AC: The Inquisition

[Lady Rawr]

AC: The Inquisition

Lady Rawr & Cara214

In 1442 Alfonso I conquered Naples after his victory against the last Angevin king and made his triumphal entry into the city in February 1443. The new dynasty enhanced commerce by connecting Naples to the Iberian Peninsula and made Naples a centre of the Italian Renaissance. The court also granted land holdings in the provinces to the nobility; this, however, had the effect of fragmenting the kingdom of Naples.

After the brief conquest by Charles VIII of France in 1495, the kingdom was united under Spanish rule in 1501. In 1502 Spanish general and Templar agent Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba entered the city, starting the two centuries of rule of the almost omnipotent viceré "viceroys" in Naples. The French finally abandoned their claims to the kingdom by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559.

Under the viceroys Naples grew from 100,000 to 300,000 inhabitants, second only to Paris in Europe. The most important of them was don Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, another Templar agent, he introduced heavy taxation and favoured the Inquisition, but at the same time improved the conditions of Naples. He opened the main street, paved other roads, strengthened and expanded the walls, restored old buildings, and erected new buildings and fortresses, essentially turning the city of Naples by 1560 into the largest and best fortified city in the Spanish empire.

After the death of Grandmaster Ezio Auditore da Firenze in 1524 the Assassins continued to dominate most of Europe (for almost 500years) helping to usher in a golden age despite continued attempts from the Templar Order to re-establish control.

Important locations of the city:

Palazzo Reale
The Royal Palace was the seat of Spanish and Austrian viceroys and centre of the Templar influence thought their occupation.

Porto di Napoli
The Porto di Napoli was located east of the Castel Nuovo, and had always been a centre of commerce for Naples. The porto was built in the 9th century BCE by the Greeks, and grew along with the city.

Castel dell'Ovo
The Castel dell'Ovo was a castle located on the former island of Megaride (an islet in the Bay of Naples). The castle was named after a legendary Roman poet, who was also believed to be a powerful sorcerer. Legend tells us that he placed a magical egg in the structure's foundation to support it.

Piazza di Napoli
The central marketplace and public square in Naples – home to an assortment of merchants, priests and every other member of society you would expect. This is where public speeches and executions are performed.

Portici
A sentiment not far from Naples which sits at the base of Mt Vesuvius. This is where the Assassin's are based in the south of Italy in Villa del Portici. The base itself is underground and has several large rooms as well as an underground hot-springs chamber heated by the volcano itself which is said to have many beneficial properties.

Monte Vesuvio
Monte Vesuvio was one of the most famous volcanoes in Italy, having destroyed both Pompeii and Herculaneum in its eruption in 79 CE. Ever since that catastrophe, the volcano has erupted three dozen times, and is still considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

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Name: Marco Toreli Velintino
Age: 36
Appearance: Marco was born of both Italian and Spanish parents and as such had traits associated with both nationalities. He has the dark hair of a Spaniard but the more elegant facial features associated with Italians, which is on the longer side of short, giving it the ability to cover his nose when not swept back. His eyes are one of his most intriguing features, with one a dark brown and the other a light shade of green which can often give him an unsettling appearance.
He wears the robes of an assassin with the hood raised at most times.

Personality: As most experienced assassins Marco has developed an almost stoic nature and appreciates the sound of silence. He could be considered more callous than most assassins when it comes to interaction with others, however this is simply down to his disdain for those who do not follow the creed. He considers the majority of the population as weak and in need of gentle guidance from the order so they do not descend into corruption.
He is an intelligent and refined man who enjoys more intellectual pursuits.

Bio: Born as the son of an Italian assassin Marco was raised as such. He learnt the intricacies of life as soon as he was old enough and was inducted into the order on his 16th birthday. He learnt of the history of both the Assassins and the Templars with a Focus upon the life of Ezio who his father had the pleasure of meeting once. It was through Ezio's order that Marco's father helped set up the guild in Napoli. Unfortunately though Marco's parents were both killed by Templar agents who managed to stow explosives on board the ship they were using to return after visiting his mothers family in Spain. If it were not for the fact Marco had declined to accompany them due to his dedication to the order and his desire to remain in Naples he too would have perished.

Once he had eradicated the Templars who had committed this act he returned and with the help of his uncle he was soon running the brotherhoods efforts. Since then he has been responsible for the death of many Templar agents and the current relative stability in the south of Italy.

Name: Aldo Gino
Age: 16
Appearance: Aldo is a smaller boy with dark brown hair. He wears clothes that he has worn for a while making them old and dirty.

Personality: Aldo tries to be a father to the children of the streets of Naples. He is a leader of a street rat gang and doesn't like the guards around town. He just tries to survive with his make shift family. He is strong headed and clever.

Bio: Aldo has always lived on the streets. His parents abandoned him in naples and he learned to live on the steets. He stole and pick pocketed to get money and food. He just wanted to live in peace until the templars tried to recrute him and his gang into their order. When Aldo refused they started to hunt his gang.

The year is 1552 and the city of Naples is at the point of tipping. The Templars who have backed the Catholic nation of Spain are attempting to wrest control from the Assassins and once again become the dominate power in Europe. The are using the Spanish Inquisition as a cover for eliminating all who oppose them. The current ‘Grand Inquisitor’ Manuel Dala Horzeis is a Templar agent who is travelling from his current location in Spain to Naples - through southern France and Europe. He will be performing his inquisition the entire way and many innocents will no doubtedly be killed.

The Assassin Grandmaster Marco will be preparing for the threat, ready for when the Templar does arrive.

[Lady Rawr]

As Dono Tarenti made his way quickly down the small side street he glanced around nervously to check if he was being followed. It was a habit he had developed over the last few weeks as several of his friends and associates had been found murdered in various locations across the city despite their adequate protection. He held in his hands a letter which was sealed by the Royal Spanish court and had come directly to him to be passed on urgently to his master, the Spanish viceroy Delegardo Álvarez. As he walked the man carefully rolled it up and placed it safely in his pocket still glancing around as he did so.

His knees ached as he hurried onto the main street and across into another narrow alleyway. He was completely oblivious to the hooded figure which followed him above, silently making its way across the rooftops above him. As Tarenti made his way into the crowded Piazza di Napoli he also failed to notice the same hooded figure following him through the throngs of people a short distance behind.

As the hooded figure watched and waited he noticed a small group of street-boys take interest in the man and splitting up into groups they circled him before one of them ran in front of him bumping into him slightly before apologising profusely and fleeing back into the crowed as the man snapped at him to be careful. At the same time one teenage boy who had appeared to dictate the plan to the others swiftly passed him from behind taking both the letter and his money pouch in one swift movement without Tarenti noticing.

Grinning the hooded figure watched from the rooftop as the small boy made his way back through the crowed quickly heading directly towards the district which was often referred to as the slums of Napoli. Following at a distance he watched as the boy was again re-joined by his companions – who clearly looked up to him as they eagerly watched and followed his every move.

Leaping from the nearest building the hooded figure landed skilfully in a large stack of discarded hay as an eagle called out, before climbing out and standing before the small group. “I think you have something which belongs to me” he said in perfect Italian, prepared to switch to Spanish if the boy did not understand. He was still smiling softly as he spoke waiting to gauge the boy’s reaction. He knew that in his white hooded robes and with an elegant rapier sword by his side he must of looked very imposing to the group.

((I hope you don’t mind me taking the initiative and throwing us into the introduction like this ))

[Cara214]

Aldo looked at the man with a glare. "What do you want?" He wasn't afraid of the sword on his waist. He then looked back at the other kids who were scared. He opens his hand before realizing that he took a letter from the man as well as his money. "Is this what you want?" He showed the letter to the older man hoping that is all he wanted.

[Lady Rawr]

Still smiling softly Marco was slightly surprised that the boy hadn't run from him. "Yes that is what I seek, but first tell me your name boy?" He said walking forwards slightly.

He could tell the other boys were terrified, but that this older boys mere prescense was enough to hold them fast. 'Impressive' he though to himself. It was easy to see that they were all homeless. "That gold" he asked "tell me, what do you intend to do with it?" He knew the answer would most likely be to buy food and things, but he was interested to learn if he was planning on sharing it out or keeping it himself.

[Cara214]

"My name is Aldo Gino." Aldo sighs because he had a feeling that the man was going to ask about the money. "To buy food and To get one of ours to a doctor" He turns to look at the others. "Its ok guys...I think we could trust him for now at least." Aldo mumbles something to the other boys before some templar guards came running down the ally. Aldo grips the letter in his hand before yelling to the others to run. Aldo runs behind the other boys.

[Lady Rawr]

Turning as he heard cries from behind him Marco turned to see the guards rushing towards him. "Cazzo!" He swore as he saw Aldo and the other boys bolting in the opposite direction.

Thinking quickly Marco realised he couldn't simply flee from the guards or they would chase the boys, but if he stood and fought the guards he'd risk losing Tarenti's letter - which was not an option.

Deciding to see how good the boys were at evasion Marco quickly blended into a group of idol workmen as the guards rushed past after the street gang. As soon as they had passed he sprinted after them following the group of boys. If they lost the guards then he would just confront Aldo once more, if the guards caught any of them then Marco would defend them and eliminate the guards.

[Cara214]

As Aldo ran a boy in front of him trips up and falls. Aldo stops to help the boy up but the guards caught up to them. Aldo pulls the boy to his feet right before he gets stabbed in the back. Aldo pulls himself free from the sword but almost falls to the ground. "Get out of here!" The boy ran away leaving Aldo to face the guards.

[Lady Rawr]

Marco sprinted towards the group of guards as they surrounded the boy. As he reached them he thrust both of his arms out triggering the hidden blades that were concealed at his wrists and plunged them into the back of the neck of a pair of guards lifting them forwards slightly before thrusting them to the ground.

As he did the remaining four guards cried out in shock and surprise. As they turned to face this new threat Marco simply stood waiting for one of them to attack, not even drawing his sword as he stood there. The captain of the group lunged forwards at him with a vicious snarl on his face, swinging his sword towards the assassin's torso.

Waiting for the precise moment Marco span to the left slightly causing the blade to narrowly miss him, and as the captain carried forwards with the momentum slightly Marco trust his arm out plunging his hidden blade into the man's eye socket causing a generous amount of blood to gush out as the guard captain crumpled to the ground. Next Marco kicked at the next nearest guard catching him in the stomach before grabbing his sword arm and twisting it so there was an audible snap as the bone broke and the man screamed in pain. Pulling the man's sword from his hand Marco neatly stabbed it directly through his chest before pulling it free. The last two guards hesitated for a moment glancing at each other which gave Marco the opportunity to draw his own sword with the other hand, and then lunging forwards he managed to stab both guards simultaneously with each sword. Leaving the spare sword still sticking out of one man Marco, using his own sword again, stabbed the second man several more times killing him before twirling around and stabbing the last guard through the chest so there were now two swords impaled through him.

Pulling out his own sword he let the man drop to the ground before sheathing his blade and moving over to where Aldo was. He quickly examined the wound on the boys back, it was deep but not too much so, hopefully the sword had missed the major organs. It would leave a scar but the boy would heal swiftly if it was treated and bound.

"Are you okay Aldo?" Marco asked him as he opened a small pouch within his robes and started to pull out the parts to a medical kit that had saved his own and many other lives in the past.

[Cara214]

Aldo tries to stand. "I'm fine.....thanks for the help....." He winces then leans on the wall. He learned to never fully trust anyone except his gang. He slowly started to walk deeper into the ally. He was looking for the other boys but he winced again and fell to the ground. He was to weak to get back up.

[Lady Rawr]

Following the boy as he tried to walk Marco couldn't help but to marvel at his determination. As he fell to the ground once more and failed to stand Marco then proceeded to use the medical equipment on his wound before finally binding it with a long length of linen and antiseptic dressing. "There" he said looking at the work "that should hold you for a while, at least long enough to accompany me back to my villa in Portici."

With that he helped the boy back to his feet and asked "Aldo, do you know of the Assassin's guild?" As he steadied him watching him closely.

He had already decided that this boy showed an immense amount of promise for one so young, and especially considering his apparent homelessness and lack of any protector or mentor.