Changes: Vigilante

Revision as of 05:06, 31 October 2018

"You do realize the Assassin will gut you in the very near future? Well, those of you he doesn't drain, castrate, behead, or drop from high places, that is!"

―A vigilante taunting a guard.^[src]

AC Altair Vigilantes — Altaïr with a group of vigilantes in Damascus

Vigilantes are individuals acting to protect civilians without legal authority. These deeds may be in the capacity of law enforcement, helping to apprehend criminals without the supervision of police.

Historically, vigilantes have also opposed the interests of authorities they deemed oppressive. From the Third Crusade to the Renaissance to the American Revolution, local vigilantes assisted the Assassins, obstructing guards that pursued them. In many cases, their support for the Assassins stemmed from gratitude for the Brotherhood's meritorious deeds, such as rescuing their friends and families or liberating a district of Rome from the House of Borgia.

History

Third Crusade

During the Third Crusade, vigilante groups in the cities of Damascus, Acre, and Jerusalem usually comprised men who opposed the local governance of their cities. They were those individuals who openly stood up to guards or whose friends and relatives found themselves in trouble with the authorities. As such, their interests tended to align with the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins. Assassins such as Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad frequently went out of their way to rescue civilians harassed by guards, and in gratitude, these citizens' families and friends would pledge to protect him in turn at their own peril.^[1]

Although they were always unarmed, these vigilantes never hesitated to impede the pursuit of guards by intercepting them and holding them back by the arms. This allowed an Assassin such as Altaïr to either make his escape, dispose of his pursuers, or assassinate his target. The vigilantes' assistance was not restricted to only the Assassins though; in 1191, vigilantes at the southeast entrance of the Souk Al-Silaah in Damascus aided the escape of a thief who stole from a merchant. Because they gathered at regular spots, Altaïr discovered by eavesdropping on this thief that this specific group of vigilantes could serve as a means of escape after his assassination of the Templar black arms dealer Tamir at the souk.^[1]

Vigilantes during this period typically donned uniform attire. In Acre, this would usually consist of ragged brown coats, caps, and pants whereas vigilantes in Damascus and Jerusalem wore plain, black tunics.^[1]

Renaissance

ACB Rome Vigilantes — A group of vigilantes in Rome

Vigilantism persisted as a societal phenomenon into the Renaissance period in Italy. From 1500 to 1503, during the Italian Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze's campaign to dismantle Borgia control of Rome, much of the common people came to support his movement. Those who were not recruited into the Assassin Brotherhood as apprentices sometimes undertook vigilantism to assist the Assassins. In each district, Ezio's destruction of the Borgia Tower would inspire small groups of vigilantes to begin openly gathering in the streets, hurling insults at nearby guards and standing ready to aid Ezio at any time.^[2]

Their aid was indistinct from that of their predecessors in the Third Crusade; they took it upon themselves to intercept any nearby guard pursuing an Assassin, grabbing them by their arms to hinder their movements. Aside from directly assaulting the guards, they would also hide Ezio from them.^[2]

TAG 8 — Ottoman Vigilantes near the Arsenal

In 1511, when Ezio stirred a riot at the Harbor of Theodosius in Constantinople, several vigilantes participated in the fight against the Janissaries. Though many were unarmed and other wields only pitch forks, they risked their lives to protest injustices of the regime. Once the rioters had broken through the gate and into the Arsenal itself, vigilantes continued the battle against the Janissaries and elite soldiers inside.^[3]

Colonial America

AC3 Vigilantes — Haytham by a group of vigilantes in Boston

During the American Revolutionary War, vigilantes lent their assistance to the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, better known as Connor. Vigilantism by this period had remained largely unchanged throughout the centuries; vigilantes continued to impede pursuers of the Assassins whenever the chase passed before them or otherwise they would hide Connor from his enemies. As with their Roman counterparts in the Renaissance, they became more prevalent as the Assassins eroded Templar influence in the colonies, giving them the freedom to congregate. While vulnerable to dispersal under force by soldiers, they would most often not hesitate to return to the same area once conflict had ended.^[4]

Along with ordinary vigilantes, rioters were also widely prevalent in Boston and New York City during this period, fanning the flames of the American Revolution by stirring up crowds of civilians. Their commotions were a distraction for British soldiers and allowed Connor to slip by without notice. In other cases, in the absence of an active riot, Connor would even command his apprentice Stephane Chapheau to spark one himself if a diversion was needed.^[4]

Stephane's penchant for riots was first witnessed by Connor on 6 December 1773 when the Frenchman fought back against British tax collectors and then went on a rampage through the streets murdering British soldiers on sight. That day, after he ended his killing spree by killing a henchman of the Templar William Johnson—though he believed him to be a mere taxman—he was recruited by Connor who advised him to channel his aggression through means other than wanton violence.^[4]

Rioting had a tradition in the British American colonies that dated back to at least the Boston Massacre on May 5, 1770. On that day, an angry mob that gathered before the Old State House to protest the Townshend Acts were fired upon by British soldiers in a confusion triggered by the Templar Charles Lee.^[4]

French Revolution

During the French Revolution in Paris, vigilantes were typically courageous and moderate revolutionaries, such as the Girondists, and their attires resembled that of the workers and low bourgeoisie members. Throughout the conflict, they clashed frequently with Extremists on the streets, often dragging in the National Guard.^[5]

As the moderate revolutionaries were invariably allies of the Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins, their presence in a district of Paris weighed on the hold of the Assassins over that area. The presence of these moderates, for example, steadily increased throughout the Revolution as the Assassin Arno Dorian accomplished more and more assignments for the Assassin Council, dissolving Templar control of the city. In contrast, as many Extremists were also the henchmen or pawns of the Templars, they were more widespread at the peak of Templar domination.^[5]

Trivia

A guard held by a vigilante will not be able to move or defend himself, allowing the player to easily kill or shake his pursuers.
Vigilantes can hold guards for around five seconds before the guard breaks free although it is possible for the guard to be grabbed again immediately afterward.
Any guard, regardless of health or type, can be grappled by vigilantes. Even some assassination targets are vulnerable to them.
If all of the pursuers are killed with the assistance of vigilantes, the group will disperse and cannot be used again until the area is revisited.

Assassin's Creed

Should Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad pass by a group of vigilantes when not being pursued, they will positively greet him, saying such things as "Thank you for saving my daughter," or "If you need me, I am here.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Vigilantes openly insult Borgia guards when they are near them and praise Ezio for his skills if he freeruns by them, remarking phrases like "No one can catch him! He is too good! A true inspiration!".
Very rarely, Borgia soldiers attack vigilantes who have already dispersed.
Vigilantes can occasionally be heard denouncing Cesare Borgia, saying such things like "he is the devil himself" even after the player has finished the last main sequence where Ezio kills Cesare at the Siege of Viana.

Assassin's Creed: Unity

Unlike their counterparts in previous games, vigilantes are no longer unarmed nor serve only to longer obstruct an enemy's pursuit. Instead, they directly fight them with swords and firearms and even incite conflict on their own initiative even without the player's presence.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Assassin's Creed
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 ^4.3 Assassin's Creed III
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Assassin's Creed: Unity

[AC-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Assassin's Creed

[ACBH-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

[ACR-3] Assassin's Creed: Revelations

[AC3-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 ^4.3 Assassin's Creed III

[ACU-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Assassin's Creed: Unity

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 {{Quote|You do realize the Assassin will gut you in the very near future? Well, those of you he doesn't drain, castrate, behead, or drop from high places, that is!|A vigilante taunting a guard.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
 [[File:AC Altair Vigilantes.png|thumb|250px|Altaïr with a group of vigilantes in Damascus]]
+'''Vigilantes''' are individuals acting to protect [[civilians]] without legal authority. These deeds may be in the capacity of law enforcement, helping to apprehend criminals without the supervision of [[police]].
-'''Vigilantes''' were groups of men that aided the [[Assassins]] by distracting or grabbing [[guards]] pursuing them.
+Historically, vigilantes have also opposed the interests of authorities they deemed oppressive. From the [[Third Crusade]] to the [[Renaissance]] to the [[American Revolution]], local vigilantes assisted the [[Assassins]], obstructing [[guards]] that pursued them. In many cases, their support for the Assassins stemmed from gratitude for the Brotherhood's meritorious deeds, such as [[Save Citizen|rescuing]] their friends and families or liberating a district of [[Rome]] from the [[House of Borgia]].
-They were often recruited by [[Save Citizen|saving certain citizens]], or by reclaiming a [[Rome|Roman]] district from the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]].
 ==History==
-===Middle Ages===
+===Third Crusade===
+During the Third Crusade, vigilante groups in the cities of [[Damascus]], [[Acre]], and [[Jerusalem]] usually comprised men who opposed the local governance of their cities. They were those individuals who openly stood up to guards or whose friends and relatives found themselves in trouble with the authorities. As such, their interests tended to align with the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Brotherhood]] of Assassins. Assassins such as [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] frequently went out of their way to rescue civilians harassed by guards, and in gratitude, these citizens' families and friends would pledge to protect him in turn at their own peril.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
-Vigilante groups were usually made up of the friends or family members of female [[Civilians|citizens]], who had been rescued from harassing guards by [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. The rescued citizen would often thank the Assassin, and assure him that their husband, brothers, friends or neighbors would be sure to hear of his kind deed. Subsequently, if Altaïr was being pursued by guards or chasing an assassination target, the vigilantes would grab them by the arm and prevent them from moving. This allowed the Assassin to either make his escape, dispose of his pursuers or assassinate his target.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
+Although they were always unarmed, these vigilantes never hesitated to impede the pursuit of guards by intercepting them and holding them back by the arms. This allowed an Assassin such as Altaïr to either make his escape, dispose of his pursuers, or assassinate his target. The vigilantes' assistance was not restricted to only the Assassins though; in 1191, vigilantes at the southeast entrance of the [[Souk Al-Silaah]] in Damascus aided the escape of a thief who stole from a [[merchants|merchant]]. Because they gathered at regular spots, Altaïr discovered by [[eavesdropping]] on this thief that this specific group of vigilantes could serve as a means of escape after his assassination of the [[Templars|Templar]] black arms dealer [[Tamir]] at the souk.<ref name="AC" />
-Should Altaïr pass by the group of vigilantes when not being pursued, they would greet him, and say such things as ''"Thank you for saving my daughter,"'' or ''"If you need me, I am here."''<ref name="AC"/>
+Vigilantes during this period typically donned uniform attire. In Acre, this would usually consist of ragged brown coats, caps, and pants whereas vigilantes in Damascus and Jerusalem wore plain, black tunics.<ref name="AC" />
 ===Renaissance===
 [[File:ACB Rome Vigilantes.png|thumb|left|250px|A group of vigilantes in Rome]]
-During [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]'s attempts to retake Rome, several vigilantes began to support his actions. After he destroyed [[Borgia Towers]], small groups of vigilantes would gather in the district, shouting insults at nearby guards, and ready to aid Ezio at any time.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
+Vigilantism persisted as a societal phenomenon into the Renaissance period in [[Italy]]. From 1500 to 1503, during the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassin]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]'s campaign to dismantle Borgia control of [[Rome]], much of the common people came to support his movement. Those who were not recruited into the Assassin Brotherhood as [[Assassin apprentices|apprentices]] sometimes undertook vigilantism to assist the Assassins. In each district, Ezio's destruction of the [[Borgia Towers|Borgia Tower]] would inspire small groups of vigilantes to begin openly gathering in the streets, hurling insults at nearby guards and standing ready to aid Ezio at any time.<ref name="ACBH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
+Their aid was indistinct from that of their predecessors in the Third Crusade; they took it upon themselves to intercept any nearby guard pursuing an Assassin, grabbing them by their arms to hinder their movements. Aside from directly assaulting the guards, they would also [[Blending|hide]] Ezio from them.<ref name="ACBH" />
-Aside from directly assaulting the guards, they could also [[Blending|hide]] him from them. After successfully helping Ezio against an attack, they would disperse from the area, and only gather again at a later time.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>
-Though vigilantes did not address Ezio should he walk past, they would often speak complaints against the Borgia, and praise for the Assassins.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>
 [[File:TAG 8.png|thumb|250px|Ottoman Vigilantes near the Arsenal]]
-In [[Constantinople]], when Ezio stirred a [[Riot at the Harbor of Theodosius|riot]] at the [[Harbor of Theodosius]], several vigilantes chose to fight against the [[Janissaries]]. Though unarmed, or wielding only pitch forks, many risked their lives to protest the tyranny of the guards.
+In 1511, when Ezio stirred a [[Riot at the Harbor of Theodosius|riot]] at the [[Harbor of Theodosius]] in [[Constantinople]], several vigilantes participated in the fight against the [[Janissaries]]. Though many were unarmed and other wields only pitch forks, they risked their lives to protest injustices of the regime. Once the rioters had broken through the gate and into the Arsenal itself, vigilantes continued the battle against the Janissaries and elite soldiers inside.<ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>
-Once the rioters had broken through the gate and into the Arsenal itself, Vigilantes could be seen fighting both the Elite soldiers and Janissaries inside.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>
 ===Colonial America===
 [[File:AC3 Vigilantes.png|thumb|250px|left|Haytham by a group of vigilantes in Boston]]
+During the [[American Revolutionary War]], vigilantes lent their assistance to the Assassin [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]], better known as Connor. Vigilantism by this period had remained largely unchanged throughout the centuries; vigilantes continued to impede pursuers of the Assassins whenever the chase passed before them or otherwise they would hide Connor from his enemies. As with their Roman counterparts in the Renaissance, they became more prevalent as the Assassins eroded Templar influence in the colonies, giving them the freedom to congregate. While vulnerable to dispersal under force by soldiers, they would most often not hesitate to return to the same area once conflict had ended.<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref>
-During the [[American Revolutionary War]], vigilantes would assist [[Haytham Kenway]] and [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]]. Liberating regions from the Templar influence prompted them to gather around certain areas. Like in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, they would shout insults at the nearby guards.
+Along with ordinary vigilantes, rioters were also widely prevalent in [[Boston]] and [[New York City]] during this period, fanning the flames of the [[American Revolution]] by stirring up crowds of civilians. Their commotions were a distraction for [[British Army|British soldiers]] and allowed Connor to slip by without notice. In other cases, in the absence of an active riot, Connor would even command his apprentice [[Stephane Chapheau]] to spark one himself if a diversion was needed.<ref name="AC3"/>
-The vigilantes would not only grab and stop attacking soldiers directly, but hide Haytham and Connor, by allowing them to blend with the group. If they were attacked, it would cause them to disperse, but following an attack they would quickly move back to their original area.
+Stephane's penchant for riots was first witnessed by Connor on 6 December 1773 when the Frenchman fought back against British tax collectors and then went on a rampage through the streets murdering British soldiers on sight. That day, after he ended his killing spree by killing a henchman of the Templar [[William Johnson]]—though he believed him to be a mere taxman—he was recruited by Connor who advised him to channel his aggression through means other than wanton violence.<ref name="AC3" />
-Along with ordinary vigilantes, rioters have also appeared in the cities, gathering the surrounding citizens to cause a commotion. This would distract soldiers away from certain areas and allow Connor to slip by. These rioters could also be provoked by [[Apprentices|Assassin recruits]].
+Rioting had a tradition in the British American colonies that dated back to at least the [[Boston Massacre]] on May 5, 1770. On that day, an angry mob that gathered before the [[Old State House]] to protest the [[Townshend Acts]] were fired upon by British soldiers in a confusion triggered by the Templar [[Charles Lee]].<ref name="AC3"/>
-During the [[Boston Massacre]], the rioters gathered and began shouting at the [[British Army|British soldiers]] because of their unfair treatment. This drew away all the guards' attention in the district, as most were busy with keeping order. Eventually though, the soldiers began shooting upon the civilians and killing them.
-Later, [[Stephane Chapheau]] went on a riot through [[Boston]] in his irritation at the British before he joined the Assassins. Through this, he gathered a lot of attention of British soldiers in the district, as well as provoked other civilians to riot as well.
 ===French Revolution===
-During the [[French Revolution]], citizens were often harassed by violent thugs and thieves. If protected by [[Arno Dorian]], the civilians would return the favor by fighting with Arno against police officials or extremists.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''</ref>
+During the [[French Revolution]] in [[Paris]], vigilantes were typically courageous and moderate revolutionaries, such as the [[Girondists]], and their attires resembled that of the workers and low bourgeoisie members. Throughout the conflict, they clashed frequently with [[Extremists]] on the streets, often dragging in the [[National Guard (France)|National Guard]].<ref name="ACU">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''</ref>
+As the moderate revolutionaries were invariably allies of the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins]], their presence in a district of [[Paris]] weighed on the hold of the Assassins over that area. The presence of these moderates, for example, steadily increased throughout the Revolution as the Assassin [[Arno Dorian]] accomplished more and more assignments for the [[Assassin Council]], dissolving Templar control of the city. In contrast, as many Extremists were also the henchmen or pawns of the Templars, they were more widespread at the peak of Templar domination.<ref name="ACU" />
 ==Trivia==
-*A guard held by a vigilante could not move or defend himself, allowing Altaïr or Ezio to easily kill or shake the pursuers.
+*A guard held by a vigilante will not be able to move or defend himself, allowing the player to easily kill or shake his pursuers.
-*Vigilantes could hold guards for around five seconds before the guard broke free, although it was possible for the guard to be grabbed again immediately afterward.
+*Vigilantes can hold guards for around five seconds before the guard breaks free although it is possible for the guard to be grabbed again immediately afterward.
-*Any guard, regardless of health or type, could be grappled by vigilantes. Even some assassination targets were vulnerable to them.
+*Any guard, regardless of health or type, can be grappled by vigilantes. Even some assassination targets are vulnerable to them.
-*If all of the pursuers were killed with the assistance of vigilantes, the group would disperse, and could not be used again until the area was revisited.
+*If all of the pursuers are killed with the assistance of vigilantes, the group will disperse and cannot be used again until the area is revisited.
+;''Assassin's Creed''
+*Should Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad pass by a group of vigilantes when not being pursued, they will positively greet him, saying such things as "Thank you for saving my daughter," or "If you need me, I am here.
+;''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''
+*Vigilantes openly insult Borgia guards when they are near them and praise Ezio for his skills if he freeruns by them, remarking phrases like "No one can catch him! He is too good! A true inspiration!".
+*Very rarely, Borgia soldiers attack vigilantes who have already dispersed.
+*Vigilantes can occasionally be heard denouncing [[Cesare Borgia]], saying such things like "he is the devil himself" even after the player has finished the last main sequence where Ezio kills Cesare at the [[Siege of Viana]].
+;''Assassin's Creed: Unity''
+*Unlike their counterparts in previous games, vigilantes are no longer unarmed nor serve only to longer obstruct an enemy's pursuit. Instead, they directly fight them with swords and firearms and even incite conflict on their own initiative even without the player's presence.
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
 {{AC}}
+[[ru:Дружинники]]
+[[uk:Дружинники]]
 [[Category:Civilians]]
+[[Category:Assassin-affiliated groups]]