Pazzi conspiracy

"Your day is done Lorenzo! Your entire family dies by my sword!"

- Francesco to Lorenzo, during the events at the Duomo.

The Pazzi Conspiracy was an attempt by the Pazzi Family, under the influence of the Templar Order, to remove the House of Medici from power in the city of Florence. Led by Rodrigo Borgia, the coup brought Florence into a brief period of civil war, and nearly took the life of the city's ruler, Lorenzo de' Medici.

Reunion
Ezio returns to Florence after two years of absence. He quickly makes his way to Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, bringing with him the Codex pages Leonardo was fascinated with. Warmly greeted by Leonardo, Ezio hands the Codex pages to him. As expected, he was able to decipher the page, though only the first. He learns that the page contains new techniques for assassinations and for silencing soldiers in several ways.

Leonardo suggests that Ezio practice these new techniques on the small terrace beside his workshop, while he deciphers the other page. He then instructs his assistant to set up some dummies for training. Ezio agrees to this, and proceeds to practice the new techniques on the dummies, learning to strike from above, from under ledges, as well as from hiding places. Ezio, successful in performing the new methods of assassination, returns to Leonardo, where he is handed a second Hidden Blade, constructed using the Codex page. Before leaving, Ezio tells Leonardo that he is looking for someone, but remarks that he cannot approach this someone publicly. He asks Leonardo if he knows a way to get close, but is quickly silenced before he can say anything else, as if someone was watching. He mentions the name "La Volpe", and tells him that "The Fox" usually dwells in the market not far from Leonardo's workshop.

Telling Ezio to look for La Volpe there, the two bid each other farewell and good fortune. Leonardo prepares to return to his work, while Ezio leaves for the market.

The Fox and The Eagle
"They call me many things: Murderer. Tagliagole (Cutthroat). Thief. But you may call me La Volpe."

- La Volpe, as he introduced himself to Ezio.

Ezio searches the marketplace, in hopes of finding La Volpe, but as he looked on, his money pouch is stolen by a thief. Giving chase to the pickpocket, Ezio manages to catch up with the thief in a secluded area near the harbor. Telling the thief that he has no intention of taking his life, Ezio asks for his money back to call it even.

As he confronts the thief, he is suddenly greeted by another figure who greets Ezio by name. Ezio asks the man who he is, to which the man replies that he bore many names, but his most famous moniker is La Volpe, the name Leonardo mentioned earlier. Ezio asks how he knew his name, and Volpe replies that it is his business to know everything about Florence, which was the very reason Ezio had come looking for him. Ezio, still distrusting the man, asks him if he holds information on the whereabouts of Francesco de' Pazzi.

La Volpe replies that he has heard talk from a caravan that came from Rome that there is a secret meeting planned to occur within the Santa Maria Novella. Ezio asks him if he knew a way inside the Novella, to which he replies that he did; an old passage through the old catacombs underneath the Novella. Ezio then requests him to take him to the location of the secret entrance, to which he agrees. La Volpe instructs him to meet him by the harbor when he is ready to follow, and after doing so, returns Ezio the money stolen from him by one of his men. After this, they proceed to meet up by the harbor.

Upon meeting, La Volpe instructs Ezio to follow him via the rooftops. After doing so, La Volpe quickly fled, mockingly telling Ezio to keep up. Crossing the rooftops, Ezio and La Volpe race each other to the Novella, away from the eyes of the people of Florence. After a short run, Ezio and La Volpe arrive by the side of the Novella. La Volpe tells him where the entrance is; located at the wall of the Novella, marked by a small mechanism. He tells him that if he retracts the mechanism, it will unlock the secret passage, paving Ezio's way into the catacomb.

Ezio thanks La Volpe for his assistance as he leaves the area, bidding Ezio good luck. After this, Ezio does what he was instructed and makes his way into the catacombs.

Meeting in the Shadows
Ezio jumps down into the catacombs, and proceeds to move in further. Activating the old mechanisms still functioning in the tombs, and dealing with the guards stationed by the Pazzi, Ezio manages to locate the meeting place of the Templars. The room, secluded in a small area out of Ezio's reach, bears only a small light to guide both the Templars and Ezio's sight. Seeing the Templar men, Ezio eavesdrops on the meeting.

He overhears a prayer being proclaimed by a priest, and as it ends, the group asks a man dressed in red what of the equipment. The man responds them that all of the equipment they need-namely a multitude of weapons- is present, claiming that their men will want for nothing. One of the priests present asks if it was brought with consent from the Pope, to which Rodrigo Borgia, who enters the room at this point, replies that the Pope gives his blessing on the operation, so long as no one is killed. Francesco de' Pazzi then speaks, assuring Borgia and everyone at the meeting that they are prepared to strike at the Duomo, but remarking that it wasn't easy due to the fact that Lorenzo's brother, Giuliano de' Medici keeps changing the plans.

Rodrigo notices Jacopo de' Pazzi's unusual behavior, and when asked if he was worried about the possibility of the Medici suspecting anything, he was interrupted by Francesco, claiming that the Medici are too stupid and arrogant to notice. While this elicits amusement from the others, Jacopo quickly reprimanded him, stating that they should not underestimate their enemies, and mentions the fact that his son was killed because of this. Francesco reassures all of the Templars that no such thing will happen. Rodrigo then tells them to make due of their promises, as he must attend to his business in Rome. After this, they bid each other farewell and prepare for their operation. Ezio, after taking the Assassin's Seal from the catacombs, makes his way out of the Novella.

Arriving on the harbor through the small passage at the sewers, Ezio meets up with La Volpe, and discussed the words spoken by the Templars at the meeting. He makes mention that their plans involve the Medici, and that they aim to enact it at the Duomo on Sunday. He also remarks that the Pope has given them support. La Volpe was not surprised by this, dismissing it to be typical behavior from Sixtus. He suddenly remembers that the Medici will be at the Duomo for Sunday Service, along with the rest of Florence. He then realizes that the Pazzi plan to initiate an attack on the Medici at High Mass, suspecting their intentions to be taking over Florence.

La Volpe, heavily concerned of Ezio's discovery, warns him that if he fails to stop the Pazzi's attack, control over Florence will shift over to the Pazzi, thus putting the lives of the citizens in ruins. Ezio reassures him that it will never come to that, stating that it will be an opportunity to get close and end the Pazzi's plan. Bidding La Volpe goodbye, Ezio leaves for the Duomo.

Attack at the Duomo
Arriving at the Duomo, Ezio blends with the crowd as he looks for Francesco de' Pazzi. Doing so, he sees the Medici family arrive, with Lorenzo Medici making his way to the doorsteps of the church with his mistress, followed closely by his brother Giuliano, accompanied by his own mistress. It was during this time that Francesco de' Pazzi and the man in red from the meeting appear before the crowd. Before Ezio can act, the man in red charged and slashes Giuliano's neck, causing him to bleed heavily. As Giuliano tries to flee, he is quickly stopped by Francesco.

Lorenzo sees his brother being assaulted, but as he tried to come to his aid, he was stabbed by two priests from behind, both of whom are the ones who had attended the Templar meeting. Giuliano, pinned to the ground, begged for mercy, but received no such kindness. Francesco, denying him any mercy, stabbed him repeatedly, even after death. All the while, Lorenzo fends off his attackers, and prepares to defend himself from the Pazzi guard. Leaving the dagger impaled in the corpse of Giuliano, Francesco draws his sword, and proceeds to attack Lorenzo.

Planning to stop the attack, Ezio steps in to defend Lorenzo. Fending off both the guards and Francesco, he successfully drives them away. Thanking him for his assistance, Lorenzo then asks Ezio to help him get back to his home in one piece, to which Ezio agrees. Making their way to Lorenzo's palazzo, they see the people rioting over the attack, with the Medici and Pazzi guards engaged in combat in the streets. As they moved, Lorenzo shouted with rage that he will erase Francesco and his family from the pages of history after the family's actions. Ezio tells him to save his strength, or else he will be delivering a corpse.

Ezio and Lorenzo managed to make their way at the doorsteps of Lorenzo's house. After one of the Medici guards opened the door, Ezio and Lorenzo made their way inside. Ezio, before leaving, was asked by Lorenzo about why he saved his life. He tells him that he was not the only one who lost a brother to the Pazzi. Introducing himself as Ezio Auditore, Lorenzo knew right away that he was the son of Giovanni, telling the boy that his father was a good man.

Just then, another guard of the Medici arrives, reporting to them that the city is in chaos because of the Pazzi's actions. He tells them of the Pazzi plan to assault the officials at the Palazzo della Signoria in order to put their own men into power. Seeing this as a major threat, Lorenzo tries to recover his strength so that he may take matter into his own hand, but Ezio urges him to rest, assuring him that he will handle the Pazzi in the name of the Medici. He agrees to this, and Ezio then leaves for the Palazzo.

Chaos at the Signoria
Ezio makes his way to the Signoria, and sees the courtyard in chaos, with both Medici and Pazzi guards engaged in an immense battle. Francesco, standing at the balcony, sees Ezio alive and well. Francesco then instructs his men to tighten their security at the balcony. Ezio quietly makes his way to Francesco from behind the Signoria, silencing any guard that stood in his way, and eventually reached the roof. Confronted by Ezio, Francesco lets out a desperate cry for help, but Ezio remarks that no one will be coming. Francesco, while cursing Ezio, jumps down from the balcony and on to a small bale of flower petals. Ezio follows him, and after a lengthy chase, catches up with him and then kills him.

Speaking words of respect to Francesco as he drew his last breath, Ezio takes the body to the top of the Signoria. As he did, the citizens of Florence rally at the terrace of the Signoria, demanding liberty. Jacopo came on horseback to rally the people further, chanting liberty along with the crowd. As he did, however, the body of Francesco was then hanged from the top of the Signoria, with no clothes to cover his body other than his underwear. The crowd looks up to see a group of Medici supporters chanting triumphantly from the battlements above the corpse. Jacopo, shocked at the sight and knowing that all is lost, immediately flees as the citizens look on in horror. From a distance, Ezio watches this all transpire before silently leaving.

Family History
The next day, Ezio meets up with Lorenzo Medici at the Ponte Vecchio where he fought with Vieri de' Pazzi. It is there that Lorenzo tells him of the event that transpired there many years ago, of when he fell into the river as a young boy. The strong waters continued to push Lorenzo, who couldn't swim, further away from land. Almost certain that his life was at its end, he soon fell into unconsciousness. However, he awoke at the sight of his mother weeping by his side. Beside him stood a young man, soaked in water and smiling at him. It was there that a friendship began between the Medici and the Auditore families. Lorenzo apologizes for failing to save Ezio's father and brothers, but Ezio absolves him of blame, stating it was the fault of others, not Lorenzo.

Ezio then asks Lorenzo what of Jacopo and the other conspirators. Lorenzo tells him that all of them fled before they could be arrested. Ezio then asks him if he could give the names of the other conspirators to narrow the search down. Lorenzo tells him the following names: Bernardo di Bandino Baroncelli, Stefano da Bagnone, Antonio Maffei, and Archbishop Francesco Salviati. Ezio thanks him for this, but before he can leave, Lorenzo gives him another Codex page, taken from the files of Francesco de' Pazzi, as a gift. He remarks that he and Giovanni were always interested with things of antiquity. After receiving this, Ezio and Lorenzo bid their farewells, and the two part ways.

After handing Leonardo the Codex, and receiving a new addition to his arsenal, Ezio returns to Monteriggioni to seek help from his uncle, Mario, and also to deliver the deciphered Codex pages.

Search for the Conspirators
Upon returning to Monteriggioni, Ezio hands Mario the Codex pages deciphered by Leonardo. He sees a statement written along the line of the supposed message reading, "Only the Prophet may open it." The page also made mention of two "Pieces of Eden." Thinking this to be incomplete, Mario asks Ezio to collect the other pages, to which he disagrees, for he has other business to attend to. Stating that his next mission was to be in San Gimignano, Ezio asks his uncle for help in finding the conspirators against the Medici.

He agrees, and as he instructed his men to look for the conspirators at the other half of Tuscany, Mario trains Ezio further in combat at Monteriggioni, teaching him how to evade an enemy's incoming attack. After successfully doing so, Ezio and Mario receive word from one of the mercenaries, saying that they have located one of the conspirators. Wasting no time, Ezio quickly leaves for San Gimignano.

His journey in the Tuscan countryside spanned a year and a half, months spent searching and hunting for the Pazzi Conspirators. All the while, he learned more of the yet unknown location of the head of the Pazzi family, Jacopo de' Pazzi.

The Town Crier
Mario's men first locate the monk, Antonio Maffei, preaching to the citizens of San Gimignano of the actions of Lorenzo de' Medici, claiming him to be the equivalent of the devil, from atop of the tower at the center of the city. The mercenary warns Ezio of the archers posted from the other towers, surrounding the center. Ezio takes this warning seriously, and proceeds to scale each of the towers, cautious of his surrounding.

Ezio takes out the archers posted, as all the while, Antonio preaches the Templars' propaganda, telling the people of San Gimignano that they must repent their ways in order to free themselves from ignorance, and from the Medici's influence. Wasting no more time, Ezio scales the tower and confronts Maffei. Even though the monk has guards stationed beside him for protection, they prove no match for the Assassin, as Ezio was able to dispatch them, along with Maffei.

Dying, Maffei angrily told Ezio to back off, fearing his presence beside him. Ezio tells him to have some respect for death. After speaking words of respect for his foe, Ezio witnessed Antonio draw his last breath, dying at the top of the tower before he could ask him anything.

He takes from the body a letter meant for the Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, begging for forgiveness, for he is unable to attend to their meeting, due to his intense fear of the Assassin. Learning nothing from Maffei, Ezio drops down from the tower, and proceeds to search for the others.

The Archbishop of Pisa
By 1479, Ezio learns that the mercenaries have located another one of the conspirators, and rides for the countryside. Meeting in a nearby village, a mercenary informs Ezio that the Archbishop of Pisa, Francesco Salviati, found refuge in his personal villa. The mercenary gives Ezio command over a few of his men, for the villa is heavily protected by the guards of the Pazzi. With this, Ezio prepares to move, with mercenaries beside him.

Disposing of the guards that stood in their way, Ezio climbs the gates of the villa, all the while hearing Salviati's warnings not to come any closer. Ezio successfully enters the courtyard, and is greeted by the sight of a battalion of guards patrolling the area. Leaving the mercenaries behind to deal with the guards outside, Ezio moves in, and successfully assassinates Salviati.

Before dying, Ezio asks Salviati for Jacopo's location, and learns that Jacopo only emerges out of the darkness to meet with the other Templars. Ezio asked for the location, but he receives no answer, for Salviati draws his last breath before he could reveal anything else. Dealing with the remainder of the guards that patrolled the area, Ezio leaves the villa to search for the other conspirators.

The Fearful Banker
Returning to the city of San Gimignano, Ezio learns from another one of Mario's men that they have learned the location of the banker, Bernardo Baroncelli. From the mercenary, Ezio learns that he was already captured by the Medici after returning from Constantinople, but managed to escape, fleeing to San Gimignano. Ezio, thanking the mercenary for the information, quickly leaves to search for Baroncelli.

He sees a paranoid Baroncelli, surrounded by guards of the Pazzi. Ezio overhears the banker's mumblings, trying to be optimistic in the face of uncertain danger. He tries to think of the possibilities that favor his side, and as he did, Ezio moves even closer to Baroncelli. He sees Ezio from afar, and out of fear, quickly flees the marketplace. Ezio gives chase, trying to catch Baroncelli as the guards in turn attempt to catch him.

After catching up with Baroncelli, Ezio finishes off the banker. Asking for Jacopo's location, Baroncelli tells Ezio that the Templars gather at the church once a meeting is called. After speaking words of respect, Ezio leaves the scene, and proceeds to locate the last of the conspirators.

The False Monk
"Nothing to fear I suppose... They meet in the shadow of the Roman Gods..."

- Stefano da Bagnone's last words

Ezio learns the location of the last of the conspirators; the monk Stefano da Bagnone. Meeting with a mercenary near the Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Ezio learns that Stefano was currently at an abbey, along with his fellow monks. The mercenary hands Ezio some smoke bombs that can assist him in his escape. With this, Ezio prepares to move in.

Ezio, learning that some guards are disguised as monks, moved in the abbey with caution. As he blended with the crowd, he overhears a conversation between Stefano and a fellow monk. Stefano reprimands the monk for believing the words written in the Bible and the existence of a "madman in the sky" (referring to God). The monk was shocked to hear such words of blasphemy from Stefano, to which he replies that he is only a part of them to hide from the Assassin.

Seeing an opportunity, Ezio assassinates Stefano in front of the monks. Before the man dies, Ezio, yet again, asks for Jacopo's location. Stefano reveals that "they meet in the shadow of the Roman Gods." Ezio then takes a letter from the body, but before he can read it any further, guards arrive at the abbey, prepared to fight Ezio. Using his new tool for an easy escape, Ezio leaves the countryside, and returns to San Gimignano.

The End of the Pazzi
"Vai, amico, libero da fardelli e paure (Go, friend, unburdened and unafraid). Requiescat in Pace (Rest in Peace)"

- Ezio, as he puts Jacopo out of his misery.

Ezio learns from the letter that there will be a meeting between the Templars at the church by the countryside. By 1480, Ezio finally locates Jacopo de' Pazzi, who was at the city of San Gimignano. Wasting no time, Ezio proceeds to tail him, in hopes of learning more of the Templar's plans. Following him outside of the city, he sees him enter the Antico Teatro Romano, which was heavily guarded by soldiers of the Templars. Ezio sneaks in without being detected, and proceeds to eavesdrop at the meeting.

He sees Rodrigo Borgia, who was furious of the failure of the Pazzi to end the rule of the Medici, and also by the fact that Ezio managed to dispose of their other Templar brothers. Jacopo, trying to reason with Borgia, blames the failure on Francesco's impatience to end the Medici's rule, and claims that he tried to be the voice of reason. Just then, a man, who appeared to be from Venice, reprimanded Jacopo, claiming that their failure was due to his cowardice. Jacopo was quick to take offense, claiming the offerings of the Venetian, the armaments used in the failed conspiracy, to be rubbish and practically useless.

Borgia, wanting to hear no more from Jacopo, angrily reprimands him for his behavior, saying that instead of action, he has given nothing but excuses and incompetence. Besides this, he even dares insult the other members of the Templar Order, though he himself has nothing to prove his worthiness. Borgia asks Jacopo what does he expect them to do next, to which he replies that he simply does not know. Borgia then mockingly reassures him that he knows what will happen next, and proceeds to stab him in the chest.

Jacopo, twitching and faltering weakly, was then stabbed by the Venetian, causing him to fall to the ground, groveling on the dirt. Begging for mercy, Jacopo weakly asks Borgia to spare him, claiming that he can fix his wrongdoings if he is allowed to live. Borgia denied him any mercy, and proceeds to stab him by the neck with his sword. As the man grows still, the Spaniard then calls out a mock apology to Ezio, whose presence he had long ago suspected. Telling his guards to finish the boy off, Borgia leaves the Teatro along with the Venetian, abandoning Jacopo near-death.

Disposing of the guards that held him back, and the guards that surrounded the Teatro, Ezio ends Jacopo's misery by finishing him off with his Hidden Blade. After speaking words of respect to Jacopo, Ezio leaves Tuscany, and heads for Florence to report his success to Lorenzo de' Medici.

Aftermath
"Do you know what became of the Pazzi once your hunt was finished? Your dear friend Lorenzo stripped them of everything and threw them into prison, even those who played no part in the conspiracy. The women were forbidden to marry and the family tombstones were erased. Wiped from the history books. Poof! Just like that!"

- Lucrezia Borgia to Ezio in 1501

After the fall of the Pazzi family, control over San Gimignano assimilated over to the Medici, thus gaining the governance even more power. Ezio, informing Lorenzo of his success, receives from him the Medici Cape as a reward. Ezio informs him that his next task was to be in Venice, after learning from the letter Jacopo wrote that there are more of the Templar Conspirators stationed there. Bidding him good luck, Lorenzo lets the boy attend to his duties, as Ezio leaves the Palazzo Medici.

Before leaving the city, Ezio attempts to meet up with Leonardo, but only learns that he is on the way to Venice. Wasting no time, Ezio leaves to look for Leonardo.

Source

 * Assassin's Creed II