Egidio Troche

"You ever look at a grave and think "This is the most significant thing I will ever do"?"

- Egidio Troche

Egidio Troche (born 1436) was a Roman senator during the Italian Renaissance. His brother Francesco was a personal friend of the Captain General of the Papal forces, Cesare Borgia.

War plans
In 1503, Francesco spoke with his brother about Cesare's war plans for Romagna and, worried, Egidio wrote to the ambassador of Venice to warn him. Unbeknownst to him, however, one of his letters was intercepted, and Cesare blamed the leakage on Francesco.

The Banker
A few months after sending the letter, Egidio fell into debt with one of Cesare's mysterious generals, one simply known as "the Banker." He continually complained about this to the courtesans of the Rosa in Fiore, a brothel he had been regularly visiting since 1495.

Ezio Auditore learned of this debt from his sister (who was also the Madame of the Rosa in Fiore), and sought out Egidio to help him locate the Banker. He found the Senator in the Campidoglio, being beaten up by Borgia guards since he could not pay the money he owed.

Ezio came to the Senator's rescue, killing the attackers and escorting Egidio safely through Rome until they arrived at Francesco's house. During their walk together, Egidio brought up his dislike of the Borgia for robbing the Roman Senate of power. He even admitted to gambling and drinking (and whoring, as Ezio added) because he had nothing else to do.

Egidio was grateful for Ezio's actions, particularly when the Assassin gave him the 3,000 florins he needed to pay his debt, with only the condition that Egidio keep an eye on the politicians aiding Cesare. Egidio agreed, though not without obvious reluctance; mostly because it would mean that his brother could also become a target in the future.

When Egidio met up with one of the Banker's guards to deliver the payment for his debt, he was led to the Pantheon, with Ezio following him from above. There, Egidio was held in case he tried to escape, while Luigi, the commanding Borgia captain, counted the money he had brought.

After Egidio's payment had been deemed complete, a guard moved to kill him, however, Ezio (who had assassinated Luigi and had disguised himself in his place) ordered the guards to let Egidio go free.

Contracts
Shortly after the death of the Banker, Egidio paid a visit to the Rosa in Fiore, where he discussed matters with Ezio's mother, Maria. Ezio soon arrived, and the two exchanged pleasant greetings.

Afterwards, as he had agreed, Egidio then informed Ezio of several potential assassination targets who served the Borgia.

Database Entry
''The eldest of two brothers, Egidio was the son of a Senator who had the bad luck of following in his father's footsteps. Described as a naive idealist in a letter from his brother, Francesco, Egidio attempted to bring back the era of the Roman commune where the Senate, the Conservatori, stood at the head of a democracy. Problem was, the Papacy wanted Rome all for itself.''

As the century came to a close, the Pope seized control of Rome's urban planning, public works and finances, leaving the Conservatori'' with little more to do than plan festivals. Egidio, seeing his fellow Senators turn a blind eye as the Campidoglio slowly became a living museum, seems to have grown jaded: "Am I the only one in all of Rome who continues to seek freedom and justice?" he writes in a letter dated 1494. Records kept at the Rosa in Fiore indicate he began visiting regularly in 1495.''

''Meanwhile, Egidio's brother Francesco went to work for the Pope as his chamberlain and secretary, becoming good friends with Cesare, such good friends, in fact, that he was called "one of the Borgias' most trusted assassins". A letter sent to the Venetian ambassador by Egidio in 1503 detailing Cesare's war plans for the region reveals his hatred for Cesare and his brother's inability to keep secrets while under the influence.''

Source

 * Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Edigio Troche