Memory 1: The Head of Saint-Denis

Welcome, Assassin. Your journey with Arno Dorian truly begins here, as you undertake your first official mission for the Brotherhood: recovering a sacred relic, the Head of Saint-Denis. This memory serves as an excellent introduction to stealth, infiltration, and the unique opportunities Paris has to offer. While it might seem straightforward, careful planning will ensure a smooth and silent retrieval.

Mission Briefing: The Sacred Relic

The Head of Saint-Denis, a revered artifact, has been stolen and is now held within the heavily guarded Hôtel de Beauvais, a private residence in the Le Marais district. Your objective is to infiltrate the mansion, locate the relic, and extract it without raising undue suspicion. This mission emphasizes stealth and environmental awareness over brute force.

Recommended Loadout & Skills

For this early mission, your starting gear is generally sufficient. However, consider the following:

Phantom Blades: Excellent for silent, long-range takedowns of isolated guards.
Smoke Bombs: Invaluable for quick escapes, creating diversions, or disorienting groups of enemies if stealth fails.
Lockpicking Skill: Essential for opening certain doors and chests within the Hôtel de Beauvais. Ensure you have at least Level 1 Lockpicking.
Disguise (Optional): While not strictly necessary, if you've unlocked it via skill points, it can offer additional infiltration options.

Walkthrough: Infiltrating the Hôtel de Beauvais

Phase 1: Approach and Initial Infiltration

Scout the Perimeter: Approach the Hôtel de Beauvais from the surrounding streets. The mansion is a large, imposing structure with multiple entry points. Use your Eagle Vision (press V on PC, L3 on PS4, LS on Xbox One) to identify guard patrols, alarm bells, and potential entry points.
Choose Your Entry:
- Front Gate (High Risk): Heavily guarded. Not recommended for a stealth approach.
- Side Gates/Walls (Medium Risk): Often patrolled by a single guard. Can be scaled or bypassed with a well-timed stealth kill.
- Rooftops (Low Risk): The most recommended approach. Scale nearby buildings and use the rooftops to gain access to the mansion's upper levels or courtyard without immediate detection. Look for open windows or balconies.
Disable Alarm Bells: There are several alarm bells located around the courtyard and on the ground floor. Prioritize disabling any bells you encounter, especially if you plan to engage guards. A single disabled bell can prevent reinforcements from being called.

Phase 2: Navigating the Interior

Once inside the Hôtel de Beauvais, you'll find the layout complex, with multiple floors, rooms, and patrolling guards. The Head of Saint-Denis is located on the second floor, within a locked display case in a central study/library room.

Ground Floor Exploration: If you entered via the ground floor, proceed cautiously. Guards patrol the main halls and dining areas. Use cover (corners, furniture) and stealth kills to clear your path. Look for staircases leading upwards.
First Floor Ascent: Ascend to the first floor. More guards will be present, often in pairs. use Phantom Blades for silent takedowns or wait for opportune moments when guards are separated.
Locating the Study (Second Floor): The study containing the relic is typically in the center or a prominent wing of the second floor. Use Eagle Vision to highlight the objective marker.

Phase 3: Retrieving the Head of Saint-Denis

The study itself will likely have at least one guard patrolling inside or directly outside its entrance. The display case holding the relic is locked.

Eliminate/Distract Guards: Silently take down any guards in the immediate vicinity of the study. A Phantom Blade to the head or a stealth assassination from cover works best.
Lockpick the Display Case: Approach the display case. You will need to successfully complete a lockpicking mini-game. Ensure you have at least Level 1 Lockpicking. If you fail, guards might be alerted if they are close enough to hear the attempt.
Collect the Relic: Once unlocked, interact with the display case to retrieve the Head of Saint-Denis.

Phase 4: Exfiltration

With the relic in hand, your objective shifts to safely exiting the Hôtel de Beauvais.

Choose Your Exit:
- Rooftops (Recommended): The safest way out is often the way you came in – via the rooftops. Head to an upper-floor window or balcony and escape over the Parisian skyline.
- Ground Level (Higher Risk): If you need to exit at ground level, be prepared for potential confrontations. Use smoke bombs if you encounter multiple guards.
Evade Pursuit: If you were detected during the mission, guards will be actively searching for you. Use parkour to quickly put distance between yourself and your pursuers. Blending into crowds or hiding spots will help you lose notoriety.

Opportunities & Challenges

Distraction Opportunity: Sometimes, you can find opportunities to create diversions, such as sabotaging a nearby carriage or interacting with a specific NPC to draw guards away from a key area. Use Eagle Vision to highlight these.
Environmental Kills: Look for chandeliers, heavy objects, or unstable structures that can be used to silently eliminate groups of guards or create a path.
Chest Locations: Keep an eye out for chests within the Hôtel de Beauvais. They often contain Livres and crafting materials. Use Eagle Vision to spot them.
No Kill Challenge (Optional): For an extra challenge and higher synchronization, attempt to complete the mission without killing any guards, relying solely on stealth and non-lethal takedowns (if available, though early game options are limited).

Common Pitfalls & Tips

Don't Rush: Patience is key in Assassin's Creed Unity. Observe guard patrols, plan your moves, and wait for the perfect moment.
Use Cover: Stick to cover as much as possible. Arno is vulnerable in open areas.
Eagle Vision is Your Best Friend: Constantly use Eagle Vision to identify enemies, objectives, and interactive elements.
Alarm Bells: Always prioritize disabling alarm bells. If an alarm is rung, the entire area will be on high alert, making stealth significantly harder.
Practice Lockpicking: The lockpicking mini-game can be tricky. Practice on easier chests to get the hang of it before attempting critical locks.

Upon successful retrieval and exfiltration, the memory will conclude, marking your first significant step as an Assassin. Congratulations, and prepare for further challenges!