Giovanni Borgia

Giovanni Borgia (March 1498 – 1548) was the son of Perotto Calderon and Lucrezia Borgia, and a member of the Assassin Order.

Biography

Early life

Giovanni as a baby, wrapped in the Shroud.

"Lucrezia is pregnant! This is a complication we did not need!"

―Perotto, upon discovering Giovanni's conception.

Giovanni was secretly born in Rome to Lucrezia Borgia, the illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI, and a courier by the name of Perotto Calderon, who was an undercover Assassin. Upon his birth, however, he was malformed, and was expected to die within a few days.

In a drastic attempt to save his son's life, Perotto broke out of prison (in which he was being held due to the discovery of his affair with Lucrezia) and escaped to Agnadello. There, he knew the Assassins were guarding the Piece of Eden known as "the Shroud", which Perotto thought would be able to heal his son.

Upon arriving there, having slain both brother Assassins and Borgia soldiers along the way, Perotto asked the Shroud to heal his son, which it did, despite its initial protests. The child would live, but be forever mentally unstable.

Giovanni being trained at swordplay by Cesare.

Since Perotto was executed by his Brothers for having broken all three tenents of their Creed, Giovanni wound up in the hands of his uncle, Cesare Borgia, who he was told was his father.

Giovanni was trained to be cruel by both Cesare, and the latter's friend Micheletto Corella, though he rejected many of their teachings and only grew to fear and hate them. Since his "father" was often away, Giovanni was allowed to spend time with his "aunt" Lucrezia, who enjoyed their bonding, but was often saddened by seeing her son raised in such a harsh environment.

Apple of Eden

Giovanni holding the Apple.

"Nonno is going to let me play with the Apple today! He says it is not a toy, but I think it is a toy. It glows. It makes noises. Sometimes it talks to me like Consus does."

―Giovanni, regarding the Apple.

At times, Giovanni's grandfather would allow him to "play" with the Apple of Eden, and would take notes when he discovered that Giovanni had the ability to turn his thoughts into reality with the power of the Apple. Simply by willing it, he was able to create the image of an eagle out of thin air.

Giovanni using the Apple's power.

Giovanni made use of this skill as a means of defending himself once, when he was five. Upon being taken out for a "lesson" with Micheletto, he witnessed Micheletto kill an old man, simply to teach Giovanni the cruelties of the world. Afraid, Giovanni used the Apple (which he had taken from his grandfather in secret) to create an illusion of Cesare to scare Micheletto. However, when Cesare discovered this, Giovanni was punished.

Giovanni also made use of another of the Apple's power, albeit accidentally, when he stumbled upon Fiora Cavazza sneaking around his home, seeking to steal the Piece of Eden for the Assassins. Thinking she had come to play, Giovanni snatched the Apple and gleefully ran with it, calling for Fiora to catch him.

Fearing that he would alert the guards of her presence, Fiora told him to stop and attempted to take the Apple from him. However, she was frozen in place by its power, and was ultimately caught by Cesare, who had been woken by the commotion. Giovanni fearfully asked his father what he would do with her, but he simply sent the boy from the room and told him he would hurt her.

Becoming an Assassin

Francesco Vecellio with Giovanni.

"I hate Papà. Nonno only cares about the Apple. Zia is always sad. I want to run away from them! I want to live somewhere else."

―Giovanni, contemplating on running away from home.

Eventually, Giovanni planned to leave his life of fear behind. After he received a letter from a courier pigeon, sent by an unknown individual, he was even more encouraged to do so. Making sure that he wasn't seen, he went to the meeting place by a fountain, and (as instructed) used his "other eyes" to recognize the individual from the crowd.

Giovanni followed the man as he ran across the rooftops, until he finally reached an alleyway, where he was abruptly halted by two dirty men, who attempted to rob him. The individual leapt down from above and plunged his hidden blades into both men, rescuing the boy. The individual then introduced himself as Francesco Vecellio, who turned out to be the former understudy of Giovanni's biological father, Perotto.

Giovanni happily agreed to Francesco's offer to bring him "to live with his Brothers", and was thus taken in and trained into the Assassin Order.

Journey to Mexico

Giovanni on Cortés' ship.

"My hunt continues. We must find these relics of a previous world."

―Giovanni, regarding the Pieces of Eden.

In 1519, Giovanni was secured a position aboard Hernán Cortés ship, which was to sail towards the New World. Though posing as a chronicler and astrologer, Giovanni had been tasked by the Brotherhood to recover a Piece of Eden from the city of Tenochtitlan.

After a lengthy search examining multiple idols and artifacts, Giovanni discovered that the Piece of Eden was a Crystal Skull in the possession of an Aztec priest, who used it as part of a human sacrificial ritual. During the uproar that followed the Spaniards' witnessing of such a brutal sacrifice, Giovanni killed the priest and took the relic for himself.

The Skull's Purpose

Bombastus and Giovanni examining the Crystal Skull.

"Maria protests how much time I spend with the skull. At least an hour each day. Gazing into it, listening. The hum has grown louder over the years. It feels as if something is coming."

―Giovanni, regarding his study of the Skull.

Upon returning to Europe, Giovanni brought the Crystal Skull to Bombastus, a member of the Assassin Order, to define its purpose. Bombastus was confident that they would successfully uncover its secrets, referring to Giovanni as "the one who talks to these things." Despite much examination, however, they were unable to discover how to use the Skull. After this, the other members of the Order began to doubt Giovanni's abilities, and merely dismissed the Skull as little more than an ornate treasure.

Nevertheless, Giovanni persisted in studying the Skull for about twenty years, and in 1542, received some answers. Upon discovering the Skull glowing with a faint light, he shook it and began to hear words in a foreign language, as well as see visions of a man dressed in Chinese garb. Though he could not understand the speech, he realized the man's intent, and hurried to alert the Brotherhood.

Completing the Book

Giovanni and Maria researching together.

"The book is incomplete. For the answers you seek... you will need the other half."

―Bombastus to Giovanni.

In 1527, some time after accidentally reading the mysterious tome that Bombastus owned, and using it to help craft the Philosopher's Stone, Giovanni confronted Bombastus to ask him further questions. However, the Professor only proclaimed that he could help him no longer, and that the Book held no more answers as it was incomplete.

Thus, Giovanni began to research a means of finding the other half of the Book, with the help of one of Bombastus' apprentices, Maria Amiel. The two found that the tome was entitled "Divine Science," and had been written by a French alchemist named Flamel. They thus traveled together to Paris, France.

They tracked a grimoire down to the nephew of Perenelle Flamel, but found that the manuscript was only a translation. However, the grimoire contained Pythagorean symbols, and notes of Hermetic practices, thus reminding Giovanni of an ancient Pythagorean temple found by one of his Order.

Return to Basel

Giovanni's assassination target.

"Giovanni's mood continues to darken. When we enter Troyes, he calls it the "Vipers' Nest." It is only a whisper. I do not dare question him."

―Maria observing Giovanni as they visit Troyes.

On their way back to Basel, Giovanni insisted that they pass by Troyes, though he did not tell Maria why. As Maria lingered by a clothier near Troyes' cathedral, Giovanni vanished from her side, and soon after, she was approached by a man in a tunic marked with a red cross.

As he began to ask her peculiar questions, Giovanni appeared behind him and ended his life with his hidden blade. Though he at first accused Maria of "conspiring with the Viper," upon seeing her tears, he realized his mistake, and the two returned their attention to their travels.

Giovanni returning to Bombastus' laboratory.

After Giovanni intercepted a spy with a report containing their descriptions, he and Maria fled Troyes. In a nearby wood, they were attacked by "Minions of the Cross," though Giovanni was able to drive them off; and afterwards, they were able to avoid further trouble.

Upon arriving in Basel, they found that Bombastus had gone mad, and had begun burning books and accusing Doctors of unholy practices. Giovanni was forced to restrain him, and later, he and Maria retrieved the first half of the Book from his laboratory.

Modern Times

"The "Child of Rome" has long baffled historians. But even more perplexing is Giovanni's insignificant life that followed. How does one stand right in the center of the hurricane and remain untouched?"

―The DDS description of the life of Giovanni.

Centuries later, Abstergo Industries would take interest in Giovanni's life. They would have their recruits analyze large sections of his life, including the circumstances of his birth, much of his childhood, his life as an Assassin, and his search for the Pieces of Eden.

This may likely be because of the fact that he was both a member of their enemies, the Assassins, as well as encountered a larger number of Pieces of Eden than any other person known.

Characteristics and personality

Giovanni protecting Maria in Paris.

Maria: "Remind me again why I married you?"

Giovanni: "Because I charmed you off your feet and never let you down!"

—Giovanni teasing Maria as they travel through the catacombs.

Giovanni was a very courteous nobleman, who often spoke lightheartedly, and teased his friends. Despite his cheerful nature, he also had something of a temper, once shouting at and threatening Bombastus for not answering his questions.

He was also quite serious in his work as an Assassin, often becoming withdrawn and moody when concentrating on his assignments. Though protective of his friends, he once assaulted Maria, merely out of the suspicion that she had been conspiring with the Templars.

Romantic life

Giovanni and Maria in Troyes.

"For a long time, Giovanni gazes into my eyes, his fury gradually melting. His hold upon me remains strong, but I stop trembling. We kiss, passionately."

―Giovanni and Maria finally sharing a romantic moment.

After meeting each other in 1527, Giovanni and Maria became inseparable, growing close over their travels to Paris and back to Basel. He protected her from brigands who once attempted to rob them, as well as Templars who attacked them as they fled Troyes.

After Maria accidentally spoke with one of Giovanni's assassination targets in Troyes, he began to suspect her, holding a blade to her throat and demanding to know why she was conspiring with his enemy. When she began to cry, he realized his mistake, and after a moment, the two kissed, and admitted their feelings for one another.

Maria and Giovanni discussing the Pythagorean Temple.

Several years afterwards, Giovanni married her. Though Maria only later found out about Giovanni's allegiance to the Assassin Order, she nevertheless supported him in his assignments, even accompanying him through the catacombs into the Pythagorean Temple.

They remained together at least until 1542, where Maria protested Giovanni's obsession with studying the Crystal Skull.

Consus

Hallucinations

Giovanni and Consus, spying on Fiora and Cesare.

"Consus is standing next to me. He is watching. He does not speak much. Papà tells me he is not real, but I see him."

―Giovanni, regarding Consus.

From an early age, Giovanni suffered several bleeding effect-like symptoms, likely as a result of being healed by the Shroud. He would often dream of the memories of Assassins past, including those of his father, and Marcus Junius Brutus. Because of these hallucinations, he once almost stabbed Cesare while sleepwalking, thinking himself to be Brutus, and his father to be Gaius Julius Caesar. However, he was caught and subsequently punished by Micheletto.

Throughout his childhood, Giovanni would also have delusions of seeing a nonexistent being, whom he befriended and called Consus. This being often spoke into his head and gave him advice, even once allowing Giovanni to read a letter given to him, though the boy himself did not know how to at the time.

Though of questionable origin, Consus seemed to be in favor of the Assassins, or simply against the Templars. Giovanni's grandfather would ask him about this being, and if he could speak with him, but Giovanni would simply answer that Consus wasn't there, as he "does not play when Nonno is around." Additionally, Consus advised Giovanni to go with Francesco to join the Brotherhood, and also attempted to convince him to give the Apple to Fiora when she had come to retrieve it for the Assassins.

Though he did not appear to continue these hallucinations later in life, Giovanni did not forget. Upon bringing the Crystal Skull to Bombastus, he met a madman who, upon seeing him, called out to Consus; causing Giovanni to demand him for an explanation of using the name, though he received none.

Pythagorean Temple

Giovanni's face altered.

"I am Consus, the Erudite God."

―Consus speaking in the Pythagorean Temple.

Years later, Giovanni travelled to the Pythagorean Temple in Rome. Maria accompanied him through the catacombs, and as they entered the final room, it was illuminated with eerie patterns, numbers, and glyphs.

At that moment, Giovanni dropped unconscious, and when he woke, his face had been altered, startling Maria. He then spoke in a distant voice that it was not his, but sounded as if from an entity that seemed far older; one who called himself "Consus, the Erudite God."

Trivia

• Giovanni has come in contact with at least three Pieces of Eden; the Shroud, the Apple of Eden, and the Crystal Skull. This is the most number of Pieces of Eden that any one character has been known to encounter.
• Giovanni is one of the few members of the Borgia family to not be associated with the Templars, and the only known Assassin.
• Giovanni and his wife Maria share the names of Ezio's parents, Giovanni and Maria Auditore da Firenze.