Paganino
Paganino (died 1503) was a member of the Roman Thieves Guild, and a secret Borgia spy.
Biography
Venice
During the late 15th century, Paganino was a member of the Venetian Thieves Guild under Antonio de Magianis. He was a colleague and personal friend of Ugo and Rosa.[1]
In 1481, Paganino and Ugo were confronted by the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who was carrying a wounded Rosa. After the group exchanged words about their Guild, Paganino helped Ezio and Rosa get safely to their headquarters, where Antonio resided.[1]
Siege of Monteriggioni
Years later, Paganino became a spy for the Borgia, and gathered information on the Assassin Order. By January 1500, he was in the Assassin Order's headquarters of Monteriggioni.[2] Whether he was simply a visitor or had moved there permanently is unknown.
In early January 1500, the Borgia attacked Monteriggioni, and Paganino stayed unnoticed in Mario's study in the Villa Auditore. He ran into Ezio again there, and Paganino asked him where the secret passage that Ezio was taking led to. After being shown the entrance by Ezio, Paganino left him, saying that he had to "go help the troops."[2][3]
Death
After the Colosseum Passion Play in August 1503, Ezio saw Paganino behaving suspiciously, and recognized him. As he called out to him, however, Paganino fled.[3]
Ezio pursued and tackled him, and found that he was carrying Borgia documents. As the Assassin realized that Paganino was the traitor they had been searching for, Paganino declared "Long live the Borgia!" before stabbing himself in the neck with Ezio's hidden blade.[3]
Final Words - Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Ezio: Un momento! (Hey!) You were at the Villa Auditore during the attack!
The thief starts to run away, and orders the nearby guards around the Colosseum to attack Ezio. However, he is able to avoid the guards, and continues to chase the thief, eventually tackling him.
Ezio: Why did you run?
Paganino: I--
Ezio takes the letter the thief was holding and notices the Seal of the Borgia, and realizes that this thief was the traitor all along. Ezio then threatens to kill him with his hidden blade.
Ezio: You are the traitor, not Machiavelli. (Pointing his hidden blade at the thief's throat.)
Paganino: Long live the Borgia! (Pierces himself in the throat with Ezio's blade.)
Ezio: Merda! I was right. I have to stop Volpe before he gets to Machiavelli.
Trivia
- In Assassin's Creed II, the thief that helped Rosa and Ugo escape was killed by an archer.
- In official artwork for the Siege of Monteriggioni, Paganino appears alongside Cesare Borgia at Monteriggioni's gate. However, in both the Brotherhood game and novel, he was not present.
Gallery
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Paganino talking with Ezio -
Paganino threatened by Ezio
