Varangian

A Varangian

The Varangians (Old Norse: Væringjar, Greek: Varangoi) were guards stationed in Constantinople and Derinkuyu. They were the Byzantine equivalent of Italian Seekers, and fought with halberds and spears.

Varangians also wielded pistols once they were disarmed in combat, or when the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze fled to an inaccessible position.

Trivia

• Historically, the Varangians hailed from Scandinavia, parts of Medieval Russia, and England, and consisted primarily of Norse and Anglo-Saxon recruits. From the 9th to 14th century, they served as the personal guard of the Byzantine Emperor, functioning similarly to the personal guard of the Ottoman Sultan, the Janissaries.
  • Their name comes from Old Norse compound væringi, from vár "pledge" and gengi "companion", i.e. "a sworn person" or "a foreigner who has taken service with a new lord by a treaty of fealty to him, or protégé."
• Historically the Varangians were famous for wielding axes, and actually more resemble the in-game Almogavars, and vice-versa.
  • In the artbook of Assassin's Creed: Revelations, concept art of the Varangians showed that they were supposed to wield one-handed swords.
• Looting or stealing from Varangians would give Ezio smoke screen or smoke decoy bombs should his tactical or diversionary pouches be empty.
• The Varangians were Norse raiders hired by the Byzantine nobility and royalty. Harald Hardrada, one of the most famous Vikings, was a Varangian guard.

Gallery

• Concept artwork for the Varangian guard archetype
  Concept artwork for the Varangian guard archetype
• 
  Developmental artwork of a Varangian guard character model

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations