Antonio de Magianis

"When I was a child, we were taught that the nobles were just and kind. I believed it, too. Though my father was only a cobbler and my mother a scullery maid, I aspired to be much more. I studied hard, I persevered, but the nobles would never have me."

- Antonio to Ezio, as they near the Basilica

Antonio de Magianis was a member of the Assassin Order and leader of the Thieves Guild located in the Italian city of Venice during the 15th century.

Raised in poverty from birth, Antonio was unable to attain a wealthy lifestyle, eventually resulting in his founding of the Venetian Thieves Guild. Targeting the rich and wealthy of the city's population, Antonio also improved his position in the Assassin Order, realizing that members of the Templar Order had dug their way into Venice's corrupt nobility.

Eventually meeting with Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an Assassin-in-training, the pair worked together to thwart the Templars' plans to take over Venice. After a failed attempt to infiltrate the Palazzo della Seta by the Thieves, Ezio eventually managed to do so with their help, resulting in the successful assassination of Emilio Barbarigo. The Thieves then took over the Palazzo for themselves, turning it into their new base of operations.

Ezio later discovered out that the Templars planned to kill Doge Giovanni Mocenigo, and requested Antonio's aid. After scouting the Doge's Palazzo, Ezio and Antonio rushed to Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, requesting the use of his flying machine. Antonio ordered his Thieves set fires around Venice, allowing Ezio to gain altitude whilst using the machine, he glided onto the Palazzo rooftop and eventually succeeded in killing Carlo Grimaldi.

During the next few years, Antonio once again assisted Ezio with taking down high-ranking Venetian Templars, introducing him to Sister Teodora whilst plotting the assassination of the Templar Doge Marco Barbarigo, and later introducing Ezio to the Doge's successor Agostino Barbarigo before directing him to the mercenary Bartolomeo d'Alviano to gain support in taking down Silvio Barbarigo.

Early life
Born in 1443 to a poor family, Antonio lived with his father, a cobbler, and his mother, a maid for an upper-class family. As he grew older, he increasingly developed a desire for a richer life, but no matter how hard he studied, the schools would not accept him, and no matter how hard he worked he could not change his circumstances. Realizing that hard labor would not get him what he wanted, Antonio decided to steal it instead.

Eventually, Antonio found his way into the Order of Assassins, and subsequently set up the Thieves guild of Venice. Antonio and his fellow thieves consented only to theft of property from the largely immoral Venetian nobility. He considered his guild more of a "business" than a crime syndicate.

Infiltrating the Palazzo
"You may not share our motive, but I know you share our goal"

- Antonio to Ezio.

When Ezio Auditore arrived in Venice and had helped one of Antonio's thieves who was injured during the failed attempt at murdering Emilio Barbarigo, Antonio informed the Assassin that he knew of his deeds through the guilds in Florence and Tuscany, praising him whilst commenting that it was slightly unrefined. Antonio also knew of Ezio's intentions of killing Emilio, and declared that would need to draw up new plans and prepare for the assassination. Antonio informed Ezio that there were three traitors delivering information to Emilio and that they had to be eliminated. Ezio agreed with the matter and proceeded to kill the three traitors. Antonio waited for Ezio to assist in their other duties, and soon they were once again ready to attempt the Emilio's assassination.

As a part of their plan, Ezio dispatched the archers patrolling rooftops near the Palazzo della Seta and once completed, he met up with Antonio, Rosa and Ugo. When Ezio had taken the life of Emilio and all the guards within the Palazzo were killed, Ezio and Rosa opened the door for Antonio. Antonio told his thieves to return the items that Emilio had stolen from the people, and gave Ezio money for his role in the assassination. Ezio informed Antonio that Emilio had been speaking with an individual unbeknown to him, after which Antonio gave Ezio the name Carlo Grimaldi. Antonio then asked what Ezio was up to, to which he responded that he had a "meeting to attend". Ezio said his goodbyes and subsequently left the palace.

Infiltrating the Basilica
Ezio discovered that Carlo Grimaldi planned to kill Giovanni Mocenigo and replace him with Marco Barbarigo. Ezio quickly went to Antonio and told him of the Templar's intentions. Antonio and Ezio sought a entry point into the Basilica di San Marco, but despite observing all the possible entrances, they were unable to find an effective approach. Antonio exclaimed that the situation was hopeless and that only birds could get inside, giving Ezio the idea to seek assistance from his close friend Leonardo da Vinci.

Antonio later visited Ezio and was introduced to Leonardo. Antonio told Ezio that Carlo had the poison and that they had to hurry if they were going to catch Carlo in time. Ezio tried to fly with Leonardo's flying machine, but ended up crashing almost immediately. Leonardo did not know how to extend the machine's flight capabilities, until he threw a piece of paper into the fireplace, giving him an idea. Ezio was to clear some of the areas in Venice of guards and Antonio would send his men to construct a sequence of fires spread across the city.

Once Ezio had disposed of the guards and the fires had been lit, he met Antonio and Leonardo on a rooftop. Antonio told the others he hoped it would work, as they were running out of time. Ezio then flew off with the flying machine.

Aiding in the Doge's murder
"Perhaps it was wrong of me to doubt so readily, now we shall see where all the pieces fall"

- Antonio to Ezio.

Over time, Antonio and Leonardo developed a mutual friendship, and at one point Leonardo informed Ezio of Antonio's whereabouts. Antonio was in the brothel La Rosa Della Virtù (The Rose of Virtue) and Ezio sought out Teodora Contanto. Ezio arrived and took off his mask to reveal his identity to Antonio, after which Antonio introduced Ezio to Teodora and then discussed the plans to kill the new Doge, Marco Barbarigo. However, before they had time to discuss plans, a man ran out, having killed a courtesan and taken her money. Teodora sent Ezio to kill the man whilst she and Antonio awaited Ezio's return.

Once Ezio had returned, Antonio discussed with him and Teodora about killing the new Doge, whilst the girls mourned the loss of one of their own. They came to the conclusion that Ezio would attempt to win a golden mask, granting him entry to the Doge's party. Ezio, Antonio and Teodora engaged in conversation along the walk to the location of the Carnevale games. When they arrived, Ezio took part in the games and won all three challenges, but failed to obtain the mask. Teodora and Antonio knew of the bribe that was given to the judge by Silvio Barbarigo whilst Ezio was fighting Dante Moro. A courtesan came in telling them that Dante was heading for the party.

Ezio planned on killing Dante to obtain mask, but Antonio warned him to desist in fear that Marco would immediately cancel the party. He recommended stealing the mask instead. Ezio then left and Antonio waited for the news of the deed. Once the task was completed, Ezio returned and Antonio admitted that he had judged Ezio too readily.

Acquisition of the Apple
"We have our prize, but there is much to be done."

- Antonio to Ezio regarding the Piece of Eden.

Ezio once again visited Antonio in hope of finding Silvio and Dante, and Antonio introduced Ezio to Marco's brother Agostino Barbarigo. Antonio informed Ezio that the pair had fled into the Arsenale di Venezia. Ezio asked if Agostino could force Silvio's men to stand down, but the Council of Ten was yet to confirm his ascension. Ezio then desired to build a personal army, to which Antonio responded by telling him to seek out Bartolomeo d'Alviano.

Whilst Ezio was fighting Rodrigo Borgia for the Piece of Eden, his other associates, including Antonio came to the Assassin's aid. Together, the Assassins took down Rodrigo and his guards. Though Rodrigo fled, Ezio had acquired the Piece of Eden. Ezio was unaware of his affiliates' identities until Niccolò Machiavelli revealed to him that they were all Assassins. Ezio was handed a map that lead to a tower and told to meet them that night for his initiation into the Order. During the ceremony, Ezio was given a mark on his finger, ending with the Assassins all performing a leap of faith off the tower.

Visit from Spain
"Santangel contacted the thieves' guild from España. When we met, he explained his plight and that's when I contacted you."

- Antonio to Ezio, about Luis' sudden appearance.

During 1491, Antonio was contacted by Luis de Santángel to complete a task for him. Antonio contacted Ezio, whom he mentioned as the "deadliest man in Italia". Antonio explained that Luis was seeking protection for himself and his friend Christoffa Corombo. Ezio refused at first, but accepted when told that they were to meet with Rodrigo in Venice. Ezio left to assist Christoffa and when he returned, he revealed to Antonio that the entire meeting was a trap.

Antonio informed Ezio of Luis's location, Ezio then left to speak with him in the Garden District, in case anything unfortunate were to occur. He also put the pair in contact with the Thieves guild located in the Spanish city of Barcelona before Ezio traveled there to deal with the Inquisition.

Journey to Rome
Antonio met with the other Assassins at Monteriggioni in 1499 as they formulated a plan to prevent Rodrigo from accessing the the Vault. Ezio used the power of the Apple to highlight the Vault's location on a map that was hidden underneath the Codex pages. Once they discovered it was in Rome, the other Assassins agreed to create distractions throughout Rome to give Ezio an opportunity in infiltrating the Capella Sistina and killing Rodrigo.

Personality and characteristics
"Ezio: who are the true nobles of Venezia? Men like Carlo Grimaldi and Marco Barbarigo? No! I say we are; the thieves, and mercenari (mercenaries) and whores."

- Antonio expresses his feelings towards the social classes.

Antonio showed respect to the lower class, and has a "soft spot" for Rosa. He disliked the corrupt nobles and believed that the true heroes are the mercenaries, courtesans and thieves. Antonio judged quickly and respected the people he worked with.

Trivia

 * The "courier disguise" in Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy is identical to Antonio's attire.