>Altair being of the 'ends
>justify the means in all things' dark-Jedi/not-quite-Sith mentality,
>while Ezio is much more moderate, and refuses to harm innocents (and
>even generally only knocks out guards that are just doing their
>jobs/aren't really 'evil').

I find it interesting that I played those games almost totally opposite of your experience. Altair went out of his way to not kill anyone he didn't have to, and Ezio sort of butchered his way through Italy. I haven't played Revalations yet, but...

--
-Pasha
I swear to God, though: the design team of the first game put my picture up on the wall, and said "Alright, Ladies and Gents, we're making a game to give this man fits of joy."