Destruction of the Great Chain
- "The Janissaries have raised the chain across the mouth of the Haliç (Golden Horn) and ordered a full blockade until you are caught."
- ―Yusuf Tazim advises fellow Assassin Ezio Auditore of the Janissaries' obstruction.[src]
The destruction of the Great Chain was an event during the Renaissance that occurred in the year 1511 in which the Assassin, Ezio Auditore, decimated the Great Chain extending across Constantinople's Golden Horn.
The Great Chain was an infamous defensive expedient anchored to two colossal edifices and strung across the mouth of the Golden Horn. It functioned as a way to prevent enemy vessels from sailing up the waterway and assaulting the poorly defended city ports.
In 1453, Sultan Mehmet II lugged his warships over the hills of Galata and slid them on greased tracks into the Golden Horn, far upriver from the chain. Utilizing this strategy, the Sultan was able to circumvent the Byzantine fortifications.
Setting sail
After leaving Topkapı Palace, Ezio headed for the harbor of the Golden Horn. On that way there, he was greeted by Yusuf Tazim, who had just heard news of Ezio's departure. Yusuf informed him of the Great Chain being raised due to Tarik's murder, and that it will not be lowered until the assassin, Ezio, was caught.
In order to aid Ezio with bringing down the Chain, Yusuf handed Ezio a bomb fifty times stronger than their regular explosives, for use in destroying the Great Chain. Ezio informed Yusuf that he knew what to do, which prompted Yusuf to leave him to handle it.
Before leaving, Ezio asked Yusuf to watch over Sofia Sartor, his love interest, and protect her from any harm that may come her way. After being assured by Yusuf that he will, Ezio left for the harbor.
Destruction and escape
Ezio quickly arrived at one of the Chain's ends, and placed the bomb handed to him by Yusuf there. With his pistol, Ezio shot the bomb, which destroyed the tower holding the Chain in place, thus releasing the Chain into the water. With tower in ruins and the Chain released, Ezio utilized a zipline to get on board a warship. As he did, several of the Ottoman guards tried to detain him. Though before the Ottomans had the chance to apprehend Ezio, Yusuf and several of the Assassin apprentices arrived to stop them.
As the Assassins prevented the soldiers from capturing Ezio, Yusuf informed him of armed boats trying to stop his departure, and that he should deal with them. Arriving at the foot of the warship, Ezio found a mounted Greek Fire and used it to set the ships on fire, destroying them.
As the Assassins left the ship, Ezio made his way through the burning ships. After traversing through the remains of several ships, Ezio encountered several Ottomans trying to sate the fire, who then noticed Ezio. The Assassin then spotted his boat, and before the guards could catch him, leapt onto it.
Aftermath
- Piri Reis: "Yours is not a subtle approach."
- Ezio: "Si. (Yes.) Sorry for the delay."
- —Ezio and Piri, as they sailed for Cappadocia.
Ezio boarded the ship, captained by Piri Reis, a fellow Assassin. The two then left the ruined shipyard for Cappadocia, and arrived later during the March of 1512.
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