Cappadocia

The Templar city of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia was a region in central Turkey. Although it was partially above ground, the bulk of it lay underground, and was an ancient and mysterious region controlled and constructed by the Templars.

Many poor and struggling Byzantines took refuge at Cappadocia after the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

History

Templar headquarters

During the 16th century, the Templars set up their headquarters in Cappadocia after being driven from their previous base in Rome by the Assassins. The Templar in charge of the Masyaf expedition, Manuel Palaiologos, lived in Cappadocia for some time after his family lost their hold on the Ottoman throne.

Assassin invasion

In March of 1512, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze infiltrated Cappadocia after arriving there on a ship captained by fellow Assassin, Piri Reis. Once in the city, Ezio made his way to a large center rock formation, and surveyed the area. He then located an Ottoman spy, Dilara, whom he received information from. After meeting with this spy, Ezio made his way around the city, and eventually overheard guards discussing the fate of Dilara.

Dilara, an Ottoman spy.

The guards discussed how Shahkulu was set to kill Dilara, but also how they were angered at the fact that the prison key was with one of their fellow guards at the market. Ezio then left for the market, and once there, he located the guard, who was distracted by an orator. The Assassin pick-pocketed the key from the guard, and made his way back to Dilara's prison cell. He found that the guards had left, and that it was simply Dilara in her cell. He immediately freed her, but she left abruptly and told him she was going to kill Shahkulu.

Ezio caught up to Dilara to find her just outside a crowd observing Shahkulu beating Janos, another Ottoman spy. He conversed briefly with Dilara, before leaving her to assassinate Shahkulu. The Assassin then made his way up to a small platform extending out above the courtyard where Shahkulu was, assassinating a few guards on his ascent. Upon reaching the platform, Ezio made his way to the edge of it, and air-assassinated Shahkulu, successfully saving Janos in the process.

However, Shahkulu got back up from Ezio's attacks, and attempted to fight the Assassin alongside his reinforcements. Although outnumbered, Ezio managed to kill Shahkulu's men, and then eventually Shahkulu himself. After assassinating Shahkulu and reuniting Dilara and Janos, Ezio left to find Manuel Palaiologos.

While navigating the city in a search for Manuel, Ezio spotted two workers moving crates of gunpowder using a crane. He then made his way to the depot where the gunpowder was being stored, but encountered numerous guards along the way. However, Ezio managed to overcome these guards, and eventually destroyed the weapons depot, utilizing the gunpowder itself to cause a destructive explosion.

File:Ezio confront Manuel.png

Ezio confronts Manuel Palaiologos on a dock in Cappadocia.

Upon seeing and hearing the loud explosion of the weapons depot, Manuel rushed out to the city to investigate. He began telling his men to remain strong and to not give in to fear, but then spotted Ezio on a platform on the other side of the city. Manuel immediately stopped his speech, and began to flee, paranoid of the Assassin. However, Ezio pursued Manuel well, and nearly cornered him, but Manuel managed to slip behind a gate.

Once behind the protection of the gate, Manuel told Ezio to stop and think for a moment, but Ezio climbed over the gate and began pursuing Manuel yet again. Manuel began to flee again, but the Assassin eventually cornered Manuel on the docks, and then assassinated him with ease.

Afterwards, however, Ezio was confronted by Ahmet, the son of Sultan Bayezid II. Ezio talked with Ahmet, who was just offshore on a boat, about each of their conflicting goals and desires. This conversation eventually became threatening, and led to Ahmet leaving for Constantinople, with Ezio right behind him.

Trivia

• In an interview with CVG, Alexandre Amancio noted that parts of the city are reminiscent of Petra.
• While in Cappadocia, Ezio wore a full body-length cape with a hood over his Assassin robes. This was probably so that he would not be recognized within the Templar stronghold.
• Cappadocia is unlocked with sequence 7, and players can return afterwards via a boat in western Galata.
• As Cappadocia can never be freed from Templar control, the unique items sold there will always have the Templar tax attached to them.
• The clothes Ezio wears resemble early concept art of Ezio.

Gallery

• Ezio running through Cappadocia.
  Ezio running through Cappadocia.
• 
  Ezio in Cappadocia.
• Ezio outside the city.
  Ezio outside the city.
• 
  Cappadocia concept illustration by Raphael Lacoste.
• 
  Concept art of Cappadocia by Martin Deschambault.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations