User:TheSt0ryTeller/Sandbox2

"My story is one of many thousands, and the world will not suffer if it ends too soon."

―Ezio in a letter to his sister, Claudia.

The end of an era was an event during the early 16th century, where an elderly Ezio Auditore, wiser and now the Grand Master of the Assassin Order, embarked on a journey to discover the answers left by the great Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and unveil the weapon hidden in his library beneath Masyaf, which would be the one thing to end the feud between the Templars and Assassins.

Discovery in Masyaf

The journey

"When I first set out from Roma ten months ago, I did so with a single purpose - to discover what our father did not."

―Ezio in a letter to Claudia.

Main article: Pilgrimage to Masyaf

Ending the Borgia's reign of power in Rome. Ezio scanned through old documents he had found in 1509, documents that belonged to his late uncle, Mario Auditore. Among them was a letter from Ezio's father, Giovanni. Inside the letter, Giovanni made mention of a locked library hidden below a fortress in the Syrian mountain city of Masyaf, the birthplace of the legendary Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. Ezio, unknowing what or whom would be there to greet him, journeyed for the fortress in late 1510.

Arriving in Syria and finding himself in need of rest, Ezio sought shelter in the coastal city of Acre. While there, the people warned him of mercenaries and bandits that had taken control of Masyaf. Ezio, before leaving, wrote a letter to his sister back in Rome, detailing of what obstacles he suspected to be on the road ahead and explaining his last wishes if he should die. Once he had arrived, he found the city in ruins and its fortress under the control of Byzantine Templars, confirming his suspicions.

Escaping death

Leandros: "Nowhere left to run."

Ezio: "Not for me, and not for you!"

—Ezio and Leandros.

File:Ezio in battle.png

Ezio in a battle against Byzantines.

Attempting to fight the Byzantine soldiers, Ezio was soon distracted by a vision of Altaïr, and was overpowered. The Byzantines dragged Ezio by his arms to the fortress' watchtower where he would be hanged. His hands bound, Ezio was pushed forward towards the platform and Leandros, a Templar, placed the noose around Ezio's neck. Swiftly, Ezio knocked Leandros and, after untying his hands, threw the rope around Leandros' neck. With the noose now around his shoulder, Ezio threw it off and fell safely to a wooden platform below.

Following the "spirit" of Altaïr, Ezio was led back to the equipment that was taken from him during the battle. Ezio continued to move along Masyaf's fortress and found himself upon the top of the fortress itself. At the top, he kicked a statue of an eagle down to the ground and watched as it collided with the ground, creating a crater which showed way into a tunnel, and Ezio then performed a Leap of Faith into the strange tunnel. Discovering guards and a worker trying to break into a door, Ezio slithered through, taking the lives of the guards and only sparing the worker in order to acquire answers.

Approaching not only the worker, but also the door, Ezio questioned the worker who was quick to plead for mercy.

File:EzioRopeCling-ACR.png

Ezio clinging onto the rope of Leandros' carriage.

The worker spoke of a journal that the Templars had in their possession and explained that the Templars had also acquired one of five keys needed to unlock the door. Ezio gave the worker a pouch and told him to seek work elsewhere. Then, the Assassin left the fortress and swiftly took care of the Templars inhabiting the village. Once done, Ezio made his way to the gates, leading to the village, where he was soon to confront Leandros once again. Leandros tried to flee but Ezio clung onto the rope connecting to Leandros' carriage.

Assassination of Leandros

Ezio: "The book you carry. Where is it?"

Leandros: "Ah! Niccolò Polo's journal? This will do no good, not now. We have found one of the Masyaf keys already, and are closing in on the rest."

—Leandros to Ezio in his dying words.

Managing to claim a carriage of his own, Ezio rides it, clashing with Leandros. A guard was quick to throw a bomb, hurling Ezio's carriage off the cliff as they approached the fortress. Leandros quickly retreated as Ezio fought through guards after he had recovered from the crash. Managing his way through the village, dealing with any Byzantines

File:Leandroskill.png

Ezio killing Leandros.

that get in his way. Ezio once again confronted Leandros, the gate closing down, trapping Ezio inside but also Leandros. Leandros once again, tried to flee but in the end, it's no use. After traversing through more of the village, Ezio soon once again faced a frustrated Leandros and was quick to stab him viciously with his blade. In death, Leandros told Ezio of what he knew, such as something about a "Grand Temple" but much remained unknown, giving Ezio the journal, Leandros passed leaving Ezio with more questions then answers.

Search throughout Constantinople

Arrival

"Many generations of men have ruled the city. But they have never subdued her. She always bounces back."

―Yusuf Tazim to Ezio about the city of Constantinople.

Main article: Search for the keys

File:Suleiman with ezio.JPG

Ezio's arrival in Constantinople.

On a boat to Constantinople, Ezio read through the journal, learning much of Altaïr's life and about the keys. Arriving at the city's port, Ezio met a young man who informed Ezio he was a student. The two discussed the city of Constantinople and, briefly talked about Ezio's journey. Ezio was about to explain what he did during his youth, but was interrupted by an attractive young female. After flirting with the woman and bidding the young man farewell, Ezio marveled at the city's beauty but was soon startled by another Assassin who seemed to already know him. The man soon revealed himself to be Yusuf Tazim, Grand Master of the Ottoman Assassins.

Exploring through the city, Ezio and Yusuf came to a stop. Yusuf, noticing Ezio hadn't had the Hookblade, tried to explain of the capabilities it possessed. For a "first climb", Yusuf and Ezio scaled the walls of the Galata Tower and soon reached the top. Together they basked in the city's glow and discussed its history, concluding that it is a fine place to live. Following Yusuf, Ezio learned how to craft bombs and ride across the Ziplines, allowing faster travel across Constantinople.

Den attacks

File:Assassins-creed-den-defence.jpg

Ezio defending an Assassin Den.

After Ezio learned the techniques of the Hookblade, an alarmed apprentice came sprinting up to the Mentor, claiming that two of their own dens were under attack. Ezio rushed to the Galata Assassin Den, and aided his fellow Assassins in defense of the den. The battle soon ended, and the Assassins proved victorious. After successfully defending the Galata den, Ezio made his way to the edge of the district, where he took a ferry to the Imperial North district. Once there, he rushed to the Den in an attempt to help Yusuf, but was too late and the Templars had taken over the Den.

In an attempt to retake their dens, Ezio, Yusuf, and a few apprentices made their way into the district. The apprentices charged up and down the rooftops, killing all guards in sight as the first part of their attack. Next, Ezio identified the Captain using his Eagle Sense, and tailed the guard. From there, Ezio silently assassinated the guard, making sure not to cause any conflict within the district. With the Captain dead, Ezio scaled the Den and lit a flame to indicate that the Templar's oppression over the district was over.

The first key

Following the liberation of an imprisoned man, and his recruitment to the Assassins, Ezio went back to the Assassin Den and spoke to the apprentice who was waiting for him inside. The apprentice informed Ezio that two Assassins had mysteriously "disappeared," knowing that they were killed. Over time, Ezio and the Apprentice tracked down the killer and chased him, but were not quick enough and lost him after he threw a smokebomb. After finding Yusuf and learning how to use the smokebombs, Ezio left the Den and went to the location of Niccolò Polo's old trading post. Upon arrival, Ezio saw a familiar face, the attractive young female he had met on the boat, an Italian, like him.

File:Ezio&SofiaSorto.jpg

Ezio and Sofia looking at the map.

Learning her name of Sofia, Ezio took a look around the shop and located a tunnel leading to catacombs underneath the city. Exploring the catacombs and avoiding the guards' gaze, Ezio soon found a hidden door. Inside of the door, he found a Masyaf Key, the first of five, and a map. Leaving the chambers, Ezio showed Sofia his findings and watched how she reacted to the map. Once he had left Sofia's shop, Ezio made his way back to his hideout. There, he watched a memory of Altaïr flash from the Key and witnessed the legendary Assassin defend Masyaf and save his master from a traitorous Assassin. Once he had helped the Romani unleash a "curse" amongst the citizens, Ezio and an Apprentice soon put Vali, a killer, to rest.

Attack on Suleiman I

Main article: Attack on Suleiman I

Travel to Cappadocia

Main article: Fall of the Palaiologi

Infiltration and exploration

In March of 1512, Ezio sailed to the underground Templar city of Cappadocia on a ship captained by his fellow Assassin, Piri Reis. Once arriving in Cappadocia, Ezio left the ship and began to climb a set of stone staircases leading up a cliff.

File:Cappadocia Arrival Ship.jpg

Ezio arrives at Cappadocia.

He then made his way into the city, and scaled a large rock formation in the center in order to gain a visual of the whole area.

Once he was on the ground again, Ezio made his way onto the city streets, where he began to attempt to locate Tarik's Ottoman spies. He quickly located one; however, the spy, Dilara, attempted to flee, only to be cornered by a door. Ezio introduced himself as one of Tarik's men, and talked briefly with the spy, who told him to find her later.

Assassinating Shahkulu

After exploring Cappadocia and meeting Dilara, Ezio learned that she had been captured and imprisoned by Shahkulu, a renegade Turk. The Assassin made his way to Dilara's cell, only to observe Shahkulu meeting with a fellow Templar, Manuel Palaiologos. The two discussed their soldiers' training with firearms, before Shahkulu ordered Dilara to be brought to the chapel. However, Shahkulu nor either of his two remaining guards had the key to her cell, and Ezio learned that a guard at the city market had the key.

Manuel and Shahkulu discuss their plans.

Upon stealing the key from the city guardsman and making his way back to Dilara, Ezio liberated the spy from her cell, and the latter immediately left Ezio and set off to kill Shahkulu. Ezio caught up to Dilara observing one of Shahkulu's torture sessions where one of her fellow Ottoman spies, Janos was being beaten. Dilara briefly talked with Ezio, and informed him of the rescue he needed to undertake.

Ezio then scaled walls and assassinated several gunmen situated around the torture room on various levels. With the gunmen dead, Ezio air-assassinated Shahkulu, only to see the renegade get up. However, the Assassin bested Shahkulu and his men, and reunited Janos and Dilara.

Templar weapons depot

While in Cappadocia searching for Manuel, Ezio spotted two workers moving crates of gunpowder using a crane. He then made his way to the Templar weapons depot, and engaged in numerous battles with multiple Byzantines. However, Ezio bested these Byzantines, and destroyed the weapons depot, causing a large explosion.

The large effect of this explosion caused Manuel to emerge to investigate the issue. Manuel then began to make a speech to his men, telling them not to fear anyone. However, his speech was cut short when he caught sight of the Assassin; Manuel began to flee, and called for his guards to eliminate Ezio.

Duel on the docks

File:Ezio confront Manuel.png

Ezio and Manuel prepare to duel.

Ezio pursued Manuel through the city, but the Templar eventually barricaded himself behind a gate. However, Ezio merely climbed up the gate, and began to pursue Manuel again. Ezio chase Manuel through caves of Cappadocia, but eventually cornered him on the docks. Manuel and Ezio then argued briefly, before Manuel attacked the Assassin. Despite his attempts, however, Ezio bested Manuel in their duel, and recovered Manuel's Masyaf Key.

Escape

After defeating Manuel in combat and recovering the Masyaf Key he had held, Ezio was confronted by Ahmet, one of the sons of Sultan Bayezid II. Ahmet and Ezio exchanged harsh words with each other, with Ezio on the docks and Ahmet on a ship just offshore. Before departing and ending their convesation, Ahmet threatened Ezio's close-friend and love interest, Sofia Sartor.

With Ahmet now gone from Cappadocia, Ezio began to escape the city in an attempt to reach Constantinople in time to save Sofia. On his way out of the city, Ezio was attacked by numerous Byzantines, and also felt the harsh effects of his destruction of the weapons depot. However, Ezio managed to survive this ordeal, and safely boarded a ship back to Constantinople.