Ezio Auditore da Firenze (1459 - 1524) (Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations)
The wildly popular and lethally prolific star of AC2 and its direct sequels. The second son of a wealthy banking family secretly comprised of Assassins, he witnessed the execution of his father and two brothers at the hands of a traitorous family friend. Ezio began his life as an Assassin on a quest to avenge his family, but developed a deep attachment to the Brotherhood, eventually becoming Mentor of the Italian Assassins.
Ezio is the favourite of several developers...
Alex Amancio: Creative Director on Assassins Creed Unity (also worked on Assassins Creed Revelations)
"My favorite Assassin is Ezio. Hes one of the few characters in any entertainment medium that you get to follow from childhood up to the very end. Ezio has a rich, multilayered character with a complex character arc."
Jean Guesdon: Creative Director on Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag (also worked on Assassins Creed and Assassins Creed 2, and on the Assassins Creed Brand Team)
"My favourite Assassin (so far) is Ezio. The depth of his personality and story is something rarely equalled in entertainment. With his really humanistic personality, that everybody instantly liked, he made the creed something very positive. In addition to that he was also the perfect ambassador to demonstrate the power of our transmedia universe. We had the opportunity to develop his life from birth to death on several different medias (games, novels, short live action, short animated film)."
Spass Kroushkov: Creative director on Assassins Creed Rogue
"I would have to say Ezio from Revelations. The answer is simple: its basically the man I aspire to be one day older, hopefully wiser, much calmer, but brutal when needed and getting stuff done in an uncompromising manner."
Giovanni Auditore (Assassin's Creed 2)
Aw, its Ezios father. Hes executed at the start of Assassins Creed 2, and its only when Ezio is going through his possessions that he finds the famous hidden blades. Its safe to say that his fathers murder is what spurs Ezio to become an Assassin, not just a trouble-causing Italian noble.
Mario Auditore (Assassin's Creed 2)
Ezios uncle and the leader of Monteriggioni, Mario is the curator of his familys long Assassin history, most of which he keeps piled up in the basement of Villa Auditore. Acting as Ezios mentor in the ways of the Assassin Order, Mario became something of a second father to Ezio after Giovannis death. Just in time for Templars to show up and dramatically kill him, of course.
Mario Auditore is the favourite Assassin of Henry Gilbert (GamesRadar Associate Editor)
"I guess it's easy to a imagine this would be a Nintendo fan's favourite character - especially after this introduction - but there's more to him than that. He's one of the most positive forces in the game, supporting Ezio during the young man's darkest days and initiating him in the ways of the Assassins. Whenever Ezio needs guidance, Mario is the friendly face with all the answers. Also, Mario basically runs the town of Monteriggioni, one of the most memorable locales in series' history. When Mario is brutally dispatched in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, I don't think I was alone in shouting "No!" at my TV."
Mario Auditore is a developer favourite too...
Patrick Plourde: Game Director on AC Brotherhood
My favourite Assassin is Mario Auditore. He's just such a cool guy to hang around with. And he has one of the most memorable introductions in the series.
Claudia Auditore (Assassins Creed Brotherhood)
Ezios sister was recruited into the Brotherhood on account of her book-keeping skills. Still, mess with her numbers, and youll still get the knife.
Claudia is the favourite of Connor Sheridan (GamesRadar's news writer)
"Most Assassins change the world with their hidden blades, but Claudia Auditore did it with a spreadsheet - someone had to balance Monteriggioni's books. Also, she barely aged despite her decades worth of appearances. That's clean living for you."
Federico Auditore (Assassin's Creed 2)
Ezios big brother helps him out of all kinds of scrapes as a youngster, but poor Federico hangs alongside his father and little brother Petruccio near the start of AC2. Sniff.
Paola (Assassins Creed 2)
Leader of the Florentine courtesans (so, thats a nice word for prostitutes), Paola assists Ezio by providing him with groups of ladies. And while Ezio loves being surrounded by ladies, he mainly uses them to distract guards.
Teodora Contanto (Assassins Creed 2)
Teodora runs the courtesans in Venice. Owing to an early life spent in a convent, shes got the whole sexy-nun thing going on. Thats probably why Ezio enlists her help to assassinate Marco Barbarigo, Doge of Venice.
Rosa (Assassins Creed 2)
A member of the thieves guild in AC2, and the woman who teaches Ezio to climb more effectively. The pair always flirt, but theres no suggestion of serious romance between the two.
