What Is Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance About?
The premise of Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance in 288 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the lingering shadows of a city still trembling from the 1500 razing of Monteriggioni, Rome is a tapestry of marble streets and whispered conspiracies. The Republic’s glittering façades mask a fragile balance of power, where ancient orders clash beneath the vaulted ceilings of churches and the bustling markets. A sense of unease threads through every alley, hinting at forces that seek to bend the city’s destiny to their own designs.
Ezio Auditore steps into this world as a seasoned Assassin, his reputation forged by loss and relentless determination. He moves with the quiet confidence of someone who has learned to read the subtle language of stone and smoke, constantly weighing loyalty against the weight of history. When fate leads him to a modest workshop, he encounters Leonardo da Vinci, a brilliant inventor whose curious mind and boundless imagination offer a different kind of weapon against oppression.
Together they turn their attention to a rising figure known only as the Pope’s son, a charismatic leader whose ambitions threaten to tighten an iron grip on the capital. The very air seems charged with the promise of conflict, as political intrigue and hidden machinations swirl like the smoke from an artist’s furnace. Their partnership is one of complementary strengths—Ezio’s deadly precision and Leonardo’s inventive foresight—forming a fragile alliance that hints at the larger struggle soon to unfold.
The film balances the opulent grandeur of Renaissance Italy with a gritty undercurrent of secrecy, inviting the audience to feel the pulse of a city on the brink. It sets the stage for a clash that will test the limits of honor, ingenuity, and the enduring quest for freedom, bridging the legendary tales that came before and the new challenges that lie ahead.
What Happens in Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance?
The complete story of Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance, from the first scene to the last, in 441 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Ezio Auditore da Firenze assassinating the Templar Octavien de Valois to rescue Pantasilea Baglioni. Later, Ezio meets a hooded figure in the streets of Rome to gather intel about his next target, Cesare Borgia, Captain General of the Papal Army and leader of the Italian Templars.
The hooded figure begins to narrate Cesare’s rise to power, starting in 1497. After his brother Juan was appointed Captain General, Cesare, then a cardinal, orchestrated his own ascent by manipulating events and using a courtesan to instrumentalize a murder so he could take the place himself. This marked the beginning of Cesare’s ruthless campaign to conquer Romagna, with Ramiro d’Orco, Oliverotto da Fermo and Vitellozzo Vitelli leading his armies. Yet as his grip tightens, dissent grows among his subjects, and cracks begin to appear in his carefully laid plans. The tale reveals how fear and strategic brutality become tools for consolidating power, even as whispers of rebellion ripple through the conquered territories.
Fearing that Cesare no longer needs their services, Oliverotto and Vitellozzo conspire against him. In 1502, they orchestrate a rebellion that seizes significant portions of Cesare’s lands. To reclaim control and demonstrate his resolve, Cesare invites the rebel leaders to dinner, offering forgiveness and a chance to return to loyalty. But after the meal, Cesare has his executioner Micheletto Corella kill both Oliverotto and Vitellozzo, a decisive move that cements his reputation as a calculating and merciless leader who will stop at nothing to maintain power.
As the hooded man finishes his story, Ezio vows to kill Cesare and bring an end to his tyranny. After handing Ezio a scroll, the hooded figure heads to Castel Sant’Angelo, where he is revealed to be Leonardo da Vinci. The revelation shifts the chessboard: Cesare greets Leonardo and tells him to return to work building war machines for his army, highlighting the engineer’s crucial role in Cesare’s broader war effort. The moment also deepens Ezio’s resolve, as the assassin recognizes that liberating Rome from Cesare’s grasp will require not only skill and courage but a broader alliance of minds and talents.
Back in the tense atmosphere of Cesare’s world, Leonardo’s presence underscores the blend of politics, warfare, and ingenuity that defines this era. Ezio’s mission is now framed not only as a personal vendetta but as part of a larger, unfolding struggle to free Rome from an increasingly iron‑fisted rule. With the stage set for the events of Brotherhood, the film leaves viewers poised for the next chapter: a city on the brink, where power houses behind grand plans, and where every ally carries the weight of history watching over them.
Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Ezio assassinates Octavien de Valois to rescue Pantasilea Baglioni” to “Stage set for Brotherhood”. 12 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Ezio assassinates Octavien de Valois to rescue Pantasilea Baglioni
The film opens with Ezio Auditore da Firenze assassinating the Templar Octavien de Valois in order to rescue Pantasilea Baglioni. This bold act demonstrates Ezio's willingness to risk everything for Pantasilea and marks the first direct strike against the Templar leadership. The assassination sets the stage for Ezio's pursuit of Cesare Borgia.
When:1497 Where:Florence
- 2
Ezio seeks intel on Cesare Borgia in Rome
After the opening action, Ezio meets a hooded figure in the streets of Rome to gather intelligence on his next target, Cesare Borgia, the Captain General of the Papal Army. The encounter signals that Cesare's rise and influence are now the focus of Ezio's campaign. This meeting plants the seeds for a broader confrontation across Italy.
When:circa 1497-1498 Where:Rome
- 3
Hooded narrator recounts Cesare's ascent starting in 1497
The hooded figure begins narrating Cesare Borgia's rise to power, starting in 1497, when his brother Juan is appointed Captain General and Cesare maneuvers into power while still a cardinal. He uses influence and a courtesan to instrumentalize a murder and seize his claim. This marks the early phase of a ruthless campaign to conquer Romagna.
When:1497 Where:Romagna, Italy
- 4
Cesare's campaign consolidates power with Romagna allies
Cesare's ascent is backed by Ramiro d'Orco, Oliverotto da Fermo, and Vitellozzo Vitelli, who lead his armies as he tightens his grip on the land and expands his reach. As his power grows, whispers of dissent begin to ripple through conquered territories, foreshadowing cracks in his carefully laid plans. Fear and brutality become tools of his rule.
When:circa 1497-1499 Where:Romagna
- 5
Oliverotto and Vitellozzo plot against Cesare
Oliverotto da Fermo and Vitellozzo Vitelli grow uneasy and conspire to undermine Cesare's rule, sowing seeds of rebellion within his ranks. Their secret plotting signals the start of a protracted struggle to curb his tyranny.
When:1501-1502 Where:Romagna
- 6
The Dinner and the double-cross
In 1502, Cesare invites the rebel leaders to a dinner under the pretense of reconciliation. After the meal, he orders their execution through his assassin Micheletto Corella, removing Oliverotto and Vitellozzo and signaling his merciless determination to stay in power. This brutal purge cements his ruthless strategy to stay in power.
When:1502 Where:Romagna
- 7
Cesare's ruthless reputation hardens
The killings deepen Cesare's reputation as a calculating, merciless leader who will stop at nothing to maintain control over Romagna and beyond. The consolidation of his power becomes even more concrete after the brutal purge.
When:1502 Where:Romagna
- 8
Ezio vows to kill Cesare and free Rome
Ezio, moved by the tale of Cesare's rise and ruthless purge, vows to kill Cesare and end his tyranny. This vow reframes his personal vendetta as part of a larger effort to liberate Rome.
When:1502-1503 Where:Rome
- 9
The scroll and the revelation: Leonardo da Vinci
After the vow, the hooded figure hands Ezio a scroll and heads to Castel Sant'Angelo, where he is revealed to be Leonardo da Vinci. The revelation broadens Ezio's horizon, introducing new allies and strategies beyond assassination. The moment shifts the chessboard for Ezio's mission.
When:1503 Where:Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
- 10
Leonardo urges Cesare to rely on engineering for war
Inside Castel Sant'Angelo, Leonardo confronts Cesare and urges him to continue developing war machines for his army. The scene underscores the crucial role of engineering and innovation in warfare during this era.
When:1503 Where:Castel Sant'Angelo
- 11
Ezio envisions a broader alliance to free Rome
Ezio realizes that freeing Rome will require more than assassins—hearing Leonardo's potential and the importance of minds and talents allied with him deepens his strategic thinking for the campaign ahead. This expanded view reframes his mission and signals a broader coalition.
When:1503 Where:Rome
- 12
Stage set for Brotherhood
The narrative frames Ezio's mission as the beginning of a city-wide struggle and signals the impending events of Brotherhood, with power centers and minds aligned to resist Cesare. It sets the stage for a larger conflict that will define the next chapters of Ezio's story.
When:1503 Where:Rome
Who Are the Main Characters in Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance?
5 characters, among them Ezio Auditore da Firenze (voiced by Roger Craig Smith), Cesare Borgia (voiced by Andreas Apergis) and Oliverotto da Fermo (voiced by Harry Strandjofski): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- EA
Ezio Auditore da Firenze (voiced by Roger Craig Smith)
Played by Roger Craig Smith
A skilled assassin driven by justice, Ezio pursues Cesare's downfall while rescuing Pantasilea Baglioni. He relies on careful intel, stealth, and decisive action, embodying determination in a city under threat. His mission anchors the fight to reclaim Rome from tyranny.
- 🗡️ Assassin
- 🎯 Determined
- 🧭 Strategist
- CB
Cesare Borgia (voiced by Andreas Apergis)
Played by Andreas Apergis
A calculating and merciless leader who uses fear and political cunning to expand control. He lures rivals into traps, then eliminates them to consolidate power. His rise marks a ruthless pivot toward dominating Romagna and the Papal States.
- 🔱 Ruthless
- 🎯 Mastermind
- 🏛️ Power-hungry
- OD
Oliverotto da Fermo (voiced by Harry Strandjofski)
Played by Harry Strandjofski
A rebel leader who becomes entangled in Cesare's expansion and faces a deadly downfall. His alliance with Vitellozzo Vitelli reveals the fragility of loyalties in wartime Italy. He embodies rebellion and the high stakes of political betrayal.
- 🗡️ Rebel
- 🤝 Betrayal
- 🧭 Ambitious
- LD
Leonardo da Vinci (voiced by Carlos Ferro)
Played by Carlos Ferro
A brilliant engineer whose machines shape Cesare's military campaigns and Ezio's plans. His presence signals the era's fusion of art, science, and warfare. Leonardo's involvement highlights how intellect can steer strategic outcomes.
- 🧠 Genius
- 🔧 Inventor
- 🏛️ Renaissance
- OD
Octavien de Valois (voiced by Arthur Holden)
Played by Arthur Holden
Captain General of the Papal Army and an early target of Ezio, his political position makes him a high-stakes adversary. His fate underscores the lethal politics of the period. His presence signals the onset of Ezio's broader mission against Cesare's regime.
- 🗡️ Target
- 🏛️ Power
- 🗺️ Papal States
Where and When Is Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance Set?
Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance is set in Rome, Romagna and Castel Sant'Angelo (1497-1502). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1497-1502
The narrative unfolds in the late 15th to early 16th century, a period of intense Italian politics and warfare. Cesare Borgia rises from cardinal to warlord, orchestrating campaigns to conquer Romagna and consolidate Papal power. The era fuses warfare, diplomacy, and technological ingenuity as power struggles reshape the peninsula.
Where
Rome, Romagna, Castel Sant'Angelo
The setting centers on Rome as the political hub of Cesare Borgia's campaigns, with Castel Sant'Angelo standing as a symbol of control. Romagna serves as the theater for his expansion and the shifting balance of power among rival leaders. The late Renaissance backdrop blends grand palaces, sieges, and courtly intrigue that drive Ezio's mission.
- 🗺️ Italian Peninsula
- 🏛️ Renaissance
- 🏰 Fortress
What Are the Themes of Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power & Tyranny, Intrigue & Alliance and Ingenuity & War.
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01
Power & Tyranny
The story explores how fear and ruthless calculation enable a ruler to seize and maintain control. Cesare's campaigns show the cost of ambition and the manipulation of loyalty to crush opposition. It examines the moral costs of wielding power without restraint.
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02
Intrigue & Alliance
Conspiracies and shifting loyalties drive the plot, exposing how factions maneuver for advantage. Alliances are fragile, often built on deception rather than trust. The tension centers on predicting who will betray whom as alliances realign.
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03
Ingenuity & War
Leonardo da Vinci's presence highlights the era's fusion of art, science, and engineering in warfare. War machines and clever tactics become decisive tools in Cesare's campaigns and Ezio's quest. Intellectual innovation shapes strategy as much as blade and blood.
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04
Resistance & Liberation
Ezio's vow to end Cesare's tyranny frames the conflict as a broader liberation of Rome. The plot emphasizes forming alliances that combine skill, knowledge, and courage to challenge oppressive rule. It stresses resilience in the face of imperial scheming.
What Kind of Film Is Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A tense and fast-paced historical thriller steeped in political intrigue, where ruthless ambition and calculated betrayals create a suspenseful atmosphere of grim resolve and impending confrontation.
- tense
- ruthless
- calculating
- political
- suspenseful
- grim
- political corruption
- revenge
- assassination
- power consolidation
Content notes: assassination, political murder, execution, war violence.
Quiz
How well do you remember Assassin’s Creed: Ascendance? Test yourself on the story.
