User:Sol Pacificus

I, Sol Pacificus, am a  native to Hong Kong whose passion for, , , , , and the qualities embodied in the  archetype has caused him to have a great affinity for the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Although like the majority of, I have explored many franchises, some of which played pivotal parts to my childhood, I was not quick to adhere strongly to one fandom or another. It is not in my individualistic nature to bind myself so easily to any group that can imbue in us a sense of belonging, be that a fandom, a religion, or even an ideology. As a result, though I quite enjoyed the classic, heartwarming tales of ', ', and '; the vibrant, sophisticated worlds of ' and '; and the fantastic embellishments of history that is ', I struggled to call myself a fan of any series until Assassin's Creed. Assassin's Creed astounded me with how deeply it resonated with my love of history, philosophy, and cultural diversity; that its gameplay fit with my style of agility, stealth, and assassination only reinforced its uncanny match for all elements of my identity. Notwithstanding this, the core themes of, non-extremism, and underlying the creed of the Assassins played a critical role in refining my personal philosophy, giving voice and cohesion to the scattered ideals and theories of the world I had been cultivating since the earliest days of childhood. Far from being a casual fan, I regard Assassin's Creed as one of the most educational and intellectually profound video games in the entire history of entertainment, with enough contemporary significance to warrant study in academia. When one pushes aside the violent, vindictive† aspects of the Assassins, their creed bears striking resemblance to the ideals of human rights and peace movements throughout the world and the  attitudes at the roots of. To put it simply, in a way it felt like a perfect game made for me, though I am not without my criticisms of other aspects of the game aside from its themes.

Editing Style
In all that I aspire to, my devotion to perfectionism is almost dogmatic. In particular, I am fastidious with my diction, carefully weighing each and every last word or phrasing to ensure that it delivers its meaning with utmost accuracy. Such nuances many would miss while compiling hasty summaries or especially in describing the principles of a character, and I hope that this strictness does not intimidate any of my fellow editors. Almost romantically, I analogize the meticulousness of my edits with the precision by which Assassins work. Perfection is, after all, a guiding principle of the Assassins; although their creed says that it is unreachable, the goal is to mitigate the probability of error as much as possible, to define success by its progress not by an absolute ends.

In light of this, I also view every word as data—information that one can potentially learn from. Though quality certainly outweighs quantity, greater quantity of information also generates a more comprehensive work. Consequently, I prefer to be inclusionistic in my edits, but it is in my nature to even be superfluous with my words at times, not only in articles, but in discussions as well. I welcome any fellow editors to help keep this flaw of mine in check with my work. Quite simply, I tend to struggle to put things simply :D. Moreover, I would like to assure that even if my response somehow happens to be five paragraphs long, it should not be taken as an indication of defensiveness but rather as another symptom of my penchant for painstaking thoroughness.

Above all, I strive to be civil and courteous to fellow editors at all times, even if at times I may come off stern or assertive in my positions. My admiration to the principles of impartiality and objectivity of Wikipedia is limitless, a devotion that is ever more critical in a series that defies the classic black-and-white dichotomy of heroic tales so well.

Assassins
"To recognize nothing is true and everything is permitted. That laws arise not from divinity, but reason. I understand now that our Creed does not command us to be free. It commands us to be wise."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

"This stranger Brotherhood seeks the same as the Assassins. But their methods are too brutal and imprecise. I admit, I am torn. While I can appreciate their goals, I view with disfavor the way in which they seek to realize them."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on Sibrand.

"Today's work weighs heavily on my mind. Jubair swore he wished only to protect the people from repeating the mistakes of their ancestors. A noble goal. Still, his methods were unacceptable. He could not be allowed to continue. To deprive the people of so much knowledge... He was not saving these people, but blinding them. But was killing him the only solution?"

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad reflecting on Jubair al Hakim.

"What is this thing I hold, that it can bend men's minds? No larger than an apple - yet its power greater than any weapon I've known. I have seen what evil even the smallest taste brings. I should destroy it... yet something stays my hand. No, I will hold it a little while longer and see what it may teach me. Perhaps it can be turned to good. Or is this what they others thought when they held it? Is that its power, then? To turn noble into cruel? I know not what the future holds for any of us, but I do know those Assassins who remain will need guidance. I must attend to them. Help to heal their wounds. We will march together into the future, and emerge stronger than we were before. If we are to succeed, if we are to rebuild, then we must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of those who came before. We must be vigilant; ever mindful of the past..."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in the aftermath of his Mentor's death, reflecting on the Apple of Eden,

"The Auditore are not dead. I'm still here. ME! Ezio! Ezio Auditore!"

- Ezio Auditore upon killing Uberto Alberti in revenge for his family's execution.


 * Ezio: Pezzo di merda! Vorrei solo che avessi sofferto di più! Hai avuto la fine che meritavi! Spero che bru– (Piece of shit! I only wish you'd suffered more! You met the fate you deserved! I hope yo–)
 * Mario: Enough, Ezio! Show some respect.
 * Ezio: Respect? After all that's happened? Do you think he would have shown either of us such kindness?
 * Mario: You are not Vieri. Do not become him.
 * —Mario Auditore teaching Ezio that Assassins do not dehumanize even the most vile of people.

"Twenty-two years ago, I stood where I stand now – and watched my loved ones die, betrayed by those I had called friends. Vengeance clouded my mind. It would have consumed me, were it not for the wisdom of a few strangers, who taught me to look past my instincts. They never preached answers, but guided me to learn from myself. We don't need anyone to tell us what to do; not Savonarola, not the Medici. We are free to follow our own path. There are those who will take that freedom from us, and too many of you gladly give it. But it is our ability to choose – whatever you think is true – that makes us human... There is no book or teacher to give you the answers, to show you the path. Choose your own way! Do not follow me, or anyone else."

- Ezio Auditore at the


 * Machiavelli: You excel at opening wounds, Ezio, but can you also close them?
 * Ezio: I intend to heal the sickness, not treat its symptoms.
 * Machiavelli: Stop sparring with me.
 * Ezio: Fine. Let us talk openly then. Rodrigo Borgia's death would not have solved anything.
 * Machiavelli: I am inclined to disagree.
 * Ezio: Look at this city, the center of Borgia and Templar rule. Killing one man will not change things. We need to take away the source of their power.
 * Machiavelli: Are you suggesting we appeal to the people?
 * Ezio: Maybe.
 * Machiavelli: Relying on the people is like building on the sand.
 * Ezio: You are wrong. Our belief in humanity rests at the heart of the Assassin Brotherhood.
 * —Niccolò Machiavelli debating with Ezio Auditore.

"It would be [cynical] if it were doctrine. But it is merely an observation of the nature of reality. To say that nothing is true, is to realize that the foundations of society are fragile, and that we must be the shepherds of our own civilization. To say that everything is permitted, is to understand that we are the architects of our actions, and that we must live with their consequences, whether glorious or tragic."

- Ezio Auditore explaining the Creed to Sofia Sartor.

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex
"What follows are the three great ironies of the Assassin Order: (1) Here we seek to promote peace, but murder is our means. (2) Here we seek to open the minds of men, but require obedience to a master and set of rules. (3) Here we seek to reveal the danger of blind faith, yet we are practitioners ourselves. I have no satisfactory answer to these charges, only possibilities... Do we bend the rules in service to a greater good? And if we do, what does it say of us? That we are liars? That we are frauds? That we are weak? Every moment is spent wrestling with these contradictions and in spite of all the years I've had to reflect, still I can find no suitable answer... And I fear that one may not exist. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Does our creed provide the answer, then? That one may be two things – opposite in every way – simultaneously? And why not? Am I not proof? We of noble intentions, possessed of barbaric means? We who celebrate the sanctity of life and then promptly take it from those we deem our enemies?"

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on paradoxes of the Assassins

"I had thought Adha would be the one to lead me to rest, that I might lay down my blade and live as a normal man. But now I know such dreams are best left to sleep...Her face. I try to banish it from my mind as I remember the days and nights during which I chased her Templar captors across the sea. I almost got to them in time. Almost. If I had only been faster. Instead, I held her lifeless body in my arms – saw the terror reflected in her fixed, unblinking eyes...I hunted each man – one by one – until all responsible were gone from the world. But there was no joy in this. No satisfaction or release. Their deaths did not bring her back. Did not heal my wounds. After that, I was certain I would never again feel for a woman as I had for her."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad lamenting his failure to save Adha.

"Over time, any sentence uttered long and loud enough becomes fixed. Becomes a truth. Provided, of course, you can outlast the dissent and silence your opponents. But should you succeed – and remove all challengers – then what remains is, by default, now true. Is it truth in some objective sense? No. But how does one ever achieve an objective point of view? The answer is you don't. It is literally, physically impossible. There are too many variables. Too many fields and formulae to consider. We can try, of course. We can inch closer and closer to a revelation. But we'll never reach it. Not ever... And so I have realized, that so long as The Templars exist, they will attempt to bend reality to their will. They recognize there is no such thing as an absolute truth – or if there is – we are hopelessly under-equipped to recognize it. And so in its place, they seek to create their own explanation. It is the guiding principle of their so-named "New World Order"; To reshape existence in their own image. It is not about artifacts. Not about men. These are merely tools. It's about concepts. Clever of them. For how does one wage war against a concept? It is the perfect weapon. It lacks a physical form yet can alter the world around us in numerous, often violent ways. You cannot kill a creed. Even if you kill all of its adherents, destroy all of its writings – these are a reprieve at best. Some one, some day, will rediscover it. Reinvent it. I believe that even we, the Assassins, have simply re-discovered an Order that predates the Old Man himself..."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'ahad explaining a core principle of the Assassins in his Codex.

"Man seeks dominion over all that he encounters. I suppose it is a natural tendency for us to aspire towards mastery of our surroundings. But this should not include other human beings. Every day more and more are pressed into service – by deception or by force. Others, though not so firmly imprisoned, are made to feel as if their lives are worthless. I have seen the ways in which men persecute women. Heard the cruel words hurled at those who come here from other lands. Watched as those who believe or act differently are made to suffer... We discuss such things often – watching as we do from the spires of Masyaf. What can be done to stop this? To encourage tolerance and equality? Some days we speak of education, believing that knowledge will free us from immorality. But as I walk the streets and see slaves sent off to auction – my heart grows cold. When I see the husband hurl abuses and stones at his wife, insisting she exists only to serve him – my fists clench. And when I see children torn from their parents so that another man might profit – sent off to suffer beneath the desert sun and die... ...On these days, I do not think that dialogue will make a difference. On these days, I can think only of how the perpetrators need to die."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad expressing the sentiment behind the Assassins' methods.

"We are obligated to hide. To be silent. To shape the course of history in secret. But some of my brothers and sisters disagree. They grow angry, insisting it is a mistake to shroud ourselves. They say it slows our work. But they do not understand the risks. To expose ourselves now would be too dangerous. I fear we would be branded madmen and attacked. So it goes. So it always has. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that men do not learn by being told. Instead they must be shown. They must make the connections themselves. If I say unto a man, be kind, be tolerant, be of an open mind – these words will wither and die long before they've affected change. It would be a waste. And so we must maintain our course..."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on the necessity of stealth.

"Someday I will have a child – such is the way of our Order. And I will not make the same mistake. Nor any who call themselves an Assassin. We shall be allowed to love our children – and, in turn, to be loved. Al Mualim believed such attachments would weaken us – cause us to falter when our lives were on the line. But if we truly fight for what is just, does love not make such sacrifice simpler – knowing that we do so for their gain?"

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on reforming love to be a foundation of the Assassins .

"We are growing larger. More make their way to our fortresses every day. Men and women. Young and old. From different lands. Of different faiths. Each tells a similar story – of having discovered the first part of our creed: that nothing is true. Too often, though, the revelation undoes them. They lose their morality, certainty, security. Many are driven mad. We must guide them. Help them to heal. Their minds must not be filled with more fairy tales, but with knowledge instead. Let them have answers – and let those answers be difficult and complex. Such is life."

- Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on the truth that life is complex, and the risks of the Creed.

Assassins vs. Templars

 * Altaïr: Let go your burden.
 * Garnier: Ah, I'll rest now, yes. The endless dream calls to me. But before I close my eyes, I must know - what will become of my children?
 * Altaïr: You mean the people made to suffer your cruel experiments!? They'll be free now to return to their homes!
 * Garnier: Homes!? What homes!? The sewers? The brothels? The prisons that we dragged them from?
 * Altaïr: You took these people against their will!
 * Garnier: Yes, what little will there was for them to have. Are you really so naive? Do you appease a crying child, simply because he wails? "But I want to play with fire, father." What would you say? "As you wish"? Ah, but then you'd answer for his burns.
 * Altaïr: These are not children, but men and women, full grown.
 * Garnier: In body, perhaps, but not in mind; which is the very damage I sought to repair. I admit, without the Piece of Eden, which you stole from us, my progress was slowed. But there are herbs, mixtures and extracts. My guards are proof of this. They were madmen before I found and freed them from the prisons of their own minds. Ahh, and with my death, madmen they will be again.
 * Altaïr: You truly believe you were helping them?
 * Garnier: It's not what I believe, it's what I know.
 * —Garnier de Naplouse's last words to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.


 * Altaïr: Men must be free to do what they believe. It is not our right to punish one for thinking what they do, no matter how much we disagree.
 * Jubair: Then what?
 * Altaïr: You of all people should know the answer. Educate them. Teach them right from wrong. It must be knowledge that frees them, not force.
 * Jubair: They do not learn, fixed in their ways as they are. You are naive to think otherwise. It's an illness, for which there is but one cure.
 * Altaïr: You're wrong. And that's why you must be put to rest.
 * Jubair: Am I not unlike those precious books you seek to save? A source of knowledge with which you disagree? Yet you're rather quick to steal my life.
 * Altaïr: A small sacrifice to save many. It is necessary.
 * Jubair: Is it not ancient scrolls that inspire the Crusaders? That fill Salāḥ ad-Dīn and his men with a sense of righteous fury? Their texts endanger others, bring death in their wake. I too, was making a small sacrifice. It matters little now. Your deed is done, and so am I.
 * —Jubair al Hakim's last words to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad


 * Altaïr: Tell me, what's your part in all of this? Do you intend to defend yourself as the others have and explain away your evil deeds?
 * Majd: The Brotherhood wanted the city. I wanted power. There was... an opportunity.
 * Altaïr: An opportunity to murder innocents.
 * Majd: Not so innocent. Dissident voices cut deep as steel. They disrupt order. In this, I do agree with the Brotherhood.
 * Altaïr: You'd kill people simply for believing differently than you.
 * Majd: Of course not! I killed them because I could, because it was fun! Do you know what it feels like, to determine another man's fate? And did you see the way the people cheered? The way they feared me? I was like a God! You'd have done the same if you could. Such power!
 * Altaïr: Once perhaps. But then I learned what becomes of those who lift themselves above others.
 * —Majd Addin's dying words to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad


 * Altaïr: Illusion?
 * Rashid: That's all it's ever done, this Templar treasure, this Piece of Eden, this word of God. Do you understand now? The Red Sea was never parted, water never turned to wine. It was not the machinations of Eris that spawned the Trojan War, but this! Illusions, all of them!
 * Altaïr: What you plan is no less an illusion. To force men to follow you against their will!
 * Rashid: Is it any less real than the phantoms the Saracens and Crusaders follow now? Those craven Gods, who retreat from this world that men might slaughter one another in their names? They live amongst an illusion already. I'm simply giving them another, one that demands less blood.
 * Altaïr: At least they choose these phantoms.
 * Rashid: Or do they? Aside from the occasional convert or heretic?
 * Altaïr: It isn't right.
 * Rashid: Ahh. And now logic has left you. In its place you embrace emotion. I am disappointed.
 * —Rashid ad-Din Sinan and Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in their final duel.
 * Pitcairn: Do you not think we asked the same question of the British? These things take time. And it would have succeeded, had you let me play my part.
 * Connor: The part of the puppeteer.
 * Pitcairn: Better we hold the strings than another.
 * Connor: No. The strings should be severed. All should be free.
 * Pitcairn: And we should live forever on castles in the sky. You wield your blade like a man, but your mouth like a child. And more will die now because of that...
 * Pitcairn died
 * Connor (in Kanien'kéha): It is better to have faith in something, than none at all...
 * —John Pitcairn's last words to Ratonhnhaké:ton


 * Hickey: How should I know? The Templars. Lee. The big man, Haytham. They 'as the money. They 'as the power. That's the reason I threw in with 'em. That's the ONLY reason. Sure, they 'ave some sort of vision, for the future too. I didn't give a damn about any of that. They can sing their songs about mankind and its troubles. They can make their plans and spring their traps, don't bother me none. They paid me so I said yes. Didn't bother to ask who or how or why. Didn't care. 
 * Connor: You chose to side with men who would rob us of our humanity simply because it was more profitable?
 * Hickey: Wot else is there? I'm not some blind fool who'd give up all I've got on principle. What IS principle anyway? Can ya bring it to the bank? Don't look at me like that. We're different, you and I! You're just some blind fool who's always chasin' butterflies. Where as I'm the type of guy who likes to have a beer in one hand and a titty in the other. Thing is, boy, I can have what I seek. Had it, even. You? Your hands will always be empty.
 * —Thomas Hickey's last words to Ratonhnhaké:ton


 * Haytham: Which I've told you - time and time again - is dangerous! There will never be consensus, son, among those you have helped to ascend. They will all differ in their views of what it means to be free. The peace you so desperately seek does not exist.
 * Connor: No. Together they will forge something new - better than what came before.
 * Haytham: These men are united now by a common cause. But when this battle is finished they will fall to fighting amongst themselves about how best to ensure control. In time it will lead to war. You will see.
 * Connor: The Patriot leaders do not seek control. There will be no monarch here. The people will have the power - as they should.
 * Haytham: The people never have the power. Only the illusion of it. And here’s the real secret: they don’t want it. The responsibility is too great to bear. It’s why they’re so quick to fall in line as soon as someone takes charge. They WANT to be told what to do. They YEARN for it. Little wonder, that, since all mankind was BUILT to SERVE.
 * Connor: So because we are inclined by nature to be controlled, who better than the Templars? It is a poor offer.
 * Haytham: It is truth! Principle and practice are two very different beasts.
 * Connor: No, father... You have given up - and would have us all do the same.
 * —Haytham Kenway and Ratonhnhaké:ton in their final duel.

Templars
"Compassion, mercy, tolerance. These words mean nothing to any of you! Mean nothing to those infidel invaders, who ravage our land in search of gold and glory! And so, I say enough! I've pledged myself to another cause. One that will bring about a new world in which all people might live, side by side, in peace. A pity none of you will live to see it."

- Abu'l Nuqoud before massacring his party.


 * Richard: Three thousand souls, William. I was told they would be held as prisoners, and used to barter for the release of our men.
 * William: The Saracens would not have honored their end of the bargain. You know this to be true. I did you a favor.
 * Richard: Oh yes, a great favor indeed! Now our enemies will be that much stronger in their convictions, fight that much harder!
 * William: I know our enemy well! They will not be emboldened, but filled with fear!
 * Richard: Tell me, how is it you know the intentions of our enemies so well? You who forsake the field of battle to play at politics.
 * William: I did what was right, what was just!
 * Richard: You swore an oath to uphold the work of God, William! But that is not what I see here! No, I see a man who's trampled it!

Others
"It's all a matter of perspective. There is no single path through life that's right and fair and does no harm. Do you truly think the Crown has no cause? No right to feel betrayed? You should know better than this, dedicated as you are to fighting Templars – who themselves see their work as just. Think on that the next time you insist your work alone befits the greater good. Your enemy would beg to differ – and would not be without cause."

- Benjamin Church's dying words.

Objectives

 * Assassins
 * Ideology ~ need refinement
 * Methods
 * Corruption
 * Templars

Project: Chalice

 * Quest for the Chalice ~ need refinement
 * Rafik
 * Misbah
 * Tamir the Corpulent
 * Fajera
 * Badr
 * Alaat
 * Hamid
 * Templar Hospital
 * Nazim
 * Firas the Combustible
 * Roland Napule
 * Kadar
 * Ayman
 * Lacoeur's villa
 * Hazad
 * Tower of David
 * Templar Wannabe Assassin Master
 * Templar Wannabe Assassin Apprentice
 * Champion of Basilisk
 * Temple of Sand
 * Templar's Hold
 * Siege of Acre
 * Adha
 * Don Carvaggio's villa
 * Sadad
 * Qasim
 * Sword of Adha
 * Harash
 * Basilisk
 * Alep
 * Citadel of Alep

Project: Alhambra

 * Luis de Santángel
 * Christopher Columbus
 * Helene Dufranc
 * Barcelona
 * Raphael Sánchez
 * Gaspar Martinez
 * Zaragoza
 * Pedro Llorente
 * Cygnet
 * Granada
 * Alhambra
 * Muhammad XII of Granada
 * Juan de Marillo
 * Tomás de Torquemada
 * Granada War

Project: Basic

 * Pietro de Galencia
 * Lo Sparviero
 * Demetrio il Silente
 * Sirus Favero
 * Vittorio
 * Pio

Project: Chinese Dark Age

 * Gao Feng ~ double-check introduction
 * Ma Yongcheng
 * Yu Dayong
 * Wei Bin
 * Qiu Ju
 * Zhang Yong
 * Macau
 * Nan'an
 * Beijing
 * Empress Zhang
 * Concubines
 * Hand cannon