Treasure chest
Treasure Chests were small boxes full of money and items, which could be found in a variety of locations. Though most were found in Banks or under armed guard, they could also be located alone on various rooftops or streets. The money they contained could range from one hundred and fifty to a few thousand florins.
The chests could either be red or gold, with the latter usually containing more florins. When viewed through the Animus, they flashed unevenly with white, and could be seen most easily with Eagle Vision.
Location
Chests scattered inside cities were usually unguarded, or protected by one or two guards. Those outside of cities, such as in the Appennine Mountains, were not guarded. In Rome and Constantinople, though not usually directly guarded, people opening chests on rooftops would be attacked by any nearby patrolling Guards.[1][2]
Banks contained two chests, and were always guarded by three or four men outside the doors, although more guards usually patrolled nearby. Rebecca Crane once stated that although all families owned banks, most of them were owned by the Pazzi family, and that breaking into them would be worthwhile.[1]
Art Merchants also sold treasure maps that marked the locations of the chests in the entire city, or in one of its districts. They cost between 150ƒ-395ƒ in Florence, 150ƒ in the Apennine Mountains, 285ƒ in Monteriggioni, 175ƒ-240ƒ in Tuscany, 235ƒ-260ƒ in Romagna, and 485ƒ-995ƒ in Venice.[1]
Valuable items
Aside from money, chests found in Rome could also contain a variety of trade items. These could later be sold to shops, or traded for other valuable items or equipment. They could vary between common objects, such as jars of leeches, or valuable jewelry.[2]
Chests could also be found in the many Lairs of Romulus. Aside from money and valuable items, one special chest per lair could be found in the lair's shrine, which contained one of six keys that unlocked the door to the Followers of Romulus' treasure.[2]
Chests in Constantinople contained bomb ingredients.
Trivia
- In Assassin's Creed II, there are 330 treasure chests spread over the 4 cities and mountains, as well as two hidden chests in each secret location.
- Investing in the Monteriggioni Well, Mine and Church through the Villa Auditore will grant the player access to two additional chests in each of the three locations.
- There are also two chests in Ezio's room, in the top floor of the villa. These chests, despite being golden, only contain 200-600 florins.
- The amount of florins in each chest increases with every new city the player travels to, probably due to the increasing cost of weapons and armor.
- In the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood memories "Escape From Debt" or "Follow The Money," two golden treasure chests may be found in Francesco Troche's house.
- In Assassin's Creed, Templars will sometimes be found guarding chests, however these cannot be opened.