Niccolò Machiavelli

"I am an Assassin. Trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each one of us here."

- Niccolò to Ezio upon their first meeting.

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527) was an Italian philosopher and writer, and a member of the Assassin Order. Being considered one of the main founders of modern political science, he was a diplomat, political philosopher, musician, and playwright, but foremost, he was a civil servant of the Florentine Republic.

He was most famous for his writing, The Prince, which lays out guides to achieving political power through, among other techniques, the art of deception and manipulation, establishing what would later be known as "Machiavellian ideas."

Early life
Niccolò was born in Florence as the first son and third child of attorney Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, and his wife Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli.

At an early age, Niccolò was trained and inducted into the Assassin Order.

Acquiring the Apple of Eden
"A prophet's arrival was foretold... And, unbeknownst to us - here you are. Perhaps all along, you were the one we sought."

- Machiavelli to Ezio upon acquiring the Apple

At age 19, Niccolò and a group of other Assassins gathered in Venice to acquire the "Apple of Eden" from Rodrigo Borgia, the Grand Master of the Templar Order. When the group arrived at Rodrigo's location, they found him fighting with Ezio Auditore, the son of the the late Assassin Giovanni Auditore. The other Assassins rushed to Ezio's aid, whereas Niccolò watched from a distance.

After the group killed the guards and severely injured Rodrigo, Niccolò introduced himself to Ezio, and revealed all present to be Assassins, a fact previously unknown to Ezio. They then went onto a tall tower in Venice, where they inducted Ezio into the Assassin Order, before each performing Leaps of Faith.

Battle of Forlì
"We discovered that Girolamo Riario was working with the Templars. Making a map of the locations of the remaining Codex pages."

- Machiavelli informing Ezio of the situation.

Shortly after initiating Ezio into the Order, Niccolò accompanied Ezio to Forlì, where they intended to hide the Apple from the Templars. They knew it would be well-protected, as the city was currently under the rule of one of their allies, Caterina Sforza.

After entering the outskirts of Forlì, they discovered that the city was under siege by the Orsi brothers. During the siege, Niccolò fought against Ludovico Orsi, but was overwhelmed after the Orsi troops began to close in on him from behind.

The Apple was taken, but Niccolò sent Ezio to retrieve it from the fleeing Checco Orsi. Though Ezio was able to assassinate Checco, he was severely injured, and the Apple was taken by the monk Girolamo Savonarola.

Bonfire of the Vanities
"Rare is the man who is willing to oppose the status quo. And so it falls to us to help them see the truth."

- Machiavelli commenting on Savonarola's takeover

In 1497, Niccolò met with Ezio again in Florence, and informed him that Savonarola had taken control of the city through the power of the Apple. Ezio reasoned that if he killed all nine of Savonarola's lieutenants, his grip would weaken. Niccolò thus informed fellow Assassins La Volpe and Paola of Ezio's plan, and after all lieutenants had been killed, the three encouraged the people to rise up against Savonarola.

Stoked into revolt, an angry mob swarmed Savonarola's residence, the Palazzo Pitti. Savonarola tried to calm the crowd with the Apple, but Ezio knocked it out of his hand with a well-thrown knife. The Apple fell to the ground, but it was retrieved by one of Rodrigo Borgia's men, forcing Ezio to chase him down and retrieve it.

Savonarola was then taken to be burned alive, and the Assassins watched from the distance. Ezio then decided that no one should die in such agony, and killed the monk before the flames could reach him. After Ezio gave a speech to inspire the crowd to follow their own ways, the Assassins left the scene.

War in Rome
In December 1499, Niccolò, Ezio, Mario Auditore, Bartolomeo d'Alviano, La Volpe, Antonio de Magianis, Paola and Teodora Contanto, some of the highest-ranking Assassins, gathered in the Villa Auditore in Monteriggioni to discuss the location of "the Vault."

They came to the conclusion that the Vault was located in Rome, and that Rodrigo Borgia had become Pope because the Papal Staff was the second Piece of Eden needed to unlock its entrance. All of them left for Rome to distract the Borgia guards while Ezio infiltrated the Vatican.

Niccolò later returned to Monteriggioni to listen to what Ezio had discovered inside the Vault. Upon hearing that Ezio had spared Rodrigo, he furiously left for Rome to take down the Borgia once and for all.

The following morning, Monteriggioni was attacked by the Borgia, under the command of Rodrigo's son, Cesare Borgia. Niccolò's disappearance right before the attack aroused some suspicion from La Volpe, who thought that Niccolò was secretly working for the Borgia. During the attack, Mario Auditore was killed and Niccolò took command over the chaotic Assassin Order, basing it on Tiber Island in Rome.

Following the attack, Ezio left for Rome as well, but passed out on the road there, succumbing to the gunshot wounds he had received during the siege. Niccolò brought him to a woman living in Rome's countryside to have him cared for, and requested her to tell Ezio to meet him in front of the Mausoleo di Augusto as soon as he was able.

After Ezio arrived, Niccolò informed him of Rome's corrupt state, and lent him some money to purchase some new equipment. He also "introduced" him to the Followers of Romulus, who he suspected to be working for the Borgia, and showed him a faster way of traveling via the city's sewer system.

They used one such tunnel to get back to their hideout, and there met one of the Assassins' allies, Fabio Orsini, who had lent the storeroom to the Assassins.

In 1503, La Volpe believed that he had gathered substantial evidence to prove that Niccolò was working for the Borgia, and therefore told Ezio to "do what needs to be done", or he would do it himself. However, Ezio did not believe Niccolò to be a traitor, so he did not kill him.

Instead, La Volpe himself left for Tiber Island, ready to assassinate Niccolò. Ezio, however, found out that one of La Volpe's own thieves was the traitor, and managed to inform La Volpe of this, seconds before he could kill Niccolò. La Volpe, pretending that nothing had happened, returned to a amicable relationship with Niccolò afterwards.

Over the course of three years, Niccolò began to realize that Ezio was much more suited to the role of leader of the Assassin Order than he was, as it was Ezio who had revived the Brotherhood back to its former strength and carried out the war against the Borgia and the Liberation of Rome.

Thus, after Ezio's sister's initiation into the Brotherhood, Niccolò placed Ezio at the head of the Assassin Order as the Grand Master. When Ezio asked why he had had a sudden change of heart, Niccolò admitted that he had always stood by Ezio and had been supporting him without his knowledge. Ezio in turn named Niccolò as his "most trusted adviser."

Attack on Valencia
Ezio and Niccolò formulated a plan to destroy Cesare's new army. Whilst Niccolò made his way to the diehards' camp, Ezio headed to the docks to destroy the enemy ships there with several hand-held bombs.

Afterwards, he met up with Niccolò on the corner of the street where the Lone Wolf Inn was located. The two climbed onto the roof of the building, and peered through the open top skylight at Cesare and Micheletto Corella, who were discussing the recent turn of events.

Cesare angrily belittled Micheletto, blaming him for what had happened and driving him to launch himself across the table at his Master. Cesare quickly pulled one of his pistols from his belt and shot at Micheletto, destroying his face completely.

Ezio pulled back, hoping to catch Cesare as he left the building, though Niccolò, who had craned forward to get a better look, had kicked a tile in the process, and had drawn Cesare's attention. Drawing his second pistol just as rapidly as he had his first, Cesare shot at the Assassin, hitting Niccolò in the shoulder.

Ezio briefly thought of pursuit, but Niccolò's injury was severe and required immediate medical attention. Finding a local doctor, they learned that the bullet had gone straight through, and that Niccolò would be sufficiently healed for travel in two weeks. Before Ezio left to pursue Cesare, Niccolò wished him good luck.

Florentine militia
Between 1503 and 1506, Niccolò returned to Florence, where he was responsible for leading the Florentine militia. Strangely, he noted on multiple occasions that he distrusted mercenaries, despite leading the Florentine mercenaries himself.

His militia managed to defeat Pisa in 1509. However, in August 1512, they were defeated by the Medici, aided by Spanish troops and Pope Julius II. After this, Florence was dissolved as a city-state.

Niccolò was deprived of office in 1512, and was arrested in 1513 on accusations of conspiracy. He was tortured in prison, though he denied involvement in any conspiracy. He was released, and he retired to his estate in Sant'Andrea in Percussina.

Later life
During his stay at his estate, Niccolò wrote Il Principe (The Prince), which was a relatively short book written in a few months. It was written specifically for a period when the Medici family had the opportunity to build a strong Italian state in central Italy, and drive out the "barbarians."

Over a significant amount of his life, Niccolò also wrote the Discourses of Livy, a thesis that reflected his more republican notions of government. It is a far more comprehensive thesis than The Prince.

These two manuscripts were banned by the Church because they were in direct support to many of Niccolò's reforms, as he sought to help unite the city-states of Italy under government, not religion. Together the Discourses and The Prince explained that Niccolò was an individual who preferred a republican government, but was prepared to accept a principality if it ensured the survival of the state.

There have also been suggestions that The Prince is a piece of overt political satire. This is inspired in part by the fact that his magnum opus, the Discourses, contains arguments that clash with the contents of The Prince.

Particularly interesting was the fact that it was written in Italian rather than Latin, as was the common practice by Italy's intelligentsia at the time. This suggests that the book was actually written to be digested by Italy's common people rather than the ruling classes (who were likely already aware of the techniques described within the book).

Niccolò died on 21 June 1527 at the age of 58. His final resting place is the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence.

Personality
"When did you become so cynical?"

- Ezio Auditore to Niccolò.

Niccolò possessed a rather intricate personality. He was a mysterious individual, secretive in his ways, which resulted in his fellow Assassin, La Volpe, questioning his loyalty to the Assassin Order.

A usually cautious man, Niccolò was often astounded by Ezio Auditore's brash and headstrong actions. He was also opportunistic seeing that which benefited the Order. This was clearly shown when Ezio infiltrated the Castel



Sant'Angelo for the first time, and Niccolò insisted that Ezio prioritize assassinating Cesare and Rodrigo, rather than rescuing Caterina Sforza.

Niccolò also, from time to time, verbally sparred with Ezio, usually openly contradicting his views. When Ezio suggested that the Order appeal to the citizens of Rome for aid, Niccolò quickly opposed this idea, stating that relying on the people was "like building on the sand."

Trivia

 * In line with his real-life counterpart, the in-game Niccolò states during the Bonfire of the Vanities that he finds mercenaries unreliable, as they fight only for payment, and are not loyal.
 * However, in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, he openly admits to Ezio that the mercenaries that aided him in the Colosseo were sent by him.
 * Despite being only 19 when he first met Ezio Auditore, Niccolò acted very mature towards his elder Assassin.
 * If Ezio chooses to do nothing during the moment where Savonarola tries to silence the crowd in the Bonfire of the Vanities, Niccolò will step in and be the one to throw a knife at Savonarola's hand.
 * Niccolò throws the knife in Assassin's Creed: Renaissance as well.
 * Historically, Niccolò had good relations with the Borgia family. In 1502, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia. He called Rodrigo Borgia a very successful politician, because he was the prototype of a leader who had no scruples to reach his target, and historically, it is also said that Niccolò greatly admired Cesare Borgia.
 * Before the Siege of Monteriggioni, when Machiavelli is seen at the Assassin meeting, he is wearing the same clothes as he is seen wearing in Assassin's Creed II. However, when he is seen in Rome, he is wearing a different outfit.
 * In Brotherhood, it is suggested that a few of Niccolò's later works were inspired by his interactions with Ezio.
 * In the memory "New Man In Town" the weapon that Machiavelli has, varies from playthrough to playthrough.
 * In the memory "Man Of The People" when you are going to recruit an assassin, you can kill Machiavelli by the bag of a lift.