Salaì

"Why would I spend my time at the workshop when I can go out and have fun?"

- Salaì questions Ezio Auditore.

Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno, commonly known as Salaì (English: The Devil or The little unclean one) (1480 – 1524), was Leonardo da Vinci's most famous apprentice, and most likely his lover.

Biography
In 1506, Ezio Auditore sought out Salaì on behalf of Leonardo, and found him gambling in La Volpe Addormentata. Upon convincing him to leave, Ezio began to lead Salaì back to Leonardo's workshop in the Centro district, but they were attacked by a group of Hermeticists.

After defeating the Hermeticists, Ezio followed Salaì back to Leonardo's workshop, taking an alternate route to avoid any other attackers. They returned to find the workshop ransacked and Leonardo missing. It was Salaì who spotted Leonardo's writing on the floor, and told Ezio where to find the portraits with Leonardo's research hidden on them.

Salaì also assisted Ezio in examining Leonardo's paintings and recreating the map to show the location of the entrance to the Temple of Pythagoras.

Personality and characteristics
"Outside the kingdom of God is the realm of men. You worship there, Messere?"

- Salaì to Ezio.

Though apprenticed under Leonardo, Salaì was carefree and wasteful with money, once even convincing an art merchant that one of his own paintings was by Leonardo, in order to obtain money for a new doublet. He also spent a lot of his time outside of the workshop, and blatantly refused to leave his gambling game even upon being told by Ezio that his master was calling for him.

Nevertheless, even if he constantly took his master's coin and stayed in the taverns until they closed, he also doted on Leonardo, and grew greatly distressed after he was kidnapped.

Trivia

 * Salaì used a dagger as a primary weapon, and was an adept free-runner.
 * Ezio was aware of Leonardo's relationship with Salaì, after having spent time with him during Leonardo's kidnapping.
 * While traveling together towards the Pythagorean Vault, Leonardo briefly spoke with Ezio about Salaì and pretended that he was only concerned about Salaì's careless spending, but Ezio replied that Salaì fit Leonardo, with him approving of their relationship.
 * When Salaì was first addressed by Ezio, he showed a more irritable attitude towards him, as he was concentrating on his game of Hazard. However, as soon as he turned to look at him, he became much more friendly, complimenting on his appearance. This implies towards his homosexuality and possible flirting with Ezio.
 * Salaì mentioned that he could not read, and that Leonardo was to teach him.

Source

 * Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - The Da Vinci Disappearance

Salai