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

Siege of Viana

2010-12-18T20:02:12Z

90.221.126.242:

{{WPtimeline}}
{{revamp}}
{{Battle
|name = Siege of Viana
|imageBG = Siege of Viana
|image = [[File:Assassin's_Creed_-_Brotherhood_(_97_)..jpg|300px]]
|date = 1507
|result = Minor Assassin Victory:

*Death of [[Cesare Borgia]].
|side1 = Kingdom of Navarre
|side2 = Earldom of Lerin
|side3 = [[Assassins]]
|commanders1 = *[[John III of Navarre]]
*[[Cesare Borgia]]
|commanders2 = *Luis de Beamont
|commanders3 = *[[Ezio Auditore]]
|forces1 = Unspecified numbers
|forces2 = Unspecified numbers
|forces3 = One Assassin
|casual1 = Unknown numbers, Cesare Borgia
|casual2 = Unknown numbers
|casual3 = None
|prev = [[The Fall of Cesare Borgia]]|undefined|next = None}}
{{dialogue|Cesare|How did you find me!?|Ezio|The Apple you stole from Mario Auditore led me here.|Ezio and Cesare, 1507|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In 1503 [[Rodrigo Borgia]], [[Grand Master]] of the [[Knights Templar]] died of poison courtesy of his son [[Cesare Borgia]], and with his death [[Rome]] was fully liberated from the [[Borgia]] rule. Soon after the death of his father, Cesare Borgia, commander of the [[Papal Guards|Papal Army]], was arrested by the new Pope, Julius II. In 1504 Cesare was exiled to [[Spain]] and imprisoned at the Castle of La Mota, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina_del_Campo Medina del Campo], from which he escaped and joined his brother-in-law King [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_III_of_Navarre John III of Navarre].

==The Siege of Viana==
After Cesare's arrest and exile to Spain, [[Ezio Auditore]] - who had remained in Rome - was discussing the possibility of Cesare still being a threat with his closest friend [[Leonardo da Vinci]] at the [[Assassin]] stronghold of [[Tiber Island]]. Ezio believed that Cesare remained a threat even after his arrest, and worried about Cesare's previous claims that chains would not hold him. Leonardo then encouraged Ezio to use [[Sixth Apple|the Apple]] to see into the future. Ezio did so despite his own initial protest and, upon gleaning information from the Piece of Eden, immediately left Rome for [[Viana]], Spain.

By the time Ezio arrived at Viana, the siege had already begun. As the soldiers fought each other on the battlefield, and cannons destroyed the nearby castle, town and countryside, Ezio wasted no time in charging into the fray. Ezio soon found Cesare alongside his men on the battlefield, and without hesitation, he lunged towards Cesare with his [[Hidden Blade]] at the ready. Cesare attempted to hold off the Assassin's attack, but Ezio was able to overpower him, and struck him across the throat. However, Cesare's armor protected him, and he fled, calling for his soldiers to kill Ezio. As he fended off the attack and tried to follow Cesare, Ezio was stunned by a wave of cannon balls that impacted the battlefield all around him.

After regaining consciousness amidst several corpses of enemy soldiers, Ezio began to pursue Cesare by riding through the Viana warzone on [[Horses|horseback]], trying to reach what was once an olive field. Eventually, however, cannonballs killed his horse, forcing him to travel on foot. As Ezio drew closer to the besieged town, he finally spotted Cesare, who was accompanied by some guards. A woman approached Cesare, seeking help in looking for her injured son, however she was promptly killed and discarded, with Cesare continuing on towards the city fortress.

Following some distance behind, Ezio made his way through the city and reached a seige tower, which he attempted to climb in order to reach the top of the city walls. However, as he neared the top, the tower sustained heavy damage from cannon fire, and collapsed, forcing him to make a [[Leap of Faith]] and search for an alternative route.

Finding another siege tower, he successfully climbed it and made his way across the battlements, where he finally confronted Cesare. Cesare faced him head on, taunting him into battle.

==Confronting Cesare==
As the siege raged all around them, the two men battled for the first and last time. Cesare attacked Ezio with his sword and pistol, while also periodically calling in groups of soldiers to aid him. Despite this, Ezio was able to defeat all of the soldiers and overpower Cesare by breaking off pieces of his armor with the Hidden Blade. He eventually pinned Cesare down and told him that a true leader empowers the people he leads. Cesare, enraged and knowing his death was inevitable, repeatedly shouted that no mortal man could kill him, thus Ezio then declared he would leave Cesare in the "hands of fate" and threw him off the castle wall.

[[Video:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood death of Cesare|thumb|350px|right|Siege of Viana and Cesare's death.]]

==Aftermath==
After Cesare's death, Ezio returned to Rome and reunited with the other Assassins. Ultimately deciding that the Apple was too dangerous for the hands of man, Ezio would later seal the Apple away in a [[Santa Maria Aracoeli Vault|Vault]] beneath the [[Santa Maria Aracoeli]].

{{-}}

==Gallery==
<gallery position="center" spacing="medium" captionalign="left">
Cesare Borgia in Viana.JPG|Cesare Borgia in Viana, Spain.
Ezio Auditore at Viana.JPG|Ezio Auditore in Viana, Spain.
Cesare Grabbing Ezios Arm.JPG|Cesare Borgia grabbing Ezio Auditore's arm as he tries to assassinate him.
Assassin's Creed - Brotherhood ( 97 )..jpg|Ezio charging towards Cesare, through the Viana warzone.
ACB7.JPG|An unconscious Ezio amoung the dead bodies of the Viana battlefield.
Zw-ACBH-Ezio.jpg|Ezio standing alone in Viana.
</gallery>

==Trivia==
*In the story trailer for ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', Ezio and Cesare are seen confronting each other alone on the castle wall. However, this scene never happened in the actual game.
*Although the Siege of Viana is where Cesare Borgia died in actual history, there is very little recorded information on the event. It is something of a historical mystery in terms of the outcome and important specific details, such as the amount of troops involved.
*When starting the game Desmond will attempt to access Sequence 9, and when the player ends up in the battle, Ezio tells Cesare, "Mario Auditore led [him] here." When accessing Sequence 9 after completing the previous 8, Ezio changes his words to "The Apple you stole from Mario Auditore led me here!" This is because Sequence 9 was corrupted at the time that Desmond first attempted to access it, but was fully functional afterwards.
*The first time you access Sequence 9, as Ezio charges at Cesare, he pushes one of the Viana soldiers out of the way, however, when Sequence 9 becomes fully operational, he charges straight passed each soldier.
[[Category:Major Events]]

Gaspar de la Croix

2010-12-18T19:56:44Z

90.221.126.242:

=={{Revamp}}==

[[Video:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood: Templar Agent: Firing Range: Variety Pack|thumb|right|380px|Deaths of Gaspar]]

[[File:Engineer.jpg|thumb|Gaspar de la Croix.]]
'''Gaspar de la Croix''' was a [[Templar]] agent and master engineer, who lived in [[Renaissance]] [[Rome]]. While in the Campagna district, [[Ezio]] saw a man who was hiding from Gaspar behind a stone archway. The man said that Gaspar was trying to kill him, and Ezio decided to help out. The man said he would sneak up to Gaspar, while Ezio would flank him, however as soon as the man tried to make his way to cover, Gaspar had shot him, leaving Ezio to give chase. Ezio reached Gaspar's cliff-side residence, where he assassinated the engineer.

Gaspar de la Croix appears in the Multiplayer of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', under the title of [[Engineer]].

==Database Entry==
''Date of Birth: 1466.''
Profession: Sniper.

''I found this in [[Abstergo]]'s database: "Gaspar de la Croix is a master weapons engineer as well as an expert marksman."''

''Although the profession of sniper didn't exist yet in the 16th century, Gaspar was something of a pioneer. His skill with a firearm spared him any close confrontations on the battlefield and [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare ]]made use of his skill to take down easy targets at the beginning of a fight.''

==Trivia==

*Gaspar de la Croix fights like an arquebusier

==={{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Croix de la, Gaspar}}===
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Templars]]

Animi Avatars (first stage)

2010-12-18T19:52:16Z

90.221.126.242: /* Trivia */

As ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' is the first major installment in the [[Assassin's Creed Series|series]] to feature a multiplayer layer there are many '''multiplayer characters''' that are playable.

It has been confirmed by [[Ubisoft]] that there are a total of 17 multiplayer characters in the Codex Version of the game, including the Harlequin, Officer, and Hellequin. A few of the characters will also be present as targets for [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] to kill in the singleplayer, in Templar Agent side missions. At the moment, all 17 multiplayer character have 4 different variations to their costumes (referred to as gear) as well as the option to change the color of them.

==Characters==
*'''[[Doctor (multiplayer character)|Doctor]]''' - Wearing dark robes and a beak-shaped mask, the Doctor uses a poison-filled [[syringe]] to assassinate his targets.
*'''[[Courtesan (multiplayer character)|Courtesan]]''' - A sensual woman in liberal clothing, the Courtesan assassinates her targets via fluidly lethal movements, or a special, bladed [[fan]].
*'''[[Executioner]]''' - A strong looking man that has the appearance of a butcher, the Executioner wields a large [[Axe] as his weapon.
*'''[[Noble]]''' - Wearing very rich clothing such as a gold-lined cape, the Noble assassinates his targets using his [[claw]], a prosthetic set in place of his missing arm.
*'''[[Priest (multiplayer character)|Priest]]''' - A bald man wearing robes similar to those of a monk, he uses a very thin, [[Holy Blade]] as his weapon.
*'''[[Prowler]]''' - Wearing robes very similar to the [[Assassins]], though in Templar colors, the Prowler sports a [[switchblade]], the Templar version of the hidden blade.
*'''[[Barber]] - '''Wearing ordinary noble clothes and having white streaks on his dark hair, he uses a [[razor]] to assassinate his targets.
*'''[[Engineer]]''' - An expert marksman wearing mostly red and white clothes, he wields a [[Compass]] as his weapon.
*'''[[Blacksmith (multiplayer character)|Blacksmith]]''' - A large man wearing armor and sporting a noticeable, bright red beard, he uses a large [[hammer]] as his weapon.
*'''[[Captain]]''' - Wearing the most armor out of all the characters, the Captain dual-wields a matching [[Captain's Swords|pair of swords]].
*'''[[Smuggler]]''' - A woman who wears a hooded robe, she has a hidden blade similar to those of the Assassins, though the blade extends from the top of her arm.
*'''[[Footpad]]''' - A man dressed like a thief or pickpocket wielding a pair of [[Shivs]].
*'''[[Thief (multiplayer character)|Thief]]''' - A woman wearing ragged clothes, she wields half of a sharp [[Scissor Blade]].
*'''[[Mercenary (multiplayer character)|Mercenary]]''' - A strong man who bears a heavy resemblance to ordinary mercenaries, but wields a [[Short Sword]].
*'''[[Harlequin]] (limited edition/pre-order exclusive)''' - Wearing a costume similar to those of the performers of Carnevale, he has a mask to hide his identity and carries two thin, needle-like [[Dagger|daggers]].
*'''[[Officer]] (limited edition/pre-order exclusive)''' - A sleek, middle-aged man, adorned in a fine black cloak, wielding an [[epieu]].
*'''[[Hellequin]] ([[Uplay]] reward)''' - Wearing purple and yellow striped clothes greatly resembling those of her brother, she wields two [[Dagger|daggers]].

==Trivia==
{{GalleryBox|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood multiplayer characters}}
*There are currently three [[civilian]] types in multiplayer mode: the Heralds, the Merchants, and the Performers (multiple variations).
*Every character (except for the Thief) features in the [[Chapter 1 - Fiora Cavazza|first chapter]] of the Rome Pack of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''.
*When killed in the Single Player Campaign, Templar Agents enter the Memory Corridor but do not conversate with Ezio unlike the main targets.
*Despite having their own unique moves, multiplayer characters can all break their targets necks in the same fashion as one another.
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Multiplayer Characters| ]]

Heavy weapon

2010-12-18T19:45:55Z

90.221.126.242: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC2|Weapons}}
[[File:Heavy_weapons_ac2.jpg|thumb|260px|3 heavy weapons in the game. From left to right: Labrys, Bearded Axe, Bastard Sword]]

'''Heavy Weapons''' are edged weapons that rely more on sheer force to inflict bone-breaking damage. When swung with sufficient strength, they smash through attempts to parry them with smaller weapons. Opponents caught under the full weight of the blow may collapse and even drop their weapons. Heavy weapons can only be countered by a [[Spears and Halberds|Long]] or another Heavy weapon (with the Hidden Blade being an exception, as it can counter any weapon; though the timing involved makes the maneuver more difficult and thus risky). However, you can disarm your opponent with your [[fists]]. If you are equipped with the [[Hidden Gun]] or [[Poison Blade]], Ezio will automatically counter with his [[Hidden Blade]]. Counters with these powerful weapons are always lethal to the target, but sometimes you will leave the weapon in the victim's body (so use it on the most dangerous enemies only to maximize the effect). The Combo length for a Heavy Weapon is 3 hits.

== Special Technique==
The ''Smash skill'' is acquired from Training and can be used when a Heavy weapon is equipped. A smash takes a long time to build up, during which the player is vulnerable to interruption. But when a fully charged Smash connects, it breaks through enemy defence to cause a large amount of damage and further effects. It cannot be parried, and the victim will be disarmed, or may have a [[Spears and Halberds|long weapon]] broken.

==Heavy Weapon Attributes==
{|width="60%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Damage
!scope="col"|Speed
!scope="col"|Deflect
|-
!scope="row"|Bastard Sword
|3
|4
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Bearded Axe
|2
|3
|4
|-
!scope="row"|Labrys
|5
|3
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Stocco
|3
|5
|5
|-
!scope="row"|Spada Lunga
|4
|5
|3
|-
!scopre="row"|Spadone
|5
|4
|4
|}

==Heavy Sheath==
In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', the player can purchase a heavy sheath from a Tailor shop. This allows the player to equip two-handed weapons as their primary weapon, allowing the choice of 6 more weapons. If Ezio has a two-handed weapon as his primary weapon, however, he cannot carry another primary one-handed melee weapon (e.g [[Sword]]s, [[Warhammer]]s, etc.) as well.

==Trivia==
*Heavy Weapons can be re-obtained from bodies after they have been lodged in them through combat by simply picking up the body, which will cause the weapon to drop. This also happens when a Long weapon has been lodged into bodies.
*Players can disarm a weapon attack in the first attempt, whereas it can take several attempts to disarm Elite or Leader Guards who are considerably less powerful damage-wise, as opposed to Brutes.
*Heavy Weapons are the most common weapons used by the [[Mercenaries]].
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]'', Ezio has the ability to throw heavy and long weapons at his enemies. Heavy weapons will get stuck in the target's head while the long weapons will impale the target.
*Taunting with the "Head" button will make it easier to disarm tougher guards such as [[Brute]]s or [[Papal Guard]]s.
*Assassin Apprentices below the rank of Assassino can wield axes.
*In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood players can no longer perform the Smash skill but can throw weapons instead.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
assassins-creed-ii-20090819050837362_640w.jpg|Mercenaries and Ezio using bearded axes.
assassins-creed-ii-20091228112623135.jpg|Ezio using a two-handed axe.
HEAVYSHEATH.jpg|The Heavy Sheath as it appears in a shop.
Blood_quest--article_image.jpg|The [[Shop Quests|Quest]] necessary to unlock one of the heavy weapons.
</gallery>

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]

Heavy weapon

2010-12-18T19:44:13Z

90.221.126.242: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC2|Weapons}}
[[File:Heavy_weapons_ac2.jpg|thumb|260px|3 heavy weapons in the game. From left to right: Labrys, Bearded Axe, Bastard Sword]]

'''Heavy Weapons''' are edged weapons that rely more on sheer force to inflict bone-breaking damage. When swung with sufficient strength, they smash through attempts to parry them with smaller weapons. Opponents caught under the full weight of the blow may collapse and even drop their weapons. Heavy weapons can only be countered by a [[Spears and Halberds|Long]] or another Heavy weapon (with the Hidden Blade being an exception, as it can counter any weapon; though the timing involved makes the maneuver more difficult and thus risky). However, you can disarm your opponent with your [[fists]]. If you are equipped with the [[Hidden Gun]] or [[Poison Blade]], Ezio will automatically counter with his [[Hidden Blade]]. Counters with these powerful weapons are always lethal to the target, but sometimes you will leave the weapon in the victim's body (so use it on the most dangerous enemies only to maximize the effect). The Combo length for a Heavy Weapon is 3 hits.

== Special Technique==
The ''Smash skill'' is acquired from Training and can be used when a Heavy weapon is equipped. A smash takes a long time to build up, during which the player is vulnerable to interruption. But when a fully charged Smash connects, it breaks through enemy defence to cause a large amount of damage and further effects. It cannot be parried, and the victim will be disarmed, or may have a [[Spears and Halberds|long weapon]] broken.

==Heavy Weapon Attributes==
{|width="60%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Damage
!scope="col"|Speed
!scope="col"|Deflect
|-
!scope="row"|Bastard Sword
|3
|4
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Bearded Axe
|2
|3
|4
|-
!scope="row"|Labrys
|5
|3
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Stocco
|3
|5
|5
|-
!scope="row"|Spada Lunga
|4
|5
|3
|-
!scopre="row"|Spadone
|5
|4
|4
|}

==Heavy Sheath==
In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', the player can purchase a heavy sheath from a Tailor shop. This allows the player to equip two-handed weapons as their primary weapon, allowing the choice of 6 more weapons. If Ezio has a two-handed weapon as his primary weapon, however, he cannot carry another primary one-handed melee weapon (e.g [[Sword]]s, [[Warhammer]]s, etc.) as well.

==Trivia==
*Heavy Weapons can be re-obtained from bodies after they have been lodged in them through combat by simply picking up the body, which will cause the weapon to drop. This also happens when a Long weapon has been lodged into bodies.
*Players can disarm a weapon attack in the first attempt, whereas it can take several attempts to disarm Elite or Leader Guards who are considerably less powerful damage-wise, as opposed to Brutes.
*Heavy Weapons are the most common weapons used by the [[Mercenaries]].
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]'', Ezio has the ability to throw heavy and long weapons at his enemies. Heavy weapons will get stuck in the target's head while the long weapons will impale the target.
*Taunting with the "Head" button will make it easier to disarm tougher guards such as [[Brute]]s or [[Papal Guard]]s.
*Assassin Apprentices below the rank of Assassino can wield axes.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
assassins-creed-ii-20090819050837362_640w.jpg|Mercenaries and Ezio using bearded axes.
assassins-creed-ii-20091228112623135.jpg|Ezio using a two-handed axe.
HEAVYSHEATH.jpg|The Heavy Sheath as it appears in a shop.
Blood_quest--article_image.jpg|The [[Shop Quests|Quest]] necessary to unlock one of the heavy weapons.
</gallery>

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]

Bartolomeo d'Alviano

2010-12-18T19:30:50Z

90.221.126.242:

{{WP-REAL}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Bartolomeo d'Alviano
|image = Zw-bartolomeodalviano.png
|birth = 1455 [[wikipedia:Alviano|Alviano]], [[Italy]]
|death = 1515 (aged 59 - 60) [[wikipedia:Brescia|Brescia]], Italy
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Alex Ivanovici]]}}

{{Quote|Ezio Auditore! Come in, come in! I'll kill you if you don't.|Bartolomeo, upon meeting Ezio in Rome.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

'''Bartolomeo d'Alviano''' (1455 – 1515) was an [[Assassin]] and [[Italy|Italian]] ''condottiero'' (mercenary leader).

==Biography==
===Early life===
Bartolomeo was born in the town of Alviano, and was the son of Francesco d'Alviano and Isabella degli Atti. His cousin is [[Fabio Orsini]].

Bartolomeo somehow found his way into the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] and positioned himself in the [[Castello district]] of [[Venice]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===Retaking the Castello district===
By 1486, the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Silvio Barbarigo]] had taken control over the Castello district, and had captured most of Bartolomeo's men, including Bartolomeo himself. Luckily for him, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], the son of the late Assassin [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]], came to his rescue and the two fought their way back to Bartolomeo's headquarters.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

After Bartolomeo found his precious sword "Bianca," he asked Ezio to rescue some of his men who had been captured by Silvio's. Ezio successfully rescued each of the mercenaries and, upon returning to Bartolomeo, was instructed by the latter to position some of the men throughout the district, in order to regain the lost territory. Bartolomeo explained that these men would stir up trouble once Ezio launched the signal, forcing Silvio to dispatch most of his guards, and in turn leave himself vulnerable. Ezio killed several guards on the marked locations and positioned the mercenaries there.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Bartolomeo gave Ezio some fireworks upon his arrival, to be used to signal the attack. Ezio climbed the highest viewpoint and launched the fireworks, after which Bartolomeo and his men fought against [[Dante Moro]] and some other guards. Ezio rushed to Bartolomeo's aid, and Dante fled to [[Arsenal Shipyard|l'Arsenale]]. Bartolomeo and Ezio killed two [[brutes]] and followed Dante to the shipping port, where Ezio almost defeated Dante; though he escaped into l'Arsenale to run towards a docked ship with Silvio. The two of them were assassinated by Ezio before they could set sail on the ship, however. Bartolomeo thanked and congratulated Ezio on liberating the Castello district from Silvio's oppression, and the two parted ways.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Acquiring the Apple of Eden===
Two years later, Bartolomeo met with some of the other Assassins, those who had been guiding Ezio Auditore over the past 12 years, to acquire the "[[First Apple|Apple of Eden]]" from [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]]. However, when they reached Rodrigo's location, they found Ezio already fighting Rodrigo and his guards, and thus the Assassins rushed to his aid. After killing all the guards and severely wounding Rodrigo, the group all revealed themselves to be Assassins, which was previously unknown by Ezio. They then inducted Ezio into the order atop a tall tower and all performed a [[Leap of Faith]] into a haystack.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Battle against Pope Alexander VI===
In 1496, Bartolomeo joined the Orsini in a battle against the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]], who were attempting to seize Orsini territory.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Bartolomeo's resources were cut down to three fortresses by the Borgia, but Bartolomeo's fighting spirit kept him going. [[Cesare Borgia]] completely cut off his surprise when he thought victory was near, but Carlo Orsini arrived just in time to support Bartolomeo, even wounding Cesare in the face.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

==War in Rome==
In 1500, Ezio was found Bartolomeo's barracks under the influence of the Borgia Captain, Battista Borgia. KIlling the captain and removing Borgia control from that area as Bartolomeo's wife, Pantsilea Baglioni, requested, Ezio returned to the barracks and rebuilt it. Bartolomeo then reported to Tiber Island with information on the whereabouts of Cesare and Rodrigo Borgia.

In 1503, Ezio met up with him again. He asked Bartolomeo about the Baron de Valois before finding the French soldiers attacking the barracks. After dispatching the soldiers and closing the gates, the two found Baron de Valois with his forces outside. He revealed that he had captured Pantisilea and ordered for Bartolomeo to surrender. Immediately after, the mercenary general rode for the French camp. Furious, he shouted insults at the French. Ezio came up with a plan and the two returned to the barracks. He revealed that if they could liberate suits of French armour, they'd be permitted access into Castra Praetoria, pretending they'd come to deliver the surrendering Bartolomeo. Undetected, Ezio managed to get the armour and the mercenaries made for the Baron's camp. Along the way, he was forced to kill roadblocks to avoid detection. Entering the camp, Bartolomeo continued to insult the Baron until his wife was held at gunpoint. Quickly, Ezio left off a shot from his hidden gun, causing a distraction. The mercenaries began their assault while Ezio followed the Baron, killing four Papal guards and several French soldiers. Catching up with him, the Templar slowed him down by taking a cheap shot from his ''pistola'' forcing Ezio to take cover. Managing to gain an aerial advantage over the Baron, the assassin air assassinated him. Bartolomeo hugged Pantasilea, promising to be a better husband.

Bartolomeo was present at the initiation of Claudia and Ezio's promotion to Il Mentore with the other assassins. After the downfall of Cesare Borgia, Bartolomeo and the other high ranking assassins gathered at the gate where Cesare's last supporters stood. They managed to defeat Cesare's last men together before returning to the Assassin's Guild.
==Under Ferdinand II and Nicolò Orsini==
In 1503, hired by Ferdinand II of Spain, Bartolomeo was determinant in the victory at the Battle of Garigliano over the French army, which started the Spanish domination over southern Italy. In 1507, together with Nicolò Orsini, Bartolomeo was rehired by the Republic of Venice. The following year, he defeated the Imperial Army of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor in Cadore, at Mauria and Pontebba, conquering Gorizia and Trieste. In the same year, Pordenone also fell, and the Serenissima assigned its seignory to Alviano himself.

===Battle of Agnadello===
In 1509, he fought in the [[Battle of Agnadello]]. He allegedly attacked the enemy without the authorization of the Orsini, then commander-in-chief. He was wounded as a result, but managed to recover and rally his troops. He won the hearts of the citizens of Agnadello, where the [[the Shroud|Shroud of Eden]] was located, and they in turn helped Bartolomeo and his men in getting resources.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

However, he was still captured by the French; Louis XII placed Bartolomeo in jail. In 1513, after the alliance between France and Venice against the Duchy of Milan, he was freed and later fought under the French commander Louis de la Trémoille. He was defeated at Vicenza by the Spanish viceroy of Naples, Ramón de Cardona.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/>

===Later life===
Later, Bartolomeo conquered and sacked Pordenone, which in the meantime had fallen again to the House of Habsburg. He was subsequently a protagonist of the French victory at Marignano (September 1515), in which he attacked the Swiss mercenary with a corps of only 300 knights. Later, he also managed to conquer Bergamo, but died in October of the same year while besieging Brescia.

Venice welcomed his body home with a grand ceremony, and he was buried in the church of [[Santo Stefano]] in Venice.

==Trivia==
*Bartolomeo owned a large sword resembling a Scottish [[wikipedia:claymore|claymore]], which he called "Bianca," the Italian word for "white." He was shown to be very protective of the sword, treating it like his own child.
*His sword "Bianca" is also an exclusive item for ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'', which is unlockable for 15 [[Uplay]] points.
*It has been stated in an interview that you can acquire his sword by completing a mission for the mercenaries in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''. However, this statement is inaccurate, as you instead recieve an axe named "Bartolomeo's Axe."
*Although his axe is named "Bartolomeo's Axe," common brutes can occasionally be seen wielding this axe in Rome.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery captionalign="left">
Bartolomeo 2.jpg|Bartolomeo, rescued by Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
Bartolomeo.jpg|Bartolomeo 'captured' by his own men and Ezio Auditore in disguises.
Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h54m41s96.jpg|Bartolomeo with Claudia Auditore and La Volpe, waiting for Ezio
Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h45m54s20.jpg|Bartolomeo and La Volpe with Assassin's Brotherhood
vlcsnap-2010-11-12-22h24m02s55.jpg
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alviano, Bartolomeo da}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Il Carnefice

2010-12-18T19:05:46Z

90.221.126.242:

{{stub}}
[[File:EzioVsExec.jpg|thumb|290px|Ezio in battle with Il Carnifice.]]
: ''For the multiplayer character, see [[Executioner]]''

{{quote|It was not my best work, but it is hard to make good art with poor materials.|Il Carnefice, on the execution of a young woman.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

'''Il Carnefice '''(1473 - January 1500) was an executioner active in the city of [[Rome]] and a member of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].

In 1500, he forced himself onto a [[Civilian|woman]], only to have her hanged. The woman's husband later mourned her death, though he was unable to remove her body down from the noose, at the threat of being executed himself. This was noticed by [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who decided to aid the man by bringing justice to Il Carnefice. Ezio infiltrated Il Carnefice's cliff side palazzo, where he was was discussing his latest kill with an associate of his, and swiftly assassinated him.<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/assassins-creed-brotherhood/preview/assassins-creed-brotherhood-single-player-hands-on/a-2010101512425823079/g-2010050618435955047/p-2 ''Assassin's Creed Brotherhood'' - single-player hands-on]</ref> With Il Carnefice dead, the executions of many innocent citizens were put to a stop.

Il Carnefice also appears in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' in the mission "[[Chapter 1 - Fiora Cavazza#Gallows_Humor|Gallows Humor]]," wherein [[Cesare Borgia]] sent [[Fiora Cavazza]] to bring him a sealed envelope. At first, Il Carnefice acted serious upon opening the envelope, telling Fiora that her name was in its contents, but it turned out that he was only playing a prank on her, admitting that he couldn't read. Fiora later witnessed his brutal executions, ending up more disgusted than terrified of his antics.

[[File:Zw-acb-ezio-Executioner.jpg|thumb|left|II Carnefice dies at the hands of Ezio Auditore da Firenze.]]
==Database Entry==
Il Carnefice

Date of Birth: 1473.

Profession: Executioner.

There's nothing in the history books about Il Carnefice, so I did a little digging in Abstergo's mainframe. Here's what I found: "A natural ally for the Borgia, Il Carnefice kills to the roar of an approving crowd."

The other small piece of information I could dig up is that he fancies himself as some sort of twisted artist. I guess that explains the crowd bit. I wonder if he does tricks while performing executions, or whether it's all in the subtle way he pulls the lever?

==Trivia==
*Il Carnefice's axe in the Story mode does not seem to be the same one he uses in Multiplayer.
*Il Carnefice is the first multiplayer encounter in ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]''.
*Unsurprisingly, his name, in English, translates as "The Executioner".
*Il Carnefice fights like a brute with pretty much the same attributes.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carnefice}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]

Cesare Borgia

2010-12-18T18:59:39Z

90.221.126.242:

{{Era|AC2|Templars|Ren}}
{{WP-REAL}}
{{spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Cesare Borgia
|image = Char_cesare.png
|birth = 13 September 1475 [[Rome]], [[Italy]]
|death = 12 March 1507 (aged 31) [[Viana]], [[Spain]]
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]]
|faction = *[[Templars]]
**[[House of Borgia]]
*[[Papacy]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Andreas Apergis]]
}}

{{quote|Father, do you not see? I control all of this. If I want to live, I live. If I want to take, I take. If I want you to die, you die!|Cesare Borgia to his father, 1503|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

'''Cesare Borgia''' (13 September 1475 - 12 March 1507) was the son of [[Rodrigo Borgia]] and a nemesis of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]. Like his father, he was a member of the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. Eventually, he became the commander of the [[Papacy|Papal]] army and a leader in the Templar Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Cesare Borgia was born in [[Rome]] in 1475, to Rodrigo Borgia, the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]], and his long-term mistress [[wikipedia:Vannozza dei Cattanei|Vannozza dei Cattanei]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

At the age eighteen, Cesare became a Cardinal while his older brother, [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]], Rodrigo's favorite, became captain general of the Papal armies. Realizing his life as a Cardinal would reach a dead end and his brother would get everything, Cesare had Juan killed and then took his place a captain general, becoming one of the most powerful men in Italy.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Becoming a Templar leader===
In 1496, when his father waged war with the Orsini Family to seize their territory, Cesare joined the battle. Among the enemy's ranks was [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], in secret an [[Assassin]]. When Bartolomeo's resources were down to three fortresses, Cesare cut off his supplies. When it looked like victory was near, Carlo Orsini arrived with his army and joined Bartolomeo, even wounding Cesare in the face.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===Siege of Monteriggioni===
[[File:Apple.jpg|thumb|250px|Cesare Borgia at Monteriggioni's gates, holding the Apple of Eden.]]
{{Quote|I know you're there, Ezio! The Pope told me about you and your little group of [[Assassins]]! And [[Sixth Apple|this]]!|Cesare Borgia to Ezio Auditore, 1500.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In January 1500, Cesare, who had been brought up in the Templar ways, led [[Siege of Monteriggioni|an assault]] on [[Monteriggioni]], headquarters of the Assassins in [[Italy]] in order to eliminate the [[Master Assassin]] Ezio Auditore. Besieging the city, Cesare's forces overwhelmed the city's defenders and handed to him [[Mario Auditore]] and [[Caterina Sforza]]. Standing at the city gates, the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]] in hand, Cesare "invited" Ezio to come and face him in [[Rome]] with a shot of his firearm that killed Mario. Ezio was then shot down and wounded by a team of [[arquebusier]]s, and the battle was won. With Monteriggioni in ruins, Cesare returned to Rome with his prize.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===War in Rome===
{{quote|Ruthless, cruel beyond imagining. The laws of men mean nothing to him.|[[Niccolò Machiavelli]], regarding Cesare Borgia.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:Cesare_and_the_Papal_Guard.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Cesare speaking to the [[Papal Guard]].]]

By 1500, Cesare had Rome under his iron fist as commander of the Papal army, though it appeared that he and his father sometimes disagreed on his choices. He used [[Borgia towers]] to keep control over the five districts of Rome. Cesare was also away for periods of time, overseeing the advancement of his army in a bid to unite all of Italy under his rule.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

In 1502, [[Leonardo da Vinci]] was forced into service for the Borgia, wherein Cesare made Leonardo build several [[War Machines|war machines]] for his army. However, all of Leonardo's creations were stolen and destroyed by Ezio Auditore, in secret, at Leonardo's own behest.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

In 1503, Cesare and his father Rodrigo argued over the former's insatiable lust for power. Rodrigo commented that he had given Cesare all he had, and still his son wasn't satisfied. Cesare demanded that his father give him the Apple of Eden, but Rodrigo refused. At this point, Lucrezia barged in, crying out to her brother that their father was attempting to poison him with the bowl of apples he'd left out. An angry Cesare responded by charging Rodrigo and shoving the apple he'd been eating into his mouth. The poison did its work and Rodrigo died within seconds. Cesare then demanded the Apple of Eden's whereabouts from Lucrezia, who confessed under much pressure. Unfortunately, Ezio beat Cesare to the [[Basilica di San Pietro]] (where the Apple was hidden), and retrieved the Apple before him, having witnessed the scene from the window.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Cesare's rule met a downward spiral from there. As a final stab from his father, Cesare had consumed enough of the poison to leave him weak for months. While recovering, Ezio and the other Assassins used the Apple to dwindle his remaining forces and the Vatican fully rejected his request for support, seeing the Borgia's money as "tainted."<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

After being confronted by the highest-ranking Assassins, whom had eliminated Cesare's last remaining followers, [[Fabio Orsini]] arrived with the Papal Guard and a warrant for Cesare's arrest, by the order of [[wikipedia:Pope Julius II|Pope Julius II]]. Cesare was taken away, imprisoned, and later exiled to Spain.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Siege of Viana and death===
{{Quote|I will lead mankind to a new world! You cannot kill me! No man can murder me!|Cesare Borgia's last words, 1507.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
Cesare spent several years in prison, when a Count gave him a rope with which he was able to escape. He fell 70 metres to the ground on top of a servant who had accompanied him. With several bones fractured, Cesare was ultimately able to escape dressed in merchant clothes and join his brother-in-law, [[John III of Navarre]], in [[Spain]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

In March of 1507, Cesare tried to regain his lost honor by commandeering John III's vast army during the [[Siege of Viana|Siege]] of [[Viana]], after which, should he be victorious, he would regain the support of the French. However, unbeknownst to him, Ezio caught wind of Cesare's involvement in the battle and set out for Viana.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

During the siege, Ezio located Cesare on the battlefield fighting alongside his men and charged, though Cesare held him back just long enough to dodge Ezio's left [[Hidden Blade]] and flee. Ezio's pursuit was delayed by several cannonball impacts that stunned him, and incapacitated the other soldiers in the area.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Ezio would soon see him on the outskirts of the castle walls with his troops, there he had a civilian woman killed who was crying that her son was injured. Ezio eventually caught up with Cesare on the walls of [[Viana Castle|Viana's Castle]] and fought him, with Cesare wielding a sword and a ''pistola'' that was possibly the same with which he had killed Mario Auditore. Though Cesare was reinforced periodically by troops, Ezio nevertheless defeated him, eventually pinning him to the ground. When Cesare vowed not to die at the hands of man, Ezio declared that he would leave Cesare "in the hands of Fate," and threw him off of the castle wall to his death.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

==Final words==
'''Cesare''': ''The throne was mine!'' 
'''Ezio''': ''Wanting something does not make it your right.'' 
'''Cesare''': ''What do you know!?'' 
'''Ezio''': ''That a true leader empowers the people he rules.'' 
'''Cesare''': ''I will lead mankind into a new world!'' 
'''Ezio''': ''Che nessuno recordi il tuo nome.'' (May no one remember your name.) ''Requiescat in pace.'' (Rest in peace.) 
'''Cesare''': ''You cannot kill me! No man can murder me!'' 
'''Ezio''': ''Then I leave you in the hands of Fate!''

==Trivia==
*Historically, it is said that [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] greatly admired Cesare. However, in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', while Machiavelli does respect his ability to enforce his will, he also seeks to eliminate Cesare and his [[House of Borgia|family members]] alongside Ezio.
*Cesare's comments about bloodshed and the need for cleansing may highlight the origin of the name [[Abstergo]], which is Latin for "I cleanse."
*When Ezio has to save [[Caterina Sforza]] from the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]], he encounters Cesare and [[Lucrezia Borgia]] kissing each other, revealing that they were lovers. Additionally, Cesare is later arrested on the grounds of incest, along with his other crimes.
*Several scenes in the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Story Trailer did not feature in the actual game, such as the scene with Ezio and Cesare facing each other on either side of the battlements and when the cannonball smashed in front of them. Also, when Cesare is adressing his Papal guard infantry in the image above, that also doesn't feature.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery captionalign="left>
Zw-acb-Lucrezia-Cesare.jpg|Cesare and Lucrezia kiss intimately.
ACB Cesare Baron.png|Cesare and [[Octavian de Valois]].
ACB Cesare Lucrezia.png|Cesare and Lucrezia.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Cesare}}
[[Category:Characters|Borgia, Cesare]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters|Borgia, Cesare]]
[[Category:Templars|Borgia, Cesare]]
[[Category:Historical Characters|Borgia, Cesare]]

Ezio Auditore da Firenze

2010-12-18T18:53:41Z

90.221.126.242:

{{Era|AC2|AC2D|Assassins|Ren|Good}}
{{spoilerhd}}
{{Character Infobox
|image = char_ezio.png
|imgdesc = Ezio Auditore as a [[Master Assassin]].
|birth = June 24, 1459<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|period = Italian [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Auditore|Auditore]] [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy]]''
|actor = [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]]
|voice = [[Roger Craig Smith]] [[Kid Beyond]] (''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery|Discovery]]'')
}}
{{Quote|My name is Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and like my father and grandfathers before me, I am an Assassin.|Ezio Auditore da Firenze.|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Ezio Auditore da Firenze''' (born 1459) was a [[Florence|Florentine]] noble during the [[Italy|Italian]] [[Renaissance]] and, unbeknownst to most historians and philosophers, a central member and Grand Master of the [[Assassin's Order]]. A descendant of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and ancestor to both [[Desmond Miles]] and [[Subject 16]], Ezio was unaware of his Assassin heritage until the age of 17, when his [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|father]] and two brothers, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], were murdered. Ezio fled [[Florence]] – his birthplace – and took refuge at the [[Villa Auditore]] in the [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] town of [[Monteriggioni]].

Learning of his heritage from his uncle, [[Mario Auditore]], Ezio begun his Assassin training, as well as his quest for vengeance against the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]], [[Rodrigo Borgia]], who had ordered the executions of his father and two brothers. During his quest, Ezio managed to not only unite the pages of Altaïr's [[Codex]] for the first time since [[Domenico Auditore]], but also to save the cities of Florence, [[Venice]], and later [[Rome]] from the [[Templars]]' wrath. He ensured the future travels of [[Christoffa Corombo]] to the "New World" and, in [[Liberation of Rome|liberating Rome]] from Borgia control, helped spread the Renaissance and Assassin ideals of independence and free thought throughout Italy.

Shortly before the death of Rodrigo Borgia in 1503, Ezio was pronounced the [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order|Grand Master]], or "ll Mentore", of the Assassin Order.

==Biography==
===Early life===
====Pre-Execution====
[[File:Eziolineagechess.png|thumb|230px|left|A much younger Ezio, portrayed by [[wikipedia:Devon Bostick|Devon Bostick]].]]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze was born in Florence on June 24, 1459 AD, the second son of Giovanni Auditore and [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|Maria Auditore]]. Until the age of 17, Ezio lived a life of luxury as a member of the Florentine noble class, unaware of his father's allegiance to the Assassin Order. As a youth he was apprenticed to the great banker Giovanni Tornabuoni, presumably to learn the banking trade, so that he could become the leader of the Auditore bank in the future.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>

In the year 1476, Ezio, his older brother Federico, and friends of the family got into a fight with [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] and his gang. Ezio single-handedly defeated several members of the opposing gang, but Vieri managed to escape the scene before Ezio could do anything to him. Just before the fight, Ezio received a cut on his lip – caused by a rock thrown by Vieri – for which Federico suggested that they visit the local doctor. After looting several people left unconscious by the fight, the two brothers ran across the rooftops to the [[Doctor]].

After the doctor had tended to his wound, a church nearby caught the Eye of the brothers, and Federico suggested a race. Ezio won and together the two looked out over the city. Realizing that they were nearby, Ezio traveled to the house of [[Cristina Vespucci]] and spent the night with her. Caught by Cristina's father the morning after, Ezio fled from a group of pursuing [[guards]] before meeting with his father at the [[Palazzo Auditore]]. Giovanni scolded him, but later softened, admitting that it reminded him of his own youth. He then assigned Ezio the task of delivering several letters to his contacts.

After returning home, Ezio found his distraught [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|sister]] crying after discovering her boyfriend, [[Duccio]], had been unfaithful. After obtaining his whereabouts, Ezio beat the man and warned him to stay away from his sister. Upon returning to the palazzo again, his little brother Petruccio asked Ezio to collect eagle [[feather]]s from the rooftops, as he was ill and couldn't leave the house or get out of bed. After a tiring search for feathers – about which Petruccio was secretive – Ezio's mother secured his services in picking up some paintings from a young artist that she patronized, [[Leonardo da Vinci]]. On the walk home, Leonardo struck up a conversation, beginning a friendship between the two young men that would last throughout their adult lives.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

====The Auditore Execution====
[[File:QuickTimePlayer_2009-09-25_20-14-39-52.png|thumb|Ezio's family being hung for treason.]]
{{Quote|I'll kill you for what you've done!|Ezio Auditore to Uberto Alberti after watching his family's execution in 1476.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Upon returning home, Ezio was asked by his father to deliver two letters to contacts of his in the city then retrieve a letter for him from a pigeon coup not far from the house. Ezio agreed, and after two odd encounters with the people he'd delivered the letters to, Ezio retrieved the note from the pigeon coup only to witness guards running across Florence. After completing his errands, Ezio returned home to find the house ransacked, his father and brothers missing and his mother and sister hiding. Learning that city guards had been ordered to arrest Giovanni and all of his sons, Ezio made his way to the [[Palazzo della Signoria]], where his father and brothers were being held. Climbing the building and speaking to his father through his cell window, Ezio was instructed to find a chest hidden in his office, take everything out of it, then deliver a sealed letter to [[Uberto Alberti]], [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]'s personal assistant and a close friend of the Auditore family. Doing so, Ezio found his father's Assassin robes and the letter containing details of a plot against the city of Florence and the Auditore family. Ezio brought the incriminating documents to Alberti and was assured that his family would be released the following day when the information was presented as evidence of their innocence.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Ezio then traveled to the home of Christina Vespucci, where he spent the night.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref>

The next day, Ezio returned to the Piazza della Signoria to find Alberti presiding over the execution of the Auditores (watched over all the while by a mysterious stranger who turned out to be Rodrigo Borgia who had been present with Alberti the previous night). Giovanni claimed his innocence, citing the information given to Alberti as evidence. But Alberti denied any knowledge of such information. Ezio shouted that Alberti was indeed lying, but his efforts to prevent the execution were ultimately in vain, and he could only watch helplessly as his father and brothers were hanged. When he attempted to charge the scaffold to avenge his kinsmen, Alberti ordered the city guards to murder him. At the urging of one of Giovanni's friends, a [[Thieves|thief]], Ezio fled the Piazza della Signoria and sought shelter in a [[Courtesans|brothel]], run by the sister of the [[Annetta|Auditore housemaid]], a courtesan named [[Paola]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Heritage===
====Exacting revenge====
{{Quote|The Auditore are not dead! I'm still here! Me! Ezio! Ezio Auditore!|Ezio Auditore, 1476.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Paola, who unbeknownst to Ezio was an Assassin herself, agreed to assist Ezio in his quest for vengeance, teaching him how to survive in the city as an outlaw through [[pickpocketing]] and blending in crowds. She further directed Ezio to Leonardo da Vinci to repair the [[Hidden Blade]] of the late Giovanni Auditore, but did not notice that Ezio was being watched. At Leonardo's workshop, a guard banged on the door, ordered Leonardo outside, and tried to beat Ezio's location from him. Ezio realized something was wrong and crept up behind the guard, stabbing him from behind.

[[File:Uberto2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ezio furiously stabbing Uberto Alberti.]]
After Leonardo had thanked him, Ezio sought out and assassinated Alberti in the courtyard of the [[wikipedia:Basilicia of Santa Croce, Florence|Basilica of Santa Croce]], who was attending Verrochio's latest exhibit. After making his way inside the courtyard, he attacked Alberti in a frenzied rage, stabbing him multiple times in the chest, before proudly proclaiming the survival of the Auditore family through him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>After killing Alberti, he took the documents that Alberti stole from Ezio and his father. Ezio also took a letter from Alberti that was supposed to be for his wife and son. Ezio decided he would see that she gets the letter, not wanting to sink to Alberti's level.

====Family Ties====
{{Quote|Don't you recognize me? It's a-me, Mario!|Mario Auditore greets his nephew upon his arrival at Monteriggioni.|Assassin's Creed II}}
Now the most wanted man in Florence, Ezio fled the city with his mother and sister in the hopes of making their way to Spain, stopping beforehand at the Auditore family's villa in the town of Monteriggioni for shelter. During their travel to Monteriggioni, the three were accosted by Vieri de' Pazzi and his followers, but were saved by the timely arrival of Ezio's uncle, Mario Auditore, and his [[mercenaries]]. Mario informed Ezio of the existence of the Assassins, in an obvious attempt to induct him into the Order, revealing that many of his ancestors, including Giovanni, were part of it. However, Ezio refused his ancestry, wishing only to continue his journey to Spain to ensure his mother and sister's safety. Enraged, Mario left Monteriggioni for the city of [[San Gimignano]], where Vieri de' Pazzi had been located, in the attempt to relieve Monteriggioni of continual assaults by his minions. Guilt-ridden and knowing his presence was a primary reason for the ongoing attacks, Ezio traveled to San Gimignano to accept Mario's offer.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

When Ezio arrived outside the city, he joined Mario and his mercenaries in their assault, waiting until nightfall to make their way to Vieri de' Pazzi by killing guards patrolling near the city gates. After witnessing a brief meeting between Rodrigo Borgia, [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]], [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] and Vieri, Ezio made for his foe; while Mario and his mercenaries kept Vieri's thugs distracted, Ezio challenged and fought Vieri for the last time, eventually overpowering and killing him after a brief duel. Ezio tried to extract a confession from his old enemy, but to no avail as Vieri chose to be snide even to the very end. Infuriated by this, Ezio flew into a rage and insulted Vieri's corpse, continuing until his uncle calmed him down, and reminded him of a tradition of the Assassins: showing respect to those they have killed.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

====Business with the Pazzi====
{{Quote|I've been sent from Firenze by Il Magnifico to attend to some unfinished business; I'm looking for [[Jacopo de' Pazzi]].|Ezio, upon returning from Florence after dealing with [[Francesco de' Pazzi]].|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:FrancescoDeath2.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio and Francesco]]
Following Vieri's death, Ezio returned to Florence in 1478 to gather information from [[La Volpe]] and prevent the planned [[Pazzi]] [[Pazzi Conspiracy|takeover]], as well as the deaths of Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. Arriving too late to save Guilano, Ezio managed to prevent the death of Lorenzo, the ruler of Florence, and restored his family's good name. However, the Pazzi had already succeeded in their plan and brought the city into a state of civil war. After escorting Lorenzo to safety at [[Palazzo Medici|his palazzo]], Ezio learned from Lorenzo's lieutenant [[Poliziano]] the location of Francesco de' Pazzi at the Piazza della Signoria. As Pazzi and Medici troops battled in the streets below them, Ezio chased down and slew Francesco, although Jacopo de' Pazzi and several other conspirators were able to escape the city. Shortly afterward, the Medici publicly cleared the name of the Auditore family and provided Ezio with the names of the conspirators who had escaped.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Learning that the Pazzi conspirators had fled to San Gimignano, Ezio tracked down and killed [[Antonio Maffei]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]], [[Bernardo Baroncelli]] and [[Francesco Salviati]], extracting from each man information on Jacopo de' Pazzi's hiding place. Using the information, Ezio located his quarry and tracked Jacopo to an ancient Roman theatre. Once there, Ezio eavesdropped on a meeting between Jacopo, Rodrigo Borgia and a Venetian merchant, [[Emilio Barbarigo]]. After fatally wounding Jacopo for his failure to capture Florence, Borgia revealed that he was aware of Ezio's presence. While Borgia and Emilio fled, Ezio was apprehended by Borgia's bodyguards, but he overpowered and killed them, before swiftly putting the dying Jacopo out of his misery.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

====Journey to Venice====
{{dialogue3|Carlo|Your little house of cards is crumbling, Emilio...|Emilio|A minor setback, it will be dealt with. This povero scemo (poor fool) Antonio and his thieves...|Never mind that! It's the assassin you should be worried about!|Why? Is...is he in Venezia?|Carlo Grimaldi and Emilio Barbarigo discuss Ezio minutes before the latter's assassination|Assassin's Creed II}}

With the Pazzi conspiracy ended, Ezio returned to Lorenzo in 1480 and declared his success. Before leaving the city for Venice, Ezio was granted a gift; a [[Outfits|Medici cape]], that would keep the city guards' attention from him. Ezio then made his way to Leonardo's workshop, only to find that he had just left for Venice himself. Meeting with Leonardo in the [[Appennine Mountains]], Ezio accompanied him to the city of [[Forlì]], narrowly avoiding the Templar soldiers sent after them by Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Ezio carrying rosa.png|thumb|left|250px|Ezio, carrying Rosa to safety.]]
Eventually arriving in Forlì, one year later, the two made their way to the city docks, where Ezio was refused passage without a pass. It was at this moment that the two heard the screams of a noble lady stranded in the city's wetlands. Ezio swiftly hastened to her rescue and was able to row the woman ashore. The lady introduced herself as [[Caterina Sforza]] and coerced the dockman into granting Ezio passage to Venice. Once in Venice, Ezio and Leonardo were given a brief tour of the city by [[Alvise Da Vilandino|Alvise]] before Ezio began to seek a way into the Palazzo of Emilio Barbarigo, although this effort proved to be in vain. Suddenly pushed aside, Ezio watched as a gang of thieves attempted and failed to breach the Palazzo, leading Ezio to subsequently aid the thief [[Rosa]], who had been shot through the leg with an arrow. After successfully escaping the city guards, Ezio was introduced to the leader of the Venetian thieves guild, [[Antonio]], and together, they concocted a new plot to kill Emilio Barbarigo and liberate the merchant district.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

The plot, taking place during 4 years, was successful and gave Ezio the name of another Templar conspirator – [[Carlo Grimaldi]]. A government official and member of the Council of Ten, Carlo was close to [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], the Doge of Venice and hoped to turn him to the Templar cause. Overhearing another meeting between Borgia and Carlo, Ezio uncovered a plot to poison the Doge and replace him with [[Marco Barbarigo]]. Returning to Antonio, he sought to find a way into the [[Palazzo Ducale]]. The pair searched the front gates, the rear walls and even passing over the [[Basilica di San Marco]]; but they were hampered at every turn. Returning to the piazza below, an enraged Antonio remarked that only birds might get into the Doge's palace, reminding Ezio of Leonardo's [[Flying Machine|flying machine]], which he had seen on the way to Forlì. After a somewhat unsuccessful test flight, Leonardo came up with a way to ensure that Ezio reached his destination.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Ezio assassinates Carlo.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio assassinates Carlo Grimaldi.]]
After removing the city guards at four separate locations, Antonio's thieves proceeded to light massive bonfires throughout the city, giving Ezio the lift Leonardo's flying machine needed to make it to the Palazzo Ducale. The plan worked, and Ezio breached the Palazzo Ducale, although he was too late to save the Doge. Carlo fled the scene, crying out that Ezio had assassinated the Doge, only to meet his own end at Ezio's hands moments later. However, Ezio was now the most wanted man in Venice and was forced to flee the city guards.

Returning to Leonardo's workshop for help in 1486, Ezio was directed to [[Teodora Contanto|Sister Teodora]]'s brothel, where Antonio was hiding. Under the cover of [[Carnevale]], Ezio made his way to the brothel and began planning the death of Marco Barbarigo, competing in the four games of the Carnevale to win the [[Golden Mask|golden mask]] that would gain him entrance to Marco's private party. Ezio was successful but found that Marco's cousin, [[Silvio Barbarigo]] and Marco's personal slave-bodyguard, [[Dante Moro]] intimidated and bribed the judges into denying him his prize. However, Ezio was successful in regaining the mask from Moro and managed to infiltrate the Doge's personal party and assassinate Marco with [[Pistol|an ingenious new weapon]], leaving the door open for [[Agostino Barbarigo|Agostino]], a Barbarigo not involved with the Templars, and an ally of Antonio's, to legitimately become Doge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

With his quest nearly at an end, Ezio tracked down Silvio Barbarigo and Dante Moro, who had occupied the Arsenal with an army of mercenaries. Needing a force of his own, Ezio was directed to find the mercenary leader, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], only to find Silvio's thugs had attacked Bartolomeo's headquarters and captured him and a number of his soldiers. Ezio swiftly located and liberated Bartolomeo and his soldiers; once he learned of Ezio's purpose, the mercenary captain was more than willing to assist in Silvio's destruction. Having tracked the Templars down to the city's Arsenal, Ezio managed to storm the building with the help of Bartolomeo and his men, and killed Dante Moro and Silvio Barbarigo in the ensuing battle. However, he was astonished to learn that the plot to remove the Doge was merely a distraction, so that the Templars could move their vessel to [[Cyprus]], although the reasons for this were unknown to Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Induction into the Order===
====The Spaniard and the Apple====
{{Quote|It's been over ten years since I watched my father and brothers die. Ten years hunting the men responsible. I'm close to the end now, but no closer to knowing what any of it was for!|Ezio discusses his life as an Assassin}}
[[File:Zw-ezio-seal.png|thumb|250px|Ezio, receiving the Assassin's mark.]]

Two more years passed before word of the Templar vessel reached Ezio once again on his twenty ninth birthday,<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSagHiz6Ujo&feature=related</ref> when Rosa brought him a shipping manifest detailing the return of the ship that very day. Sneaking into the Arsenal, Ezio watched as a Templar soldier carrying a [[Piece of Eden]] disembarked from the ship and made his way to a Templar base in the city. Following the soldier, Ezio assassinated and impersonated the guard, carrying the Piece of Eden to a meeting with Rodrigo Borgia himself. Finally able to confront the man ultimately responsible for the deaths of his father and brothers, Ezio criticized the Templar Grand Master for the non-appearance of the supposed "prophet" detailed in the Codex prophecy. Borgia responded, proudly naming himself the prophet before engaging Ezio in battle. The battle was short, and Ezio easily bested the Templar. On the backfoot, Borgia called upon the city guards and taunted the Assassin, saying that "his people" had failed to show up.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

At this very moment Mario Auditore, Antonio, Paola, Teodora, La Volpe and Bartolomeo d'Alviano appeared, driving off Borgia and revealing themselves to Ezio as Assassins. With the arrival of [[Niccolò Machiavelli]], it was revealed to Ezio that he was in fact the supposed "prophet", and that for the past decade they had all worked together to induct Ezio into the Assassins Order. That night, they all met again and Ezio was formally inducted into the Order.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

====Time in the Wetlands====
{{quote|Muori col tuo orgoglio, per quanto vale... Requiescat in pace. (Die with your pride, for what it's worth... Rest in peace.)|Ezio Auditore to Ludovico Orsi|Battle of Forlì (DLC)}}
Shortly after his induction, Ezio met with Mario and Niccolò, and travelled to Leonardo da Vinci's studio, hoping he could shed some light upon the strange artifact [[Rodrigo Borgia]] had dubbed "[[Sixth Apple|the Apple]]". Leonardo examined the unique device, commenting that the metal it was made of should not exist, and that its design was highly advanced despite its age. Briefly touching the Apple, Ezio accidentally activated the device, which started to glow and show strange holographic images. De-activating the device, Niccolò announced that he had arranged for the Piece of Eden to be held in the [[Rocca di Ravaldino]], protected by an ally of the Assassin's, Caterina Sforza. Niccolò and Ezio met with Caterina in [[Romagna]], just outside the city of Forlì. After briefly discussing the Apple, the three made their way back to the city, only to find that it had been invaded by the Orsi brothers: [[Checco Orsi|Checco]] and [[Ludovico Orsi|Ludovico]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì">''[[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì]]''</ref>

As the group fought its way to the city's locked gates, Ezio managed to find another way inside and opened the gates, allowing them to continue their way to the Citadel. Reaching the Rocca di Ravaldino, they found out that two of Caterina’s children, [[Ottaviano Riario|Ottaviano]] and [[Bianca Riario|Bianca]], were in the hands of the Orsi brothers, who had recently arrived and begun attacking the Citadel. Repelling the attack, Ezio left the Apple in Caterina's hands, before going to rescue her two children.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì"/>

[[File:Zw-bof7.png|thumb|250px|Ezio briefly glimpses Savonarola, before passing out.]]
Making his way into Romagna, Ezio overpowered the guard detail assigned to imprison Bianca, who directed Ezio to her brother Ottaviano. As Bianca fled back to the city, Ezio made his way the the lighthouse upon which Ottaviano was being held by Ludovico himself. Climbing the tower, Ezio dispatched Ludovico and freed Ottaviano, though not before learning that the kidnapping was a distraction, which had allowed the brothers to steal the Apple. Ezio swiftly tracked down and killed Checco Orsi and his remaining men. Retrieving the Apple, Ezio failed to notice that Checco had stabbed him in the abdomen. Injured, Ezio collapsed to the floor, the Apple rolling from his hand. Before losing consciousness Ezio saw a [[Girolamo Savonarola|monk]] with a missing finger pick up the Apple and walk away, despite Ezio's warnings against doing so.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì"/>

Caterina’s guards later found Ezio next to Checco’s corpse and returned him to Forlì, where Caterina nursed him back to health. Returned to his senses, Ezio, now bearded, hurriedly explained to Caterina that the Apple had been stolen from him by a man in black. She recognized him for a monk and told Ezio to search for the monk at the church outside the city walls. There was no sign of the monk, but Ezio met with [[Brother O’Callahan]], who told him to continue his search at San Vincenzo, in central Forlì. An abbot there identified Ezio as Stefano de Bagnone's killer and ran away, but was intercepted, and, once convinced he was not about to die, gave Ezio the name of the nine fingered monk: Girolamo Savonarola.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"/>

====[[Sailing to Spain|Journey in Spain]]====
{{Quote|My thirst for vengeance is strong, but my responsibility to the Assassins is stronger still.|Ezio Auditore, 1491|Assassins Creed II: Discovery}}
While trying to locate Savonarola, Ezio was told by a Thief to meet Antonio at the Thieves' Guild in Venice. Upon arriving there, Ezio found Antonio accompanied by another man, [[Luis Santangel]]. Luis was looking for a good "killer" who could oversee a meeting involving Luis' friend Christoffa Corombo, but Ezio expressed no interest. However, when he heard that Rodrigo Borgia was also involved in the meeting, he rushed to Christoffa's location, finding out that it was a trap. However, he managed to save Christoffa, who explained that Rodrigo was interested in his plans to sail west. Soon afterwards, Ezio met with Antonio again, who told him to go see both Luis and Christoffa in the gardens district.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>

[[File:Acd23.png|thumb|right|250px|Ezio locked in combat with a guard during his time in Spain.]]
They then told him that the Templars were in possession of Christoffa's atlas, which featured the journey's route. Ezio quickly recovered the atlas and brought it back to Christoffa and Luis. Luis informed Ezio of the presence of Spanish Assassins, who were held captive by the Spanish Inquisitor General, [[Tomas Torquemada]]. Thinking it his mission to rescue them, Ezio temporarily diverged from his goal to reclaim the Apple of Eden and set out to Spain, but not before Antonio gave him the names of two of his contacts.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

After arriving in Spain and briefly losing his sword to a thief, Ezio went on to look for one of the contacts. When he arrived at the location, he met a man who called himself [[Raphael Sanchez]] and soon after revealed himself to be an Assassin. He informed Ezio of the location of the first captured Assassin, and Ezio rushed to save him. Right before the Assassin could be burned by the Inquisitors, Ezio killed all the guards and freed him. After Ezio's return, Raphael revealed that it was [[Gaspar Martinez]] who was ordered to capture the Assassins by Torquemada. Ezio located Gaspar and found him, Torquemada and a guard surrounding a captured Assassin.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

Torquemada revealed to the captured Assassin, and indirectly to Ezio, that Rodrigo Borgia had ordered him to capture Assassins in Spain, because they were "non-believers" (in the Catholic religion). After the guard killed the Assassin, the group disbanded and Gaspar was left unguarded. Ezio then met with him and asked him what he knew of the Templars, but Gaspar feigned ignorance and said that they "went away two centuries ago." He fell silently to Ezio's blade, and Ezio acquired a list of six other Assassins' names.

After freeing the first man on the list, Ezio took him back to Raphael, informing the latter of the existence of the list. However, all the remaining Assassins were located in [[Zaragoza]].

[[File:Ezio others.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio with Luis, Raphael, and Christoffa.]]
Once in Zaragoza, Raphael told Ezio to find the Inquisition's Calficador, [[Pedro Llorente]], whose tribunal met at the far side of town. Arriving there, Ezio found that Torquemada was also present. One of the Assassins was being tried, and after he refused to convert and confess, was killed. Ezio eavesdropped on the ensuing conversation and found out that Torquemada was under orders from Rodrigo Borgia to arrest the Assassins. He hurried to locate the remaining five Assassins. Four of them where held captive inside some catacombs. The last was held inside a church. After securing their safety, Ezio killed Pedro Llorente. Returning to Raphael, he requested to return to Italy. However, Raphael still needed some help against the Inquisitors in Granada. Ezio complied, helping to assassinate a Templar spy in the city and discovering along the way that Luis Santangel was also an Assassin.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

Once again he excused himself to return to Italy, but disturbed again by the Templars. He is forced again to fight off the Templars to defend Luis, and informed that Raphael has been captured. Ezio fights to rescue Raphael, then finally infiltrate Torquemada's fortress. Torquemada escapes, but Ezio still have duties for the Piece of Eden and decide not to pursue him, Ezio excuses to finally return to Italy and Telling Luis and Raphael to tell him when Christoffa returns from his journey to find the "New World."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

====The [[Bonfire of the Vanities]]====
[[File:Ac2bonfire.jpg|thumb|left|Ezio about to knock the Apple of Eden out of Savonarola's hand.]]
{{quote|There is no book or teacher to give you the answers, to show you the way. Choose your own way! Do not follow me, or anyone else.|Ezio after Savanarola's death|Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)}}
After Lorenzo de’ Medici's death, Savonarola was able to easily take control over Florence with the Apple of Eden at his command. He taught the population of Florence that personal property and knowledge made the difference between the rich and the poor. Therefore, he burned everything related to the Renaissance in the Bonfire of the Vanities.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities">''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities]]''</ref>

Ezio and Niccolò Machiavelli wanted to put a stop to Savonarola's rule with the aid of their two comrades in the city, Paola and La Volpe. Ezio began eliminating the monk's brainwashed followers while Niccolò, Paola, and Volpe organized a riot in the city. Soon after Ezio killed Savonarola's followers, the rioters formed an angry mob and went to the Palazzo Pitti, where Savonarola resided, demanding an end to the bonfires. Savanarola tried to use the Apple to quell the riot, but before he could, Ezio threw a knife at him, knocking the Apple out of his hand. In the ensuing chaos, the Apple was picked up by a guard in service to the Borgia (the Templars had also been trying, without success, to recover the Apple from Savonarola). Ezio followed him, killed him and recovered the Apple. Savonarola was then sentenced to be executed in the same way he had dealt with the city's knowledge: burned at the stake on the Piazza della Signoria. However, Ezio decided that no one should have to die in such agony.

[[File:Assacreed2_b15_451.jpg|thumb|Ezio assassinating Savonarola before he can be burned.]]
The Assassin leapt onto the execution platform and put Savonarola out of his misery. He then looked at the stunned mob and gave a speech to them, urging them to follow their own path and rely on their own thoughts, not what they were told by the ones in power. He then left with Mario, Niccolò, Paola and La Volpe, ready to uncover the answers hidden within the Apple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities"/>

===Dealing with the Borgia===
====Trip to the Vatican====
{{Quote|I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much. Requiescat in pace, you bastard!|Ezio to Rodrigo Borgia during his first assassination attempt|Assassin's Creed II}}

The following year, in 1499, the Assassins came together once more at the Villa Auditore, with the Piece of Eden and the completed Codex in hand. Using the two objects, they discovered the location of [[the Vault]] to be in Rome, specifically, beneath the Vatican. Unfortunately, Rodrigo Borgia had become Pope in 1492, although Mario believed he had only done so to gain access to the Papal Staff, another of the Pieces of Eden. Undeterred, Ezio went to assassinate Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Ezio Rome.jpg|thumb|280px|left|Ezio battles his way to the [[Capella Sistina|Sistine Chapel]].]]
Fighting his way along the entire length of the [[Passetto di Borgo]], Ezio snuck into the Sistine Chapel and struck at Borgia from above. As he was about to deal the killing blow, Borgia surprised him by using the Staff to blast him away and drain the energy of those in the room. Since Ezio held the Apple, he was immune to the Staff's effects, and the two engaged in a duel. Ezio repeated history by using the same technique [[Al Mualim]] utilized in his duel against Altaïr in 1191, by creating multiple illusions of himself with the Apple. Ezio seemingly bested Borgia, but the Pope overcame him. Borgia took the Apple, stabbed Ezio in the abdomen and left him to die before fleeing into the Vault. Outside the Vault, Ezio watched as Borgia tried in vain to open it. Laying down his arms, Ezio challenged and defeated Borgia in a fist fight, obtaining possession of both the Apple and the Staff, but refusing to take Borgia’s life, having realized the futility of revenge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

{{Quote|Killing you won't bring my family back...I'm done.|Ezio spares Rodrigo's life|Assassin's Creed}}

Entering the Vault, Ezio stood in shock as he was confronted by a hologram of an individual naming herself "[[Minerva]]" and claiming to be one of [[Those Who Came Before]]. Ezio was further confounded when the hologram sought to speak to an unseen figure named Desmond Miles, before disappearing abruptly, leaving Ezio with many unanswered questions.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
{{Spoiler|Plot details for ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]'' follow.}}

====Siege of Monteriggioni====
[[File:Monterigioni.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio destroying a siege tower.]]
Following his encounter in the vault, Ezio returned to Monteriggioni with Mario Auditore, who had traveled to Rome to aid his nephew. During their journey, Ezio imparted onto his uncle what he had learned from Minerva, but soon found solace in the fact that his own battles were finally at an end. That evening, Ezio once again revealed the events of his encounter in the Vault, this time to Machiavelli, who in turn lambasted Ezio for his failure to kill Rodrigo Borgia. That night, unconcerned with Machiavelli's fretting, Ezio returned to his bedchamber to share an intimate moment with Caterina Sforza. He soon learned however, the the Borgia threat was not over.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

On January 2nd, 1500, [[Cesare Borgia]], the son of Rodrigo, Commander of the Papal armies and a high ranking [[Templar ]]in his own right, [[Siege of Monteriggioni|laid siege to Monteriggioni]]. Taking the Assassins by surprsie, Cesare's forces were quickly able to breach the city gates, despite the defense put up by Ezio and his uncle. Entering the city, Cesare brought a mortally wounded Mario Auditore and captured Caterina Sforza before him. Seeing his uncle lying on the ground, Ezio ran across the rooftops to reach them, but was shot by an [[arquebusier]] upon the city walls. At the same time Cesare "invited" Ezio to come to Rome with a shot of his own firearm; the shot killed Mario.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

Ezio soon regained consciousness, and continued to partake in the battle, which had by now spilled into the city streets. Retreating to the Sanctuary, Ezio and the fleeing civilians evacuated fled through a secret passageway that had been hidden behind the statue of Altaïr. After ensuring his mother and sister were safe, Ezio made his way for Rome. Ezio soon passed out however, his wounds having not been treated.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

====War in Rome====
[[File:ACB_Seq2-1.jpg|thumb|left|306px|Ezio talking to a citizen soon after arriving in Rome.]]He woke up being tended by a woman in a small house in Rome. She told him that a man had brought him there, and had supplied him with new armor and clothing. After leaving the house, Ezio met Machiavelli after visiting a doctor to heal his wound, aiding a distressed civilian and assassinating [[Il Carnefice]]. Through Machiavelli, he discovered that Rome is in disrepair and the citizens oppressed by the Borgia. He also discovered that Cesare Borgia is his new arch nemesis. Ezio also stumbled across the [[Followers of Romulus ]]and explored their lair, [[Nero's Golden Palace]].

Basing himself on [[Tiber Island]], in the center of the city, Ezio rebuilt the complex, and began his mission to rid the city of Cesare and his father. Ezio reestablished relationships between his [[Assassins Guild]] and the other guilds in the city, namely Courtesans (led by [[Madonna Solari]], and later Claudia, Ezio's sister), Thieves (led by La Volpe) and Mercenaries (led by Bartolomeo d'Alviano).

In 1501, Ezio took in other Assassins as understudies, such as [[Francesco Vecellio]], after the latter's former master [[Perotto Calderon]] had betrayed the Assassins and was taken down. After they had completed their trainings, he placed them in teams and sent on missions across [[Italy]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

After Ezio received intelligence reports from his fellow guild leaders in the city that Cesare Borgia, Rodrigo Borgia and Caterina Sforza will be in the [[Castel Sant Angelo]], he infiltrated the heavily fortified fortress. However, Cesare had already left and Rodrigo was nowhere to be seen. Ezio managed to rescue Caterina from [[Lucrezia Borgia]], sister of Cesare and guardian of the Castel. After the ordeal in the Castel, where Ezio barely held off the Borgia guards that pursued him (only an explosion in the Castel prevented more guards from pursuing him), Ezio decided that he will rebuild the Assassin Brotherhood. Ezio aided distressed citizens who became [[Apprentices]] to rid Rome of the Borgia influence. Ezio sent them on missions all over Europe to help them become better Assassins. Ezio then assassinated two Templar agents, [[Malfatto]] and the [[Silvestro Sabbatini]]. Later, Ezio got a surprise visit from Leornardo da Vinci, who gave him upgrades to his equipment, such as double hidden blades, a climb leap glove and poison darts. Leonardo also informed Ezio of the war machines he was forced to build for the Papal Army, such as a [[Chariot Machine Gun|chariot machine gun]], a [[Boat cannon|boat cannon]], an advanced flying machine, and a [[tank]]. Ezio destroyed these war machines, further weakening the Borgia.

Ezio found out that the Banker, [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia ]], was financially aiding Cesare Borgia in his campaign to conquer all of Italy. Claudia told Ezio that a senator, [[Egidio Troche]], was in debt to Juan. Ezio decided to help Egidio by fending off attackers and raising money to settle Egidio's debt. In return, Ezio discovered the location of Juan. Ezio tailed Egidio to a Borgia Captain where Egidio turned over his money. Ezio then assassinated the Captain and took his place. He then infiltrated the pagan party held by Juan undetected and assassinated the Banker. Ezio then escaped the party.

Next, Ezio visited [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]] and his mercenaries, who were hard pressed by the French forces led by [[Octavien, Duke de Valois]]. To make matters worse, Bartolomeo's wife, [[Pantasilea Baglioni]], was kidnapped by the Baron. Bartolomeo decided to surrender, when Ezio came up with a brilliant plan. Ezio then killed off a large number of French infantry while Bartolomeo's men collected their armor. After that, Ezio and the Mercenaries infiltrated the Baron's fortress, disguised as French troops delivering Bartolomeo to the Baron. When the Baron attempted to kill Bartolomeo, Ezio intervened and blew his cover. He then assassinated Baron de Valois, who was going to shoot Pantasilea at the first sign of trouble.

Ezio visited [[La Volpe ]]after the events of the Baron. La Volpe suspected that Machiavelli betrayed the [[Assassins]] by guiding the Papal Army to Monterriggioni and informing Rodrigo and Cesare to stay away from the Castel when Ezio infiltrated it. Ezio then helped La Volpe by fending off the Borgia troops who were attacking the [[Thieves]]. He was informed that [[Pietro Rossi]], an actor and Lucrezia Borgia's plaything, had the key to the Castel and that Cesare intends to kill Pietro. Ezio then tailed [[Micheletto]], Cesare's personal assassin, who will infiltrate the play that Pietro will appear in with his men. Ezio's apprentices assassinated Micheletto's men to take their place in the play. After infiltrating the [[Colosseo|Colosseo ]](where the play is to be held), Ezio spared Micheletto's life because Pietro was poisoned. After taking Pietro to a doctor and taking the key to the Castel, Ezio saw a thief that was present during the [[Fall of Monterriggioni]]. He caught the thief and discovered that he was the traitor, not Machiavelli. Ezio then raced back to [[Tiber Island]] to stop La Volpe from killing Machiavelli. Ezio inducted Claudia into the Assassin Order and he was then elected by Machiavelli to the rank of Grand Master of the Assassin Order.

Ezio infiltrated the Castel once again and witnessed the murder of [[Rodrigo Borgia]] by his son, Cesare. Cesare forced the location of the [[Apple of Eden]] from Lucrezia. Ezio successfully reach the Apple before Cesare and recovered the Apple. He then used the Apple to demilitarize Cesare's forces. In one last battle, Ezio and his fellow Assassins fought Cesare and his surviving men at the gates of Rome. Cesare was arrested by [[Fabio Orsini]] by order of the new Pope but not before commenting that he will not be in chains for long and that he will never be killed by a man.

Ezio, troubled by Cesare's comments, visited Leornardo and gave him the Apple. Ezio decided to look into the Apple in order to see if Cesare's comments are true. Apparently they are, because Ezio left Rome immediately.

====[[Viana]]====

In 1507, Ezio finally tracked Cesare down in Viana. Ezio fought through the infantry in his way and finally pinned Cesare down. In this climatic battle, Ezio managed to destroy Cesare's armor. He then proceeded to throw Cesare down the city wall, after Cesare said that he will not die by the hands of men. It was presumed that Cesare died from the fall.

After the events in Viana, Ezio returned to Rome and hid the Apple of Eden inside a vault under the [[Santa Maria Aracoeli]], within The Temple of Juno. He then continued his tenure as the [[Grand Master of the Assassin Order]].

At some point, an older Ezio returned to the [[Sanctuary]] beneath the Auditore Villa, possibly to salvage for Altaïr's Armor, as Desmond sees him wearing it when entering the Sanctuary for the first time. <ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
{{Spoiler End}}

== Personality and characteristics ==
[[File:QuickTimePlayer 2009-09-25 19-22-34-26.png|thumb|left|286px|A young Ezio gets approached by a Florentine guard after protesting at his father’s and brothers’ execution.]]

Ezio was raised as a young Florentine nobleman, living during the 15th and 16th Century. Unlike his ancestor Altaïr, he was brought up without knowing of the Assassins' existence, or of his heritage. A seducer of women and a playful man, Ezio possessed acrobatic skills far beyond those of his peers, save for his brother. He came from an affluent background and had many friends until the deaths of his father and brothers drove him out of Florence. Forced to protect his mother and sister, Ezio became an Assassin, exacting revenge on the conspirators who had betrayed his family and plotted to seize both Florence and Venice.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Initially, Ezio allowed his emotions to get the best of him, going so far as to disrespect the corpse of Vieri de' Pazzi just after his death. However, Ezio did manage to gain control of his anger, and by the time he had become a Master Assassin, could control it almost completely.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> By the time he confronted Rodrigo Borgia, he had become more dedicated to his role as an Assassin, ceasing to use revenge as a motivation. He also spared the lives of targets he thought there was no need to kill, such as [[Micheletto Corella]].

===Equipment and skills===
[[File:Ezio Auditore da Firenze-Brotherhood.jpg|thumb|250px|Ezio Auditore, 1503.]]
{{Quote|Despite its age, its construction is rather advanced.|Leonardo da Vinci, on Ezio's hidden blade.|Assassin's Creed II}}

Ezio Auditore da Firenze was a highly skilled Assassin and a leader amongst the Order. A master of multiple skills, including pick-pocketing, blending, armed and unarmed combat, stealth and public assassination techniques, free-running and long-distance combat, he was able to use a variety of weapons including two hidden blades, the [[longsword]], [[throwing knives]] and more. Born with the ability to use [[Eagle Vision]], Ezio could instinctively differentiate friend from foe. After talking to his captive father, he would later inherit his father's Assassins robe, along with armor he would purchase throughout his life.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

An explorer, throughout his quests, Ezio scoured the cities he visited in search of Codex pages and seals from the [[Secret Locations|six assassins tombs]] spread across northern Italy. The Codex pages allowed Leonardo da Vinci to upgrade his weaponry, including the addition of a wheel lock firearm and poison needle concealed beneath his left hidden blade.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

By collecting the six tomb seals, Ezio gained access to the [[Altaïr's armor|armor]] created by his ancestor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad which may have later been lost during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]]. He also collected [[capes]] that helped him stay incognito. The only exception to this was the cape bearing the Auditore family crest, which made him easily recognizable, due to his family's history.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1499, during the Siege of Monteriggioni, Ezio lost most of his equipment, keeping only one of his Hidden Blades. He would later replace it with two new Hidden Blades, each with the Hidden Gun and Poison Blade attachments.

During his time in [[Rome]], Ezio's usual attire would be replaced by a new suit based on elements from both his father's clothing and Altaïr's robes. It is also possible that he obtained the [[Armor of Brutus]] after stealing all the scrolls from the [[Followers of Romulus]], but it is never confirmed whether the armor was actually obtained by Ezio or not, as obtaining the armor for full synchronization is not mandatory unlike the Armor of Altaïr.

Ezio has been a very skilled free-runner at a very young age. He possibly had learned how to free-run by the tutoring of his father and/or older brother. Ezio is a very fast runner, being able to sprint very long distances without becoming visibly tired. Although he has aged rather significantly, in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', Ezio has become an even faster and more agile free-runner, being aware of all of his surroundings as well as planning his next move very quickly and carefully. His speed and skill has given him a nearly legendary status among the Roman thieves, so far as going to convince some of them that Ezio's free-running skills are impossible for someone his age.

===Romantic life===
[[File:Zw-ezio-cristina.png|thumb|286px|left|Ezio and Cristina kissing in her room.]]
Ezio was known for his good looks, flirtatious nature and predisposition for womanizing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Throught the latter part of his life being centered around his hunt for Rodrigo Borgia, Ezio shared multiple romantic relationships with a number of different women.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"/>

By 1476, Ezio had had many encounters with various unnamed Florentine girls and courtesans before the execution of his family; insulting Vieri de' Pazzi by suggesting that his sister seemed "quite satisfied with the handling he gave her earlier." That year, Ezio was in a permanent relationship of sorts with Cristina Vespucci, against the wishes of her father. Following his street brawl with Vieri de' Pazzi on the Ponte Vecchio, Ezio visited Cristina during the night, despite his brother's request otherwise; he was chased out by her father the next morning, and subsequently had to flee the city guards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> Two years later, when Ezio returned to Florence, Cristina was married to one of her suitors, Manfredo d'Arzenta, though she admitted to still loving Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"/> Eight years later, when Cristina and Manfredo travelled to Venice for carnevale, Ezio, posing as her husband, wrote to her asking her to come to the Rio Terra degli Ogniscanti; Cristina complied. As both wore carnevale masks, she did not recognise him until he kissed her. She then took off his mask and asked him how he dared kiss her like that, telling him she never wanted to see him again. When Ezio tried to understand, she explained that if he really loved her, he wouldn't simply have let Manfredo marry her. When Ezio returned to Florence again in 1497, he learns from a wounded Manfredo that he and Cristina have been attacked by Savonarola's men. Ezio tracks down Cristina and kills her assailants. As he proceeds to take Cristina to a doctor, she dies in his arms, after telling him that she wishes that they could have had a second chance together.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"/>

Before meeting with Cristina during Carnevale, whilst trying to find a way to Venice, Ezio accompanied his friend, Leonardo da Vinci, to Forlì. He was initially refused passage aboard the ship to Venice, but his fortunes changed after encountering Caterina Sforza, who had become stranded on a small island with no means of escape. Ezio rescued her, and she repaid the favor by granting him passage to Venice. She also told him that the next time he returned to Forlì, it would "be her pleasure" to entertain him. Moments later, after Ezio revealed to his close friend that Sforza was a future conquest and his type of woman, Leonardo informed Ezio of the ladies' identity, and that she was married to the Count of the city.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Caterina_Sforza_&_Ezio.jpg|thumb|286px|Ezio and Caterina Sforza together in bed.]]
Also, at some point during his time in Forlì, Ezio encountered a girl named [[Amelia]]. During this encounter, Amelia and two of her friends were discussing whether anyone could beat their record in a horseback riding race. Ezio took on the challenge, in return for an intimate encounter with Amelia should he prove successful.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

When Ezio arrived in [[Venice]] for the first time, an unknown young woman unsuccessfully attempted to pickpocket him. Later the same day, Ezio witnessed the woman and a group of thieves attempting to scale the Palazzo della Seta. The attempt ended in failure, and the girl was shot in the leg by an archer. Ezio intervened, defending her from Emilio Barbarigo's thugs. Upon helping her to get to safety, he learned that her name was Rosa, and that she was a member of the city's Thieves Guild. At first, Rosa's attitude towards Ezio was very aggressive and unfriendly, but after he saved her, she became much more amiable.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

While trying to acquire the Golden Mask, Ezio was seen flirting with many of Sister Teodora's Courtesans. After the Carnevale challenges, when Ezio goes up to accept the Golden Mask as his prize for victory, he was accompanied by a Courtesan. After assassinating Marco Barbarigo and seeking sanctuary in the brothel, Ezio was known to have flirted with Sister Teodora, who invited several of her girls to "comfort" Ezio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

[[File:Vlcsnap-2010-11-12-17h26m26s59.jpg|thumb|left|230px]]
In January 1500, Ezio had an intimate encounter with Caterina Sforza, sleeping with her in the Villa Auditore before it was besieged by Cesare Borgia and his army. However, later, upon her rescue from the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]], she hesitantly explained to him that the night they had shared had only been in the name of politics, as she had needed his help in defending Forlì.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

{{-}}

==Trivia==
*Ezio's Animus database in ''Assassin's Creed II'' only details his life before he became an Assassin, holding no information on his life within the Order; his database entry in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' does, however.
*Both Ezio and Altaïr have similar name meanings and origins. Altaïr means "the flying one," while Ezio means "eagle." Altaïr also comes from the name of the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (which also translates to "eagle").
*On the back of hood of Ezio's assassin robes in Assassin's Creed II, there is an Assassin logo stitched in. It is quite hard to see as it covers most of the hood however it is visible if you move Ezio close to a wall and turn the camera to his back.
*Ezio's title was slightly misspelled in ''Assassin's Creed II: Discovery''. In the game, his biography lists him as "Ezio Auditore '''de''' Firenze" instead of "Ezio Auditore '''da''' Firenze."
*Just like Altaïr and Desmond, Ezio has a scar on his mouth. It was acquired after the mission "[[Boys Will Be Boys]]" during Sequence 1, when Vieri de' Pazzi throws a rock at his face.
**In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'', the scar Ezio received from Vieri is on his forehead.
*Ezio has been seriously injured in battle two times. The first is when Checco Orsi stabbed Ezio in the right side of his lower abdomen during the small cutscene. The second was a gunshot wound he sustained in the left shoulder and back/stomach(bullet went right through) at the siege of Monteriggioni by [[arquebusiers]].
*Even though he has had relations with many women over the course of ''Assassins Creed II'' and ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', Ezio seems to have never moved on from [[Cristina Vespucci]], as he thinks about her often throughout ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*The only time you can play Ezio shirtless is when fighting in the Fight Club in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''
*In the first memory of the Bonfire of the Vanities, a group of women can be heard talking about an Assassin (Ezio), on the bridge where [[Niccolò Machiavelli|Machiavelli]] is waiting, and reveal that the stories of Ezio's assassinations in Florence have reached a mythic status.
*If the player chooses to play Sequence 13 before Sequence 12, by clearing the DLC cache, Ezio's beard will disappear until the player kills Checco Orsi.
*Despite taking place after the Battle of Forlì, in ''Assassin's Creed: Discovery'', Ezio is depicted without a beard.
*It is confirmed that Ezio is atheist in ''Assassin's Creed: Discovery''.
*In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood,'' it is revealed that Ezio can speak some French, as there were "a couple of French girls in Firenze."
**During his infiltration of Baron [[Octavian de Valois]]' camp, Ezio is asked, due to his peculiar french accent, what part of France he is from. He replies "Montréal"; [[Ubisoft|Ubisoft Montreal]] is the company responsible for the ''Assassin's Creed'' series.
*Ezio's [[Wanted posters|wanted poster]] in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' is the same as in ''Assassin's Creed II''.
*In art for ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', Ezio is shown with two identical bracers for his hidden blades; however, in-game, it is not possible to obtain a bracer for Ezio's right arm that matches the first one for his left.
*It is still unknown with whom Ezio had a child, but it is assured that he had at least one, since [[Desmond Miles]] and Subject 16 are descendants of his.
*If examined carefully, the player will recognize the difference in free-running between Ezio and Altaïr. In ''Assassin's Creed II,'' Ezio's animation motion and style differ from Altaïr's. When switching to the Altaïr costume through the costume menu, Ezio will run just like Altaïr from the first game.
*Ezio's outfit can be unlocked in ''[[wikipedia:Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands|Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands]]'', via Uplay for 30 points.
*Ezio's Florentine Noble clothes can be worn again in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', for 20 Uplay points, much like all other outfits, it removes Ezio's beard.
*A Sackboy version of Ezio's outfit can be purchased for ''LittleBigPlanet'' via the PlayStation Store.
*In PlayStation Home, Ezio's Assassin robe from ''Assassin's Creed II'' was a limited edition outfit and could be bought; but it is currently unavailable.

*Although Ezio received the Assassin's mark on his left hand's ring finger when being introduced in the Order, it is somehow gone in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', though this is probably just an oversight.
*In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Cristina dies in Ezio's arms whereas in Assassin's Creed Renaissance, he is told by Machiavelli that she died.
{{GalleryBox|Ezio Auditore da Firenze}}

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{AC2D}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{ACLL}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auditore, Ezio}}

[[es:Ezio Auditore de Florencia]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II: Discovery Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]

Caterina Sforza

2010-12-18T18:45:50Z

90.221.126.242:

{{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 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 says: "Caterina, did they-" but Caterina says "no". This is against history where 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]]