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{{Era|ACBL|AC2|ACB|PL|Renaissance|Bbook}}
{{Era|ACBL|AC2|ACB|PL|2book|Bbook}}
{{Youmay|the faction|the [[Courtesan (Animi Avatar)|Animi Avatar]]}}
{{Youmay|the faction|the [[Courtesan (Animi Avatar)|Animi Avatar]]}}
{{Quote|You too must learn to blend like us: seen, but unseen.|Paola, owner of La Rosa Colta, to Ezio Auditore, 1476.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|You too must learn to blend like us: seen, but unseen.|Paola, the owner of La Rosa Colta, teaching Ezio Auditore da Firenze to hide in plain sight, 1476.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Faction Infobox
{{Faction Infobox
|name = Courtesans
|name = Courtesans
|image = Courtesanrender.png
|image = Courtesanrender.png
|hideo = No
|hideo = No
|locations = [[Monteriggioni]]<br />[[Venice]]<br />[[Rome]]<br />[[Florence]]
|locations = [[Monteriggioni]]<br>[[Venice]]<br>[[Rome]]<br>[[Florence]]<br>[[Caribbean|West Indies]]
|related = [[Assassins]]  
|related = [[Assassins]]
|hideh = yes  
|hideh = yes
|hidea = no
|hidea = no
|notable = [[Paola]]<br />[[Teodora Contanto]]<br />[[Madonna Solari]]<br />[[Fiora Cavazza]]<br />[[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]]}}
|notable = [[Paola]]<br>[[Teodora Contanto]]<br>Madonna [[Solari]]<br>[[Fiora Cavazza]]<br>[[Claudia Auditore da Firenze]]}}
The '''Courtesans''' were one of the four factions allied to the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], with the other three being the [[Thieves]], [[Mercenaries]] and [[Romani]]es. They usually aided the Order by collecting information from clients, or by acting as distractions and allowing allies to slip into restricted areas.
The '''courtesans''' were one of the four factions allied to the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], with the other three being the [[thieves]], [[mercenaries]] and [[Romani]]es. They usually aided the Order by collecting information from clients, or by acting as distractions and allowing allies to slip into restricted areas.


[[Florence|Florentine]] courtesans were led by [[Paola]], [[Venice|Venetian]] courtesans were led by [[Teodora Contanto]], and [[Rome|Roman]] courtesans were led by [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]], who took over after the death of the previous owner of the brothel, madonna [[Solari]].
[[Florence|Florentine]] courtesans were led by [[Paola]], [[Venice|Venetian]] courtesans were led by [[Teodora Contanto]], and [[Rome|Roman]] courtesans were led by [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze]], who took over the brothel after the death of its previous owner, madonna [[Solari]].


==History==
==History==
Though courtesans were mainly based in [[brothels]] within a city, many were known to stand along the streets – usually in groups of four – to entice customers. Each possessed a standard style of dress and hairstyle, as was deemed appropriate for those in their profession at the time.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
Though courtesans were mainly based in [[brothels]] within a city, many were known to stand along the streets – usually in groups of four – to entice customers. Each possessed a standard style of dress and hairstyle, as was deemed appropriate for those in their profession at the time.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>


After the execution of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]], [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] sought sanctuary with Paola and her courtesans, who taught him how to [[Blending|conceal]] himself in a crowd, [[Pickpocketing|pick pockets]], and be "seen, but unseen" as they were.<ref name="AC2" />
After the execution of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]], [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] sought sanctuary with Paola and her courtesans, who taught him how to [[Blending|conceal]] himself in a crowd, [[Pickpocketing|pick pockets]], and be "seen, but unseen" as they were.<ref name="AC2"/>


Afterwards, Ezio hired courtesans to distract the guards and allow his family to escape the city, and would continue to use their services from then on, usually instructing them to seduce a group of nearby [[guards]] in order to allow him to slip past unseen. Alternatively, they would follow Ezio along the streets, concealing him among them by walking around him in a diamond formation, in a similar manner to how [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] blended with [[scholars]].<ref name="AC2" />
Afterwards, Ezio hired courtesans to distract the guards and allow his remaining family to escape the city, and would continue to use their services from then on, usually instructing them to seduce a group of nearby [[guards]] in order to allow him to slip past unseen. Alternatively, they would follow Ezio along the streets, concealing him among them by walking around him in a diamond formation, in a similar manner to how [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] blended with [[scholars]].<ref name="AC2" />


Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio aided the courtesans by funding the renovations for their main brothel, the [[Rosa in Fiore]], as well as renovating [[Faction buildings|smaller brothels]] throughout the city. After his sister took over Rosa in Fiore's administration, he volunteered to teach the girls [[Guild challenges (Brotherhood)#Courtesans Guild|several skills]].<ref name="ACB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio aided the courtesans by funding the renovations for their main brothel, the [[Rosa in Fiore]], as well as renovating [[Faction buildings|smaller brothels]] throughout the city. After his sister took over Rosa in Fiore's administration, he volunteered to teach the girls [[Guild challenges (Brotherhood)#Courtesans Guild|several skills]].<ref name="ACB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
[[File:AC2_Courtesans.png|250px|left|thumb|A group of Courtesans in Venice]]
[[File:AC2 Courtesans.png|250px|left|thumb|A group of courtesans in Venice]]
Courtesans could not perform any sort of [[Freerunning|free-running]], and were usually unarmed, though in the cases where they were, they carried [[short blades|knives]] and bladed fans. Should they be discovered aiding Ezio in attempting to infiltrate a guarded area, the courtesans were usually attacked mercilessly, and killed very quickly in the fight.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="ACB" />
Courtesans could not perform any sort of [[freerunning]], and were usually unarmed, though in the cases where they were, they carried [[Short blades|knives]] and bladed fans. Should they be discovered aiding Ezio in an attempt to infiltrate a guarded area, the courtesans were usually attacked mercilessly, and killed very quickly in the fight.<ref name="AC2"/><ref name="ACB"/>


If Ezio encountered a group of guards while walking with the courtesans, two of them would leave the group to distract the enemies, while the other two stayed with Ezio, in order to maintain the blend and help keep him anonymous. This behavior was very helpful in assassination missions where the target walked among [[civilians]].<ref name="AC2" />
If Ezio encountered a group of guards while walking with the courtesans, two of them would leave the group to distract them, while the other two stayed with Ezio, in order to maintain the blend and help keep him anonymous. This behavior was very helpful in assassination missions where the target walked among [[civilians]].<ref name="AC2"/>


The courtesans in Rome acted much as they did in other cities, however, after Ezio had allied himself to their guild for some time, the girls he hired were able to poison any enemies they were instructed to distract.<ref name="ACB" />
The courtesans in Rome acted much as they did in other cities, however, after Ezio had allied himself to their guild for some time, the girls he hired were able to poison any enemies they were instructed to distract.<ref name="ACB"/>


==Known courtesans==
==Known courtesans==
===Florence===
===Florence===
{{Main|Brothels#La Rosa Colta|La Rosa Colta}}
{{Main|Brothels#La Rosa Colta|La Rosa Colta}}
*Paola<ref name="AC2" />
*Paola<ref name="AC2"/>


===Venice===
===Venice===
{{Main|Brothels#La Rosa della Virtù|La Rosa della Virtù}}
{{Main|Brothels#La Rosa della Virtù|La Rosa della Virtù}}
*Teodora Contanto<ref name="AC2" />
*Teodora Contanto<ref name="AC2" />
*Lucia<ref name="AC2" /> - A courtesan who was attacked and robbed just outside her brothel.
*Lucia<ref name="AC2"/> - A courtesan who was attacked and robbed just outside her brothel.


===Rome===
===Rome===
{{Main|Rosa in Fiore}}
{{Main|Rosa in Fiore}}
*Madonna Solari<ref name="ACB" /><ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref> - Former owner of the Rosa in Fiore, killed by slave traders working for the Borgia.
*Madonna Solari<ref name="ACB"/><ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref> - Former owner of the Rosa in Fiore, killed by [[Slavery|slave]] [[Cento Occhi|traders]] working for the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]].
*[[Fiora Cavazza]]<ref name="Project Legacy" /> - A courtesan working for the Solari, who eventually entered the service of [[Cesare Borgia]].
*[[Fiora Cavazza]]<ref name="Project Legacy"/> - A courtesan working for the Solari, who eventually entered the service of [[Cesare Borgia]].
*[[Giuletta]]<ref name="ACB" /> - A traitorous courtesan who traded information about the Assassins to a [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] contact.
*[[Giuletta]]<ref name="ACB"/> - A traitorous courtesan who traded information about the Assassins to a Borgia contact.
*Lucia<ref name="ACB" /> - A courtesan who accompanied Fiora and Santino Solari on one of his business outings, along with being kidnapped by [[Cento Occhi|slave traders]] alongside madonna Solari later on. She was sent back to alert the other girls of the ransom for Solari.
*Lucia<ref name="ACB"/> - A courtesan who accompanied Fiora and [[Santino Solari]] on one of his business outings, who was also kidnapped by slave traders alongside madonna Solari. She was sent back to alert the other girls of the ransom for Solari.
*Mina<ref name="ACB" /> - A victim of the Templar [[Malfatto]], a rogue [[Doctors|doctor]] that preyed on courtesans. Ezio Auditore found her being mourned by her friend in a back alley of Rome.
*Mina<ref name="ACB"/> - A victim of the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Malfatto]], a rogue [[Doctors|doctor]] that preyed on courtesans. Ezio Auditore found her being mourned by her friend in a back alley of Rome.
*Agnella<ref name="Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref>
*Agnella<ref name="Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref>
*Sarghina<ref name="Brotherhood novel" />
*Sarghina<ref name="Brotherhood novel"/>


===Constantinople===
===Constantinople===
*[[Fabiola Cavazza]]<ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations|Assassin's Creed Revelations]]''</ref> - A courtesan affiliated with the [[Templars]].
*[[Fabiola Cavazza]]<ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref> - A courtesan affiliated with the Templars.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The "'''Red Light Addict'''" [[assassin's Creed II achievements|achievement]] could be gained by spending 5000 florins on hiring courtesans. One group of courtesans costs 150 florins, which meant that approximately 34 groups must be hired.
*The "'''Red Light Addict'''" [[Assassin's Creed II achievements|achievement]] could be gained by spending 5,000 florins on hiring courtesans. As one group of courtesans cost 150 florins to hire, it means that approximately 34 groups must be hired.
*A courtesan's appearance had five randomly generated options: hair, face, dress color, necklace and sleeves.
*A courtesan's appearance had five randomly generated options: hair, face, dress color, necklace and sleeves.
*A glitch could be encountered with a group of hired courtesans outside of [[Forlì]], where one of them became stuck and separated from the rest of the group, along with the remaining three not activating any blending effects until Ezio approached the lost courtesan's perimeter and entered into the middle of the group.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', if Ezio hired a courtesan group and then immediately attacked [[guards]], the courtesans may draw weapons and fight the guards alongside him.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', if Ezio hired a courtesan group and then immediately attacked [[guards]], the courtesans might draw weapons and fight the guards with him.
*Should a courtesan in a group fall into water, the remaining three would continue to activate the blending effect without her, indicating that the death of one courtesan was similar to when two left the group to distract passing guards.
*Should one of the courtesans in a group fall into water, the remaining three would continue to activate the blending effect without her, indicating that the death of one courtesan was similar to when two left the group to distract passing guards.
*Despite this, a glitch could be encountered with a group of hired courtesans outside of [[Forlì]], where if one of them became stuck and separated from the rest of the group, the remaining three would not activate any blending effects until Ezio approached the lost courtesan's perimeter and enter into the middle of the group.
*Courtesans could not be killed or grabbed by Ezio.
*Courtesans could not be killed or grabbed by Ezio.
*The ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' memory "[[Fitting In]]" was the only one where Ezio could beat up, pickpocket and grab courtesans.
**The only exception to this rule could be seen in the ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' memory "[[Fitting In]]", being the only one where Ezio could beat up, pickpocket and grab courtesans.
*During the memory "[[Carnevale]]", courtesans appeared in the streets wearing masks.
*During the memory "[[Carnevale]]", courtesans appeared in the streets wearing masks.
*In [[Monteriggioni]], after renovating the brothel, random courtesans appeared to walk in the streets. However, Ezio was unable to hire them.
*In [[Monteriggioni]], after renovating the brothel, random courtesans appeared to walk in the streets. However, Ezio was unable to hire them.
**They no longer appeared during the early scenes of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', except for one who appeared behind Ezio as he was leaving the hidden tunnel from Monteriggioni.
**They no longer appeared during the early scenes of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', except for one who appeared behind Ezio as he was leaving the hidden tunnel from Monteriggioni.
*In ''Brotherhood'', if a civilian you stole from prepared to have a [[Fists|fistfight]] with Ezio, the courtesans he had hired would sometimes go and fight them instead, knocking them out with only two punches.
*In ''Brotherhood'', if a civilian Ezio stole from prepared to have a [[Fists|fistfight]] with him, courtesans that he had hired would sometimes go and fight them instead, knocking the civilian out with only two punches.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', courtesans were replaced by the Romani, as they were not accepted in [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-[[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] society.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', courtesans were replaced by the Romani, as they were not accepted in [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-[[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] society.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'', courtesans reappear in the form of "''Dancers''" which acted as the prostitutes in the [[Caribbean]].
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'', courtesans reappeared in the form of "''Dancers''", who acted as prostitutes in the [[Caribbean]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 74: Line 74:
Courtesans ACII Art v.png|Concept art of the courtesans
Courtesans ACII Art v.png|Concept art of the courtesans
FT 4 v.png|Ezio blending with a group of courtesans
FT 4 v.png|Ezio blending with a group of courtesans
The_Morning_After_5.png|Ezio speaking with a courtesan in Rome
The Morning After 5.png|Ezio speaking with a courtesan in Rome
ACB-Hideout_Armory_3.png|Roman Courtesans insignia
ACB-Hideout Armory 3.png|Roman Courtesans insignia
Fitting In.jpg|''Initiates'' art of the Florentine courtesans
Fitting In.jpg|''Initiates'' art of the Florentine courtesans
</gallery>
</gallery>

Revision as of 21:16, 16 June 2014

This article is about the faction. You may be looking for the Animi Avatar.
"You too must learn to blend like us: seen, but unseen."
―Paola, the owner of La Rosa Colta, teaching Ezio Auditore da Firenze to hide in plain sight, 1476.[src]

The courtesans were one of the four factions allied to the Assassin Order, with the other three being the thieves, mercenaries and Romanies. They usually aided the Order by collecting information from clients, or by acting as distractions and allowing allies to slip into restricted areas.

Florentine courtesans were led by Paola, Venetian courtesans were led by Teodora Contanto, and Roman courtesans were led by Claudia Auditore da Firenze, who took over the brothel after the death of its previous owner, madonna Solari.

History

Though courtesans were mainly based in brothels within a city, many were known to stand along the streets – usually in groups of four – to entice customers. Each possessed a standard style of dress and hairstyle, as was deemed appropriate for those in their profession at the time.[1]

After the execution of Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio, Ezio Auditore da Firenze sought sanctuary with Paola and her courtesans, who taught him how to conceal himself in a crowd, pick pockets, and be "seen, but unseen" as they were.[1]

Afterwards, Ezio hired courtesans to distract the guards and allow his remaining family to escape the city, and would continue to use their services from then on, usually instructing them to seduce a group of nearby guards in order to allow him to slip past unseen. Alternatively, they would follow Ezio along the streets, concealing him among them by walking around him in a diamond formation, in a similar manner to how Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad blended with scholars.[1]

Upon traveling to Rome, Ezio aided the courtesans by funding the renovations for their main brothel, the Rosa in Fiore, as well as renovating smaller brothels throughout the city. After his sister took over Rosa in Fiore's administration, he volunteered to teach the girls several skills.[2]

Characteristics

A group of courtesans in Venice

Courtesans could not perform any sort of freerunning, and were usually unarmed, though in the cases where they were, they carried knives and bladed fans. Should they be discovered aiding Ezio in an attempt to infiltrate a guarded area, the courtesans were usually attacked mercilessly, and killed very quickly in the fight.[1][2]

If Ezio encountered a group of guards while walking with the courtesans, two of them would leave the group to distract them, while the other two stayed with Ezio, in order to maintain the blend and help keep him anonymous. This behavior was very helpful in assassination missions where the target walked among civilians.[1]

The courtesans in Rome acted much as they did in other cities, however, after Ezio had allied himself to their guild for some time, the girls he hired were able to poison any enemies they were instructed to distract.[2]

Known courtesans

Florence

Main article: La Rosa Colta

Venice

Main article: La Rosa della Virtù
  • Teodora Contanto[1]
  • Lucia[1] - A courtesan who was attacked and robbed just outside her brothel.

Rome

Main article: Rosa in Fiore
  • Madonna Solari[2][3] - Former owner of the Rosa in Fiore, killed by slave traders working for the Borgia.
  • Fiora Cavazza[3] - A courtesan working for the Solari, who eventually entered the service of Cesare Borgia.
  • Giuletta[2] - A traitorous courtesan who traded information about the Assassins to a Borgia contact.
  • Lucia[2] - A courtesan who accompanied Fiora and Santino Solari on one of his business outings, who was also kidnapped by slave traders alongside madonna Solari. She was sent back to alert the other girls of the ransom for Solari.
  • Mina[2] - A victim of the Templar Malfatto, a rogue doctor that preyed on courtesans. Ezio Auditore found her being mourned by her friend in a back alley of Rome.
  • Agnella[4]
  • Sarghina[4]

Constantinople

Trivia

  • The "Red Light Addict" achievement could be gained by spending 5,000 florins on hiring courtesans. As one group of courtesans cost 150 florins to hire, it means that approximately 34 groups must be hired.
  • A courtesan's appearance had five randomly generated options: hair, face, dress color, necklace and sleeves.
  • In Assassin's Creed II, if Ezio hired a courtesan group and then immediately attacked guards, the courtesans may draw weapons and fight the guards alongside him.
  • Should a courtesan in a group fall into water, the remaining three would continue to activate the blending effect without her, indicating that the death of one courtesan was similar to when two left the group to distract passing guards.
  • Despite this, a glitch could be encountered with a group of hired courtesans outside of Forlì, where if one of them became stuck and separated from the rest of the group, the remaining three would not activate any blending effects until Ezio approached the lost courtesan's perimeter and enter into the middle of the group.
  • Courtesans could not be killed or grabbed by Ezio.
    • The only exception to this rule could be seen in the Assassin's Creed II memory "Fitting In", being the only one where Ezio could beat up, pickpocket and grab courtesans.
  • During the memory "Carnevale", courtesans appeared in the streets wearing masks.
  • In Monteriggioni, after renovating the brothel, random courtesans appeared to walk in the streets. However, Ezio was unable to hire them.
    • They no longer appeared during the early scenes of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, except for one who appeared behind Ezio as he was leaving the hidden tunnel from Monteriggioni.
  • In Brotherhood, if a civilian Ezio stole from prepared to have a fistfight with him, courtesans that he had hired would sometimes go and fight them instead, knocking the civilian out with only two punches.
  • In Assassin's Creed: Revelations, courtesans were replaced by the Romani, as they were not accepted in Ottoman-Byzantine society.
  • In Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, courtesans reappeared in the form of "Dancers", who acted as prostitutes in the Caribbean.

Gallery

References