Leap of Faith: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:11, 16 August 2012

Altaïr, Rauf, and another Assassin performing Leaps of Faith in Masyaf.

The Leap of Faith was an acrobatic freerunning maneuver, in which the person performing it dived off a high structure, landing unharmed into a conveniently placed pile of hay or other soft material.

The move was integral for the members of the Assassin Order, and served as a requirement for their initiation.

History

File:Assassins creed1.jpg

Altaïr performing a Leap of Faith in Jerusalem.

The acrobatic move itself traditionally consisted of a vertical leap with a completely straight stature, followed by a head-over-heels roll in mid-air to allow the one performing it to land on their back.^[1]

The move could also be performed by simply walking off of a high ledge or beam, and leaning the entire body forward. This method was used by Roman Assassin recruits after their initiation ceremony.^[2]

An alternative Leap of Faith could be performed while hanging from a ledge, and dropping down backwards onto a safe landing spot that was directly below.^[3]

Areas from which a Leap could be performed were often marked by bird droppings with small hay patches, or with pigeons perched upon the ledge.^[1]

High Middle Ages

In 1191, during the Defense of Masyaf, Rashid ad-Din Sinan ordered several of his Assassins to perform Leaps of Faith before the attacking Knights Templar; both to proclaim that the Assassins did not fear death, and to successfully trigger an ambush that would route the attacking forces.^[1]

In the field, the Leap of Faith was mostly used to descend from View Points, each of which always provided a suitable safe target for it. However, it could be used to descend from anywhere, provided a safe spot was situated underneath.^[1]

The Leap could also be used to escape pursuing guards on rooftops, since they were unable to perform the maneuver.^[1]

Renaissance

Though Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad only performed Leaps of Faith into piles of hay, Ezio Auditore da Firenze could make use of water and other sorts of soft material, such as spice carts or flower petals.^[3]

Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio made use of the Leap of Faith to quickly escape from the Borgia Towers he climbed and set aflame.^[2]

As per tradition, whenever Assassin recruits were initiated, they performed a Leap of Faith, signifying their new rank. Ezio himself performed a Leap of Faith from atop a bell tower in Venice,^[3] and his Roman recruits performed the act from atop the Tiber Island headquarters, into the Tiber below.^[2]

Modern times

File:Arrival2.jpg

Desmond's first leap of faith.

In 2000, Daniel Cross performed a Leap of Faith into the Arabian Sea to escape the Assassins' Dubai headquarters, shortly after instinctively murdering the Mentor with his newly acquired Hidden Blade.^[4]

Later on, in 2012, Desmond Miles performed his first Leap of Faith in the modern, but run-down city of Monteriggioni, after witnessing a vision of Ezio climbing to a View Point due to the Bleeding effect.^[2]

At Abstergo Industries, several Abstergo recruits also performed Leaps of Faith through the simulations they participated in during the Animi training program.^[2]

Trivia

Assassin's Creed

When Masyaf was attacked by Templars, three Assassins displayed their devotion by performing Leaps of Faith from a cliff. This was based on a historical incident involving the Hashshashin, in which their leader proclaimed that his followers were more devout than any and would follow all commands he gave.
There was nothing coincidental about the placement of the piles of hay in the Animus. It was explained that the bales of hay and the birds indicating them were programmed into memories by Lucy Stillman, as a way to help in navigation.

Assassin's Creed II

When being pursued by Ezio, Francesco de' Pazzi leapt from the Palazzo della Signoria into a haystack for a quick escape. This was the only known example for a non-Assassin performing a Leap of Faith until Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
To achieve the "High Dive" achievement, Ezio had to perform a Leap of Faith from Giotto's Campanile in Florence, as it was the highest View Point in the game.
Ezio was forced to perform an alternative Leap of Faith at least once, after speaking with his father at the Palazzo della Signoria in "Jailbird".

Other

It was suggested that very few of the modern-age Assassins performed the Leap of Faith, due to Lucy Stillman saying it was "pretty awesome" when she witnessed Desmond Miles' Leap from the walls of Monteriggioni.
In Assassins Creed II: Discovery, Ezio could also perform the alternative Leap of Faith by hanging above a haystack and letting go of the ledge. Doing so correctly would let Ezio flip three times.
In Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade, it was mentioned that the haystacks used in the Leaps of Faith at the Templar siege of Masyaf were placed there on the orders of Rauf.
As an easter egg in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Big Boss (and the soldiers he has recruited) could perform Leaps of Faith into a straw box called the "Assassin Straw Box."
An easter egg in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings showed an individual dressed in Assassin clothing lying dead on top of a collapsed hay cart; whereupon the main character commented "Guess they'll never learn."
In the reveal trailer for Hitman: Absolution Sniper Challenge, a man standing on a high beam was shot by Agent 47. After a few seconds, he fell, and as he tumbled, the sound of an eagle screeching played; the same sound played whenever a Leap of Faith was performed.

Gallery

Concept of three Assassins performing Leaps of Faith.
Concept of Assassin recruits performing Leaps from the Tiber headquarters.
The Vanguard performing a Leap of Faith.
Aquilus performing a Leap of Faith.
Daniel's Leap of Faith.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 Assassin's Creed
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Assassin's Creed II
↑ Assassin's Creed: The Fall

[AC-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 Assassin's Creed

[Brotherhood-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

[AC2-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Assassin's Creed II

[The_Fall-4] Assassin's Creed: The Fall

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Era|AC|ACBL|AC2|AC2D|ACB|PL|ACR|AC3|AC3L|TSC|TF|FC|ASD}}
-[[File:Assassin's Creed (3).png|thumb|250px|Altaïr, Rauf, and another Assassin performing Leaps of Faith.]]
+[[File:Assassin's Creed (3).png|thumb|250px|Altaïr, Rauf, and another Assassin performing Leaps of Faith in Masyaf.]]
-The '''Leap of Faith''' was an acrobatic [[freerunning]] maneuver, in which the person performing it dived from atop a high structure, landing unharmed into a conveniently placed pile of hay or other soft material.
+The '''Leap of Faith''' was an acrobatic [[freerunning]] maneuver, in which the person performing it dived off a high structure, landing unharmed into a conveniently placed pile of hay or other soft material.
-The move was integral for the members of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], and served as a requirement for their [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiation]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
+The move was integral for the members of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], and served as a requirement for their [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiation]].
-==Usage==
+==History==
-[[File:Concept art for Leap of Faith.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Three Assassins performing a Leap of Faith.]]
+[[File:assassins_creed1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Altaïr performing a Leap of Faith in Jerusalem.]]
-The acrobatic move itself traditionally consisted of a vertical leap with a completely straight stature, followed by a head-over-heels roll in mid-air to allow the one performing it to land on their back.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> The move could also be performed by simply walking off of a high ledge or a beam and moving the entire body forward. This method was used by [[Rome|Roman]] Assassin [[Assassin recruits|recruits]] after their initiation ceremony.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
+The acrobatic move itself traditionally consisted of a vertical leap with a completely straight stature, followed by a head-over-heels roll in mid-air to allow the one performing it to land on their back.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
-Areas from which a Leap could be performed were often marked by bird droppings with small hay patches or with pigeons perched upon the ledge. Leaps of Faith could also be performed while hanging onto a ledge, climbing near to a bale of hay, or even while diving into moving wagons that contained the material. <ref name="AC" />
+The move could also be performed by simply walking off of a high ledge or beam, and leaning the entire body forward. This method was used by [[Rome|Roman]] Assassin [[Assassin recruits|recruits]] after their initiation ceremony.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
+An alternative Leap of Faith could be performed while hanging from a ledge, and dropping down backwards onto a safe landing spot that was directly below.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
+Areas from which a Leap could be performed were often marked by bird droppings with small hay patches, or with pigeons perched upon the ledge.<ref name="AC" />
 {{-}}
 ===High Middle Ages===
-The Leap of Faith was mostly used to descend from [[View Points]], each of which always provided a suitable safe target for it. However, it could be used to descend from anywhere, provided a safe spot was situated underneath.<ref name="AC" /> It was also used to escape pursuing [[guards]] on rooftops, since they were unable to perform the maneuver.<ref name="AC" />
+In 1191, during the [[Defense of Masyaf]], [[Rashid ad-Din Sinan]] ordered several of his Assassins to perform Leaps of Faith before the attacking [[Templars|Knights Templar]]; both to proclaim that the Assassins did not fear death, and to successfully trigger an ambush that would route the attacking forces.<ref name="AC" />
+In the field, the Leap of Faith was mostly used to descend from [[View Points]], each of which always provided a suitable safe target for it. However, it could be used to descend from anywhere, provided a safe spot was situated underneath.<ref name="AC" />
+The Leap could also be used to escape pursuing [[guards]] on rooftops, since they were unable to perform the maneuver.<ref name="AC" />
 ===Renaissance===
-[[File:AC2 S 074 Leap Of Faith Tuscany SanGimignano-thumb-640xauto-9613.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith from a tower in [[San Gimignano]].]]
+[[File:AC2 san gimignano leap.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith from a tower in [[San Gimignano]].]]
-Though [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]] only performed Leaps of Faith into piles of hay, [[Ezio Auditore]] could make use of water and other sorts of soft material, such as spice carts or flower petals.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio made use of the Leap of Faith to quickly escape from the [[Borgia Tower|Borgia towers]] he climbed and set aflame.<ref name="Brotherhood" /> As per tradition, whenever Assassin recruits were initiated, the Order required its members to perform a Leap of Faith, signifying their new rank. Ezio himself performed a Leap of Faith from atop a bell tower in Venice, and his Roman recruits performed their own Leap from above the [[Tiber Island]] [[Tiber Island headquarters|hideout]], into the [[Tiber]] below.<ref name="Brotherhood" />
+Though [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] only performed Leaps of Faith into piles of hay, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] could make use of water and other sorts of soft material, such as spice carts or flower petals.<ref name="AC2"/>
+Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio made use of the Leap of Faith to quickly escape from the [[Borgia Tower]]s he climbed and set aflame.<ref name="Brotherhood" />
+As per tradition, whenever Assassin recruits were initiated, they performed a Leap of Faith, signifying their new rank. Ezio himself performed a Leap of Faith from atop a bell tower in [[Venice]],<ref name="AC2"/> and his Roman recruits performed the act from atop the [[Tiber Island]] [[Tiber Island headquarters|headquarters]], into the [[Tiber]] below.<ref name="Brotherhood" />
 ===Modern times===
-[[File:Arrival2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Desmond's first leap of faith.]]
+[[File:Arrival2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Desmond's first leap of faith.]]
-In 2000, [[Daniel Cross]] performed a Leap of Faith into the Arabian Sea, in order to escape the Assassins' Dubai headquarters upon instinctively murdering [[The Mentor (2000)|the Mentor]] with his newly acquired [[Hidden Blade]].<ref name="The Fall">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref>
+In 2000, [[Daniel Cross]] performed a Leap of Faith into the Arabian Sea to escape the Assassins' [[Dubai]] headquarters, shortly after instinctively murdering [[Mentor (2000)|the Mentor]] with his newly acquired [[Hidden Blade]].<ref name="The Fall">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref>
 Later on, in 2012, [[Desmond Miles]] performed his first Leap of Faith in the modern, but run-down city of [[Monteriggioni]], after witnessing a vision of Ezio climbing to a View Point due to the [[Bleeding effect]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />
-Additionally, at [[Abstergo Industries]], several [[Abstergo recruits]] also performed Leaps of Faith through the simulations they participated in during the [[Animus|Animi]] [[Animi Training Program|training program]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />
+At [[Abstergo Industries]], several [[Abstergo recruits]] also performed Leaps of Faith through the simulations they participated in during the [[Animus|Animi]] [[Animi Training Program|training program]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />
 {{-}}
 ==Trivia==
-'''''Assassin's Creed'''''
+;''Assassin's Creed''
-*When [[Masyaf]] was attacked by Templars, three Assassins displayed their devotion by performing Leaps of Faith from a cliff. This was based on a historical incident involving the {{Wiki|Hashshashin#Origins|Hashshashin}}, in which their leader proclaimed that his followers were more devout than any and would follow all commands he gave. As shown, he ordered several men to jump from a cliff "to their deaths," which they complied to. The incident was also depicted in the novel ''Alamut'', by Vladimir Bartol, though only one man leapt from a tower while another killed himself with a dagger.
+*When [[Masyaf]] was attacked by Templars, three Assassins displayed their devotion by performing Leaps of Faith from a cliff. This was based on a historical incident involving the {{Wiki|Hashshashin#Origins|Hashshashin}}, in which their leader proclaimed that his followers were more devout than any and would follow all commands he gave.
-*There was nothing coincidental about the placement of the piles of hay. It was explained that the bales of hay and the birds indicating them were programmed into memories by [[Lucy Stillman]] as a way to help out in their navigation.
+*There was nothing coincidental about the placement of the piles of hay in the Animus. It was explained that the bales of hay and the birds indicating them were programmed into memories by [[Lucy Stillman]], as a way to help in navigation.
-'''''Assassin's Creed II'''''
+;''Assassin's Creed II''
 *When being pursued by Ezio, [[Francesco de' Pazzi]] leapt from the [[Palazzo della Signoria]] into a haystack for a quick escape. This was the only known example for a non-Assassin performing a Leap of Faith until ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''.
 *To achieve the "High Dive" [[Assassin's Creed II Achievements|achievement]], Ezio had to perform a Leap of Faith from [[Giotto's Campanile]] in [[Florence]], as it was the highest View Point in the game.
-*Ezio could perform an alternative Leap of Faith by hanging from a ledge or View Point and falling backwards onto a safe spot, as long as he was high enough and the safe spot was directly below him. Ezio was forced to do this at least once after speaking with [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|his father]] during the "[[Jailbird]]" memory.
+*Ezio was forced to perform an alternative Leap of Faith at least once, after speaking with [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|his father]] at the Palazzo della Signoria in "[[Jailbird]]".
 '''Other'''
-*It was unlikely that a haystack in a cart would realistically be able to safely cushion someone falling from a great height. The momentum could either cause the cart to collapse or the person jumping to fall through the bottom. With hay being somewhat sharp, falling into it at such a speed would surely cause injury.
+*It was suggested that very few of the modern-age Assassins performed the Leap of Faith, due to Lucy Stillman saying it was ''"pretty awesome"'' when she witnessed Desmond Miles' Leap from the walls of Monteriggioni.
-*It was suggested that very few of the modern-age Assassins performed the Leap of Faith, due to Lucy Stillman saying it was ''"pretty awesome"'' when she witnessed Desmond Miles' enactment of his first ever Leap from the walls of Monteriggioni. It should be noted that Lucy did not perform the Leap herself, instead taking a ladder down the cliff to follow Desmond.
 *In ''[[Assassins Creed II: Discovery]]'', Ezio could also perform the alternative Leap of Faith by hanging above a haystack and letting go of the ledge. Doing so correctly would let Ezio flip three times.
-*Also in ''Discovery'', Ezio could perform a Leap of Faith into a bush.
 *In ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'', it was mentioned that the haystacks used in the Leaps of Faith at the Templar siege of Masyaf were placed there on the orders of [[Rauf]].
 *As an [[Easter Eggs#Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker|easter egg in ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'']], Big Boss (and the soldiers he has recruited) could perform Leaps of Faith into a straw box called the "Assassin Straw Box."
-*An [[Easter Eggs#The Witcher 2|easter egg in ''The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings'']] showed an individual, dressed in Assassin clothing, dead on top of a collapsed hay cart; the main character commented ''"Guess they'll never learn."''
+*An [[Easter Eggs#The Witcher 2|easter egg in ''The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings'']] showed an individual dressed in Assassin clothing lying dead on top of a collapsed hay cart; whereupon the main character commented ''"Guess they'll never learn."''
-*In the reveal trailer for [http://hitman.wikia.com/wiki/Hitman:_Sniper_Challenge Hitman: Absolution Sniper Challenge], near to the end of the trailer, a man standing on a high beam was shot by Agent 47. After a few seconds, he fell, and as he tumbled, the sound of an eagle screeching played, which was the same as the one that played when a Leap of Faith was performed.
+*In the reveal trailer for [http://hitman.wikia.com/wiki/Hitman:_Sniper_Challenge ''Hitman: Absolution'' Sniper Challenge], a man standing on a high beam was shot by Agent 47. After a few seconds, he fell, and as he tumbled, the sound of an eagle screeching played; the same sound played whenever a Leap of Faith was performed.
 ==Gallery==
 <gallery widths="180" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" captiontextcolor="#ffffff">
+Concept art for Leap of Faith.jpg|Concept of three Assassins performing Leaps of Faith.
+TiberIslandHQ_LeapOfFaith_Concept.JPG|Concept of Assassin recruits performing Leaps from the [[Tiber Island headquarters|Tiber headquarters]].
+Assassins-creed-revelations-20110607054555571.jpg|The [[Vanguard]] performing a Leap of Faith.
 AquilusLoF.jpg|[[Aquilus]] performing a Leap of Faith.
-assassins_creed1.jpg|Altaïr performing a Leap of Faith into a haystack.
-4682449642 8eab870a8d.jpg|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith from the [[Santa Maria del Fiore]].
-Ascension_5.jpg|Ezio performing a Leap from the Tiber Island headquarters.
-TiberIslandHQ_LeapOfFaith_Concept.JPG|Assassin recruits performing Leaps from the Tiber Island headquarters.
-Assassins-creed-revelations-20110607054555571.jpg|The [[Vanguard]] performing a Leap of Faith.
 The Fall.jpg|Daniel's Leap of Faith.
-Narrow_Escape_8.png|Ezio performs a Leap of Faith from the top of Masyaf fortress.
-Assassins-Creed-Ascendance-feature-image.jpg
-screenshot_1.jpg|Ezio performing a Leap of Faith after burning a Borgia Tower.
-Vali-leapoffaith.png|Vali cel Tradat performing a Leap of Faith.
 </gallery>

Leap of Faith: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:11, 16 August 2012

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