Riot at the Harbor of Theodosius

"Push through! Go! Go! Justice or death! Forward!"

―The citizens trying to push through the Arsenal gates.

The riot at Harbor of Theodosius was an event that occurred in 1511.

After a meeting between the Janissary Captain Tarik Barleti and the Ottoman Prince Ahmet, Prince Suleiman I suspected the captain to be conspiring against his uncle, speculating that the recent attack against him was his doing.

To prove his suspicions, Suleiman had the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze learn what he could from Tarik and his latest activities by following him. Suleiman told Ezio to look for the captain at the Grand Bazaar, a popular location for the Janissaries and Tarik during their spare time.

Tailing Tarik

"This is an important meeting... make sure I am not being followed."

―Tarik to a Janissary.

Ezio arrived at the Grand Bazaar in hope of locating the Janissary Captain, Tarik Barleti but was disrupted by a Rug Merchant nearby. The Rug Merchant tried to sell him some items and it looked as if he had sold much that day, once questioned about it though, he claimed that Tarik had actually taken the rugs from him, because they were foreign. Stuttering as the Captain and his men passed by, Ezio told him quietly that he would talk to Tarik about the rugs.

Following Tarik, Ezio silently observed the captain and his activities. After handling several commotions and businesses he had, Tarik met with some of his men, telling them to ensure he was not being followed, as the meeting he was attending was very important. After passing through several shops and stalls in and outside of the Bazaar, Tarik met with more of his men, who notified him that one of his contacts, a man named Manuel, wanted to meet him by the city arsenal's gates. Somewhat indifferent, yet attentive all the same, Tarik left with his men for the arsenal.

At the Arsenal

The deal

Manuel: "So what now?"

Tarik: "You will have access to the arsenal. When you are satisfied, the cargo will be delivered to a location of your choosing."

—Tarik and Manuel discussing their deal.

Tarik meeting with Manuel outside the arsenal.

Arriving at the arsenal, Ezio oversaw a meeting with Tarik and Manuel, who had brought money for the captain as part of an unknown deal. Tarik was given the money that he requested and, while one of Tarik's men counted the money, Manuel emphasized that Tarik was only to verify the amount, for it will stay with him until he had seen and assured the quality of Tarik's cargo.

After his men verified the amount of money, Tarik gave Manuel access to the arsenal, and explained that he would have his cargo delivered to him once he was satisfied. Asking if Tarik's men were available to travel, Tarik told Manuel how they were good to go. Manuel told Tarik that he would have a map drawn up, with the meeting done and the two having nothing left to discuss, the two parted ways.

Inciting a riot

"If we inspire them to vent their anger, perhaps that will help our cause."

―Ezio to Yusuf

Standing near the gates of the Arsenal was Yusuf Tazim. Ezio approached him and asked if they were there for the same reason. Yusuf informed him that some of his men reported that they had seen a shipment of weapons arrive in the arsenal. Ezio wanted to see the weapons himself, however the arsenal was too well defended for them to infiltrate, and they were short on men to help them invade it.

Ezio and Yusuf watch as the crowd try to enter the arsenal.

That moment, Ezio and Yusuf witnessed some Janissaries abuse a merchant near the gates. Ezio then devised a plan to utilize the civilians to push through the arsenal gates. Bribing some of the nearby heralds to speak of the Janissaries' tyranny, Ezio was able to incite the crowd against the guards, and prepared to tear down the gates.

The civilians rioted at the front of the gates while the guards and Janissaries attempted to settle them. Ezio made sure that the civilians were not detained, and managed to keep the guard at bay long enough for the civilians to break down the gates. The people rampaged through the arsenal, fighting the guards. Ezio joined the civilians in their entry, though broke away from them afterwards. He then scoured the arsenal for Manuel and his men.

Searching for Manuel

"Twenty years in this city, living like a cipher... and finally, everything is falling into place."

―Manuel, about his plans.

Ezio watches as Manuel examines the weapons.

Infiltrating the arsenal, Ezio searched for Manuel and his men. He scoured through the burning flames and civilians scattered around him and managed to locate the Templar and his men by a warehouse full of cargo, at the far side of the arsenal. There, Manuel, his accomplice, and several of his men, examined some of Tarik's supplies. After a careful inspection of the supplies that had been bought in, and a brief discussion about Palailogi, the men left the area.

After the guards left, Ezio checked the crates, and discovered them to hold firearms. Though before Ezio could do anything, some of the guards returned and spotted him. Quickly running from the area, Ezio managed to traverse through the arsenal avoiding the guards, and despite their efforts to catch him, managed to escape the arsenal in tact.

Aftermath

"When the Palaiologos line is restored, Manuel, do not forget who helped you bring it back."

―Shahkulu to Manuel about their "future" plans.

After the riot, the civilians returned to their regular routine, though the damage done in the riots remained. Ezio soon set to recover the third Masyaf Key and once he had accomplished his goal, the Assassin returned to Suleiman and briefed him on what he had encountered in the Arsenal. The two then began to plan on how they should act upon Tarik's betrayal.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations