User:Lacrossedeamon/Artaxerxes
Flavor text in the little asides in the rules and campaign booklets. This should probably be in tabs but that's too much work right now. These all come with artwork as well put that is also too much work for me.
Core
HIDDEN BLADE
Ever since Darius, a Proto-Assassin, eliminated the Persian king Xerxes, the hidden blade has become the signature weapon of the Brotherhood of Assassins. It is usually hidden using an armband and can be deployed in a flash, revealing a formidably sharp point. Thanks to modifications made by Altaïr, you no longer need to cut off a finger to use it to its best advantage. Some Assassins, however, continue to mutilate themselves out of tradition and devotion to the Brotherhood.
CESARE BORGIA’S PISTOL
Made under duress by Leonardo da Vinci for the Baron de Valois, this pistol of rare precision includes several innovations never seen on weapons of this era. It can be immediately identified thanks to its golden metal spinning wheel.
STORY: THE DOGE
In Venice, the Doge is the first magistrate of the republics of Venice and Genoa. He is elected for life. From the Palazzo Ducale, he leads the armies, presides over the Senate, can declare war and sign peace. He is responsible to the Council of Ten, an assembly made up of the lords of the most powerful Venetian families. The current Doge, elected in 1501, is Leonardo Loredan. He is a cultured merchant and a fine politician.
SALAÌ
Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno, born in 1480, is the most famous of Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentices. He maintains an ambiguous relationship with the Maestro, made of a deep friendship, but also of some mischief due to the young apprentice’s passion for gambling. A few years ago, this passion almost cost the Assassins dearly when Salaì failed to keep track of his mission: Protect Leonardo. Fortunately his courage, his insight and some decisive help from Ezio allowed the Assassins to find the Maestro safe and sound. Salaì would do just about anything for Leonardo da Vinci, and the feeling is probably mutual.
LEONARDO DA VINCI
Leonardo da Vinci, aged 57 in 1509, is one of these rare people who are gifted in all they choose to do. His first meeting with Ezio was more than thirty years ago and Ezio still carries the hidden blade that the genius repaired and upgraded for him. As a staunch ally, Leonardo enabled the Assassins to technologically surpass their Templar enemies thanks to numerous inventions, including the flying machine. The Maestro, as we sometimes call him, has the habit of appearing without warning, whether in Rome, Florence or where he is now, Venice.
STORY: NICCOLÒ DI PITIGLIANO (a.k.a Niccolò di Orsini)
Niccolò Orsini di Pitigliano (1442 - 1510) was a Leader of Italian mercenaries. He was the Captain-General of the Venetians during the war against the Cambrai league.
NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, born in 1469, is a Florentine with many talents. Philosopher, politician and member of the Brotherhood of Assassins since he was 19, Niccolò is one of those who allowed Ezio to join the Brotherhood. He is a powerful enemy of the Borgias and has helped Ezio dismantle one of their bases in Rome. He faithfully supports Ezio in all circumstances, despite the apparent discord between the two men. It was probably at his request that Niccolò temporarily left his native Florence to lend a hand once again to the Assassins in Rome. His political visions will have to wait a few more years before being written down on paper in his famous book: The Prince.
BOCCA DI LEONE
The Bocca di Leone (“Lion’s Mouth”) were boxes made for denunciation. They often bore the shape of a human or animal mouth. Some were dedicated to various types of accusations: Concealment of income, favors, misdemeanors linked to public health, etc. Denunciations could not be completely anonymous (except in case of emergency) and were processed according to a sophisticated investigation system. The lion sometimes appeared on the boxes as a reference to the Lion of Venice, emblem of the Republic.
PIECES OF EDEN
The Assassins know the secrets of a civilization that existed long before humanity. Its members were known under the names Isus, Precursors or First Civilization. Some elements of their technology have endured, such as the Pieces of Eden. As rare as they are powerful, they have been used repeatedly to influence the course of humankind’s history. The Assassins are trying by all means to prevent the Templars from finding and using the fragments.
STAVES OF EDEN
Among the Pieces of Eden, the Staves were created to take control of the body and mind of humans. Used properly, they are an extremely powerful instrument of control, which can be used for good or evil. Doubt remains as to whether their extraordinary powers, such as levitation or invisibility, are real or are simply illusions.
THE LION OF VENICE
The famous Lion of Venice is none other than a representation of Saint Mark, decorated with wings inspired by the Bible. When its fore paws are crossed, one rests on the ground and the other on the water, symbolizing the balance of Venetian powers between land and water. When depicted with a book, it symbolizes peace, whereas it is sometimes holding a sword during periods of armed conflict.
WELCOME TO THE ANIMUS (this one is weird; not sure if it counts)
The Animus was originally a technological project of Abstergo Industries, a facade for the Order of the Templars. Thanks to a DNA fragment, it allows the person who is connected to explore and relive the memories of their ancestors - their Genetic Memories. Improved over time, used by both Assassins and Templars, the latest versions of the Animus are no longer dependent on the user’s DNA and allow anyone to explore the memories of a subject as long as they have their DNA. The newest versions of the Animus, HR-8 and HR-8.5, developed under the supervision of Sophia Rikkin and Layla Hassan, are now portable and do away with the need to use a DNA sample. The Memory only needs to be saved in order to share it with others. However, it happens that the Animus experiences some failures when displaying the Memories. These are the glitches that Assassins sometimes fear. It is rumored that some of these glitches may have been intentionally introduced into the Animus code by the Templars... If so, only an Assassin from the present day can help us!