Shahkulu

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Manuel Palaiologos: "Ah! What the hell is that smell?"

Shahkulu: "Apologies, Manuel. Some of these Ottoman prisoners are so... fragile."

—Shahkulu, subtly revealing his brutality.

Shahkulu (unknown - 1512) was a Turkmen renegade, who became an orphan after an Ottoman attack on his tribe. Homeless, Shahkulu joined the Templar Order and dedicated his life to his new cause. In 1511, he became the leader of the Shahkulu rebellion -- a widespread pro-Shia and pro-Safavid uprising in Anatolia, directed against the Ottoman Empire.

In 2012, his genetic memories were used by the Templar-owned company Abstergo Industries, for the training of their Animus recruits, under the title of the Renegade.

Biography

Early life

As a child, Shahkulu was born into a Turkmen tribe in eastern Anatolia, which was oppressed by the Ottoman Empire, as it was on the edge of its boundaries. Later on in his life, an Ottoman ambush on his tribe left him orphaned and alone. Seeking revenge and a sense of belonging, Shahkulu joined the Templar Order. Over time, Shahkulu grew to hate the Ottoman Turks for what they had done to his people, as well any who opposed the Templar ideology, and made it his mission to eliminate any that stood in his Order's way.

Partnership with Manuel

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

―Shahkulu to Manuel regarding his efforts.

Shahkulu reminds Manuel of his service.

Shahkulu eventually became a feared Templar, and circa 1511, formed a partnership with the heir to the fallen Byzantine Empire and fellow Templar, Manuel Palaiologos. Shahkulu aided Manuel in his attempt to restore the Byzantines remnants to their former strength, partly because he believed Manuel would reward him if the Empire was successfully restored. By mid 1511, Shahkulu and Manuel met with Janissary Captain, Tarik Barleti, in Constantinople, to gain access to the Arsenal to check on a shipment of weapons.

While inspecting the firearms, Shahkulu reminded Manuel that he had aided him in restoring his army, and that he should not be forgotten. Replying back, Manuel assured him that he would not forget the debt he owed Shahkulu, right before leaving the harbor.

Death

"Shahkulu, try to moderate your anger. I know the Sultan humiliated your people. But there is no need to spit on men who are beneath us."

―Manuel on Shahkulu's brutal actions.

File:Ezio-eavesdrop.png

Ezio eavesdropping on Manuel and Shahkulu.

In 1512, Shahkulu retreated to the Templar headquarters in Cappadocia. There, several of Tarik Barleti's spies were captured, and, as they were Ottoman Turks, Shahkulu personally killed every one of them, by savagely beating them to death. After a meeting with Manuel, who had consulted Shahkulu on his treatment of the Ottoman spies, he demanded that his men bring the remaining ones to the chapel, where he intended to publicly torture and execute them.

As one of the guards replied that he did not have the key, Shahkulu angrily ordered him to find it. However, unbeknownst to him, the Assassin Ezio Auditore had being spying on the entire meeting, and, after learning the location of the key, set off to retrieve it before them. Shortly afterwards, a crowd gathered at the chapel where Shahkulu was to perform one of his public killings.

File:Ezio-shakulu-assassination.png

Ezio's first attempt to kill Shahkulu

Emerging onto the courtyard of the chapel, Shahkulu immediately began beating a spy named Janos to death. However, Ezio attempted to assassinate Shahkulu from above with his hidden blade. While Ezio told Shahkulu that he deserved no pity for the pleasure he derived from sadism, Shahkulu's armor had saved him from the killing blow, and he began to strangle Ezio. The Assassin stabbed his target's arm with his hookblade, yet Shahkulu threw him aside, prompting a duel between the two. Despite the presence of several Byzantine troops aiding him, Shahkulu was eventually defeated and killed.

Trivia

• Shahkulu is the second character that survived an assassination attempt from Ezio, with the first being Rodrigo Borgia.
  • However, Shahkulu is killed shortly afterwards, whereas Rodrigo was spared.
• In the Assassin's Creed series, Shahkulu was killed in the year 1512, though real life sources state that he died in 1511.
• Shahkulu is the second target to resist against Ezio's last rites, with the other being Checco Orsi, who delivered a stab to Ezio's abdomen with a dagger.

Gallery

• Shahkulu beating up an Ottoman spy.
  Shahkulu beating up an Ottoman spy.
• Shahkulu strangling Ezio
  Shahkulu strangling Ezio
• 
  Shahkulu's body

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations