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 a prodigious group of vexed citizens at the Harbor of Theodosius within Constantinople rioted against the Janissaries because of their unscrupulous conduct.

However, the tumult was catalyzed by the Assassin, Ezio Auditore, who arrived at the harbor and incited the citizens, galvanizing the furor that transpired at the harbor.

Following a meeting between the Janissary Captain Tarik Barleti and the Ottoman Prince Ahmet, Suleiman I suspected the Captain to be conspiring against his uncle, Sultan Bayezid II. Suleiman theorized that the recent attack against him at Topkapı Palace was his doing.

To determine the actuality of his suspicions, Suleiman met with Ezio Auditore to see what information the Assassin could obtain from Tarik and his latest activities by shadowing him. Informing Ezio to look for the captain at the Grand Bazaar, a frequent location for the Janissaries and Tarik during their spare time, Suleiman concluded the meeting.

Shadowing Tarik

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

―Tarik informs of a Janissary of his crucial forthcoming meeting.

Reaching the Grand Bazaar in the hopes of locating Tarik, Ezio was swiftly impeded by a rug merchant within the market. The rug merchant attempted to barter a few items, and it appeared as if he had vended various rugs that day.

However, once Ezio inquired about his transactions, the merchant claimed Tarik had actually confiscated the rugs as they were foreign. As the Captain and his men passed by, however, the merchant stuttered, and silenced himself. After informing the merchant he would convene with Tarik and investigate the situation, Ezio began tailing the Captain.

Ezio tailing Tarik through the Grand Bazaar.

Following Tarik, Ezio silently observed the Captain and his activities. After managing several commotions and businesses, Tarik met with a few of his men. Ordering them to ensure he was not being followed as the meeting was vital, Tarik continued through several shops and stalls within the interior and exterior of the Grand Bazaar.

Convening with more of his men, the Janissaries notified Tarik that one of his contacts, Manuel Palaiologos, desired to meet him by the city arsenal's gates. After learning of the gathering, Tarik departed for the arsenal with a couple of his men.

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 swiftly administered the money to the captain, who 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 weapons' quality before completing the transaction.

Once Tarik's man validated the finances, Tarik provided Manuel ingress to the arsenal, explaining he would have his consignment transported to Manuel once the latter 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 suspended as the men proceeded 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 citizens in order 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 ease them. Defending the civilans, Ezio managed to keep the guards occupied long enough for the civilians to storm through 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.

Pursuit of Manuel

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

―Manuel, with regards to his schemes.

Ezio watches as Manuel examines the weapons.

Infiltrating the arsenal, Ezio hunted for Manuel and his men, scouring through the inferno engulfing the arsenal and the civilian corpses scattered around him. Exploring the arsenal, the Assassin was able to locate the Templar and his men near a warehouse loaded with the weapons shipment at the far side of the arsenal. There, Manuel, Shahkulu, and several of Manuel's men examined Tarik's supplies.

After a careful inspection of the stock brought in, Manuel and Shahkulu had a concise discussion regarding the Palaiologos line. Shahkulu merely pleaded for his master to recognize who had aided him in his work once the Palaiologos line was restored. Responding, Manuel claimed he would not forget the favor, but reminded Shahkulu to remain composed.

Once Manuel and his men departed from the area, Ezio scoured the creates, only to discover that they held firearms. However, he was quickly discovered by various remaining guards in the arsenal. Attempting to apprehend him, the guards chased Ezio, though the Assassin fled and soon escaped the guards, leaving the arsenal and the few residual 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 locate Tarik, and then to kill him once Ezio obtained the information he required.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations