Borgia messenger
- "Don't slay the messenger, good lord. Have my pouch instead."
- ―A Borgia Messenger upon being caught.[src]
Borgia Messengers, also known as Borgia Couriers, appear in the games Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and in the short film Assassin's Creed: Lineage. Upon spotting Ezio, the messengers take flight, performing many free-run
actions and acrobatic stunts, such as climbing walls and swinging from posts.
If Ezio manages to catch up to one, he can tackle him or simply throw a Throwing Knife at him for a considerable amount of florins, with about 1,500 florins per messenger. However, if Ezio kills one, his notoriety will automatically increase by 50%; though he can still get the florins if he loots the body. If caught, the messenger begs for his life. After being attacked or left alone for a few moments, the messenger will resume his free-running.
Presumably, the messengers carry important information or funds for Rodrigo Borgia, as they are called Borgia Messengers. They may also be carrying payment to or from some official or ally, explaining the significant amount of florins in their possession.
Interestingly, Archers begin chasing the messenger as well if he climbs onto a rooftop in his flight. This is rather ironic, as messengers often call to the guards for help during the chase. It has also been shown that you can trip them, or throw them off buildings so that they fall to their death, without being penalized for it.
Unlike Pickpockets, who have a red icon, Borgia Messengers are invisible on your map; although you can often find them at city entrances, and they are pointed out by a silver chevron. For some reason, the messengers often move rather slowly when on flat ground directly after a free-run up the side of a building. They can easily be taken down by a well-aimed throwing knife during these periods.
There is a way to get instant Couriers in Rome in Brotherhood, here's how;
1) Use a Tunnel to go to The Thieves Guild (La Volpe Addommenta)
2) Stand on top of The Tunnel
3) Wait for a few seconds
4) Hop down and look down the road that has the wrecked building
5) A Courier should appear, if not do exactly as above again, it always works if not the 1st, then the 2nd
6) Sometimes the Courier may appear from behind where the actual Guild building is, always listen for running footsteps, that always means there's a Courier lurking about
7) Remember he will flee to any near by rooftops when they spot you.
Trivia
- Intercepting a messenger gains you the Achievement/Trophy "Mailman."
- Perotto Calderon was a Borgia Messenger, but was also secretly an Assassin.
- If you are blended, messengers can't see you, and thus will not run away.
- It is interesting to note that the usual amount of money gained from a messenger, 1503 florins, is also the recorded year of Rodrigo Borgia's death.
- In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the notoriety gained for killing a messenger is increased from 50% to 100%, making Ezio instantly notorious.
- In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the Borgia couriers reduce dramatically as the player rebuilds Rome. This makes it very difficult to complete the Shop Quest, Venomous.
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