Paganino

Paganino (died 1503) was a member of the Venetian Thieves Guild and a secret Borgia spy.

Venice
During the late 15th century, Paganino was a member of the Venetian Thieves Guild under Antonio de Magianis. He was a colleague and personal friend of Ugo and Rosa.

In 1480, Paganino and Ugo were confronted by the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who was carrying a wounded Rosa. After the group exchanged words spoke about their Guild, Paganino helped Ezio and Rosa get safely to their headquarters, where Antonio was residing.

Siege of Monteriggioni
Years later, Paganino became a spy for the Borgia, gathering information on the Assassin Order. By January 1500, he was residing in the Assassin Order's headquarters of Monteriggioni.

On January 2, 1500, the Borgia attacked Monteriggioni and Paganino stayed unnoticed in Mario's study in the Villa Auditore. He ran into Ezio Auditore again there, and Paganino asked him where the secret passage that Ezio was taking lead to. After hearing Ezio's answer, Paganino left him, saying that he had to "go help the troops."

Death
After the Colosseum Passion Play in 1503, Ezio recognized Paganino from a distance, behaving suspiciously. Paganino ran away from Ezio, but was eventually tackled and Ezio saw that Paganino was carrying Borgia documents. Paganino desperately reached out for his knife, screaming "Long live the Borgia," but was quickly killed by a stab in the neck of Ezio's hidden blade.

Trivia

 * In Assassin's Creed II, the Thief that helped Rosa and Ugo escape was killed by an archer.
 * In official artwork for the Siege of Monteriggioni, Paganino appears alongside Cesare Borgia at Monteriggioni's gate. However, in both the Brotherhood game and novel he was not present.