Antonio de Magianis

"When I was a child, we were taught that the nobles were just and kind. I believed it, too. Though my father was only a cobbler and my mother a scullery maid, I aspired to be much more. I studied hard, I persevered, but the nobles would never have me."

―Antonio to Ezio, as they near the Basilica

Antonio de Magianis (1443-1528) was a member of the Assassin Order and leader of the Thieves Guild located in the Italian city of Venice during the 15th century.

Raised in poverty from birth, Antonio was unable to attain a wealthy lifestyle, eventually resulting in his founding of the Venetian Thieves Guild. Targeting the rich and wealthy of the city's population, Antonio also improved his position in the Assassin Order, realizing that members of the Templar Order had dug their way into Venice's corrupt nobility.

Eventually meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an Assassin-in-training on a quest for vengeance, the pair worked together to thwart the Templars' plans to take over Venice. After a failed attempt to infiltrate the Palazzo della Seta by the Thieves, Ezio eventually managed to do so with their help, resulting in the successful assassination of Emilio Barbarigo. The Thieves then took over the Palazzo for themselves, turning it into their new base of operations.

Ezio later discovered out that the Templars planned to kill Doge Giovanni Mocenigo, and requested Antonio's aid. After scouting the Doge's Palazzo, Ezio and Antonio rushed to Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, requesting the use of his flying machine. Antonio ordered his Thieves to set fires around Venice, allowing Ezio to gain altitude whilst using the machine. Dodging arrows fired by shocked guards, Ezio glided onto the Palazzo rooftop and eventually succeeded in assassinating Carlo Grimaldi.

During the next few years, Antonio once again assisted Ezio with taking down high-ranking Venetian Templars, introducing him to Sister Teodora whilst plotting the assassination of the Templar Doge Marco Barbarigo, and later introducing Ezio to the Doge's successor Agostino Barbarigo before directing him to the mercenary Bartolomeo d'Alviano to gain support in taking down Silvio Barbarigo.

Biography

Early life

Born in 1443 to a poor family, Antonio lived with his father, a cobbler, and his mother, a maid for an upper-class family. As he grew older, he developed a desire for a richer life, however, despite a concentration on academics, the Venetian schools refused his admission into their institutions, and he was unable to alter his personal circumstances. Realizing that hard labor wouldn't allow him to achieve his aspirations, the disillusioned and bitter Antonio resorted to stealing.

Eventually, Antonio found his way into the Order of Assassins, and subsequently set up the local Thieves guild. Antonio and his fellow thieves consented only to theft of property from the largely immoral Venetian nobility. He considered his guild more of a "business" than a crime syndicate.

Infiltrating the Palazzo

"You may not share our motive, but I know you share our goal"

―Antonio to Ezio.

Antonio welcoming Ezio into his home.

During 1480, Ezio Auditore arrived in Venice and encountered a bid by thieves to murder Emilio Barbarigo in the Palazzo della Seta, assisting an injured thief to safety during the failed attempt. Made aware of the Assassin's presence in the city, Antonio informed Ezio that he knew of his deeds through the guilds in Florence and Tuscany, praising him whilst commenting that his methods of execution were slightly unrefined. Antonio was aware of Ezio's intentions to kill Emilio, and declared that they would need to draw up new plans and prepare for the assassination discreetly. Antonio also informed Ezio that there were three traitorous members of the guild were covertly delivering information to Emilio and recommended their elimination. Ezio agreed with the matter and proceeded to kill the three traitors. Antonio waited for Ezio to assist in their other duties, and soon they were once again ready to attempt Emilio's assassination.

Antonio revealing the next step to enter the Palazzo.

Their plan lasted for four years, Ezio finally dispatched the archers patrolling the rooftops surrounding the Palazzo, once completed, he met up with Antonio, Rosa and Ugo. Ezio proceeded to take the lives of Emilio and the guards stationed within the Palazzo, then he and Rosa opened the door for Antonio when his task was completed. Antonio told his thieves to return the items that Emilio had stolen from the civilians of the district, and handed Ezio a monetary reward for his role in the assassination. Ezio informed Antonio that Emilio had been speaking with an individual unbeknown to him, after which Antonio gave Ezio the name Carlo Grimaldi. Antonio asked Ezio on what he planned to commit next, to which he responded that he had a "meeting to attend". Ezio bid farewell to the thieves and subsequently departed the Palazzo.

Infiltrating the Basilica

Ezio: "Carlo Grimaldi and the Barbarigo are in league with the one they call The Spaniard. They're going to murder the Doge and replace him with one of their own. They will have all of Venezia, her entire fleet, in their grasp."

Antonio: "And they call ME a criminal!"

—Antonio learns of the Templars' plan to execute the Doge of Venice from Ezio Auditore.

Ezio later discovered that Carlo Grimaldi planned to kill Giovanni Mocenigo with poison and replace him with the Templar Marco Barbarigo. Ezio quickly traveled to Antonio and told him of the Templars' intentions. The pair sought an entry point into the Doge's Basilica di San Marco, but despite observing all the possible entrances, they were unable to find an effective approach. Antonio exclaimed that the situation was hopeless and that only birds were able to gain entry into the building, giving Ezio the idea to seek assistance from his close friend Leonardo da Vinci.

Antonio discussing with Ezio and Leonardo.

Antonio later visited Ezio and the Assassin introduced him to Leonardo. Now anxious, Antonio informed Ezio that Carlo was in possession of the poison and that they would have to make haste in order to catch Carlo in time. Ezio attempted to fly Leonardo's flying machine and crashed almost immediately. Leonardo did not know how to extend the machine's flight capabilities, until he threw a piece of paper into the fireplace, giving him an idea that heat would allow the craft to gain altitude during flight, Ezio was to clear some of the areas in Venice of guards and Antonio would send his men to burn a sequence of fires spread across the city.

Once Ezio had disposed of the guards, he met with Antonio and Leonardo on a rooftop, seeing that the fires had been successfully lit. Antonio told the others he hoped the plan would work, as they were running out of time. Ezio urgently flew off on the flying machine.

Aiding in the Doge's murder

"Perhaps it was wrong of me to doubt so readily, now we shall see where all the pieces fall"

―Antonio to Ezio.

Antonio introducing Teodora to Ezio.

Over time, Antonio and Leonardo developed a mutual friendship, and at one point Leonardo was able to inform Ezio of Antonio's whereabouts. Ezio sought out Antonio and the assistance of Teodora Contanto, and found the pair in the brothel La Rosa Della Virtù (The Rose of Virtue). Upon his arrival, he removed his mask to reveal his identity to Antonio, after which Antonio introduced Ezio to Teodora, the trio then discussed the plans to kill the new Doge, Marco Barbarigo. However, before they had time to discuss plans, a man ran out, having killed a courtesan and stolen her florins. Teodora sent Ezio to kill the man whilst she and Antonio awaited Ezio's return.

Once Ezio had returned, Antonio discussed with him and Teodora about killing Marco, whilst the girls mourned the loss of one of their own. They came to the conclusion that Ezio would attempt to win a golden mask from a series of Carnevale games, granting him entry to the Doge's party during the festival. The trio engaged in conversation along the walk to their destination. Upon their arrival, Ezio took part in the games and won all three challenges, but failed to obtain the mask. Teodora and Antonio became aware of the bribe that was given to the games' judge by Silvio Barbarigo whilst Ezio was fighting Dante Moro. A courtesan came in, telling them that Dante was heading for the party.

Ezio planned on killing Dante to obtain the mask, however, Antonio warned him to desist, in fear that the secretive and paranoid Marco would immediately cancel the party. He recommended stealing the mask instead. Ezio then left, leaving Antonio waiting for news of the deed. Once the theft was completed, Ezio returned and Antonio admitted that he had judged Ezio too readily.

Acquisition of the Apple

"We have our prize, but there is much to be done."

―Antonio to Ezio regarding the Piece of Eden.

Ezio later visited Antonio in hope of finding Silvio and Dante, and Antonio introduced Ezio to Marco's brother Agostino Barbarigo. Antonio informed Ezio that the pair had fled into the Arsenale di Venezia. Ezio asked if Agostino could force Silvio's men to stand down, but the Council of Ten was yet to confirm his ascension. Ezio then desired to build a personal army, to which Antonio responded by telling him to seek out the experienced condottiero Bartolomeo d'Alviano.

Antonio branding Ezio's finger.

Whilst Ezio was fighting Rodrigo Borgia for the Piece of Eden, his other associates, including Antonio, came to the Assassin's aid. Together, the Assassins took down Rodrigo and his guards. Though Rodrigo fled, Ezio had acquired the Piece of Eden. Ezio was unaware of his affiliates' identities until Niccolò Machiavelli revealed to him that they were all Assassins. Ezio was handed a map that lead to a tower and told to meet them that night for his initiation into the Order. During the ceremony, Ezio was given a ritual burn mark on his finger, ending with the Assassins all performing a leap of faith off the tower.

Visit from Spain

"Santangel contacted the thieves' guild from España. When we met, he explained his plight and that's when I contacted you."

―Antonio to Ezio, about Luis' sudden appearance.

Antonio, with Luis and Ezio.

During 1491, Antonio was contacted by Luis de Santángel to complete a task for the him. Antonio referred the minister to Ezio, whom he mentioned was the "deadliest man in Italia". Antonio later explained to the Assassin that Luis was seeking protection for himself and his friend Christoffa Corombo. Ezio refused at first, but accepted when told that they were to meet with Rodrigo in Venice. Ezio left to assist Christoffa and when he returned, he revealed to Antonio that the entire meeting was a trap.

After Antonio informed Ezio of Luis' location, Ezio left to speak with him in the Garden District, in case anything unfortunate were to occur. He also placed the pair in contact with the Thieves guild located in the Spanish city of Barcelona before Ezio traveled there to deal with the Inquisition.

Journey to Rome

Mario: "For years... No, decades... We have sought these answers."

Antonio: "But so too could the Spaniard... And if he does... if he finds a way into the Vault... Its contents will make the Apple seem a trifling thing."

—Antonio giving his input at the meeting.

Antonio at the meeting in Monteriggioni.

Antonio met with the other Assassins at Monteriggioni in 1499 as they formulated a plan to prevent Rodrigo from accessing the Vault. Ezio used the power of the Apple to highlight the Vault's location on a map that was hidden underneath the Codex pages. Once they discovered it was in Rome, the other Assassins agreed to create distractions throughout Rome to give Ezio an opportunity to infiltrate the Capella Sistina and kill Rodrigo.

Death and Estate

In October of 1528, only days after returning ill after a trip to England, Antonio had suddenly died of what historians and his daughter, his child, said was from a heart attack though some sources say cardaic arrest. Spending much of his later years living quietly in Venice, it was at his home he'll die at. It was also in Venice where his funeral took place four days after his death and he was cremated and had his ashes were scattered in one of Venice's large rivers. His estate, which his daughter and a family friend of his battled ruthlessly over, went to his daughter as it would be settled by December of 1531 when his family friend had died due to his ship sinking during a sea voyage. His daughter had died in 1551 leaving nobody for the estate to go to. In 1558, a real estate agent took ownership of the estate and for the next 200 years until it burned down in 1758, it was a home in and out of ownership of several others not knowing the exact history of it.

Personality and characteristics

"Ezio: who are the true nobles of Venezia? Men like Carlo Grimaldi and Marco Barbarigo? No! I say we are; the thieves, and mercenari (mercenaries) and whores."

―Antonio expresses his feelings towards the social classes.

Antonio was a man who greatly honored justice. For this reason, he and his thieves only stole from the rich and corrupt citizens of Venice, leaving the poor to live in peace. He was also of the opinon that the thieves, mercenaries and courtesans, who were often considered the lower class, were in fact the heroes of their society. He had a strong dislike for the corrupt nobility, who only sought to make their subjects into playthings.

The leader of the Thieves Guild was also trustworthy and always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. He introduced Luis de Santángel to Ezio in order for the latter to assist his friend. However, Antonio was easily agitated when plans didn't come together or when he and his allies seemed unable to solve a problem.

Antonio also showed great care for his thieves, especially Rosa, and always did his best to keep them safe from harm. This caused the thieves of the Venice Thieves Guild to admire and respect their leader.

Trivia

• The "courier disguise" in Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy is identical to Antonio's attire.
• Antonio can be unlocked as a usable character skin for Ezio in Assassin's Creed II: Discovery, though the mission dialogue remains the same.