Sofia Sartor
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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
- "The more we know about the world, the less we seem to know."
- ―Sofia, in 1511.[src]
Sofia Sartor (1473[1] - unknown) was a Venetian bookshop owner and literary enthusiast. Though born in the city of Constantinople, Sofia was forced to leave for Venice during 1499, when the Ottoman-Venetian war began.
Sofia eventually returned to her birthplace in 1511 to run a bookstore at the old Polo trading post. During that year, she later met the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the man who would eventually become her husband and together had two children. She is an ancestor of Desmond Miles.
A polylingual, multicultural, and intelligent woman mature beyond her years, Sofia had a passion for literature, which fueled her decide to run a bookstore, in hopes of sharing the democratizing effect she felt in books with others.
Biography
Early life
Sofia was the daughter of a Venetian couple, born in 1473 at the city of Constantinople. She lived at the Venetian quarter of the city with her parents for most of her life. Sofia continued to live her life there until 1498, during the Ottoman-Venetian conflict. At that time, most Venetians living within the city were in danger, which forced her and her parents to flee back to Italy.[1]
In 1501, Sofia's father commissioned the German artist Albrecht Dürer to paint a portrait of her as a gift for her twenty-eight birthday, offering any price to the artist. However, when the artist met Sofia, she refused any salary, and said that the opportunity to paint Sofia's likeness was payment enough.[1]
She later returned in 1507 to run the bookshop previously owned by her father, wanting to spread knowledge amongst the poor Ottoman people and share her love for books with others.[2][1]
Meeting Ezio
- Sofia: "Who are you, messere (sir)?"
- Ezio: "Only the most interesting man in your life."
- —Sofia and Ezio, in Sofia's bookshop.
In 1511, Sofia returned to Constantinople from Rhodes, on the same boat as Suleiman I and Ezio Auditore, who was the Mentor of the Assassins. Unbeknownst to her, however, her bookshop was the old trading post of Niccolò and Maffeo Polo,[2]who founded the Turkish sect of the Assassin Order.[3]
She later met Ezio Auditore, who was in the midst of his search for the Masyaf Keys, in her bookshop. While inspecting Sofia's shop, Ezio found a hidden passageway that lead to the Yerebatan Cistern. After going in and out of the passageway, Ezio disclosed what he found with Sofia: a map that showed the location of ancient books hidden by Niccolò Polo. Ezio told her that the books may lead to the other Masyaf keys, and asked her if she can help him decipher the map and locate the books. She said that she would agree if she was allowed to borrow the book once Ezio was finished with it. Ezio said that they would work something out, right before leaving.[2]
Locating the books
- Sofia: "Ezio, what is this all about? You are not a scholar, that much is clear. Do you work for the church?"
- Ezio: "Not the church, no. But I am a teacher...of a kind."
- —Ezio and Sofia, about the former's workload.[src]
Sofia waited by the harbor to pick up a package for her, but was unable to retrieve it due to the captain's papers being out of order. After he scared off a failing suitor, Ezio helped Sofia by locating her package, and successfully retrieved it. After Ezio returned the package, Sofia gave him the location of the first book. After a brief conversation, Ezio left to locate the other book.
After some time, Ezio returned to Sofia's shop and showed her the book he had obtained. During the time, Sofia's shop was just recently robbed by a thief, and managed to pilfer the painting of her, which she considered of sentimental value. After learning this, Ezio left Sofia's shop to locate the painting, and managed to retrieve it. After Ezio returned the painting, Sofia gave him the location of the next book, subsequently asking him what was his job. Ezio told her that she was similar to a teacher, which she doubted. Ezio promised her that he'll explain everything someday, right before leaving.
Ezio returned to Sofia's shop again, and read a poem written by Dante Alighieri. Sofia then told him about her plan to leave for Adrianopoli within a few weeks to visit a new printing press, and tried to ask Ezio to act as her escort. He respectfully declined the offer, stating that his time was running short. Sofia understood, and proceeded to decipher the last code, but asked Ezio if he could wait another day, due to her having another errand to run.
Ezio asked what was the errand, which she said was to pick up white tulips. Ezio told her that he'll get the flowers, to which she agreed, in exchange for the information Ezio sought. After recovering the flowers, Ezio met with Sofia at a park near Hagia Sophia, where she had arranged food and drink for them to share. Afterwards, Sofia gave Ezio the location of the final book.
Apprehension
- Ezio: "I did not mean to drag you into this. I am sorry."
- Sofia: "You are not responsible for the actions of other men."
- —Sofia and Ezio, after the latter rescued the former.[src]
After her return from Adrianopoli, Sofia continued her business while under the protection of Yusuf Tazim, who kept watch over her at the behest of Ezio. On March of 1512, Sofia was kidnapped by the Byzantine Templars under the orders of the Ottoman Prince Ahmet, which killed Yusuf in the process.
Returning from Cappadocia and learning of Yusuf's death, Ezio led the Turkish Assassins to Constantinople's arsenal to look for Sofia and avenge Yusuf. After negotiating, Ezio agreed to trade the Masyaf keys in exchange for Sofia's safety. At the Galata Tower, Sofia was held by a Byzantine at the top of the tower, merely inches away from falling. After giving the keys, Ezio hurriedly made his way to Sofia, though found out that it was merely a decoy. Ezio looked for Sofia at the top of the tower, and found her being chocked to death.
Ezio left the tower and rescued Sofia. Helping her recuperate, Ezio apologized for dragging Sofia into his business, though Sofia remarked that she was not responsible for his enemies' action. Before she could ask who they were, Sofia was dragged off with Ezio onto a carriage, and left the city to chase after Ahmet and the keys.
Settling down
Sofia later settled down with Ezio in Florence. Together, they had two children: a boy named Marcello and a daughter named Flavia.[4]
Personality
Sofia had a thirst for knowledge and desired to spread that knowledge to the people of the Ottoman Empire. Upon their first meeting, Ezio instantly felt a connection to the woman, yet could not bring himself to tell her the truth about his true identity.[2]
Trivia
- "Sofia" is a name of Greek origin, meaning "Wisdom."
- The first four Keys of Altaïr are found and accessed through Sofia.
Gallery
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Sofia in her bookstore.
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Ezio and Sofia have a picnic opposite the Hagia Sophia
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Sofia with Flavia. -
Sofia talking with Ezio after having put their children to bed. -
Concept art
References
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