Aquila

2012-11-07T05:09:17Z

24.231.22.241:

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[[File:Aquila Edge Artwork.png|thumb|250px|Connor and his crew aboard the ''Aquila''.]]
The '''''Aquila''''' was a [[United States|Continental]] Navy vessel during the [[American Revolutionary War]] that gained the nickname "Ghost of the North Seas". She was captained by the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]], with [[Robert Faulkner]] as his first mate. The ship was used to sail across the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the Eastern Seaboard of North America,<ref name="E3 Demo">[http://uk.ign.com/videos/2012/06/05/ign-live-assassins-creed-iii-demo-e3-2012 IGN Live: ''Assassin's Creed III Demo - E3 2012'']</ref> and to trade with overseas merchants.<ref name="Ubishop">[http://shop.ubi.com/store/ubiemea/en_IE/pd/ThemeID.8605700/productID.252308600/Assassins-Creed-III-Deluxe-Edition.html UbiShop: ''Assassin's Creed III'' Deluxe Edition]</ref>

The vessel's broadside cannons could be loaded with four types of projectiles; including the standard {{Wiki|Round shot|round shots}}, {{Wiki|Chain-shot|chain-shots}} to disable enemy ships, {{Wiki|grapeshot}}, and {{Wiki|Heated shot|heated shots}} to start fires.

The ''Aquila'' was also armed with {{Wiki|Swivel gun|swivel cannons}} that could be aimed at specific targets,<ref name="Rev3Games">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4ApjkD7yKs Rev3Games: ''Assassins Creed 3 Interview - 3 New Areas Revealed & More NAVAL COMBAT at E3'']</ref> such as another ship's captain or gunpowder reservoir.<ref name="Tech Trends">[http://tech.mediapremium.info/gaming/e3-2012-ubisoft-spills-more-details-on-assassin%E2%80%99s-creed-iii-including-battles-on-the-high-seas-new-cover-mechanics-and-the-brotherhood%E2%80%99s-replacement/ Tech Trends: ''Assassin's Creed III to offer high-sea battles, new cover mechanics, Brotherhood's replacement'']</ref>

As well as being able to be upgraded with new ammunition for cannons and fortifications to protect against enemy fire, The ''Aquila'' could be upgraded with a Naval Ram. This allowed [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]] to ram enemy ships more effectively, causing much more damage to the enemy instead of The ''Aquila'' itself.
==History==
The Aquila was constructed in 1749 in Brest, France, and became the flagship of the Assassin navy. While her design was similar to a schooner in terms of speed, she also could carry a large variety of artillery.

In 1754, the Assassins spread the word that the Aquila was destroyed in a storm while pursuing a Templar ship. In reality the ship only sustained minor damage, but it was afterwards used as a secret weapon against Templar fleets for several years. This illusion was spread partially by avoiding major harbours, and partially due to exceptional sailing ability by its Captain at the time, Robert Faulkner.

In 1768, three British frigates caught the Aquila in a trap and all-but destroyed the ship. Both the Aquila and Faulkner survived, however, and managed to escape to the Davenport Homestead, where they would remain until the arrival of the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, who would pay to repair the Aquila.

Once repaired, Ratonhnhaké:ton and Faulkner, who had found a crew for the Aquila, sailed to Martha's Vineyard in search of cannons and officers. Faulkner recruited some of his old shipmates as gunnery officers, and also helped Ratonhnhaké:ton to learn how to sail the Aquila as captain. After practicing firing the cannons at an old wreck, the Aquila saw its first fight in years, against a patrol of British gunboats and a frigate.

== Trivia ==
*"Aquila", the Latin word for "eagle", is a reference to the eagle motif of the Assassins.
*Continuing the eagle theme, the Aquila has an eagle shaped figurehead
*Aquila is also the name of a constellation, with its brightest star known as "[[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altair]]".
*In an interview, Mission Director [[Philippe Bergeron]] stated that Connor could freeroam the seas with the ship between missions. However, this is not possible in game.
*The ''Aquila'' could be customized with various color schemes if the Special Edition of the game is bought.<ref name="Ubishop" />
*The ''Aquila'' could be upgraded by Connor to make it more effective at sea.

== Gallery ==
<tabber>
Development=
<gallery widths="180" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center">
AC3 naval ships.jpg|Naval battle concept art.
Naval Battle concept illistration by Max Qin.jpg|Naval battle concept art.
Aquila Cannons.jpg|Concept art of ''Aquila'''s cannons firing.
AC3 CA SP 29 Naval Mines.jpg|Concept art of the ''Aquila'' navigating through [[Naval Mines]].
AC3 CA SP 30 Naval TropicalStorm.jpg|Concept art of the ''Aquila'' navigating a tropical storm.
AC3 CA SP 28 Naval HidingInTheMidstOfEnemyShips(Night).jpg|Concept art of the ''Aquila'' hiding from enemy ships in the mist.
Aquila Caribbeann concept.jpg|Aquila Caribbean concept.
AC3 CA SP 31 RescueBoat.jpg|Concept art of a rescue boat leaving the ''Aquila''.
AC3 CA SP 27 Naval NorthAmericanLandscape.jpg|The ''Aquila'' docked off the North American coastline.
Aquila passage concept.jpg|The ''Aquila'' entering a narrow passage.
Aquila lower decks concept art.jpg|Concept art of the ''Aquila'''s lower decks.
AC3 Render SP 22 Aquila Crew.jpg|The crew of the ''Aquila''.
Aquila concept model.jpg|Concept model of the ''Aquila''.
</gallery>
|-|
Screenshots=
<gallery widths="180" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center">
AC3 storm naval warfare.jpg|The ''Aquila'' at sea.
Connor steering ship.jpg|Connor at the helm of the ''Aquila''.
AC3 NavalBattle Morning.png|Connor calling an attack on enemy vessels.
AC3 Native on the Aquila.png|Connor's crew preparing for battle.
Boarding Action.jpg|Connor boarding an enemy vessel.
Chain Shots.jpg|The ''Aquila'' firing several chain-shots.
AC3 SC SP 50 HD Naval Chesapeake.jpg|The Battle of Chesapeake.
AC III Aquila Firing.jpg|The Aquila firing on a [[British Army]] fort.
</gallery>
</tabber>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{AC3}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed III gameplay]]

Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Aquila