Doctor


 * For the multiplayer character in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, see Doctor (multiplayer character).

"Bring me your sick and wounded!"

- A doctor to passing civilians.

Doctors are one of the new features added in Assassin's Creed II, which returns in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Found on the streets of every city in black robes, and often with a mask with a beak-like shape, they can either refill Ezio Auditore's Synchronization Bar for a fee, or sell him Medicine that can be carried and used later. They also sell him vials of poison for his Poison Blade.

Appearance and Background
The clothes of the doctors are as usual for those in their profession, particularly after one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, known as the Black Death. This plague peaked in Europe during the 14th century, and is said to have killed 30% to 60% percent of Europe's population. Subsequent to it, the world's population dropped from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in 1400.

To protect from this pandemic and others to come, the doctors dressed in a long black cloak covered with a coating of wax, and a very primitive beak-shaped plague mask, although not all doctors wear the mask. Within this Medico Della Peste mask, there was a crude filtration system to prevent any virus from entering their system while they performed their duties. This mask was sometimes even worn in Venice's Carnevale.

The specific mask that the doctors of the Assassin's Creed series wear is called the Maschera Dello Speziale (where speziale refers someone who sells every kind of medicinal herb). The "beak" of the mask was often filled with various spices and herbs, as many doctors thought that this was a viable method to avoid infection by various diseases. The eyes of the mask were also made out of glass, as it was believed that sicknesses could be caught by face-to-face contact with patients, or by touching infected objects.

Healing
Doctors will replenish all health after being paid a paltry sum of 50ƒ. The price from the Doctor in Monteriggioni for his healing services, however, decreases as his stall becomes renovated.

Medicine
Doctors sell Medicine (75ƒ each), a healing item that can be carried anywhere. These are identified in-game as smelling salts, and are used as painkillers. The number of Medicine vials the user can carry at one time increases when a larger Medicine Pouch is purchased from a Tailor.

Poison
"In high enough doses, that which cures can kill."

- Leonardo da Vinci on poison.

Doctors sell Poison vials for a sum of 175ƒ. Poison is available only after upgrading Ezio's Hidden Blade with the Poison Blade. Poison is useful for discrete assassinations or for creating distractions, as it briefly causes the victim to go berserk and draw the attention of nearby guards.

Trivia

 * Ezio cannot harm doctors, but the first doctor encountered in the game (when with Federico), is the only one that can be attacked and killed, though only with blades. Doing so does not alert guards, and does not cause or alert you of Desynchronization (due to Ezio killing civilians). Also, when killed, the doctor rises again. A video of this "bug" can be found at this link.
 * When you fight with guards in front of a doctor, often he will kneel before you and beg you not to kill him.
 * Sometimes blacksmiths will also be able to restore some health when armor becomes damaged. Repairing the armor will replace some health.
 * In the novel Assassin's Creed: Renaissance, the doctor that Federico introduces to Ezio is their family doctor, Dottore Ceresa. Also, instead of having a small stand like other doctors in Assassin's Creed II, he has his own store.
 * The doctor in Monteriggioni is the only one to own a store in Assassin's Creed II, though there are several doctor stores in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
 * A Templar Doctor is an assassination target in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
 * In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, players can complete the Doctor's quest to upgrade the Poison sold by doctors, so that the infected victim will go berserk immediately, instead of stumbling around for a little while beforehand.
 * The masks that the doctors wear are the same as what the real life ancient Romans thought the Grim Reaper looked like.
 * In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and possibly Assassin's Creed 2, Doctors can be heard saying something in german and then: "That's french" after exiting the purchasing screen. However, this could be a reference to Rebecca Crane warning Desmond Miles that the Animus software may switch between random languages.