Shao Jun: Difference between revisions
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*In her entry on the ''[[Assassin's Creed | *In her entry on the ''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]'', it states that Shao Jun met Ezio in Florence. However, in ''[[Assassin's Creed Embers|Embers]]'', Ezio's villa was located in [[Tuscany]]. | ||
*The ''"Jun"'' in Shao Jun's name is pronounced as ''"yoon"'' in ''Embers''. | *The ''"Jun"'' in Shao Jun's name is pronounced as ''"yoon"'' in ''Embers''. | ||
*A replica of Shao Jun's [http://www.ubiworkshop.com/2011/11/16/shao-juns-necklace/ necklace] is being sold in Ubiworkshop's store, for 24.99 US Dollars. | *A replica of Shao Jun's [http://www.ubiworkshop.com/2011/11/16/shao-juns-necklace/ necklace] is being sold in Ubiworkshop's store, for 24.99 US Dollars. | ||
Revision as of 17:09, 24 November 2011
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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
- "I have traveled a long time, followed many roads and suffered much grief to find him. To learn his secrets before our enemies find us."
- ―Shao Jun regarding her search for Ezio Auditore.[src]
Shao Jun (1505 - unknown) was an Assassin of the Chinese chapter of the order. Born into royal captivity during China's Ming Dynasty, Shao Jun was one of the preferred concubines of the Emperor Zhengde, and accompanied him during most his travels.[1]
After the Emperor's death, Shao Jun was rescued by the Assassins, and then made into one of them. After a few years, Shao Jun and her mentor made an attempt to rescue the other concubines that Jun was with during most her life, however they were killed by order of the new Emperor, Jiajing.[1]
Under the Emperor's order, most of the members of her order perished. Those who survived went into hiding, while others fled west. Jun and her mentor fled farther than most, arriving at Italy to seek the help of the legendary mentor Ezio Auditore da Firenze.[1]
History
Early life
- "I was born a concubine, but my mentor freed me when I was young."
- ―Shao Jun, telling Ezio about her past life.[src]
Shao Jun was born into royal captivity during the era of the Ming Dynasty, under the lackluster rule of Emperor Zhengde. Zhengde, known for his childish disposition and lack of interest for the urgent matters of the country, preferred Shao Jun as one of his concubines, after Jun has reached her teens. Living a decade of her life under Zhengde, she was able to travel to various places and got to meet many foreigners.[1]
However, after Zhengde's death in April of 1521, the royal ministers scrambled and argued over who was to be his rightful successor. It was during this chaotic state that Shao Jun came into contact with the Assassins, and was rescued along with several other concubines after they broke into the royal palace.[1]
Loyal immediately to her rescuers, Shao Jun dedicated her first years of freedom serving the Brotherhood that saved her.[1]
Decline of the Chinese Assassins
After some years since her rescue, Jun and her mentor decided to rescue the other concubines who grew up with Jun. Breaking in to the Imperial Palace, Jun discovered most of her friends tortured and killed through Ling Chi ("slow slicing" or death by a thousand cuts), by order of Zhengde's nephew and successor, Jiajing.[1][2]
Jiajing, who possessed the worst traits of Zhengde yet harbored none of his best, sought out to destroy any opposition against his rule, most especially the Assassins. Under Jiajing's order, majority of the Assassins in China were killed, and those who survived either went into hiding or fled to the west.[1]
Shao Jun, along with her mentor, fled west like the other Assassins. Though they fled farther than most of their brothers, as the two sought out the Italian Assassin Ezio Auditore for help, in hopes that he might now how to restore their order.[1]
Time in Italy
- Jun: "I want to understand."
- Ezio: "Understand what?"
- Jun: "How to lead, to rebuild my order."
- —Shao Jun, asking Ezio for help.[src]
By 1524, Shao Jun and her mentor were able to make it as far as Venice, though the Imperial Servants sent to deal with them managed to catch up. Fending them off, Shao Jun's mentor was killed in the conflict, though ensured that she would be able to escape. Continuing onward, Shao Jun was then able to reach Ezio Auditore's villa.[1][2]
First meeting and conversing with Ezio's daughter Flavia, Shao Jun was first seen as a threat by Ezio. After seeing the Assassin insignia on her necklace, Ezio let his guard down. Later that day, Ezio and his wife Sofia confronted Jun, who asked him for aid in restoring her order. Ezio, who retired from his life as an Assassin, refused to aid her and asked her to leave. Sofia, seeing that Shao Jun had come a long way, asked her to stay for supper, and allowed her to stay with them for a while. Shao Jun thanked her, and accepted her offer.[2]
The next day, Shao Jun searched through Ezio's study and read some of his writings. Ezio, who found her there without his knowledge, angrily told her to leave. Afterwards, Shao Jun was told by Ezio to leave Italy entirely, stating that she's wasted her time. Jun, reciting a portion of Ezio's writing, stated that all she wanted was to understand her order like he did. Ezio, stating why he's so reluctant to help, asked her to come with him to Florence while he ran some errands.[2]
There, Shao Jun observed the crowd as Ezio attended to his errands. Afterwards, Ezio took Jun to the Palazzo della Signoria, where half of his family were killed. There, Ezio taught Jun how the Assassins live their lives: through pain, in order to end the pain. After the lecture, Ezio and Jun prepared to leave Florence, though they were intercepted by one of the Imperial Servants who were after Jun. Dealing with guard, Ezio and Jun fled the city.[2]
On the way to Ezio's villa, Shao Jun explained her plight and who were those after her. Afterwards, Ezio told Sofia to bring their children to Machiavelli's home while he and Jun stay to deal with the servants. That night, Ezio would lecture Jun on how he's defeated the Borgia through the means of fraternity and love, and how he reformed the brotherhood in both Rome and Constantinople. Afterwards, Shao Jun rested at the upper floor of the villa while Ezio stayed in the living room.[2]
Later that night, the villa was invaded by the Imperial servants, just as Ezio had predicted. The two fended off most of the soldiers, with Ezio saving Jun from a servant's cannon fire. Taking the fight outside, both Jun and Ezio worked together to deal with the remaining servant. Eventually, the two were able to defeat and kill the last servant.[2]
Departure
- Ezio: "It is a long way home, no?"
- Jun: "Much to see along the way. Thank you, mentor."
- —Jun and Ezio, moments before the former's departure back to China.[src]
The morning after, Shao Jun prepared to leave Italy. Ezio stated that the trip back to China would be long, but Jun stated that it will be worthwhile, with so much to see along the way. Thanking Ezio, Jun prepared to leave.[2]
Ezio, before Jun left, gave her a small chest that contained something that can aid her, stating that she should only open it when she loses her way. As government guards arrive on horseback, Ezio bid that Shao Jun should leave before they arrive. Jun then left the vicinity, and prepared to head back for China.[2]
Equipment and skills
Shao Jun was equipped with a Chinese jian as primary weapons. She had no hidden blade, though she had three throwing needles tucked under bracers as secondary weapons. She also had a concealed knife under her right foot that she used in tandem with her acrobatic skills against enemies.
Shao Jun, extensively trained in combat by the order, was an adept and acrobatic fighter. Her fighting style is heavily reminiscent to the traditional Chinese martial art known as Wushu, which involves much flexibility and knowledge in both unarmed and sword combat. Whenever in a fight, she is able to utilize her acrobatic skills in executing difficult moves to help her subdue her enemies.
Her arsenal of weapons are also fitted to her style of combat, using only light but deadly weapons against her enemies. To lower suspicion in a public place, Shao Jun had to conceal most her weapons in conspicuous parts of her attire. Only the sword was the one left unconcealed, though it is still kept within a sheath.
Trivia
- In her entry on the Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia, it states that Shao Jun met Ezio in Florence. However, in Embers, Ezio's villa was located in Tuscany.
- The "Jun" in Shao Jun's name is pronounced as "yoon" in Embers.
- A replica of Shao Jun's necklace is being sold in Ubiworkshop's store, for 24.99 US Dollars.
- Both Shao Jun and Flavia Auditore had the same voice actor, Angela Galuppo, who also provided voice acting of Claudia Auditore da Firenze.
Gallery
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Shao Jun with Flavia Auditore, with Ezio running towards her. -
Shao Jun. -
Shao Jun inside the Villa with Sofia and Ezio. -
Shao standing guard. -
Shao departing from the Villa.
