Arno Dorian
A tragic hero navigating the chaos of Revolutionary France to find truth.
Arno Dorian is the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Unity, set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. He is a young man from Paris who becomes entangled in the centuries-old conflict between the Assassins and Templars after his adoptive father is murdered.
Initially driven by personal vengeance, Arno eventually joins the Brotherhood to protect free will during one of history's most turbulent periods. His story explores themes of redemption, love, and duty amidst the chaos of a nation tearing itself apart.
- Role
- Protagonist / Assassin
- Affiliation
- Brotherhood of Assassins
- Setting
- Paris, France
- Era
- French Revolution
- First Appears
- Assassin's Creed Unity
- Status
- Alive (Historical Timeline)
Lore & Background
During the late eighteenth century, Paris was a powder keg of political unrest. The Templars sought to manipulate this instability through key figures like François-Thomas Germain, aiming to control the population through order and hierarchy. Arno found himself caught in their web when his family life was destroyed by Templar agents.
As he rose within the Assassin ranks, Arno realized that the revolution itself could be hijacked for power. His journey highlights the difficulty of maintaining moral clarity when society collapses around you. He fought not just to kill enemies, but to preserve the ideal of liberty from those who would weaponize it.
In Their Own Story
Rain slicked the cobblestones beneath Arno's boots as he crouched on a gargoyle overlooking the Seine. The city below burned with torchlight and revolutionaries' shouts. He tightened his grip on the Hidden Blade, remembering Élise's face in the candlelit room hours prior. Tonight was not about vengeance; it was about survival. With a deep breath, he leaped into the darkness.
Reader's Guide
Arno Dorian begins his journey as a young man consumed by the desire to avenge his adoptive father, Charles Dorian. Initially unaffiliated with any faction, he navigates the dangerous streets of Paris during the height of political turmoil. His path crosses with Élise de la Serre, linking their fates through tragedy and Templar machinations that threaten the city's future stability.
Under the mentorship of Pierre Bellec, Arno discovers his true calling within the Brotherhood of Assassins. He learns that personal vengeance is not enough to stop the greater threat posed by François-Thomas Germain. Throughout his life, he utilizes parkour skills and dual hidden blades to protect the innocent from revolutionary violence and Templar manipulation.
His arc evolves from a vengeful orphan into a dedicated guardian of free will. By sacrificing personal happiness for the greater good, Arno ensures that Paris remains free from Templar control. He represents the struggle between order and chaos in a world tearing itself apart during one of history's most violent eras.
Did You Know?
- He famously wears a white hooded coat instead of traditional black robes.
- His narrative takes place entirely within the city of Paris.
- He wields dual hidden blades as his primary weapons during combat.