Riot at the Harbor of Theodosius

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

―The Turkish civilians endeavoring to push through the arsenal gates.

The riot at the Harbor of Theodosius was an event that occurred during the Renaissance in the year 1511, in which a prodigious group of vexed citizens at Constantinople's Harbor of Theodosius rioted against the Janissaries because of their corrupt behavior.

However, the tumult was catalyzed by the Assassin, Ezio Auditore, who arrived at the harbor and incited the citizens by bribing local heralds, who were then used to stimulate the turmoil at the harbor.

After the incident at the harbor, Ezio met with Ottoman Prince Suleiman I, who gave the latter orders to assassinate Tarik Barleti, the Janissary Captain. This came after Ezio informed Suleiman of a meeting he observed between Tarik and a Templar named Manuel Palaiologos, an heir to the Byzantine throne.

Tailing Tarik

Meeting with Suleiman I

Following a meeting between the Janissary Captain Tarik Barleti and the Ottoman Prince Ahmet, Suleiman I suspected the Captain to be conspiring against his uncle, Sultan Bayezid II. Suleiman believed that the recent attack against him at Topkapı Palace was Tarik's doing.

To determine the actuality of his suspicions, Suleiman met with Ezio Auditore to see what information the Assassin could obtain from Tarik and his latest activities by shadowing him. Informing Ezio to look for the Captain at the Grand Bazaar, a frequent location for the Janissaries and Tarik during their spare time, Suleiman concluded the meeting.

Grand Bazaar

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

―Tarik speaking with a Janissary.

Reaching the Grand Bazaar in the hopes of locating Tarik, Ezio was quickly disrupted by a rug merchant within the market. The rug merchant attempted to barter a few items, and it appeared as if he had sold various rugs that day.

However, once Ezio inquired about his transactions, the merchant claimed Tarik had actually confiscated the rugs, as they were foreign-made. After informing the merchant that he would convene with Tarik and investigate the situation, Ezio began tailing the Captain, catching sight of him in the bazaar.

Ezio tailing Tarik through the Grand Bazaar.

Following Tarik, Ezio silently observed the Captain and his activities. After managing several issues and businesses, Tarik met with a few of his men. He ordered them to ensure that he was not being followed as the meeting was vital, then continued through several shops and stalls of the Grand Bazaar.

Along the way, the Janissaries notified Tarik that one of his contacts, Manuel Palaiologos, desired to meet him by the city arsenal's gates. Tarik then departed for the arsenal with a couple of his men.

Arsenal

Inciting a riot

Yusuf: "Even in times of peace, the poor are always under siege."

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

—Ezio and Yusuf discuss instigating commotion at the harbor.

Tarik convening with Manuel at the exterior of the arsenal.

Arriving at the arsenal, Ezio monitored a meeting between Tarik and Manuel. Manuel, who had brought currency for the exchange, ordered his personal bodyguard, Shahkulu, to present Tarik with the finances.

Executing his master's instructions, Shahkulu swiftly handed the money to the Captain, who allowed one of his men to tally the currency. Meanwhile, Tarik and Manuel discussed the final aspects of their deal, with Manuel demanding to assess the weapons' quality before completing the transaction.

Once Tarik's man validated the finances, Tarik provided Manuel access to the arsenal, explaining he would have his shipment transported to Manuel once the latter was content with the purchase. Upon being asked if his men were ready for travel, Tarik responded that it was not an issue, and that they were able to journey anywhere. Before adjourning their meeting, Manuel informed Tarik that he would have a map developed for him within a week.

With the meeting suspended as the men proceeded into the arsenal, Ezio approached fellow Assassin Yusuf Tazim, and questioned his presence at the harbor. Yusuf informed Ezio that several of his men reported catching sight of a weapons shipment arriving at the arsenal. Ezio desired to see the weapons for himself, however, the arsenal was too fortified for an infiltration.

Ezio and Yusuf observe as the civilians attempt to enter the arsenal.

Then, witnessing several Janissaries assault a merchant near the gates, Ezio devised a plan to utilize the citizens in order to break the arsenal's defenses. Bribing some of the nearby heralds to accuse the Janissaries of tyranny, Ezio was able to incite the crowd against the guards, and endeavor to break through the arsenal gates.

Enraged, the civilians rioted at the front of the gates while the guards and Janissaries attempted to ease them, first with words, then with force. Ezio defended the civilians, and managed to keep the guards occupied long enough for them to storm through the gates. The people then rampaged through the arsenal alongside Ezio, though he briskly broke away from them afterwards to pursue Manuel and Tarik instead.

Pursuit of Manuel

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

―Manuel, with regards to his schemes.

Ezio watches as Manuel examines the weapons.

After infiltrating the arsenal, Ezio hunted for Manuel and his men, bypassing the fires that had been set, and the civilian corpses scattered around him. He eventually was able to locate the Templar and his men near a warehouse loaded with the weapons shipment at the far side of the arsenal. There, Manuel, Shahkulu, and several of Manuel's men examined Tarik's supplies.

After a careful inspection of the stock, Manuel and Shahkulu had a brief discussion regarding the Palaiologos line. Shahkulu merely pleaded for his master to recognize who had aided him in his work once his family's standing was restored. Manuel responded that he would not forget the favor, but reminded Shahkulu to remain patient.

Once Manuel and his men departed from the area, Ezio scoured the crates, and found that they held firearms. However, he was quickly discovered by remaining guards in the arsenal. The guards chased Ezio in an attempt to apprehend him, though the Assassin fled and soon escaped the soldiers, leaving the arsenal and the few residual civilians inside behind.

Aftermath

Suleiman: "Get the information you need, then kill him."

Ezio: "Are you sure? You told me Tarik and your father were close friends, Suleiman."

Suleiman: "This is true. But such naked treason against my grandfather deserves death."

—Suleiman instructs Ezio to assassinate Tarik.

After the tumult at the harbor, the civilians began their accustomed ways of life, though the harbor remained marred by the destruction caused from the riot. Despite the events that transpired at the harbor, Ezio swiftly returned to his primary intent of recovering the third Masyaf Key.

Once he had procured the third key, Ezio convened with Suleiman to inform him of what he observed in the arsenal regarding Tarik's deception. Before their meeting concluded, however, Suleiman told Ezio to locate Tarik, and then to kill him once Ezio had obtained the information he required.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations