Ezio Auditore is the protagonist of Assassin's Creed II, the series' Italian Renaissance adventure.
The game follows Ezio's transformation from a young Florentine nobleman into a skilled Assassin. It begins in Florence in 1476 and later visits locations such as Monteriggioni, Venice, and Forlì. Ezio's personal quest begins after his family is caught in a political conspiracy and executed.
Assassin's Creed II introduced major features that expanded on the original game, including a broader economic system, purchasable equipment, property improvements, and Leonardo da Vinci's inventions. Leonardo becomes an important ally and helps Ezio understand and use several pieces of advanced equipment.
Ezio's story continues in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations. He is distinct from Altaïr, the protagonist of the first game, and from Desmond Miles, the modern-day character whose Animus sessions allow players to experience Ezio's memories.