Carnevale

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"Welcome, my friends, to the grandest social event of the season! At peace or at war, in times of prosperity or paucity, Venezia will always have Carnevale!"

―Doge Marco Barbarigo speaking at his private party during Carnevale in 1486.

[[File:|thumb|250px|Ezio at the Carnevale celebration.]] Carnevale was an annual event held in Venice that was known for its extravagant costumes and decorated masks. Believed to have started in 1162, it became an official tradition during the Renaissance.

Civilians and noblemen celebrated the festival by playing games and competitions, dancing, and watching performers in the streets or city squares. The environment was vibrant and people were garbed in colorful clothing and masks. The streets were filled with banners and processions of people and fireworks decorated the sky.

History

Assassination opportunity

Ezio: "Now I'm the most wanted man in Venezia."

Leonardo: "Well, perhaps you are in luck! It's Carnevale in Venezia. This is the time when everybody goes without a face!"

—Ezio Auditore and Leonardo da Vinci.

In 1486, the Doge of Venice, Giovanni Mocenigo, was killed in a Templar plot led by Rodrigo Borgia. The Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze was falsely accused of murdering the Doge, and was forced into hiding, despite his desire to kill the newly appointed Templar Doge, Marco Barbarigo.

The beginning of Carnevale offered an opportunity to the Assassin, both since Marco would have to leave the safety of the Palazzo Ducale for the festivities, and since Ezio could remain hidden more easily. After visiting Leonardo da Vinci at his workshop, he borrowed a mask and decorated cape, then proceeded to the Dorsoduro District to meet with fellow Assassins Antonio de Magianis and Teodora Contanto.

Ezio learned from Teodora that the Doge would be hosting a private ball, the largest party of Carnevale. However, only a limited amount of numbered Golden Masks would grant a person entry.

Golden Mask Games

"Signore e Signori, come one, come all! The Games of Carnevale are about to begin! Do you have the coraggio to compete for as grand a prize as this?"

―A Carnevale announcer presenting the Golden Mask.

Ezio taking ribbons from a group of women.

Among the many Carnevale events was a competition consisting of four games, which would grant the overall winner a Golden Mask. Ezio decided to compete, in order to more easily approach Marco Barbarigo at his party.

In the first game, Ezio had to pickpocket some ribbons from the women around the district. The ribbons came in three kinds of bundles, made up of two, four, or six.

The second game consisted of three rounds of Capture the Flag. Ezio had to run to take his opponent's flag and then return to his original position, all while protecting his own flag from the other competitor.

In the third game, Ezio had to complete a timed race by beating the record set by the previous contestant.

Ezio defeating Dante Moro.

The last game was a barehanded fighting competition, where participants would face each other one at a time in a fist-fight. Ezio easily defeated the initial few challengers, before the formidable Dante Moro entered the ring. Though the Assassin defeated him, the Templar Silvio Barbarigo bribed the judge to allow him to send in several armed guards to render Ezio physically unable to continue; though they were also unsuccessful.

Ezio won all four games fairly, however, Silvio had also bribed the game's announcer to award the mask to his bodyguard, Dante Moro, instead. Nevertheless, the Assassins managed to distract Dante, and steal the Golden Mask from him.

Unrequited love

Leonardo: "She's with her husband. She may not be too happy to see you."

Ezio: "No... It's wonderful. It's Carnevale! With this mask, she need not even know it's me!"

—Leonardo and Ezio discuss Cristina Vespucci.

Leonardo informing Ezio of Cristina's presence at Carnevale.

While on his way to the party, Ezio passed by Leonardo, who informed him that Cristina Vespucci and her husband Manfredo Soderini were in Venice for Carnevale.

Ezio knew that Cristina would likely not agree to meet him, so he slipped her a letter asking her to meet him in an alleyway. Mistaking Ezio to be her husband, and seeing the meeting as a romantic gesture, Cristina and Ezio kissed. However, when she discovered who he really was, she pushed Ezio away angrily, stating incredulously that she had not seen him in eight years.

As Ezio attempted to explain himself, Cristina interrupted him by saying that she had loved him, and not her fiancé all those years ago, yet he had abandoned her to be married. She coldly said that his chance had passed, and told Ezio to never look for her again.

The Doge's party

"Tonight we celebrate what makes us great! How bright our lights shine over the world!"

―Marco speaking at his party.

Ezio killing Marco at the party.

After his meeting with Cristina, Ezio continued towards the Doge's party. He managed to gain entry easily, however, Dante had discovered the theft of the Golden Mask, and had arrived at the party to alert the guards of Ezio's presence.

Ezio managed to avoid the soldiers with the help of Teodora's girls, and waited until Marco came out of his cabin on a nearby ship to deliver a speech. Ezio then killed Marco using his recently acquired Hidden Gun, managing to time his shot with the firework explosions to avoid being noticed.

Trivia

• Even after the events of Carnevale, the citizens would continue to celebrate it in the Dorsoduro district for the remainder of Assassin's Creed II, albeit without fireworks.
• Ezio could not change outfits during Carnevale.
• During the E3 demo of Assassin's Creed II, bonfires were held in Carnevale, which allowed Ezio to use Leonardo's Flying Machine.

Gallery

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  People celebrating Carnevale.
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  Citizens dancing during Carnevale.
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  Fireworks on display during Carnevale.
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  The game announcer addressing the crowd at Carnevale.
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  Ezio winning one of the Carnevale games.
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  Silvio Barbarigo holding the Golden Mask.
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  Ezio entering the Doge's party.
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  Panoramic view of the Carnevale festival.