Romani

The Romanies, or Romani were a faction available for hire in Constantinople during the Renaissance, alongside the mercenaries and thieves.

The Romani consisted of dancers, fire breathers, street performers, and musicians. With their spirited performances, which were available for 150 akçe, they were able to distract many guards and citizens in the city.

History

Origins

"My people are from eastern Persia and beyond. Yet, somehow we have become citizens of a land we have never seen."

―The Romani leader to Ezio Auditore on the misconception that her people are from Egypt.

The Romani were stateless people originally from the eastern reaches of Persia. Over many centuries, their population migrated west, eventually reaching as far as Eastern Europe and northern Africa.

Sometimes also referred to as Gypsies, the rather unflattering term "Romani" arose from the misconception that they and the Romanian people belonged to the same ethnicity. The Romani themselves found this misapprehension humorous, and laughed at the wrongful association.

Byzantine profit theft

"For centuries my people have been slandered and insulted, labeled witches and warlocks. Well, so be it. We will not run from these lies any more, but embrace them. Encourage these rumors, for it is better to be infamous than ignored."

―The Romani leader explains their plan to Ezio.

File:Curse of the Romani.png

The Romani leader explains the plan to Ezio.

In 1511, six month's worth of profit was stolen from the Romani by Byzantines. While in deep melancholy, the Romani received a visit from the Assassin Ezio Auditore. After arriving, Ezio offered to help the Romani as they attempted to gain infamy in the city, claiming it was better than being ignored.

The Romani leader explain their plan to Ezio, in which he would have to stealthily assassinate each guard who held the chest, to give off the idea that it was cursed. Ezio tailed each guard around the city, and managed to assassinate them all successfully without being noticed. As Ezio walked with the leader of the Romani back to their headquarters, the Romani informed the Assassin of the origins of her people. Once they reached the headquarters, Ezio set the chest of profits down, and the Romani thanked him, also telling him her people were available if he needed anything.

Trivia

• The Romani replaced the Courtesans in Assassin's Creed: Revelations, who were not accepted in Ottoman society.

Gallery

• 
  A group of Romani.
• Artwork of the Romani headquarters.
  Artwork of the Romani headquarters.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations