Ezio strides down the street while Civilians and Guards look on.
Civilians are the common people in the Assassin's Creed series, found abundantly throughout the game worlds.
Assassin's Creed
Peasants are the general denizens of the cities (and the Kingdom) of the Holy Land in Assassin's Creed. Generally, they will do nothing to hurt Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad although there does exist some special variants of peasants that might.
Peasants are programmed to react realistically to Altaïr's actions: watching closely when he enters a fight, making comments as he free runs throughout the city, gasping when he buries any of his blades into an enemy and fleeing when the enemy dies. Peasants can also act as both a shield and a hindrance for Altaïr as he flees. If he runs into enough of them while sprinting, he will lose his balance and fall to the ground, greatly offending those he ran into. However, if he is shoving his way through a crowd, he may keep up his momentum.
If Altaïr murders a peasant, he suffers a large desynchronization due to his disregard for the first tenet of the Creed, but when you have completed the game, he will no longer desynchronize for killing them.
Civilian Types
Some civilians are different from the rest. Some may assist, be a hindrance, or an outright danger.
Beggars
Found in: Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
A beggar, in Assassin's Creed.
In the three cities of Assassin's Creed, a desperate female beggar may pester Altaïr for money, claiming her family is "sick and dying" and "have nothing". They will pester Altaïr for several seconds, before giving up. If you attempt to climb a building to escape them, they will throw a rock at you. If you climb up a ladder however, they will simply walk away without throwing rocks. If you draw any of your weapons, they will run away screaming. In addition, you may throw them in another direction to frighten them. Doing so enough, will get you an Achievement. Another method is to simply punch them once, and send them running. Doing this is much the same as throwing them, but will not (usually) cause the guards to intervene. There is also no Achievement for this method.
Either way, you'll take a very minor hit of desyncronization, but considering the annoyance beggars cause, it might be worth it. Frightening them will cause them to be scared of you for quite some time.
In Assassin's Creed II, beggars will appear in some cities, but will not chase or harass Ezio for money, only leaning against a wall or standing up when Ezio is near them. If you throw money at them, they will pick it all up, thank you, and then walk away. They instead reappear in function as minstrels, who act similarly to the beggars in the first game, except that they do not demand money, but instead run in front of Ezio singing and playing chords on their instruments.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood features the calmer beggars of Assassin's Creed II, as well as the return of the harassing beggars from the original game. Both versions of beggars can be gotten rid of by throwing money at them. This time around, the harassing beggars are usually found in groups of three, all of which are women.
Carriers
Found in: Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
In the three cities of Assassin's Creed, some peasants may be found walking around carrying something heavy. If you bump into them, they will drop the item and cause a big commotion. To pass by carriers without causing a commotion, they should be gently pushed aside while in Low Profile. The carriers come in two varieties: jar carriers and box carriers. Jar carriers are women carrying around a large jar on their head and box carriers are men holding a box close to their chest.
In Assassin's Creed II, only box carriers appear. They are seen carrying boxes from shop to shop. If you bump into one, they will cause a great deal of commotion, and guards will often come and push you around. Ezio becomes one in the penultimate memory block (not including the DLCs), when he is carrying a box. He cannot use the "gentle push", and knocking over another carrier will cause nearby guards to push Ezio, making him drop the box.
In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, box carriers once again are the only type of carrier in the game.
Citizens in distress
Found in: Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
In Assassin's Creed, occasionally, Altaïr can find citizens that need saving within the three cities. They are often being harassed by guards for crimes they did not commit. Altaïr can kill the guards, and in doing so, unlock a group of either Scholars or Vigilantes.
In Bloodlines, Citizens are the similar to their original counterparts, but will reward Altaïr with coins instead of unlocking a specific group.
In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, citizens that are being harassed by Borgia guards can be saved by Ezio. Once saved, they will give their lives to join Ezio's cause and become an Assassin apprentice.
Scholars
Found in: Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
A Scholar from Assassin's Creed.
- Main article: Scholars
Scholars are holy men who walk slowly and silently through the three cities. Having robes similar enough to a Scholar's, Altaïr can blend in with a group of them to escape guards.
In Bloodlines, Scholars do not come in groups and appear even when you have not saved any citizen. Altaïr cannot blend with them.
In Assassin's Creed II, instead of Scholars, there are Monks. Their importance is severely diminished as Ezio can blend in with any crowd, and that they aren't very good pickpocketing targets. Instead, their closest counterpart functionally would be Courtesans, which have the added advantage of moving with Ezio instead of the other way around.
Thugs
Found in: Assassin's Creed
- Main article: Thugs
Thugs or Courageous Citizens are burly denizens of the three cities. They are the only peasants that will fight you, but only in a fistfight; drawing a weapon will cause them to flee. You can pickpocket Thugs for 5 throwing knives, or defeat them in a fistfight for one. Draw a weapon and kill them, however, and you will get zero knives, as well as desynchronization. Strategy-wise it is better to flee should you start a fistfight with them, as the reward for beating them is hardly worth the effort, as opposed to running away and trying again somewhere else. Thugs will not follow you to the roofs should you choose to escape.
Thugs appear in Masyaf as well, but they have a much different appearance than the other 3 cities. In Masyaf they are far less burly, and take the appearance of Assassin Informants but with darker robes. They act in the exact same way though.
While they do not appear in Assassin's Creed II or Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, it is worth noting that some civilians will fight you if you are caught pickpocketing. Unlike in Assassin's Creed, however, fist fighting civilians are very easy to defeat. In addition to the fact that Ezio is more proficient in unarmed combat than Altaïr is, fistfighting civilians will back down and flee after the first hit, even if they block it. It should also be noted that in both the Beat Up and Mail Delivery missions in Forlì, gangs of Civilians will engage Ezio in much the same way as the Thugs do in Assassins Creed, and unlike the forementioned civilians, they will require a lot more hits to defeat.
Trouble Makers
Found in: Assassin's Creed
In the three cities, one may find madmen and drunkards. They usually are found babbling, walking through back alleys, and struggling with chronic flatulence. If you get close, they will shove you violently and generally cause a great disturbance. Because Trouble Makers create a commotion when they push you, it can cause you to become Exposed. This can sometimes cause you to fail a side mission, or break your cover as you attempt an assassination. They can also push you into water, instantly killing you.
Just like with beggars, it's suggested that you punch or shove them when you see them, as this will, oddly enough, not arouse suspicion with the guards and is a surefire way to get them off your back. You'll take a hit of synchronization (one unit's worth) but this is a small price to pay to deal with them. However, make sure that there are no Thugs nearby as this will start a fistfight with them.
In Assassin's Creed II, drunkards resemble the ones in the original game in terms of appearance, however, they do not act aggressively.
Vigilantes
Found in: Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Main article: Vigilantes
In Assassin's Creed, Vigilantes are groups of brave, tough men unlocked after saving female citizens. If Altaïr runs past a group of Vigilantes while being chased by guards, the Vigilantes will grab the guards, delaying them greatly. Altaïr can then escape, or take the opportunity to assassinate the guards as they are held back. They are particularly helpful in assassination missions for targets who flee, such as Abu'l Nuqoud.
In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the vigilantes make a return, acting exactly like vigilantes from Assassin's Creed.
Minstrels
Found in: Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
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A Minstrel from Assassin's Creed II.
In any of the cities in Assassin's Creed II, as well as Rome in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, minstrels will follow Ezio on the streets, playing a song on their lute and singing about Ezio. For better or for worse, they are the beggars of Assassin's Creed II. However, they are slightly less annoying than their Assassin's Creed counterparts. For starters, they are not as desperate or whiny as the beggars of Assassin's Creed, nor will they throw rocks at him if he tries to escape. Secondly, there is a much easier and socially acceptable method to get rid of them than in the previous game: appeasing them by throwing money at them. Just like in the previous game, you can punch them or throw them to cause them to run. Unlike in the previous game, doing these sort of rash actions against them (drawing weapons, punching, etc.) does actually carry a real consequence, as it will cause a 25% increase in Notoriety.
Another method for dealing with them is to knock them over when holding the high profile button, immediately stopping them from singing and blocking your way. Although if done near guards, this may cause a slight amount of Notoriety.
Stealing from a minstrel causes him to drop his instrument.
They are also in Assassins Creed Brotherhood, but they wear different colored clothes, but they will still sing the same songs as in Assassins Creed 2.
Pickpockets
Found in: Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
A pickpocket in Assassin's Creed II
- Main article: Pickpockets
Pickpockets will come and try to steal your hard earned cash from you. However, they can be deterred simply by looking at them (Ezio has to be facing their general direction; just looking at them with the camera doesn't count). You can see them coming via a red circle and a lock on your minimap. After pickpocketing you, they will head to the roofs to escape you.
Should you get pickpocketed, it is possible to regain your stolen money, as well as a little bonus (500 fl). Simply tackle or punch them. Even if you haven't been robbed, you can still gain at least 500 fl this way, so it might be worth your while to give chase. Your money is automatically recovered should the thief die by falling while you are chasing him. You can also loot them for what they have.
One strategy to "pickpocketer mining" is when they start to approach you, make sure your back is turned. Then at the very last second, turn and tackle them. It may take some practice, but using this method will result in giving them very little to no chance to escape, earning you some easy money.
Be aware that when chasing them, you may have to compete with the rooftop guards to catch them.
If you get close enough to Pickpockets you can Pickpocket them and they will continue running without knowing, you will still receive the same amount as you would intercepting them, although you cant pickpocket them in Brotherhood.
Pickpockets also have more health than they do in Assassins Creed 2, but the only downside is that they are more vunerable because of the Crossbow men and Arqubesuirs
Borgia Messengers
Found in: Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Main article: Borgia Messengers
Borgia Messengers behave almost exactly like pickpockets, but with some minor differences. First and foremost, they will not
A Borgia messenger
attempt to steal from you. Secondly, they will not show up on your minimap. As such, their only real indicator is the silver wedge above their heads, and their cries to the guards when they flee from you. Third, their payout upon capture is much higher (1500 f), and fourth, to kill them is to make oneself instantly notorious.
The strategy involved in luring pickpockets close to you for immediate capture will not work on Borgia Messengers. Instead, you must rely on blending in, and pure luck to get the drop on them. You can also walk towards him until he is close enough to target him and throw one knife at him to get his money without killing him, if he notices you before he gets in range, wait until he starts to climb to attack.
Just like with Pickpockets, they will often earn the wrath of the rooftop guards. Ironically, Borgia Messengers will try to call out to the guards to stop you. An easy way to stop them without a chase is by throwing at them while they are running or climbing a ladder, shooting them with the hidden gun will reward you with nothing, unless you loot the dead body.
Also in Brotherhood Borgia Couriers hardly appear, although it is been noted they often appear if you enter a fight with a guard but flee and lose his attention, they then should appear fleeing from you, and now for Brotherhood there are missions were you have intercept them or plant something on them, Couriers also play a large role in gaining Shop Quest items, as well as still from number 2 gaining 1503 Florins. Also in number 2 killing them gives Ezio 50% notoriety boost, whether in Brotherhood, they give Ezio the full 100% notoriety boost.
Courtesans
Found in: Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Main article: Courtesans
Courtesans are very good at distracting guards, also they can get into places covered with guards, although guards will steal 2 courtesans from you when they walk past them, a new upgrade of the courtesans in Brotherhood is that they can poison guards, hire courtesans, then walk past guards and get them to steal 2, then the courtesan will stand in front of the guard and blow a powder (The Poison) into the guards face, then they will walk away, the guard will then do the same as any other guard that gets poisoned by Ezio with the poison blade.
Also when you enter a fight with guards while with courtesans, they (in Brotherhood) will flee instead of fight.
Mercenaries
Found in: Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Main article: Mercenaries
Mercenaries are very skilled fighters, you can use them to attack and kill guards, the only down side of Mercenaries is that they cant scale rooftops with Ezio unless there is a ladder to climb, Mercenaries always carry heavy weapons i.e Axes or big swords meaning they cant sprint. Also in Brotherhood they are useful for getting rid of Minstrels, as when they sing to you, a Mercenary will run over and push him away and chase him around the city telling him to keep away from Ezio, this however doesnt last as the next time the Minstrel appears he will continue to sing to Ezio.
Thieves
Found in: Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Main article: Thieves
Thieves are a good way to lure away guards from targets to assassinate, or good ways to be rid of Guard Posts, Lock onto a Guard and press the Y Button (Xbox 360) or Triangle (Playstation 3.) In Brotherhood Thieves are extra handy for receiving Florins without arrousing Notoriety or a Fight as they will pickpocket any civilians they pass and you will receive the cash, although Thieves can Free - Run with Ezio, they are not good in a full group as if they are on a small platform or rooftop they are most likely going to fall, either from lack of space, from an archer, crossbow men or rifle men shooting at them, other thieves gentle pushing them causing to fall or losing grip while holding onto the edge of a roof.
Ezio recruiting a citizen.
Potential Assassin Apprentices
Found in: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Main article: Apprentices
Potential Assassin Apprentices were civilians under the influence of the Borgia, who were often bullied and beaten up by the Guards for fun. When saved by Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the civilians seek to eliminate the Borgia influence in Rome and join the Assassin Order as Ezio's personal team of assassins.
Trivia
A rich civilian in Florence.
- Assassin's Creed contains files titled "SnakeCharmer", but no snake charmer exists in the game. This hints that Ubisoft may have originally intended the game to feature snake charmers.
- The NPCs of the civilians in Damascus, Jerusalem, and Masyaf are similar.
- When using eagle vision with in Assassins Creed and Assassin's Creed II, civilians are the only ones that don't glow any color, they are simply grey, because they are not an ally or an enemy.
- In Assassin's Creed II, the player can distinguish between different civilian attributes and types. For instance, a rich civilian will wear more lively and colorful clothes, capes and shoes, all of a very fancy nature. A richer civilian can be pickpocketed for more Florins.
- People celebrating Carnivale are rich civilians, especially the ones that dance.
- The minstrel's florin pouch only contains 10 florins at most.
- Interestingly enough, you see no children walking in the streets, not even with an adult. Ubisoft most likely did this to prevent any foul minded players killing them. The only children found are Ezio's younger brother, Petruccio, Caterina Sforza's children, Bianca and Ottaviano and the lost child in Brotherhood whos mother was captured by Silvestro Sabbatini. Also a child appears when Ezio and Mario are trotting down the streets in Monteriggioni.
- In Assassin's Creed II, women will often find anything Ezio does to be attractive, commenting how strong, fast, or brave he is throughout the game.
- Ezio can kill civilians without desynchronizing by using a gentle push or by punching them into water. However, throwing them in to water will cause desynchronization.