Assassin’s Creed has always been a franchise deeply rooted in characters and their evolving storylines. Assassins Creed Revelations will be no exception to the rule, though there will be fewer familiar faces this time around. Instead, Ezio’s adventures in Constantinople introduce a new cast of compelling characters, many of whom are based on real-life historical figures.

The most significant characters in the new story , as well as what you’ll want to know about their role in the upcoming drama.

Ezio Auditore da Firenze

The main character of Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations, Ezio has passed through birth, boyhood, and into maturity before our eyes. Early on, the character’s path through life was governed by the desire for vengeance. Much of his family was killed. Later, his beloved Uncle Mario was brought down by the Borgias. Until now, Ezio’s actions have been a response to these terrible crimes.

In Revelations, we’ll see Ezio for the first time beginning to question his role in life. Assassination has been his path for most of his existence, but what about the desire to have a family of his own? By 1511, when Revelations is set, Ezio is seeking purpose and direction, particularly in his role at the head of the Assassin’s Order. He looks to his own ancestor to help find the answers – a man named Altaïr.

Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad

The main character of the original Assassin’s Creed remains something of a mystery. While the PSP game Assassin’s Creed Bloodlines helped to clarify some of the events that occurred after the end of the first game, much of Altaïr’s life remains shrouded, including both his early life and his eventual discoveries described in the codex of Assassin’s Creed II.

Revelations will reveal new details about the life of Altaïr through playable game sections. For the first time, these sections won’t be about Desmond living through the events of Altaïr’s life. Instead, Ezio encounters objects in his quest that allows him to look back and experience Altair’s memories for himself. While it’s unclear exactly what story points will be uncovered in these sequences, Ubisoft has promised that they will revel more about the game very soon.