Tarik Barleti

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Tarik Barleti was the Captain of the Janissaries during the early 16th century, under the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. He was well-known for his prowess as a leader, and also his admiration for the Ottoman Prince Selim I, as well as his hatred for Prince Ahmet.

In 1511, he had a ploy set to eliminate the remnants of the Byzantine Empire from where they hid, feigning allegiance with them to root out their forces. Plotting in secrecy, Tarik was able to meet Manuel Palaiologos, and from there, he began his plans.

As captain of the Sultanate's most powerful fighters, Tarik was just an able a warrior as he was arrogant, leading the Janissaries with an iron fist. Though stoic and somewhat cruel, Tarik was a man of honor, valuing strength, skill and logic above most other virtues.

History

Early life

"This Empire is sick, and Bayezid - it pains me to say - is its cancer."

―Tarik Barleti, regarding the Ottoman Empire's current status.

Tarik was born a Christian Albanian, and the second eldest son of the family, where he had four brothers and three sisters. His previous life was made irrelevant when the Ottoman's Devshirme system levied him into their ranks, where he eventually became one of the Janissaries.

As one of the Sultanate's elite soldiers, he became extremely loyal to the Ottoman Empire, and after some time, he became the Janissaries' captain. By then, his admiration for Prince Selim and hatred for Prince Ahmet became very well-known.

Though loyal to the Sultan, Tarik expressed great anger when Bayezid declared Ahmet as his successor. As Captain, Tarik's word had a high influence on his subordinates, and because of this, the Janissaries detested Ahmet and admired Selim just as much as Tarik, and began to believe that Bayezid had become a weak sovereign.

Also during his time as captain, he released a city prisoner, Dilara, both out of kindness and infatuation. Though Dilara did not return his feelings for her - which became a source of grief for him - Tarik nevertheless continued to work with her, tasking Dilara with recon missions, working as his spy.

Failure at Topkapi

Ahmet: "If you had a hand in this mess, Tarik, you have made a grave mistake. My father has chosen me as the next Sultan, not my brother."

Tarik: "Ahmet, I am not depraved enough to imagine the conspiracy you accuse me of."

—Ahmet and Tarik, just after Suleiman left their company.

Tarik, conversing in private with Ahmet.

In 1511, after a failed attack on Prince Suleiman I at Topkapi Palace, Tarik met with Suleiman and Prince Ahmet. There, Tarik offered to lead the investigation on the attack, though Suleiman said that he would, due to Tarik being a possible suspect. After a brief meeting with Ahmet, where he openly admitted his dislike for the Prince, Tarik left the palace and returned to patrol the city.

Unbeknownst to Tarik, Suleiman tasked the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze with the job of investigating him and his activities, due to his failure to defend the palace during the assassination attempt. From then on, Ezio tailed Tarik in secret, starting at the Grand Bazaar, where he and his men were usually found.

Plot against the Templars

Janissary: "Everything is falling into place, efendim (my Lord)."

Tarik: "Evet. (Yes.) For once."

—Tarik and a Janissary, after receiving a letter from Manuel.

File:Manuel Palaiologos and Tarik Barleti.jpg

Manuel, with the Templar Manuel Palaiologos.

During the time, Tarik had several firearms and a few of his men prepared to be shipped, as part of a deal with the former Byzantine heir Manuel Palaiologos, in exchange for money. Meeting at Constantinople, Tarik gave Manuel access to the arsenal in order to retrieve the cargo. Afterwards, Tarik returned to the Janissary camp, where he awaited for more news regarding the shipment.

After some time, Tarik received a message from Manuel's forces that the firearms have arrived at Cappadocia. With a few of Tarik's men with the Byzantines, they expected to receive word once Manuel's forces have decamped, and planned to meet them once they have reached Bursa, where they would ambush the Byzantines.

Death

Tarik: "Is this the result of Suleiman's investigation?"

Ezio: "You collude with the Sultan's enemies. What did you expect would come of such treachery?"

Tarik: "I blame myself. Not for treason, but hubris."

—Tarik and Ezio, during the former's final moments.

Unbeknownst to him, Ezio Auditore - disguised as a Janissary - eavesdropped on his meeting within the Janissary camp. After learning of the Byzantine's locations, Ezio assassinated Tarik, under the orders of Suleiman, due to believing him guilty of treason.

File:Tariks final moment.JPG

Tarik, moments before passing away.

In his final moments, Tarik confided with Ezio about his plans against the Byzantine Templars, revealing his planned ambush by giving him a parchment that detailed the location of the Templars. Tarik blamed himself of hubris, though he had faith that Ezio would see his plan to the end, asking him to destroy the Templars for the sake of his homeland. Afterwards, Tarik passed away.

Aftermath

Ezio: "He was loyal to your grandfather to the end, and through his efforts we have the means to save your city."

Suleiman: "Ah, Tarik. He should not have been so secretive. What a terrible way to do a good thing."

—Ezio and Suleiman, regarding Tarik's death.

Tarik's death was reported to Suleiman by Ezio, who explained everything about the Janissary's plan against the Templars. Suleiman, though guilty over his decision to have Tarik assassinated, instructed Ezio to continue Tarik's plan, using what he had gained from his investigations.

Tarik's death also affected the reputation of Prince Ahmet. Due to Tarik's quarrel with Ahmet being public, the Janissaries had suspected the prince as the mastermind behind their captain's assassination. While conducting an investigation on Tarik's murder, the Janissaries had the Great Chain of the Golden Horn raised, and would only lower it once the murderer has been detained.

After destroying the Great Chain, Ezio arrived at Cappadocia with Piri Reis by March of 1512. There, he met with Dilara, who was stationed within the city by Tarik as one of his spies. Along with her, Ezio managed to destroy the Templar city, and had Manuel Palaiologos assassinated.

Characteristics and personality

"Tarik is a hard man, proud and capable but ambitious. And he admires my father greatly."

―Suleiman, on Tarik's behavior.

At an early age, Tarik excelled in combat and warfare, able to endure the extremely rigorous training that a Janissary undergoes in the Devshirme system. In time, he had forgotten about his life before being levied, and began to show unwavering loyalty to the Ottoman Empire. His skill and loyalty eventually earned him the position of Captain.

File:Tarik explains why the Janissaries prefer Selim over Ahmet..JPG

Tarik, openly admitting his opinion.

As Captain, Tarik was a proud and ambitious man, though capable. Valuing law and order, Tarik enforced the city rules through any means, which were often cruel. This resulted in most civilians hating him and his men, though subsequently earning them the respect of most authority figures.

Due to the political rights that the Janissaries had, Tarik was free to speak his mind about political matters, and whenever he spoke, he would be frank and direct about his opinion to most his comrades. His opinion became the source of suspicion, him being suspected of treason by Suleiman.

Tarik valued strength of mind and body above words and doctrine. He often cited logic as his basis on judgment of character, as evidenced by his opinion on both of the Ottoman Empire's viable sultan successors. Tarik also admired boldness and skill, as evidenced by his infatuation with Dilara.

Tarik was also a man of cunning and strategy, as evidenced by his planned ambush for the Byzantines. However, he was also very secretive about his ploys, only discussing his plans to his closest subordinates and men. Such secrecy resulted in his death.

Last Words

• Tarik: Ah, what a bitter irony. Is this the result of Suleiman's investigation?
• Ezio: You collude with the Sultan's enemies. What did you expect would come of such treachery?
• Tarik: I blame myself. Not for treason, but hubris. I was preparing an ambush. Preparing to strike the Byzantine Templars where they felt safest.
• Ezio: What proof do you have of this?
• Tarik: See here. This will lead you to the Byzantines in Cappadocia. Destroy them if you can.
• Ezio: You have done well, Tarik. Forgive me.
• Tarik: Protect my homeland, Assassin. Allah ashkina (In God's name), redeem the honor we have lost in this fight.

Gallery

• A playing card of Tarik.
  A playing card of Tarik.
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  Concept art of Tarik