Octavian de Valois

Octavian de Valois was the Baron of Valois and a general in the French and Papal armies.

Biography

Rise to power

In 1498, Octavian's distant cousin Louis XII was crowned king. Following this, Louis XII assigned Octavian to lead his Italian campaign. Octavian, however, had no real experience in war and just recieved formal training. Nonetheless, Octavian accepted the responsibility.

The following year, Octavian met Cesare and Juan Borgia at the French court. The latter two were there to court Cesare's future wife Charlotte of Albret. After spending a month together, Octavian went with the Borgias to Italy, thinking he'd be given Italy when they'd have destroyed all opposition.

Death

Cesare assigned Octavian with eliminating the mercenaries in Rome. They were led by Bartolomeo d'Alviano, who was in secret a member of the Assassin Order. The French troops attacked Bartolomeo's barracks and managed to capture his wife, Pantasilea Baglioni. Octavian promised to release Pantasilea, should Bartolomeo come into his camp unarmed and alone. Bartolomeo declined the offer and rode towards the French camp with fellow Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze. They discovered that the camp was impenetrable. However, Ezio devised a plan and retrieved some of the French soldiers' uniforms. Bartolomeo had his mercenaries and Ezio put on these uniforms and pretended to be captured by them. They marched towards the French camp and were given entry, as the guards were easily fooled. Once inside, Octavian attempted to kill Pantasilea nonetheless, at which point the mercenaries attacked. Octavian fled deeper into the camp with Pantasilea, holding her at gun-point. Ezio followed him into the camp, though remained unseen. Octavian was killed by Ezio shortly after.

Final words

Octavian: I only wanted respect.
Ezio: Respect is earned, not inherited or purchased.
Octavian: Perhaps you are right... I need more time...
Ezio: Che tu sia parte nella morte (May you be equal in death). Requiescat in Pace (Rest in Peace).

Trivia

• In the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel Octavian shoots Ezio during the Siege of Monteriggioni instead Borgia arquebusiers.
• When trying to assassinate Octavian, if you send your assassins into the fray, desynchronisation will follow immediately.
  • You will not get desynchronisation if you use a Arrow Storm though.
• In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, he was never referred to by his real name (Octavian). When a character mentions him, it's only by his title and his last name (Baron, Baron de Valois, Valois).
• Oddly enough, Octavian can easily be assassinated by simply running straight at him, ignoring the guards entirely, and quickly shooting him with either the hidden gun or the crossbow. The amount of time it would take for either him or the guards to notice you approach is enough for a single shot; given the proper timing, of course.

Gallery

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• Octavian's final moments.
  Octavian's final moments.