Paganino (unknown – 1503) was a member of the Venetian, and later, the Roman Thieves' Guild. At some point however, he became a covert Borgia spy, working against the Assassin Order.
Biography
Life in Venice
During the late 15th century, Paganino was a member of the Venetian Thieves Guild led by Antonio de Magianis, where he was also a colleague and personal friend of Ugo and Rosa.[1]
In 1481, Paganino and Ugo were confronted by Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who was carrying a wounded Rosa. After the group exchanged words about their Guild, Paganino helped Ezio and Rosa get safely to their headquarters, where Antonio resided.[1]
Siege of Monteriggioni
Years later, Paganino became a spy for the Borgia, and gathered information on the Assassin Order. By January 1500, he had based himself in the Assassin headquarters in Monteriggioni.[2]
On 2 January 1500, the Borgia's armies attacked Monteriggioni, and Paganino remained, unnoticed, in Mario Auditore's study in the Villa Auditore. Around this time, Paganino came across Ezio in the study, to which Paganino asked the Assassin where the secret passage that he was taking led to. After receiving the information, Paganino left Ezio, claiming that he had to "go help the troops."[3]
Death
After the skirmish at the Colosseum Passion Play in August of 1503, Ezio saw Paganino behaving suspiciously in the area, and recognized him from the Villa attack. As Ezio called out to him, however, Paganino fled in panic.[3]
Ezio pursued and tackled him, where he found that the thief was carrying Borgia documents. As the Assassin realized that Paganino was the traitor they had been searching for, and not Niccolò Machiavelli as La Volpe had suspected, Paganino defiantly declared "Long live the Borgia!" before impaling himself in the neck with Ezio's Hidden Blade.[3]
Trivia
- In the official artwork for the Siege of Monteriggioni, Paganino appeared alongside Cesare Borgia at Monteriggioni's gate. However, in both Brotherhood and its novelization, he was not present.
- Paganino's suicide in the game was similar to that of a courier from Assassin's Creed: Lineage. There, Giovanni Auditore da Firenze caught a messenger sent by Marco Barbarigo, and threatened him with his Hidden Blade. However, the messenger only said "My life is not yours to take, and my secrets come with me. See you in hell", before forcing Giovanni's blade into his throat.
- In the Brotherhood novel, Paganino instead committed suicide by thrusting his own dagger into his chest.
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