Riot at the Harbor of Theodosius

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"Push through! Go! Go! Justice or death! Forward!"

―The Turkish civilians endeavoring to push through the arsenal gates.

The riot at the Harbor of Theodosius was an event that occurred during the Renaissance in the year 1511 in which the Assassin, Ezio Auditore, incited a crowd of vexed citizens at the Harbor of Theodosius within Constantinople to riot.

After a meeting between the Janissary Captain Tarik Barleti and the Ottoman Prince Ahmet, Prince Suleiman I suspected the captain to be conspiring against his uncle, speculating that the recent attack against him was his doing.

To prove his suspicions, Suleiman had the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze learn what he could from Tarik and his latest activities by following him. Suleiman told Ezio to look for the captain at the Grand Bazaar, a popular location for the Janissaries and Tarik during their spare time.

Tailing Tarik

"This is an important meeting... make sure I am not being followed."

―Tarik to a Janissary.

Ezio arrived at the Grand Bazaar in hope of locating the Janissary Captain, Tarik Barleti but was disrupted by a Rug Merchant nearby. The Rug Merchant tried to sell him some items and it looked as if he had sold much that day, once questioned about it though, he claimed that Tarik had actually taken the rugs from him, because they were foreign. Stuttering as the Captain and his men passed by, Ezio told him quietly that he would talk to Tarik about the rugs.

Following Tarik, Ezio silently observed the captain and his activities. After handling several commotions and businesses he had, Tarik met with some of his men, telling them to ensure he was not being followed, as the meeting he was attending was very important. After passing through several shops and stalls in and outside of the Bazaar, Tarik met with more of his men, who notified him that one of his contacts, a man named Manuel, wanted to meet him by the city arsenal's gates. Somewhat indifferent, yet attentive all the same, Tarik left with his men for the arsenal.

At the Arsenal

Inciting a riot

Yusuf: "Even in times of peace, the poor are always under siege."

Ezio: "If we inspire them to vent their anger, perhaps that will help our cause."

—Ezio and Yusuf deliberate instigating an upheaval at the harbor.

Tarik convening with Manuel at the exterior of the arsenal.

Arriving at the arsenal, Ezio monitored a meeting between Tarik and Manuel. Manuel, who had brought currency for the exchange, ordered his personal bodyguard, Shahkulu, to present Tarik with the finances.

Executing his master's instructions, Shahkulu administered the money to the captain, who quickly allowed one of his men to tally the currency. Meanwhile, Tarik and Manuel discussed the final aspects of their deal, with Manuel demanding to assess the weapon's quality before completing the transaction.

Once Tarik's man validated the finances, Tarik provided Manuel ingress to the arsenal, with Tarik explaining he would have his consignment transported to Manuel once he was content with the purchase. Questioning Tarik if his men were available to peregrinate, Tarik responded that it was not an issue, and they were able to journey anywhere. Before adjourning their meeting, Manuel informed Tarik that he would have a map developed within a week.

With the meeting proceeding into the arsenal, Ezio approached fellow Assassin Yusuf Tazim, and inquired regarding the reasoning behind his presence at the harbor. Responding swiftly, Yusuf informed Ezio that several of his men reported catching sight of a weapons shipment arriving at the arsenal. Ezio desired to see the weapons for himself, however the arsenal was too fortified for an infiltration.

Ezio and Yusuf observe as the civilians attempt to enter the arsenal.

Then witnessing several Janissaries assault a merchant near the gates, Ezio devised a plan to utilize the civilians to smash through the arsenal gates. Bribing some of the nearby heralds to hail the Janissaries of tyranny, Ezio was able to incite the crowd against the guards, as they endeavored to break through the arsenal gates.

Rankled, the civilians rioted at the front of the gates while the guards and Janissaries attempted to settle them. Defending the civilans, Ezio managed to keep the guards occupied enough for the civilians to break down the gates. The people then rampaged through the arsenal, charging the guards. Unifying with the civilians, Ezio joined them in their aggression, though he briskly broke away from them afterwards, pursuing Manuel and Tarik instead.

Searching for Manuel

"Twenty years in this city, living like a cipher... and finally, everything is falling into place."

―Manuel, about his plans.

Ezio watches as Manuel examines the weapons.

Infiltrating the arsenal, Ezio searched for Manuel and his men, he scoured through the burning flames and civilians scattered around him. Searching long and hard, the Assassin managed to locate the Templar and his men by a warehouse full of cargo, at the far side of the arsenal. There, Manuel, his accomplice, and several of his men, examined some of Tarik's supplies. After a careful inspection of the supplies that had been bought in, Manuel and his accomplice had a brief discussion about the Palaiologos line, his accomplice only asked that when it is restored that Manuel would not forget who had helped him restore it. Manuel responded, saying that he would not forget the favor but his accomplice must be patient.

After the Manuel and his men had left the area, Ezio searched the creates, only to discover that they held firearms. But, when he had thought that all the guards had left, he was discovered and they quickly shouted for the other guards. The guards attempted to catch the Ezio but the Assassin sprinted and soon escaped the clutches of the guards, leaving the Arsenal and the civilians inside behind.

Aftermath

Suleiman: "Get the information you need, then kill him."

Ezio: "Are you sure? You told me Tarik and your father were close friends, Suleiman."

Suleiman: "This is true. But such naked treason against my grandfather deserves death."

—Suleiman instructs Ezio to assassinate Tarik.

After the tumult at the harbor, the civilians recommenced their accustomed ways of life, though the harbor remained marred by the destruction caused from the riot. Despite the events that transpired at the harbor, however, Ezio swiftly returned to his paramount intent of recovering the third Masyaf Key. Once he had procured the third key, Ezio convened with Suleiman to inform him of what he observed in the arsenal regarding Tarik's deception. Before their meeting concluded, however, Suleiman told Ezio to look for Tarik in the Grand Bazaar, and then to kill him once Ezio obtained the information he required.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations