''[[Assassin's Creed]]''==
{{quote|Hashshashin!|Guard in [[Damascus]]}}
During the course of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', there are two types of guards: Soldiers and Archers. The archers are mostly the same, but there are three ranks of soldiers. All guards are armed with swords (with varying styles).
*The ordinary soldiers don't wear helmets (Muslims wear turbans) and are only equipped with leather armor or light Lamellar armor. They cannot grab or break a grab attack, cannot combo attack and cannot counter attack. They can only deflect attacks, and there is a 25% chance of dodging a light attack. Guard archers are on par with ordinary ones, except that they are only found on rooftops, wear a hood, and use bows for a ranged attack.
*Guard Sergeants (or elite guards) have helmets, the Crusader variant wear chain mail tabards, and Mujahideen Sergeants possess medium Lamellar armor. They can grab and there is 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 is also a 25% chance of breaking your defense, but they cannot perform a combo attack.
*Guard Captains are the most powerful guards besides the [[Templar Knight]]. The Muslim Captains wear Baidah helmets and heavy Lamellar armor, while Crusader captains wear chain mail tabards with surcoats, chain mail mittens and varying knight helms (with faces usually covered, due to helmet size). They too can grab and there is a 75% chance of them being able to break a grab attack and counter or dodge a light attack. There is also a 50% chance of breaking your defense. If a successful heavy attack is delivered, they will perform a combo attack.
*[[Templar Knights]] are a special version of guard where only 60 are found in game. They are similar to the Crusader guard captain, except possessing higher stats and a special version of helmet that appears bloodstained. They will also provoke a fight when they see [[Altaïr]], no matter what his notoriety level is. Strangely enough, [[Templar Knights]] can be found in many places, including [[Muslim cities]].

The ordinary Crusader and Muslim soldiers and archers speak English, Crusader Captains and Sergeants speak French or German, Muslim Captains and Guards speak Turkish or Arabic and the Templar Knights speak all of the dialects (but only speak Arabic in Altaïr's fight against Robert's impostor).

The guards in [[Masyaf]], despite being marked as an ally via [[Eagle Vision]], function exactly like normal ones. They are equipped in 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 have their faces covered with a cloth, with only 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.

(Hints) A defense break stuns your counter attack and deflect ability for three seconds, but not your dodge ability. If an enemy breaks your defense, you can still dodge an incoming attack (once the skill is acquired).

(Hints) To improve your chances of a successful grab attack, break the guards defense (once skill is acquired) then perform a grab. There is only a 10% chance of breaking your grab on elite guards (and 25% for guard captains).

(Hints) If able to counter a heavy attack from a weakened enemy successfully, you will punch and/or kick your enemy violently enough to daze him and cause him to drop to the ground. Before he falls, you have two options, hit the attack button which results in a instant kill move or press the step button which results in breaking his legs, this is known as a "Torture Kill."

(Hints) Heavy attacks are far more difficult for enemies to counter then light attacks, use light attacks after performing a dodge (once skill is acquired) and heavy attacks while in main combat. "Note" The short blade/dagger can only perform light attacks, so either use it against weaker enemies or keep the same enemy under constant barrage without switching targets, thus keeping him from recovering.

==''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''==
{{quote|Assassino!|Guard in [[Venice]]|Assassin's Creed II}}

In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', there are five types of enemy guards:

===Regular Guards===
Those are the "standard" type of guard which can be found almost everywhere on the ground. However, they use a large variety of swords, as well as with maces and war hammers. These regular troops are divided into three ranks themselves: Militia, Elite and Leaders.
[[File:Pazzi2.jpg|thumb|100px|Pazzi thug]]
*'''Thugs '''are people hired by Vieri de' Pazzi to attack [[Ezio]]. While not officially or technically guards, they function in a remarkably similar manner. They will attack Ezio even if he is Incognito, and fight only with fists, making them the easiest to counter. Also, they will notice Ezio much more easily then other guards do. After assassinating [[Uberto Alberti]], they can no longer be found in game, except for in the Courier mission [[Casanova]].
{{-}}
[[File:Militia.jpg|thumb|100px|Militia guard (from [[Forlì]])]]
*'''Militia''' is the weakest rank. They wear no armor, and can be easily killed (with one counter-kill). They are also the most easily frightened during combat, as after battles, they are the first ones to flee.
{{-}}
[[File:Elite.jpg|thumb|100px|Elite guard (a [[Pazzi]] Guard)]]
*'''Elite''' guards are stronger, wear a moderate amount of armor, and need three counter-kills to be defeated. Elites are also more courageous than Militias, although if you kill their leader, they will still retreat.
{{-}}
[[File:Leader.jpg|thumb|100px|Leader (a [[Savonarola]] guard)]]
*'''Leaders''' are the best fighters and most tenacious of all the regular soldiers. They wear slightly more armor than their Elite counterparts. The Leaders will last slightly longer than Elites during [[Ezio]]'s counter-attacks. They also hardly give up their weapons, making them harder to disarm than the others. Also, like Brutes Leader guards cannot be grabbed very easily.
{{-}}
The Regular Guards are not especially agile, but can climb up to the rooftops in order to follow Ezio (though are not as fast as him). Also, they can recognize [[Ezio]] sitting on a bench, but can be assassinated before they recognize him and spread word of his presence.

(Hints) In Assassins Creed II The sword can no longer perform heavy attacks, making you more vulnerable to counter attacks. This also means that the ability to counter a heavy attack and perform a "Torture kill" is no longer existent, as well as the ability for enemies to perform combo attacks. Your shortblade/dagger, however, cannot be countered.

(Hints) In Assassins Creed II Enemies no longer try to grab you, which means you no longer posses the grab break skill. However, leaders and occasionally elites can break your grab attacks.

(Hints) In Assassin's Creed II both you and enemies no longer posses the defense break skill, making it harder to land a direct blow at times.

===Seekers===
The '''[[Seekers]]''', also called "Paranoid", are one of the new special guard types. They are constantly looking in hiding spots (such as the haystacks, benches, and crowds) and checking them (although [[Ezio]] can assassinate the seeker from his hiding spot if this happens). They are armed with long spears or halberds, giving them an increased reach in combat and can also perform "Sweep attacks" which require a wind up and results in them sweeping Ezio off his feet and onto the ground. This attack affects anyone in range of the long weapon, including fellow guards! The Long weapons main attacks cannot be countered with a sword or short blade/dagger, however it can be countered with the Hidden Blade, another long weapon/Polearm or a Two-Handed weapon. Seekers, like most of the other guards, wear armor. The armor they wear is slightly more than a Leader-ranked Standard, but less than a Brute. When unarmed, they will occasionally approach Ezio from behind and then hold him while the other guards assault him. Disarming the Seeker will give you an advantage, as you can effectively use his own weapon against him. They also have a morale rate of 80% which makes them the second bravest fighter after the Brute.

===Agiles===
One of the new guard archetypes is the '''[[Agile]]''', which, as the name suggests, are a very fast, light-armored enemy. They run faster than [[Ezio]] and also have the Free Run ability, which can lead to chase sequences. They wield small weapons such as daggers and other short blades. Agiles are extremely good at dodging your attacks, thus the best way to kill an Agile is by tiring him out. This can 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 cowardice after the militia guard and the archer.

===Brutes===
The '''[[Brutes]]''' are heavily armored and equipped (wielding two-handed weapons such as heavy swords and axes). Their armor covers almost every part of their bodies, making them tough to bring down, but also making them cumbersome and slow. They are not very intelligent, and won't be able to tell [[Ezio]] from anyone else in a crowd. When deflecting a short weapon, they will 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 are very easy to disarm. Brutes have two types of attack: one quick, and one that begins with a wind-up. The latter attack cannot be countered, and must be dodged, while the former can be countered. You must possess a Brute's weapon to counter the wind-up attacks of another Brute. Also the Brutes are the only type of enemy that won't flee a battle, they will only run away if you disarm their weapon and if they cannot find another one. Your best bet in taking out a Brute is by assassination. When facing multiple guards who are unaware of your presence, killing the brute first is a good idea, unless you want to be caught in a long fight.

===Archers===
The '''[[Archers]]''' are guards that patrol and defend the rooftops. They are armed with bows and swords (sometimes maces or war hammers instead of swords), and warn Ezio on sight to leave the place, no matter the notoriety. Approaching them will force them to draw their weapon and commence a fight. Archers are seemingly just Militia-ranked Standards, with the capability of attacking at a distance with their trusty longbows. However, the Archers in the [[Sistine Chapel|Vatican]] are Leader-ranked Standards. While Florentine and Tuscan Archers can be killed with a single Throwing Knife, archers in the other cities and regions (such as Venice and Romagna) will need two [[Throwing Knives]] to be taken down. Since they are almost always on the rooftops on buildings, Archers are fairly easy to dispatch in melee combat, as they have the skill and hardiness of a Militia-ranked standard, making them easy to kill. Another good way to dispatch them is to simply throw them off the roof, which will instantly kill the Archer if they fall more than two stories or if they land in water. The archers also have a morale rate of 30% which makes them a little braver than the average guard.

===Coloring===
The coloring of the guards uniforms can identify whom they serve in the game, whether it be a city or a person.

*Red caps and sleeves means they serve the [[Pazzi]] family (these guards disappear after sequence 5).

*Dark red caps and black sleeves with red going down the side means they serve Borgia (these guards usually guard codex pages and appear whenever you encounter Borgia out of Rome).

*Dark yellow caps and sleeves with black armor plates means they serve the [[Medici]] (they first appear helping you fight the Pazzi during sequence 4).

*Green caps and sleeves means they serve the city of [[Forlì]] (they help you in sequence 12).

*Blue caps and sleeves with gold armor plates means they serve the city of [[Venice]] (they have much better armor than any other guard in the regular game).

*Black caps, sleeves, and armor plates means they serve [[Savonarola]] (they only appear in sequence 13, are as heavily protected as Venetian guards, and can be seen fighting Borgia guards throughout the city).

*Pink and orange caps and sleeves means that they serve [[Rome]] (they can only be seen in sequence 14 in Rome, they are the most heavily protected guards in the game).

==[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]==
===Arquebusiers===
''Main article: [[Arquebusiers]]''

The '''Arquebusiers''' are firearm-wielding soldiers who serve and protect the pontiff during their tenure.

In 1499, armored arquebusiers under the command of [[Cesare Borgia]], son of Pope [[Rodrigo Borgia|Alexander VI]], participated in the [[Siege of Monteriggioni|assault on Monteriggioni]]; one arquebusier managed to wound [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] during the latter stages of the assault.[1]. In 1503, the arquebusier continued to serve under Cesare, keeping watch over a Papal parade in Rome. At least one arquebusier spotted an approaching Ezio Auditore, but was killed by another assassin before firing his shot.

===Papal Guards===
''Main article: [[Papal Guard]]''

The '''Papal Guard''' are elite soldiers commanded by the Papacy to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. The armor worn by these guards seem largely ceremonial in design. Although it seemed to serve its purpose well enough, it was unable to stop the blade of the Assassins.

By 1503, the Papal Guard protected Pope [[Rodrigo Borgia|Alexander VI]], and were commanded by the Pope's son – [[Cesare Borgia]]. During that year, several guards were forced to confront several [[assassin]]s, including [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who had attacked the Papal parade in [[Rome]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood E3 trailer">''[http://www.e3expo.com Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood E3 trailer]''</ref>.

== Taunts ==
The following is a couple of taunts Ezio uses to quicker anger the guards.
* ''"It's a fight face off! Start fighting for a change!"''
* ''"Come now! Toward me!"''
* ''"Are you afraid?"''
* ''"Come on, there's only one of me!"''

==Trivia==
* 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.
* The Militia Guards resemble the Swiss Guard in appearance, due to their similar caps, swords and clothes, though in different colors.
* The amount of counter attacks needed to kill a guard does not affect counter kills with heavy weapons, long weapons or the hidden blade, the guard being countered with these weapons 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!"
* Strangely, 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 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.
* Strangely, 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.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery>
File:250px-Seeker.jpg|A [[Seeker]]
File:Brute.jpg|A [[Brute]]
File:Sneakattack from haystack.jpg|[[Ezio]] killing a [[seeker]] stealthily
File:Archerdead.jpg|[[Ezio]] killing an Archer
File:Assassins_Creed_2_1.jpg|[[Ezio]], pulling an [[archer]] of the roof
File:assassins-creed-ii-20090923115315350.jpg|An [[archer]]
File:Assassins-creed-ii-20090923115318740.jpg|An [[Agile]]
File:assassins-creed-ii-20090923115314162.jpg|A [[Militia]]
File:ACB4.jpg|[[Ezio]] Fighting a [[Guard]] in [[Rome]] on horseback
File:ACB3.jpg|[[Ezio]] Escaping From [[Arquebusiers]]
File:Guardkill.png|[[Ezio]] commanding a arrow shower on [[Papal Guards]]
</gallery></center>

==References==
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{{ACII}}
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[[Category:Guards]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]
[[Category:Articles revamp]]

Romagna

2010-09-03T17:44:43Z

90.202.187.173:

{{stub}}
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{{Location Infobox
|image = Romagnaartwork.jpg
|icon =
|heldby = [[Girolamo Riario]]
|factions = [[Templars|House of Orsi]]
|targets = [[Ludovico Orsi]] [[Checco Orsi]]
|flags =
|seenin = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
}}

'''Romagna''' is one of the regions in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''. Romagna's main city is [[Forlì]]. Before the game's release, the developers referred to it as the "Wetlands." The weather is very cloudy, and the atmosphere is quite dark. It is a marshy area with continuous flood and aquatic plants.

== Modern Romagna ==
The name Romagna comes from the Latin name Romània, which originally was the generic name for "land inhabited by Romans", and first appeared on Latin documents in the 5th Century. It later took on the more detailed meaning of "territory subjected to Eastern Roman rule", whose citizens called themselves Romans (Romàioi in Greek) and considered themselves the heirs of Imperial Rome. Thus the term Romània came to be used to refer to the territory administered by the Exarchate of Ravenna in contrary to other parts of Northern Italy under Lombard rule, named Langobardia or Lombardy. Romània later became Romandìola in Vulgar Latin, meaning "little Romània", which became Romagna.

Romagna is an Italian historical region that approximately corresponds to the south-eastern portion of present-day Emilia-Romagna. Traditionally, it is limited by the Apennines to the south-west, the Adriatic to the east, and the rivers Reno and Sillaro to the north and west. The region's major cities include Ravenna, Cesena, Faenza, [[Forlì]], Imola, Rimini and City of San Marino (San Marino is a separate landlocked nation inside the Romagna historical region). The region has been recently formally expanded with the transfer of seven comuni (Casteldelci, Maiolo, Novafeltria, Pennabilli, San Leo, Sant'Agata Feltria, Talamello) from the Marche region, all of which are comuni where Romagnolo dialect is spoken.

[[File:Romagna map1.jpg|thumb|left|380px|A map of Romagna, showing the feather and glyph locations]]

== Trivia ==
*Guards seem to notice Ezio more readily here, especially when in high profile.
*Romagna is the poorest city in [[Assassin's Creed II]]. Its water looks dirty, its buildings are ravaged, destroyed and overgrown, the surrounding area is flooded and very few civilians wear rich clothing (such as feather hats and scarfs), or have a decent amount of money to [[Pickpocketing|Pickpocket]] from them.
*The Wetland Ebony and Wetland Ivory Dyes for Ezio's robes can be obtained here from any [[tailor]], and will give you the "Perfect Harmony" Achievement.
*This is the location of the first [[Assassin's Creed II]] DLC, the [[Battle of Forli]].
*You can obtain the trophy/achievement "Fly Swatter", while in Romagna, if you have the Battle of Forli DLC.

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Locations]]