The Italian nobleman who becomes Assassin's Creed II's central protagonist is Ezio Auditore.
Ezio begins the game as a young Florentine nobleman in Renaissance Italy. After his family is betrayed and executed, he discovers a wider conspiracy and is drawn into the conflict between the Assassins and Templars. His personal quest gradually becomes a lifelong role within the Brotherhood.
Assassin's Creed II covers several decades and presents locations such as Florence, Venice, Forlì, and Monteriggioni. Historical figures including Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo de' Medici, and Niccolò Machiavelli appear alongside fictional characters.
Ezio is distinct from Altaïr, the protagonist of the original game. His story continues in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations, creating the franchise's first multi-game protagonist arc. His white hood, hidden blades, and association with Renaissance Italy made him one of the series' most recognizable characters.