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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
- "My name is Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and like my father and grandfathers before me, I am an Assassin."
- ―Ezio Auditore,[src]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze (born 1459) was a Florentine noble during the Italian Renaissance and, unbeknownst to most historians and philosophers, a central member, and later leader, of the Assassin's Order. A descendant of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and the ancestor to both Desmond Miles and Subject 16, Ezio was unaware of his Assassin heritage until the age of 17, when his father and two brothers, Federico and Petruccio were murdered, Ezio fled from the Italian province of Florence – his hometown – and took refuge in the town of Monteriggioni in the Tuscan region at the Villa Auditore.
After being trained by his uncle Mario Auditore, Ezio proceeded on his quest for revenge against the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Rodrigo Borgia, who had ordered the executions of his father and two brothers. During his quest for revenge, Ezio managed to not only unite pages of Altaïr's Codex for the first time since Domenico Auditore, but also to save the cities of Florence, and Venice, and later Rome from the Templars' wrath, ensured the future travels of Christoffa Corombo to the "New World," and bring the Renaissance ideals and Assassin Order to the city of Rome.
Biography
Early life
Pre-Execution
A much younger Ezio, portrayed by Devon Bostick.
Ezio Auditore da Firenze was born in Florence on June 24, 1459 AD, the second son of Giovanni Auditore and Maria Auditore. Until the age of 17, Ezio lived a life of luxury as a member of the Florentine noble class, unaware of his father's allegiance to the Assassin Order. As a youth he was an apprentice to Giovanni Tornabuoni, a great banker, presumably to learn the ropes of banking, so that he could become the leader of the Auditore bank.[1][2]
In the year 1476, Ezio, his older brother Federico and friends of the family got into a fight with Vieri de' Pazzi and his gang. Ezio single-handedly defeated several members of the opposing gang, but Vieri managed to escape the scene before Ezio could do anything to him. Just before the fight, Ezio gained a cut on his lip – caused by a rock thrown by Vieri – so Federico suggested that they visit the local doctor. After looting several people left unconscious from the fight, the two brothers ran across the rooftops to the Doctor.
After the doctor had tended to his wound, a church nearby caught the eye of the brothers, and Federico suggested a race. Ezio won and together the two looked out over the city. Realizing that they were nearby, Ezio traveled to the house of Cristina Vespucci and spent the night with her. Caught by Cristina's father the morning after, Ezio fled from a group of pursuing guards before meeting with his father at the Palazzo Auditore. Giovanni scolded him (but later softens, and admits that he is reminded of his own youth) and assigned him the task of delivering several letters to his contacts.
After returning home, Ezio found his distraught sister crying after discovering her boyfriend had been unfaithful. After obtaining his whereabouts, Ezio beat the man and warned him to stay away from his sister. Upon returning to the palazzo again, his little brother Petruccio asked Ezio to collect eagle feathers from the rooftops, as he was ill and couldn't leave the house or get out of bed. After a tiring search for feathers – to which Petruccio was secretive about – Ezio's mother secured his services in picking up some paintings from a young artist that she patronized, Leonardo da Vinci. On the walk home, Leonardo struck up a conversation, beginning a friendship between the two young men that would last throughout their adult lives.[1]
The Auditore Execution
Ezio's family being hanged for treason.
- "I'll kill you for what you've done!"
- ―Ezio Auditore to Uberto Alberti after watching his family's execution in 1476.[src]
Upon returning home, Ezio was asked by his father to deliver two letters to contacts of his in the city then retrieve a letter for him from a pigeon coup not far from the house. Ezio agreed, and after two odd encounters with the people he'd delivered the letters to, Ezio retrieved the note from the pigeon coup only to witness guards running across Florence. After completing his errands, Ezio returned home to find the house ransacked, his father and brothers missing and his mother and sister hiding. Learning that city guards had been ordered to arrest Giovanni and all of his sons, Ezio made his way to the Palazzo della Signoria, where his father and brothers were being held. Climbing the building and speaking to his father through his cell window, Ezio was instructed to find a chest hidden in his office, take everything out of it, then deliver a sealed letter to Uberto Alberti, Lorenzo de' Medici's personal assistant and a close friend of the Auditore family. Doing so, Ezio found the Assassin robes that he would wear for the next 23 years and the letter containing details of a plot against the city of Florence and the Auditore family. Ezio brought the incriminating documents to Alberti and was assured that his family would be released the following day when the information was presented as evidence of their innocence.[1] Ezio then traveled to the home of Christina Vespucci, where he spent the night.[3]
The next day, Ezio returned to the Piazza della Signoria to find Alberti presiding over the execution of the Auditores (watched over all the while by a mysterious stranger who turned out to be Rodrigo Borgia who had been present with Alberti the previous night). Giovanni claimed his innocence, citing the information given to Alberti as evidence. But Alberti denied any knowledge of such information. Ezio shouted that Alberti was indeed lying, but his efforts to prevent the execution were ultimately in vain, and he could only watch helplessly as his father and brothers were hanged. When he attempted to charge the scaffold to avenge his kinsmen, Alberti ordered the city guards to murder him. At the urging of one of Giovanni's friends, a thief, Ezio fled the Piazza della Signoria and sought shelter in a brothel, run by the sister of the Auditore housemaid, a courtesan named Paola.[1]
Heritage
Exacting revenge
- "The Auditore are not dead! I'm still here! Me! Ezio! Ezio Auditore!"
- ―Ezio Auditore, 1476.[src]
Paola, who unbeknownst to Ezio was an Assassin herself, agreed to assist Ezio in his quest for vengeance, teaching him how to survive in the city as an outlaw through pickpocketing and blending in crowds. She further directed Ezio to Leonardo da Vinci to repair the Hidden Blade of the late Giovanni Auditore, but did not notice that Ezio was being watched. At Leonardo's workshop, a guard banged on the door, ordered Leonardo outside, and tried to beat Ezio's location from him. Ezio realized something was wrong and crept up behind the guard, stabbing him from behind.
Ezio furiously stabbing Uberto Alberti.
After Leonardo had thanked him, Ezio sought out and assassinated Alberti in the courtyard of the Basilica of Santa Croce, who was attending Verrochio's latest exhibit. After making his way inside the courtyard, he attacked Alberti in a frenzied rage, stabbing him multiple times in the chest, before proudly proclaiming the survival of the Auditore family through him to everyone present, marking Alberti as his first kill.[1]
Family reunion
- "Don't you recognize me? It's a-me, Mario!"
- ―Mario Auditore greets his nephew upon his arrival at Monteriggioni.[src]
Now the most wanted man in Florence, Ezio fled the city with his mother and sister in the hopes of making their way to Spain, stopping beforehand at the Auditore family's villa in the town of Monteriggioni for shelter. During their travel to Monteriggioni, the three were accosted by Vieri de' Pazzi and his followers, but were saved by the timely arrival of Ezio's uncle, Mario Auditore, and his mercenaries. Mario informed Ezio of the existence of the Assassins, in an obvious attempt to induct him into the Order, revealing that many of his ancestors, including Giovanni, were part of it. However, Ezio refused his ancestry, wishing only to continue his journey to Spain to ensure his mother and sister's safety. Enraged, Mario left Monteriggioni for the city of San Gimignano, where Vieri de' Pazzi had been located, in the attempt to relieve Monteriggioni of continual assaults by his minions. Guilt-ridden and knowing his presence was a primary reason for the ongoing attacks, Ezio traveled to San Gimignano to accept Mario's offer.[1]
When Ezio arrived outside the city, he joined Mario and his mercenaries in their assault, waiting until nightfall to make their way to Vieri de' Pazzi by killing guards patrolling near the city gates. After witnessing a brief meeting between Rodrigo Borgia, Jacopo de' Pazzi, Francesco de' Pazzi and Vieri, Ezio made for his foe; while Mario and his mercenaries kept Vieri's thugs distracted, Ezio challenged and fought Vieri for the last time, eventually overpowering and killing him after a brief duel. Ezio tried to extract a confession from his old enemy, but to no avail as Vieri chose to be snide even to the very end. Infuriated by this, Ezio flew into a rage and insulted Vieri's corpse, continuing until his uncle calmed him down, and reminded him of a tradition of the Assassins: showing respect to those they have killed.[1]
Business with the Pazzi
- "I've been sent from Firenze by Il Magnifico to attend to some unfinished business; I'm looking for Jacopo de' Pazzi."
- ―Ezio, upon returning from Florence after dealing with Francesco de' Pazzi.[src]
Ezio and Francesco
Following Vieri's death, Ezio returned to Florence in 1478 to gather information from La Volpe and prevent the planned Pazzi takeover, as well as the deaths of Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano. Arriving too late to save Guilano, Ezio managed to prevent the death of Lorenzo, the ruler of Florence, and restored his family's good name. However, the Pazzi had already succeeded in their plan and brought the city into a state of civil war. After escorting Lorenzo to safety at his palazzo, Ezio learned from Lorenzo's lieutenant Poliziano the location of Francesco de' Pazzi at the Piazza della Signoria. As Pazzi and Medici troops battled in the streets below them, Ezio chased down and slew Francesco, although Jacopo de' Pazzi and several other conspirators were able to escape the city. Shortly afterwards, the Medici publicly cleared the name of the Auditore family and provided Ezio with the names of the conspirators who had escaped.[1]
Learning that the Pazzi conspirators had fled to San Gimignano, Ezio tracked down and killed Antonio Maffei, Stefano da Bagnone, Bernardo Baroncelli and Francesco Salviati, extracting from each man information on Jacopo de' Pazzi's hiding place. Using the information, Ezio located his quarry and tracked Jacopo to an ancient Roman theatre. Once there, Ezio eavesdropped on a meeting between Jacopo, Rodrigo Borgia and a Venetian merchant, Emilio Barbarigo. After fatally wounding Jacopo for his failure to capture Florence, Borgia revealed that he was aware of Ezio's presence. While Borgia and Emilio fled, Ezio was apprehended by Borgia's bodyguards, but he overpowered and killed them, before swiftly putting the dying Jacopo out of his misery.[1]
Journey in Venice
- Carlo: "Your little house of cards is crumbling, Emilio..."
- Emilio: "A minor setback, it will be dealt with. This povero scemo (poor fool) Antonio and his thieves..."
- Carlo: "Never mind that! It's the assassin you should be worried about!"
- Emilio: "Why? Is...is he in Venezia?"
- —Carlo Grimaldi and Emilio Barbarigo discuss Ezio minutes before the latter's assassination[src]
With the Pazzi conspiracy ended, Ezio returned to Lorenzo in 1480 and declared his success. Before leaving the city for Venice, Ezio was granted a gift; a Medici cape, that would keep the city guards' attention from him. Ezio then made his way to Leonardo's workshop, only to find that he had just left for Venice himself. Meeting with Leonardo in the Appennine Mountains, Ezio accompanied him to the city of Forlì, narrowly avoiding the Templar soldiers sent after them by Rodrigo Borgia.[1]
Ezio, carrying Rosa to safety.
Eventually arriving in Forlì, one year later, the two made their way to the city docks, where Ezio was refused passage without a pass. It was at this moment that the two heard the screams of a noble lady stranded in the city's wetlands. Ezio swiftly hastened to her rescue and was able to row the woman ashore. The lady introduced herself as Caterina Sforza and coerced the dockman into granting Ezio passage to Venice. Once in Venice, Ezio and Leonardo were given a brief tour of the city by Alvise before Ezio began to seek a way into the Palazzo of Emilio Barbarigo, although this effort proved to be in vain. Suddenly pushed aside, Ezio watched as a gang of thieves attempted and failed to breach the Palazzo, leading Ezio to subsequently aid the thief Rosa, who had been shot through the leg with an arrow. After successfully escaping the city guards, Ezio was introduced to the leader of the Venetian thieves guild, Antonio, and together, they concocted a new plot to kill Emilio Barbarigo and liberate the merchant district.[1]
The plot, taking place during 4 years, was successful and gave Ezio the name of another Templar conspirator – Carlo Grimaldi. A government official and member of the Council of Ten, Carlo was close to Giovanni Mocenigo, the Doge of Venice and hoped to turn him to the Templar cause. Overhearing another meeting between Borgia and Carlo, Ezio uncovered a plot to poison the Doge and replace him with Marco Barbarigo. Returning to Antonio, he sought to find a way into the Palazzo Ducale. The pair searched the front gates, the rear walls and even passing over the Basilica di San Marco; but they were hampered at every turn. Returning to the piazza below, an enraged Antonio remarked that only birds might get into the Doge's palace, reminding Ezio of Leonardo's flying machine, which he had seen on the way to Forlì. After a somewhat unsuccessful test flight, Leonardo came up with a way to ensure that Ezio reached his destination.[1]
Ezio assassinates Carlo Grimaldi.
After removing the city guards at four separate locations, Antonio's thieves proceeded to light massive bonfires throughout the city, giving Ezio the lift Leonardo's flying machine needed to make it to the Palazzo Ducale. The plan worked, and Ezio breached the Palazzo Ducale, although he was too late to save the Doge. Carlo fled the scene, crying out that Ezio had assassinated the Doge, only to meet his own end at Ezio's hands moments later. However, Ezio was now the most wanted man in Venice and was forced to flee the city guards.
Returning to Leonardo's workshop for help in 1486, Ezio was directed to Sister Teodora's brothel, where Antonio was hiding. Under the cover of Carnevale, Ezio made his way to the brothel and began planning the death of Marco Barbarigo, competing in the four games of the Carnevale to win the golden mask that would gain him entrance to Marco's private party. Ezio was successful but found that Marco's cousin, Silvio Barbarigo and Marco's personal slave-bodyguard, Dante Moro intimidated and bribed the judges into denying him his prize. However, Ezio was successful in regaining the mask from Moro and managed to infiltrate the Doge's personal party and assassinate Marco with an ingenious new weapon, leaving the door open for Agostino, a Barbarigo not involved with the Templars, and an ally of Antonio's, to legitimately become Doge.[1]
With his quest nearly at an end, Ezio tracked down Silvio Barbarigo and Dante Moro, who had occupied the Arsenal with an army of mercenaries. Needing a force of his own, Ezio was directed to find the mercenary leader, Bartolomeo d'Alviano, only to find Silvio's thugs had attacked Bartolomeo's headquarters and captured him and a number of his soldiers. Ezio swiftly located and liberated Bartolomeo and his soldiers; once he learned of Ezio's purpose, the mercenary captain was more than willing to assist in Silvio's destruction. Having tracked the Templars down to the city's Arsenal, Ezio managed to storm the building with the help of Bartolomeo and his men, and killed Dante Moro and Silvio Barbarigo in the ensuing battle. However, he was astonished to learn that the plot to remove the Doge was merely a distraction, so that the Templars could move their vessel to Cyprus, although the reasons for this were unknown to Ezio.[1]
Induction into the Order
The Spaniard and the Apple
- "It's been over ten years since I watched my father and brothers die. Ten years hunting the men responsible. I'm close to the end now, but no closer to knowing what any of it was for!"
- ―Ezio discusses his life as an Assassin
Ezio, receiving the Assassin's mark.
Two more years passed before word of the Templar vessel reached Ezio once again on his twenty ninth birthday,[4] when Rosa brought him a shipping manifest detailing the return of the ship that very day. Sneaking into the Arsenal, Ezio watched as a Templar soldier carrying a Piece of Eden disembarked from the ship and made his way to a Templar base in the city. Following the soldier, Ezio assassinated and impersonated the guard, carrying the Piece of Eden to a meeting with Rodrigo Borgia himself. Finally able to confront the man ultimately responsible for the deaths of his father and brothers, Ezio criticized the Templar Grand Master for the non-appearance of the supposed "prophet" detailed in the Codex prophecy. Borgia responded, proudly naming himself the prophet before engaging Ezio in battle. The battle was short, and Ezio easily bested the Templar. On the backfoot, Borgia called upon the city guards and taunted the Assassin, saying that "his people" had failed to show up.[1]
At this very moment Mario Auditore, Antonio, Paola, Teodora, La Volpe and Bartolomeo d'Alviano appeared, driving off Borgia and revealing themselves to Ezio as Assassins. With the arrival of Niccolò Machiavelli, it was revealed to Ezio that he was in fact the supposed "prophet", and that for the past decade they had all worked together to induct Ezio into the Assassins Order. That night, they all met again and Ezio was formally inducted into the Order.[1]
Time in the Wetlands
- "Muori col tuo orgoglio, per quanto vale... Requiescat in pace.
(Die with your pride, for what it's worth... Rest in peace.)" - ―Ezio Auditore to Ludovico Orsi[src]
Shortly after his induction, Ezio met with Mario and Niccolò, and travelled to Leonardo da Vinci's studio, hoping he could shed some light upon the strange artifact Borgia had dubbed "the Apple". Leonardo examined the unique device, commenting that the metal it was made of should not exist, and that its design was highly advanced despite its age. Briefly touching the Apple, Ezio accidentally activated the device, which started to glow and show strange holographic images. De-activating the device, Niccolò announced that he had arranged for the Piece of Eden to be held in the Rocca di Ravaldino, protected by an ally of the Assassin's, Caterina Sforza. Niccolò and Ezio met with Caterina in Romagna, just outside the city of Forlì. After briefly discussing the Apple, the three made their way back to the city, only to find that it had been invaded by the Orsi brothers: Checco and Ludovico.[5]
As the group fought its way to the city's locked gates, Ezio managed to find another way inside and opened the gates, allowing them to continue their way to the Citadel. Reaching the Rocca di Ravaldino, they found out that two of Caterina’s children, Ottaviano and Bianca, were in the hands of the Orsi brothers, who had recently arrived and begun attacking the Citadel. Repelling the attack, Ezio left the Apple in Caterina's hands, before going to rescue her two children.[5]
Ezio briefly glimpses Savonarola, before passing out.
Making his way into Romagna, Ezio overpowered the guard detail assigned to imprison Bianca, who directed Ezio to her brother Ottaviano. As Bianca fled back to the city, Ezio made his way the the lighthouse upon which Ottaviano was being held by Ludovico himself. Climbing the tower, Ezio dispatched Ludovico and freed Ottaviano, though not before learning that the kidnapping was a distraction, which had allowed the brothers to steal the Apple. Ezio swiftly tracked down and killed Checco Orsi and his remaining men. Retrieving the Apple, Ezio failed to notice that Checco had stabbed him in the abdomen. Injured, Ezio collapsed to the floor, the Apple rolling from his hand. Before losing consciousness Ezio saw a monk with a missing finger pick up the Apple and walk away, despite Ezio's warnings against doing so.[5]
Caterina’s guards later found Ezio next to Checco’s corpse and returned him to Forlì, where Caterina nursed him back to health. Returned to his senses, Ezio, now bearded, hurriedly explained to Caterina that the Apple had been stolen from him by a man in black. She recognized him for a monk and told Ezio to search for the monk at the church outside the city walls. There was no sign of the monk, but Ezio met with Brother O’Callahan, who told him to continue his search at San Vincenzo, in central Forlì. An abbot there identified Ezio as Stefano de Bagnone's killer and ran away, but was intercepted, and, once convinced he was not about to die, gave Ezio the name of the nine fingered monk: Girolamo Savonarola.[5][3]
Journey in Spain
- "My thirst for vengeance is strong, but my responsibility to the Assassins is stronger still."
- ―Ezio Auditore, 1491[src]
While trying to locate Savonarola, Ezio was told by a Thief to meet Antonio at the Thieves' Guild in Venice. Upon arriving there, Ezio found Antonio accompanied by another man, Luis Santangel. Luis was looking for a good "killer" who could oversee a meeting involving Luis' friend Christoffa Corombo, but Ezio expressed no interest. However, when he heard that Rodrigo Borgia was also involved in the meeting, he rushed to Christoffa's location, finding out that it was a trap. However, he managed to save Christoffa, who explained that Rodrigo was interested in his plans to sail west. Soon afterwards, Ezio met with Antonio again, who told him to go see both Luis and Christoffa in the gardens district.[6]
Ezio locked in combat with a guard during his time in Spain.
They then told him that the Templars were in possession of Christoffa's atlas, which featured the journey's route. Ezio quickly recovered the atlas and brought it back to Christoffa and Luis. Luis informed Ezio of the presence of Spanish Assassins, who were held captive by the Spanish Inquisitor General, Tomas Torquemada. Thinking it his mission to rescue them, Ezio temporarily diverged from his goal to reclaim the Apple of Eden and set out to Spain, but not before Antonio gave him the names of two of his contacts.[6]
After arriving in Spain and briefly losing his sword to a thief, Ezio went on to look for one of the contacts. When he arrived at the location, he met a man who called himself Raphael Sanchez and soon after revealed himself to be an Assassin. He informed Ezio of the location of the first captured Assassin, and Ezio rushed to save him. Right before the Assassin could be burned by the Inquisitors, Ezio killed all the guards and freed him. After Ezio's return, Raphael revealed that it was Gaspar Martinez who was ordered to capture the Assassins by Torquemada. Ezio located Gaspar and found him, Torquemada and a guard surrounding a captured Assassin.[6]
Torquemada revealed to the captured Assassin, and indirectly to Ezio, that Rodrigo Borgia had ordered him to capture Assassins in Spain, because they were "non-believers" (in the Catholic religion). After the guard killed the Assassin, the group disbanded and Gaspar was left unguarded. Ezio then met with him and asked him what he knew of the Templars, but Gaspar feigned ignorance and said that they "went away two centuries ago." He fell silently to Ezio's blade, and Ezio acquired a list of six other Assassins' names.
After freeing the first man on the list, Ezio took him back to Raphael, informing the latter of the existence of the list. However, all the remaining Assassins were located in Zaragoza.
Ezio with Luis, Raphael, and Christoffa.
Once in Zaragoza, Raphael told Ezio to find the Inquisition's Calficador, Pedro Llorente, whose tribunal met at the far side of town. Arriving there, Ezio found that Torquemada was also present. One of the Assassins was being tried, and after he refused to convert and confess, was killed. Ezio eavesdropped on the ensuing conversation and found out that Torquemada was under orders from Rodrigo Borgia to arrest the Assassins. He hurried to locate the remaining five Assassins. Four of them where held captive inside some catacombs. The last was held inside a church. After securing their safety, Ezio killed Pedro Llorente. Returning to Raphael, he requested to return to Italy. However, Raphael still needed some help against the Inquisitors in Granada. Ezio complied, helping to assassinate a Templar spy in the city and discovering along the way that Luis Santangel was also an Assassin.[6]
Once again he excused himself to return to Italy, but disturbed again by the Templars. He is forced again to fight off the Templars to defend Luis, and informed that Raphael has been captured. Ezio fights to rescue Raphael, then finally infiltrate Torquemada's fortress. Torquemada escapes, but Ezio still have duties for the Piece of Eden and decide not to pursue him, Ezio excuses to finally return to Italy and Telling Luis and Raphael to tell him when Christoffa returns from his journey to find the "New World."[6]
The Bonfire of the Vanities
Ezio about to knock the Apple of Eden out of Savonarola's hand.
- "There is no book or teacher to give you the answers, to show you the way. Choose your own way! Do not follow me, or anyone else."
- ―Ezio after Savanarola's death[src]
After Lorenzo de’ Medici's death, Savonarola was able to easily take control over Florence with the Apple of Eden at his command. He taught the population of Florence that personal property and knowledge made the difference between the rich and the poor. Therefore, he burned everything related to the Renaissance in the Bonfire of the Vanities.[7]
Ezio and Niccolò Machiavelli wanted to put a stop to Savonarola's rule with the aid of their two comrades in the city, Paola and La Volpe. Ezio began eliminating the monk's brainwashed followers while Niccolò, Paola, and Volpe organized a riot in the city. Soon after Ezio killed Savonarola's followers, the rioters formed an angry mob and went to the Palazzo Pitti, where Savonarola resided, demanding an end to the bonfires. Savanarola tried to use the Apple to quell the riot, but before he could, Ezio threw a knife at him, knocking the Apple out of his hand. In the ensuing chaos, the Apple was picked up by a guard in service to the Borgia (the Templars had also been trying, without success, to recover the Apple from Savonarola). Ezio followed him, killed him and recovered the Apple. Savonarola was then sentenced to be executed in the same way he had dealt with the city's knowledge: burned at the stake on the Piazza della Signoria. However, Ezio decided that no one should have to die in such agony.
Ezio assassinating Savonarola before he can be burned.
The Assassin leapt onto the execution platform and put Savonarola out of his misery. He then looked at the stunned mob and gave a speech to them, urging them to follow their own path and rely on their own thoughts, not what they were told by the ones in power. He then left with Mario, Niccolò, Paola and La Volpe, ready to uncover the answers hidden within the Apple.[7]
Dealing with the Borgia
Trip to the Vatican
- "I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much. Requiescat in pace, you bastard!"
- ―Ezio to Rodrigo Borgia during his first assassination attempt[src]
The following year, in 1499, the Assassins came together once more at the Villa Auditore, with the Piece of Eden and the completed Codex in hand. Using the two objects, they discovered the location of the Vault to be in Rome, specifically, beneath the Vatican. Unfortunately, Rodrigo Borgia had become Pope in 1492, although Mario believed he had only done so to gain access to the Papal Staff, another of the Pieces of Eden. Undeterred, Ezio went to assassinate Rodrigo Borgia.[1]
Ezio battles his way to the Sistine Chapel.
Fighting his way along the entire length of the Passetto di Borgo, Ezio snuck into the Sistine Chapel and struck at Borgia from above. As he was about to deal the killing blow, Borgia surprised him by using the Staff to blast him away and drain the energy of those in the room. Since Ezio held the Apple, he was immune to the Staff's effects, and the two engaged in a duel. Ezio repeated history by using the same technique Al Mualim utilized in his duel against Altaïr in 1191, by creating multiple illusions of himself with the Apple. Ezio seemingly bested Borgia, but the Pope overcame him. Borgia took the Apple, stabbed Ezio in the abdomen and left him to die before fleeing into the Vault. Outside the Vault, Ezio watched as Borgia tried in vain to open it. Laying down his arms, Ezio challenged and defeated Borgia in a fist fight, obtaining possession of both the Apple and the Staff, but refusing to take Borgia’s life, having realized the futility of revenge.[1]
- "Killing you won't bring my family back...I'm done."
- ―Ezio spares Rodrigo's life[src]
Entering the Vault, Ezio stood in shock as he was confronted by a hologram of an individual naming herself "Minerva" and claiming to be one of "Those Who Came Before". Ezio was further confounded when the hologram sought to speak to an unseen figure named Desmond Miles, before disappearing abruptly, leaving Ezio with many unanswered questions.[1]
Spoiler warning:
Plot details for Assassin's Creed Brotherhood follow. Click [show] to view. |
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Siege of Monteriggioni  Ezio destroying a siege tower. Following his experience in the Vault, Ezio returned to Monteriggioni. However he soon learned that the Templar threat had diminished little when Cesare Borgia, the son of Rodrigo and a high ranked Templar laid siege to Monteriggioni. His army of soldiers, towers and cannons breached the city's gates and destroyed much of the city and Villa. Ezio, who was sleeping with Caterina Sforza at the time of the attack, was shocked when a cannonball shot through his wall and hit the centre pillar of his room. He quickly got dressed and met with Mario to discuss their options. Mario tasked Ezio with keeping the Templars from the city walls, whilst Mario himself led the evacuation of the city.[8] Ezio made his way to the city walls, and using the cannons, destroyed several of Cesare’s siege engines. Eventually however, the Templars breached the city gates, and entered, bringing a mortally wounded Mario Auditore and a captured Caterina Sforza with them. Seeing his uncle mortally wounded and lying on the ground, Ezio ran on the rooftops trying to reach Mario before Cesare could kill him. Standing at the city gates, the Apple of Eden in his hand, Cesare 'invited' Ezio to come to Rome with a shot of his firearm; the shot killed Mario. The Apple in hand, Cesare returned to Rome whilst Ezio, who had been shot by a Borgia arquebusiers atop the city walls, blacked out and fell off the building he was observing the situation from.[8] Upon regaining consciousness, Ezio travelled to Rome to avenge Mario's murder at the hands of Cesare. War in RomeIn 1499, with no headquarters, and the assassins in disarray, Ezio arrived in Rome, where he found the city in ruins and disrepair under the Borgia. Basing himself on Tiber Island, in the centre of the city, Ezio rebuilt the complex, and began his mission to rid the city of Cesare and his father.[9] |
Personality and characteristics
A young Ezio gets approached by a Florentine guard after protesting at his father’s and brothers’ execution.
Ezio was raised as a young Florentine nobleman, living during the 15th and 16th Century. Unlike his ancestor Altaïr, he was brought up without knowing of the Assassins' existence, or of his heritage. A seducer of women and a playful man, Ezio possessed acrobatic skills far beyond those of his peers, save for his brother. He came from an affluent background and had many friends until the deaths of his father and brothers drove him out of Florence. Forced to protect his mother and sister, Ezio became an Assassin, exacting revenge on the conspirators who had betrayed his family and plotted to seize both Florence and Venice.[1]
Initially, Ezio allowed his emotions to get the best of him, going so far as to disrespect the corpse of Vieri de' Pazzi just after his death. However, Ezio did manage to gain control of his anger, and by the time he had become a Master Assassin, could control it almost completely.[1]
Equipment and skills
Ezio Auditore, 1503.
- "Despite its age, its construction is rather advanced."
- ―Leonardo da Vinci, on Ezio's hidden blade.[src]
Ezio Auditore da Firenze was a highly skilled Assassin and a leader amongst the Order. A master of multiple skills, including pick-pocketing, blending, armed and unarmed combat, stealth and public assassination techniques, free-running and long-distance combat, he was able to use a variety of weapons including two hidden blades, the longsword, throwing knives and more. Born with the ability to use Eagle Vision, Ezio could instinctively differentiate friend from foe. After talking to his captive father, he would later inherit his father's Assassins robe, along with armor he would purchase throughout his life.[1]
An explorer, throughout his quests, Ezio scoured the cities he visited in search of Codex pages and seals from the six assassins tombs spread across northern Italy. The Codex pages allowed Leonardo di Vinci to upgrade his weaponry, including the addition of a wheel lock firearm and poison needle concealed beneath his left hidden blade.[1]
By collecting the six tomb seals, Ezio gained access to the armor created by his ancestor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad which may have later been lost during the Siege of Monteriggioni. He also collected capes that helped him stay incognito. The only exception to this was the cape bearing the Auditore family crest, which made him easily recognizable, due to his family's history.[1]
In 1499, during the Siege of Monteriggioni, Ezio lost most of his equipment, keeping only one of his Hidden Blades. He would later replace it with two new Hidden Blades, each with the Hidden Gun and Poison Blade.
In 1503, when Ezio started the Brotherhood of Assassins, he wore a uniform that resembled a combination of his own when he just started to become an assassin and Altaïr's uniform as an assassin. The robes coming with Altaïr's armor were black, while this one was the usual Assassin white. It was also longer in comparison to his old outfit. It still bore the Assassin seal on his belt, with a white cape hanging from the left side of his shoulder.
Romantic life
Ezio and Cristina kissing in her room.
Ezio was known for his good looks, flirtatious nature and predisposition for womanizing.[2][3][1] Despite the latter part of his life being centered around his hunt for Rodrigo Borgia, Ezio still managed to find the time to share multiple romantic relationships with a number of different women.[3]
By 1476, Ezio had had many encounters with various unnamed Florentine girls and courtesans before the execution of his family; insulting Vieri de' Pazzi by suggesting that his sister seemed "quite satisfied with the handling he gave her earlier." That year, Ezio was in a permanent relationship of sorts with Cristina Vespucci, against the wishes of her father. Following his street brawl with Vieri de' Pazzi on the Ponte Vecchio, Ezio visited Cristina during the night, despite his brother's request otherwise; he was chased out by her father the next morning, and subsequently had to flee the city guards.[1] Two years later, when Ezio returned to Florence, Cristina was married to one of her suitors, Manfredo d'Arzenta, though she admitted to still loving Ezio.[3] Ten years later, when Cristina and Manfredo travelled to Venice for carnevale, Ezio, posing as her husband, wrote to her asking her to come to the Rio Terra degli Ogniscanti; Cristina complied. As both wore carnevale masks, she did not recognise him until he kissed her. She then took off his mask and asked him how he dared kiss her like that, telling him she never wanted to see him again. When Ezio tried to understand, she explained that if he really loved her, he wouldn't simply have let Manfredo marry her. Ezio was deeply hurt upon learning of Cristina's death at the hands of Girolamo Savonarola's men, during the Bonfire of the Vanities.[3]
Before meeting with Cristina during Carnevale, whilst trying to find a way to Venice, Ezio accompanied his friend, Leonardo da Vinci, to Forlì. He was initially refused passage aboard the ship to Venice, but his fortunes changed after encountering Caterina Sforza, who had become stranded on a small island with no means of escape. Ezio rescued her, and she repaid the favor by granting him passage to Venice. She also told him that the next time he returned to Forli, it would "be her pleasure" to entertain him. Moments later, after Ezio revealed to his close friend that Sforza was a future conquest and his type of woman, Leonardo informed Ezio of the ladies' identity, and that she was married to the Count of the city.[1]
Ezio and Catherina Sforza together in bed.
Also, at some point during his time in Forlì, Ezio encountered a girl named Amelia. During this encounter, Amelia and two of her friends were discussing whether anyone could beat their record in a horseback riding race. Ezio took on the challenge, in return for an intimate encounter with Amelia should he prove successful.[1]
When Ezio arrived in Venice for the first time, an unknown young woman unsuccessfully attempted to pickpocket him. Later the same day, Ezio witnessed the woman and a group of thieves attempting to scale the Palazzo della Seta. The attempt ended in failure, and the girl was shot in the leg by an archer. Ezio intervened, defending her from Emilio Barbarigo's thugs. Upon helping her to get to safety, he learned that her name was Rosa, and that she was a member of the city's Thieves Guild. At first, Rosa's attitude towards Ezio was very aggressive and unfriendly, but after he saved her, she became much more amiable.[1]
While trying to acquire the Golden Mask, Ezio was seen flirting with many of Sister Teodora's Courtesans. After the Carnevale challenges, when Ezio goes up to accept the Golden Mask as his prize for victory, he was accompanied by a Courtesan. After assassinating Marco Barbarigo and seeking sanctuary in the brothel, Ezio was known to have flirted with Sister Teodora, who invited several of her girls to "comfort" Ezio.[1]
In 1499, Ezio was seen sleeping with Caterina Sforza in the Villa Auditore before it was besieged by Cesare Borgia and his army. Caterina was taken hostage by Cesare, his sister, and his generals. Within moments of her capture, she witnessed the death of Mario Auditore at the hands of Cesare.[9]
Trivia
- Ezio is 40 years old in 1499 (15 years older than Altaïr was in 1191); the same age as his father, Giovanni Auditore, when he was executed in 1476.
- Ezio is, thus far, the only character whose physical appearance undergoes observable changes over the 23-year period of the game. Others (like Altaïr and Desmond) mostly stay the same.
- With the camera at a certain angle, the evidence of Ezio's aging becomes apparent. By the time he turns 40, he grows a beard and develops wrinkles in his forehead. His voice also matures over time, making him sound calmer and talk more slowly. He also loses his tan, which is likely due to him hiding in the shadows for the majority of his life.
- However, by the time of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood other characters, such as Mario Auditore and Leonardo da Vinci have shown signs of aging as well.
- Just like Altaïr and Desmond, Ezio has a scar on his mouth. It was acquired after the mission "Boys Will Be Boys" during Sequence 1, when Vieri de' Pazzi throws a rock at his face.
- The Animus database only details his life before he became an Assassin, holding no information on his life within the Order.
- Both Ezio and Altaïr have similar name meanings and origins. Altaïr means "the flying one," while Ezio means "eagle." Altaïr also comes from the name of the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (which also translates to "eagle").
- Ezio's robes in Brotherhood more closely resembles Altaïr's in color and design. At this point, the bracers of his father's hidden blade have also been replaced.
- Ezio's outfit can be unlocked in Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, via Uplay for 30 points.
- A Sackboy version of Ezio's outfit can be purchased for LittleBigPlanet via the PlayStation Store.
- In Playstation Home, Ezio's Assassin robe from Assassin's Creed II was a limited edition outfit and could be bought; but it is currently unavailable.
- In the first memory of The Bonfire of Vanities (Sequence 13), a group of women can be heard talking about an Assassin (Ezio), on the bridge where Machiavelli is waiting, and reveal that the stories of Ezio's assassinations in Firenze reached a mythic status.
- Ezio has been seriously injured in battle three times. The first is when Checco Orsi stabbed Ezio in the right side of his lower abdomen during the small cutscene. The second is when Rodrigo Borgia stabbed Ezio in the left side of his lower abdomen. The third is when Ezio was shot in the left shoulder at the siege of Monteriggioni by arquebusiers.
- Ezio's title was slightly misspelled in Assassin's Creed II: Discovery. In the game, his biography lists him as "Ezio Auditore de Firenze" instead of "Ezio Auditore da Firenze."
- If examined carefully, the player will recognize the difference in free-running between Ezio and Altaïr. In Assassin's Creed II, Ezio's legs move in a different motion and style than Altaïr. When switching to the Altaïr costume through the costume menu, free-running in the Altaïr costume will make Ezio run just like Altaïr from the first game.
- If the player chooses to play Sequence 13 before Sequence 12, by clearing the DLC cache, Ezio's beard will disappear until the player kills Checco Orsi.
- Though taking place after the Battle of Forli, in Assassin's Creed: Discovery, Ezio is depicted without a beard.
Gallery
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 Assassin's Creed II
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Lineage
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Assassin's Creed: Renaissance
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSagHiz6Ujo&feature=related
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Assassin's Creed II: Battle of Forlì
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Assassin's Creed II: Discovery
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed II: Bonfire of the Vanities
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - E3 gameplay demo
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
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