Mediterranean Defense

The Mediterranean Defense was a collection of strategic contracts given to Assassin apprentices in Constantinople during the Renaissance. Coupled with the direction of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the defense of the Mediterranean proved critical not only to the recruits' development but also to the expansion of the Assassins' knowledge and influence in the region.

History
During the early 16th century, the Assassin Brotherhood – under the direction of Ezio Auditore, the Mentor of the Italian Assassins who happened to be visiting Constantinople at the time – sought to expand its influence throughout the Mediterranean; considering this, they began to send apprentices and recruits to usurp cities controlled by the Templar Order. Their exploits ranged from simple acts, such as protecting merchants and officials who were loyal to the Brotherhood or against the Templars, to greater plots involving assassinations and freeing jailed allies. Some special requests – specifically the survey requests of Piri Reis – involved the Assassins traveling to specific cities and mapping the area.

Many of these cities were eventually freed from Templar rule and came under Assassins' control. However, a constant danger in the possibility of Templar reprisal remained at hand. As such, the contracts needed to be completed regularly to maintain the Assassins' control of the city, though should their grip on the locations fall too low, the Templars would attempt a reclamation of the city, forcing apprentices to rally a defense.

The Brotherhood took special care to improve the standard of living in these regions by improving daily income and providing many opportunities for their newly liberated citizens. The apprentices who were sent on these missions gained experience, and the Assassin Order gained funds to further their operations, as well as regular benefits and bomb ingredients. After a local guild was established, certain apprentices from Constantinople could also be assigned to become permanently based in one of the cities. There, they provided protection and solidified the Brotherhood's goals more directly.

Alexandria
During a recent excavation of the destroyed library of Alexandria, the Mamluk Sultan's soldiers discovered two First Civilization Memory Seals in a chest dated 331 BC. Infiltrate the soldiers' barracks and acquire the seals before they are inaccessible.
 * The Memory Seals, Part I

Templar soldiers have launched an offensive to recover the Memory Seals. Defend our headquarters and keep our blessed initiate safe as she works to unlock the mysteries of the seals.
 * The Memory Seals, Part II

We had recovered the First Civilization Memory Seals and were preparing to decode them, when a contingent of Templars ambushed us and stole them away. Organize a search party and recover the seals. Use maximum force if necessary.
 * The Memory Seals, Part III

Our Mentor Iskender, descendant of the great Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, has been arrested and detained without explanation. His execution will occur in two day's time. Locate and rescue him.
 * The Mentor Vanishes

Algiers
The Spanish King currently ruling occupied Algiers has taken King Samis El Felipe hostage. His prison is too well fortified to break him out, but it should be possible to pass messages to and from the jailed King. Establish a line of communication.
 * All The King's Men, Part I

Former King Samis El Felipe has authorized the Assassins to employ the aid of the infamous pirate, Hayreddin Barbarossa, to chip away at Spanish influence in the area. Provide "Red Beard" Barbarossa with the support he needs.
 * All The King's Men, Part II

Amir Selim of Algiers has a proposal for the Assassins. He will turn a blind eye to our activities in his region if we will provide protection for a community of Moors living on the island Penon, now occupied by Spaniards.
 * An Eye For A Helping Hand

Bursa
Sultan Bayezid's third and least capable son, Korkut, has been captured by Templar thugs and is being held hostage in Bursa. Send in a team of Assassins to eliminate all Templars and rescue the Prince.
 * The Little Prince

An attack on a local Turkmen philanthropist and ally has driven him into hiding. Provide him with protection until he can move his family to Constantinople.
 * Follow The Money, Part I

Corrupt Janissaries stationed in Bursa are selling access to viziers visiting from the Sultan's Sublime Porte. We would rather these misers beg for their influence. Take out the corrupt soldiers.
 * The Best Laws Money Can Buy

Athens
We have discovered that Templar agitators have been paying Ottoman soldiers handsomely for looted goods. Find the Templar leaders in Athens and eliminate them.
 * For The People, Part III

Remnants of First Civilization technology have been found in a tomb deep beneath the Acropolis. Guard the location until our scholars are able to make a full survey of the area.
 * First Civ Problems

Damascus
Ottoman troops have blocked the roads north of Damascus, crippling many of the city's northern trade routes. In spite of our truce, we must side with the civilians affected by this blockade. Draw the army away from their position by any means necessary.
 * The Hydra's Head, Part I

The Hydra's Head, Part II

A detachment of Safavid soldiers from the East has filled the power vacuum north of the city, and yet are experiencing very little resistance from the Mamluks to the north. We suspect an alliance. Send spies into the Safavid camp and learn the truth.

The Hydra's Head, Part III

We have learned that the Safavids and Mamluks are planning a joint attack on Bursa. Currently the Safavid high command is stationed in Damascus as the personal guest of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri. Assassinate their generals and cripple their command structure.

Genoa
The French have occupied Genoa and are using it as a launch pad for military excursions to the south and east. Naturally the Genoese are unhappy about this. Cripple the French military through clandestine means.
 * Rebels With A Cause, Part I

A corrupt Genoese banker has been funneling money to French interests while claiming to be the victim of numerous robberies. Eliminate this parasite.
 * Buying Influence

Jerusalem
There has not been a stable Assassins Guild in Jerusalem for over a century. Assess your resources and begin recruiting. The ruling Mamluks disapprove of our recruiting efforts. They fear the growing strength of the Assassins and have arrested Grand Master Mujir as part of a program of intimidation. Rescue Mujir in spectacular fashion, but harm no one. Send a message that the Assassins will not be intimidated.
 * Brokers Of Peace, Part I
 * Brokers Of Peace, Part II

An Assassin traitor is taking refuge in a domicile adjacent to the Chapel of the Ascension. Take advantage of the large crowds that gather there and wait for him to appear. Apprehend him dead or alive.
 * Behind The Cross

Lisbon
Emboldened by recent Portuguese colonization efforts, the Templars have started sending "missionaries" as far east as India. Collect intelligence on the activities of these agents and map their movements.
 * The Colonies, Part I

King Manuel I of Portugal – a pious and credulous man – is paying large sums of money to fund these missionary expeditions, not realizing the Templars are diverting the money to their cause. Liberate this money from its owners and put it to better use.
 * The Colonies, Part II

Portugal's extensive wealth and power has created a cottage industry of explorers, many of whom are selling information of their discoveries to the Templars for large sums. We cannot compete with the Templars' wealth, but we have other means of acquiring that information. Use them.
 * The Rage Of Exploration

Madrid
The famous blacksmiths of Toledo have fled to Madrid after Templars commandeered their forges. Assemble a band of Assassins and reclaim their property from the Templars.
 * Cannon Fodder

Marseille
A treasure housed in a wealthy merchant's home is rumored to be of First Civilization origin. Break into the merchant's house and acquire the artifact to assay its true value.
 * Age Old Art

Rhodes
The Knights Hospitaller have captured some of our Assassins and are holding them prisoner in the Palace of the Grand Master. Organize a rescue and bring our men and women home.
 * The Knights, Part I

Corsairs have made a habit of raiding and sacking churches in villages along the sparser coastlines of Rhodes. Help the people defend and rebuild their houses of worship.
 * Amid The Rubble

Tripoli
Find local explosives expert, Pedro Navarro, and offer him money and protection in exchange for knowledge of his renowned weaponry.
 * The Demolition Man, Part I

Pedro Navarro has been abducted following his involvement with us. We suspect Templar interference. Locate Pedro and rescue him.
 * The Demolition Man, Part II

The Knights of St. John are fortifying their position in Tripoli by building new fortifications and castles. Infiltrate the workforce and modify the structures to allow Assassins easy access to these buildings in the future.
 * From The Ground Up

Tunis
Hafsid King Muhammad IV is receiving bribes from local Templars to keep local goods from coming to market. Only Templar approved merchants have been allowed to peddle their wares openly. Steal these bribes and redistribute them.
 * Goods And Services, Part I

Corrupt Hafsid ministers have been taking bribes from Templars in exchange for loosened restrictions on imports and exports. Eliminate the most corrupt ministers and send a message that corruption will be repaid with retribution.
 * A Blind Eye

Trivia

 * Rhodes was only unlocked in Mediterranean Defense after playing a multiplayer match on each map in the city, namely Knight's Hospital, Souk and Ippokratous.
 * The achievement "Armchair General" could be earned by controlling all of the Mediterranean cities (except Rhodes) simultaneously.
 * Some Mediterranean Defense missions had a reward of automatically recruiting one apprentice to the Order, though this was only valid if Ezio had vacancies in his roster.
 * Managing Assassin Guilds increased the percentage-of-control capacity of the city. A city with no Assassins garrisoned had a percentage-of-control capacity of 50%. The maximum amount of Assassins garrisoned permitted was 5, where the percentage-of-control capacity was raised to 100% when a city's garrison was staffed by fully-trained Assassins. Placing 5 low-ranked Assassins in a city yielded a percentage-of-control capacity spanning from 50% to 100%.
 * Every 20 minutes, at the same time as Ezio received a revenue deposit at the banks from city renovations, all of the cities lost a random percentage of Assassin control or gained the same in Templar control if relevant. If that percentage reduced Assassin control to 0%, the Templars would lay siege to the city.
 * Some city missions required a specific fighting style from an Assassin recruit to be assigned as the first Assassin of the operation. There were four types, each signified by a symbol near their rank number: a crossbow, a heavy weapon, a short blade, or the Hidden Blade.

Reference

 * Assassin's Creed: Revelations