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{{Era|AC3|Forsaken}}  
{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Spoilerhd}}
{{Quote|[Haytham's] eyes were ever fixed on the future—one in which he and his Templar brethren controlled all. My greatest fear is that one day I shall look into the face of my son and see the same dark hunger there.|Kaniehtí:io, c. 1760.|Assassin's Creed III|Hide and Seek (III)}}
{{Stub}}
{{Character Infobox
{{Character Infobox
|image = ACIII-Tsio Render.png
|image=ACIII-Tsio Render.png
|birth = 1731<br>British America
|birth=1731<br>[[Kanatahséton]], [[Kanièn:keh Nation Territory|Mohawk Valley]], [[United States|British America]]
|death = 1760 (aged 28-29)<br>[[Kanatahséton]], British America
|death=2 November 1760 {{c|aged 29}}<br>[[Kanatahséton]], Mohawk Valley, British America
|period = [[American Revolutionary War|American Revolution]]
|species=[[Human]]
|faction = [[Kanien'kehá:ka]]<br>[[Assassins]]
|database=[[Database: Kaniehtí:io|Kaniehtí:io]]<br>[[Database: Fire in her Eyes|Fire in her Eyes]]
|appear = [[Assassin's Creed III]]
|affiliates=[[Kanien'kehá:ka]]<br>[[Assassins]]<br>[[Templars]] {{c|unwittingly; 1754 – 1755}}
|voice = [[Kaniehtiio Horn]]}}
}}
'''Kaniehtí:io''' (1731 – 1760), or '''Ziio''' as she was informally known, was a [[Kanien'kehá:ka]] woman and the mother of [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]]. She was also an ancestor to [[Desmond Miles]].
'''Kaniehtí:io''' (1731 – 1760), colloquially known as '''Ziio''', was a [[Kanien'kehá:ka]] warrior from the village of [[Kanatahséton]]. Unlike her fellow villagers, who preferred to stay neutral to protect their sacred [[Grand Temple|sanctuary]], she sought to fight the [[United Kingdom|British]] encroaching on her people's lands. She is an ancestor of [[Victor Flores Castillo]],<ref name="ACRPG">''[[Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game]]'' – Animus Training Program Quickstart: Character File Folios</ref> [[Noa Kim]],<ref name="FT 100">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 100|Episode 100]]</ref> and [[Desmond Miles]], the latter through the [[William Miles|paternal line]].
 
In 1754, Kaniehtí:io gained an ally in the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Haytham Kenway]], who sought access to her people's sanctuary. The two shared a brief relationship, which resulted in the conception and birth of a son, whom she named [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]]. When her son was four, she died during an attack on the village ordered by [[George Washington]]; Ratonhnhaké:ton grew up believing Haytham's subordinate [[Charles Lee]] was responsible, setting him on the path to join the [[Assassins]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life===
===Early life===
Kaniehtí:io was born in 1731 to the [[Clan Mother]] in [[Kanatahséton]], and was trained to succeed her from an early age. Throughout her life, she would often voice her concerns over the Colonists expanding into their territory, despite the village's consensus to stay neutral.
Kaniehtí:io was born in 1731 to the [[Oiá:ner|Clan Mother]] in Kanatahséton and was trained to succeed her from an early age.<ref name="Initiates">''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[Database: Fire in her Eyes]]</ref> Throughout her life, Kaniehtí:io would often voice her concerns over the colonists expanding into their territory, despite the village's consensus to stay neutral.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Database: Kaniehtí:io]]</ref> At some point, she befriended [[Achilles Davenport]], the [[Mentor]] of the [[American Brotherhood of Assassins|Colonial Assassins]].<ref name="AC3">''Assassin's Creed III''</ref>
 
=== Meeting Haytham ===
{{Quote|There was a woman there, that night. It was she who helped the others to safety. If we could find her, I believe I'll have my answers.|Haytham Kenway on Kaniehtí:io, 1754.|Assassin's Creed III|Unconvinced}}Prior to the [[Seven Years' War|French and Indian War]], in 1754, Kaniehtí:io was captured and personally escorted to the slaver [[Silas Thatcher]] with other members of her nation. However, on their way to [[Southgate Fort|Southgate]] [[Fort]] through [[Boston]], her convoy was attacked by Haytham Kenway and his fellow Templars, who held the intention of assassinating Silas and freeing the slaves for leverage material on her nation's sanctuary.<ref name="Infiltrating Southgate">''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Infiltrating Southgate]]</ref>


===Meeting Haytham===
[[File:ACIII-InfiltratingSouthgate 16.png|thumb|250px|left|Kaniehtí:io smiling at Haytham]]
{{Quote|There was a woman there, that night. It was she who helped the others to safety. If we could find her, I believe I'll have my answers.|Haytham Kenway, after the event at Southgate Fort|Assassin's Creed III}}
On entering the fort, the Templars freed the natives held captive there and Kaniehtí:io led them to safety. While leaving the fort with her people, Kaniehtí:io briefly smiled at Haytham in gratitude.<ref name="Infiltrating Southgate" />
Prior to the [[French and Indian War|Seven Years' War]], in 1754, Kaniehtí:io was captured and specially escorted to the slaver [[Silas Thatcher]], along with other members of her nation. However, on their way to [[Southgate Fort]], her convoy was hijacked by [[Haytham Kenway]] and his men, who were intent on finding Silas. On entering the fort, they freed the natives being held captive there, and Kaniehtí:io led them to safety.


Later, Haytham decided that Kaniehtí:io would be a vital ally in helping his Order find the [[Grand Temple|precursor site]] that they were looking for, as the [[First Civilization]] were considered to be sacred gods by Kaniehtí:io's people. Haytham expected the Kanien'kehá:ka to contact him out of gratitude of him rescuing their people, but even after several weeks, they heard nothing.
Later, Haytham decided that Kaniehtí:io would be a vital ally in helping the Templars' search for the [[Isu|Precursor]] site, as members of the Precursors were considered to be sacred gods by the Kanien'kehá:ka nation. Haytham expected the Kanien'kehá:ka to contact him out of gratitude for rescuing their people, but he heard nothing even after several weeks had passed.<ref name="Unconvinced">''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Unconvinced]]</ref>


[[File:ACIII-Execution 1.png|thumb|250px|right|Kaniehtí:io and Haytham outside Braddock's fort.]]
In the winter of 1754, Kaniehtí:io began scouting out [[Lexington]], after learning that [[Edward Braddock]] and his troops were posted there and were attempting to drive her and her people from their lands. Her actions caught the attention of Charles Lee, and led both him and Haytham to seek her out near the town.<ref name="Unconvinced" />
In the winter of 1755, Kaniehtí:io began scouting out [[Lexington]], after hearing that [[Edward Braddock]] and his troops were posted there, and were attempting to drive her and her people off their lands. The trouble she caused caught the attention of [[Charles Lee]], and led both him and Haytham to seek her out near the town.


However, Kaniehtí:io left her camp moments before they arrived, and soon after the two had caught with her, she escaped into the trees. Haytham was forced to chase her, until she finally stopped to give him a chance to speak.
[[File:ACIII-Unconvinced 5.png|thumb|250px|Kaniehtí:io examining Haytham's amulet]]
However, Kaniehtí:io left her camp moments before they arrived, and once the two had caught up with her, she escaped into the trees. Haytham was forced to chase her, until she finally stopped to give him a chance to speak. After introducing themselves, Haytham showed her the [[Grand Temple Key|amulet]] he had acquired in [[London]]. Kaniehtí:io admitted that she had seen similar markings somewhere else, but refused to speak of it, since the location was sacred.<ref name="Unconvinced" />


After introducing themselves, Haytham showed her the [[Grand Temple Key]] he had acquired in London. Kaniehtí:io admitted that she had seen similar markings somewhere else, but refused to speak of it, since the location was sacred.
In an effort to gain her trust, Haytham offered to help her kill Braddock, to which Kaniehtí:io agreed but remained suspicious of him. They visited the tavern in [[Concord]] and eavesdropped on several Redcoats, learning that Braddock could be found at [[Fort St-Mathieu]]. Upon leaving the tavern, Haytham was stopped by the Redcoats, triggering a bar brawl. After beating up the Redcoats, Kaniehtí:io treated a small cut on Haytham's cheek, applying a cloth with alcohol. Although he claimed it was not necessary, Haytham thanked her nonetheless.<ref name="Unconvinced" />


In an effort to gain her trust, Haytham offered to help her deal with Braddock, and Kaniehtí:io agreed. Kaniehtí:io led him to one of Braddock's forts, where Haytham retrieved military plans that would allow them to plan an ambush on Braddock, as his troops marched to Fort Duquesne.
Kaniehtí:io later met with Haytham outside Fort St-Mathieu, where Haytham successfully retrieved military plans that revealed the route of Braddock's expedition to [[Fort Duquesne]]. Over the next several months, Kaniehtí:io planned an ambush of the expedition to kill Braddock, while gathering the support of like-minded warriors from other Native American tribes.<ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Execution is Everything]]</ref>


===Braddock Expedition===
===Braddock Expedition===
[[File:ACIII-BraddockExpedition_14.png|thumb|left|250px|Disguised Haytham wtih Kaniehtí:io.]]
{{Dialogue2|Kaniehtí:io|All the men are from many different tribes—united in their desire to see Braddock sent away. The Abenaki. The Lenape. The Shawnee.|Haytham|And you? Who do you stand for?|Myself.|Haytham and Kaniehtí:io, prior to ambushing Braddock's expedition, 1755.|Assassin's Creed III|The Braddock Expedition (memory)}}
On the assassination of Braddock, Haytham and Kaniehtí:io traveled to find the entrance to the Temple, however, the amulet that Haytham had in his possession gathered no results.
[[File:ACIII-BraddockExpedition 14.png|thumb|left|250px|A disguised Haytham with Kaniehtí:io]]
In July of 1755, Kaniehtí:io met with Haytham and her Native allies in the Frontier. While her forces attacked the expedition once panic ensued, Kaniehtí:io came to Haytham's aid by tackling and pinning George Washington. This allowed Haytham to chase and fatally wound Braddock, leaving him for dead.<ref name="The Braddock Expedition">''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[The Braddock Expedition (memory)|The Braddock Expedition]]</ref>
 
Haytham's end of the agreement fulfilled, Kaniehtí:io traveled with him to the entrance to the Grand Temple, revealing a painted cave wall. However, the amulet did not react, leaving Haytham at a dead end in his investigation. Seeing his disappointment, Kaniehtí:io explained the story of the cave paintings of their sacred gods. As she held his hand, the two revealed their feelings for one another and shared a kiss; they would later meet again, leading to the conception of a son.<ref name="The Braddock Expedition" />
 
The two eventually separated when Kaniehtí:io learned that Haytham had not killed Braddock as he had assured her, but simply wounded him. A month after the attack, Lee came to inform Haytham that Braddock had died from his injuries and had been buried by Washington. Believing that Haytham had manipulated her, an enraged Kaniehtí:io demanded that he leave.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Forsaken]]'' – 4 August 1755</ref>
 
===Later life and death===
{{Quote|You will think yourself alone, but know that I will be at your side. Always and forever. I love you.|Kaniehtí:io's last words to her son, 1760.|Assassin's Creed III|Hide and Seek}}
[[File:ACIII-HideandSeek 1.png|thumb|250px|Kaniehtí:io with her son]]
Kaniehtí:io raised her son, Ratonhnhaké:ton, in her home village of Kanatahséton.<ref name="AC3" /> However, due to her actions in the attack of the Braddock Expedition, she was denied the position of becoming Clan Mother herself, having defied [[Oiá:ner]]'s wishes.<ref name="Database" />
 
Kaniehtí:io also learned the truth about Haytham's Templar affiliations and what his Order [[New World Order|truly sought]]; as a result, she began to fear that her son might inherit his father's malevolent ambitions. She was also initially afraid that her people would reject or disdain her son because of his mixed blood, but they loved and treated him as their own, much to her relief.<ref name="Hide and Seek">''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Hide and Seek (III)|Hide and Seek]]</ref>
 
One day in 1760, Kaniehtí:io allowed her young son to venture into the forest to play with the other children. During this time, Lee and a group of Templars came to the village, demanding access to the spirit sanctuary, but were denied access and left. Unknown to Kaniehtí:io, Lee had found her son in the forest and assaulted him for his own amusement.<ref name="Hide and Seek" />


At this point, the two revealed their feelings for one another and shared a kiss, which later led on to the conception of a son, Ratonhnhaké:ton. Years later, Kaniehtí:io would realize that the man she loved was a [[Templars|Templar]], and began to fear that her son might inherit his malevolent father's ambitions. Due to her actions during Braddock's expedition and her relationship with a Templar, she was denied the position of becoming Clan Mother herself.
[[File:ACIII-HideandSeek 11.png|thumb|left|250px|Kaniehtí:io trapped in the burning hut]]
{{-}}
The village was soon attacked by soldiers under the orders of George Washington, and as a result, Kaniehtí:io was trapped beneath a pile of rubble inside a burning hut; Ratonhnhaké:ton returned but was unable to free and rescue her. Knowing her time was short, Kaniehtí:io ordered her son to leave her or he would perish also, but the boy refused and kept trying until a village elder carried him away to safety, reluctantly leaving her to die. Kaniehtí:io's last words to her son were ones of comfort and love just before the hut collapsed on her.<ref name="Hide and Seek" />


===Death===
==Legacy ==
[[File:ACIII-HideandSeek_11.png|thumb|250px|Kaniehtí:io trapped in the burning hut.]]
{{Quote|Oh, you're sorry? I found my mother burning alive. I'll never forget her face as she sent me away. Charles Lee is responsible for her death by your order. And you're sorry?|Connor blaming Haytham for his mother's death, 1778.|Assassin's Creed III|The Foam and the Flames}}
Kaniehtí:io's village was attacked by the [[British Army]] on the order of [[George Washington]] sometime during the Seven Years' War, and in the attack, Kaniehtí:tio perished due to being pinned beneath burning rubble. As he was assaulted by [[Charles Lee]] early on, her son Ratonhnhaké:ton would go on to believe that Lee and the Templars had burned down the village and killed his mother, until his father Haytham finally told him the truth as the pair confronted George Washington years later.
Ratonhnhaké:ton grew up traumatized by his mother's death. Naturally, he believed the man who had attacked him, Charles Lee, had also burned the village and killed his mother, so he joined the Assassins to ensure the Templars would never again harm his people. He kept his mother's necklace in his bedroom at the [[Davenport Homestead]] as a memento.<ref name="AC3" />
{{-}}


==Trivia==
Haytham eventually learned of Kaniehtí:io's death when he returned to America by 1774.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Forsaken'' – 12 January 1774</ref> When he encountered his son, Haytham feigned ignorance of her death to more easily convince him that the Templars were not responsible. However, this backfired when Haytham revealed that Washington had recently ordered an attack on the village based on reports of the [[Iroquois]] siding with the British. Connor, disgusted with both of their actions, broke off his temporary truce with Haytham for having hidden the truth and completely severed his ties to Washington, swearing he would kill either of them if they tried to stop him rescuing his people<ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Broken Trust]]</ref> and later telling Washington to never call for his aid again.<ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Battle of Monmouth (memory)|Battle of Monmouth]]</ref><ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''[[Benedict Arnold (DLC)|Benedict Arnold]]'' – [[Traitor in Our Midst]]</ref>
*Kaniehtí:io is the only non-[[Assassins|Assassin]] or Templar to ever be seen performing a [[Leap of Faith]].
 
*Kaniehtí:io is technically playable during the loading screen between the end of Haytham's run and the start of their son's, making her the first woman to be playable under Desmond's ancestry.
==Alternate timeline==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdzELtveS5s A deleted dialogue] from the game shows that [[Achilles Davenport]] and Kaniehtí:io were friends.
{{Quote|You know Washington went mad with power long ago. I tried to stop him but failed. And now I've brought down his wrath upon my own people.|Kaniehtí:io to her son in the alternate reality.|The Tyranny of King Washington|Awaken}}
[[File:Halls of Injustice 6.png|thumb|250px|Kaniehtí:io attempting to steal Washington's scepter]]
In the alternate reality projected by an [[Apple of Eden 3|Apple of Eden]], George Washington had obtained the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] and become a tyrannical king. Kaniehtí:io snuck into Washington's [[New York Pyramid|fortress]] and stole his scepter, which housed the Apple. [[Israel Putnam]] managed to retrieve the scepter after shooting it off her back as she made her escape.<ref name="TOKW - TR">''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''[[The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption]]'' – [[Halls of Injustice]]</ref>
 
After her failed attempt, she returned to the Frontier, reuniting with her son. The two proceeded through the forest and discovered that King Washington's army of Bluecoats were attacking the frontier in search of Kaniehtí:io.<ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''[[The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy]]'' – [[Awaken]]</ref>
 
Kaniehtí:io and Ratonhnhaké:ton fought the Bluecoats while rescuing captured civilians in Concord. As they made their way to Lexington, they came face-to-face with King Washington who warned them that he would have revenge against Kaniehtí:io and destroy their village. While traveling back to Kanatahséton, Kaniehtí:io and Ratonhnhaké:ton met with [[Teiowí:sonte]], who revealed that the Clan Mother had sent him to collect boughs from the [[Red Willow|Great Willow Tree]], intending to brew the special tea and gain its power. Knowing the risks of the tea, Kaniehtí:io implored her son not to drink it, afraid that its power would endanger and corrupt him.<ref name=":0">''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy'' – [[Warn the Village]]</ref>
 
[[File:ACIII-Warn 12.png|thumb|left|250px|Ratonhnhaké:ton hunched over Kaniehtí:io's corpse]]
Kaniehtí:io returned to the village and confronted Oiá:ner, arguing that they should unite and use their strength without the tea. Oiá:ner retorted that they had no choice in order to fight the King's army and blamed Kaniehtí:io for incurring his wrath upon them. Kaniehtí:io left and gave Ratonhnhaké:ton a pair of [[Hidden Blade]]s, left for him by his father. The village was then attacked by the Bluecoats. After fighting overwhelming numbers, King Washington approached and swiftly killed Kaniehtí:io using the power of the Apple.<ref name=":0" />
 
After surviving the attack, Ratonhnhaké:ton would later use the tea from the Great Willow, gaining animal powers in order to fight Washington. During his second confrontation with Washington and later during his third sky journey, Ratonhnhaké:ton was met by phantoms of his deceased mother, saddened and condemning him for disobeying her.<ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''[[The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal]]'' – [[Consequences (III)|Consequences]]</ref><ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''[[The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption]]'' – [[Sky World Journey (Redemption)|Sky World Journey]]</ref> After the King's defeat, a final vision appeared before Ratonhnhaké:ton, warning him to not take the Apple, which he ultimately ignored.<ref name="TOKW - TI">''Assassin's Creed III'' – ''The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption'' – [[Inevitable Confrontation]]</ref>
 
== Behind the scenes==
Kaniehtí:io was first introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' as the mother of the protagonist [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]], also called Connor, and is voiced by the Kanien'kehá:ka actor [[Kaniehtiio Horn]]. In the {{Wiki|Mohawk language}}, her name translates to "nice/pretty snow",<ref>{{Twitter|kaniehtiio|status/1270865779030929412|Kaniehtiio Horn|backup=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831221553/https://twitter.com/kaniehtiio/status/1270865779030929412|quote=❄️HOW TO PRONOUNCE ❄️<br>❄️ MY NAME❄️<br>My name is Kaniehti:io, I made a short lil video teaching non-kanien'kéha speakers how to pronounce it properly. Taking the time to learn someone's name is important and respectful, so I hope you enjoy this little how-to. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210107005126im_/https://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/1270865592430493697/pu/img/bYZmXACjjnnUH-zw.jpg pic.twitter.com/CXJCP8uXsy]}}</ref> and her necklace indicates she is a member of the Turtle Clan.{{Cite|25 Jan 2025}} Interestingly, this is the same clan that [[William Johnson]] had ties to via marriage to his Iroquois wife {{wiki|Molly Brant}}. She was the first non-Assassin or Templar to ever be seen performing a [[Leap of Faith]].
 
In an early demo build of the game, she is playable in a now-cut memory that acted as the beginning of Sequence 4.<ref>{{Youtube|NnVP-9k43yU|Assassin's Creed 3 E3 sequence 4 missions 0, 1, and 2 [Research & Unused Content]|@kuriatsu|video=Assassin's Creed 3 E3 sequence 4 missions 0, 1, and 2 [Research & Unused Content]|channelname=Kuriatsu}}</ref> Further information from datamined files reveal the memory was called "[[Consequences (III) (Removed)|Consequences]]", with the description "''Kaniehtí:io must answer for her actions''", and the objectives "Meet the gate keeper", "Follow the gate keeper to the council", and "Attend the council to learn your fate". All that is left of this in the retail version is that she is briefly playable during the [[Memory Corridor]] between the end of Haytham's memories and the start of their son's, making her the only woman to be playable in Desmond's ancestry. Additional deleted dialogue from the game clarifies Oiá:ner's line that Kaniehtí:io was once aided by the Assassins. In it, Connor asks Achilles if his mother was an Assassin, to which he responds she was simply an "ally."<ref>{{Youtube|video=hdzELtveS5s|text=Was She an Assassin? (deleted scene) - Assassin's Creed 3|channel=channel/UCPmsZ8PXis5UkJVVZ6XHiUw|channelname=Kosappi Uni|quote=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708115205/http://allsoundsasscreed.tumblr.com/post/97101326172/achilles-my-god-boy-have-you-no-filter-do-you}}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACIII-InfiltratingSouthgate 6.png|Haytham meeting Kaniehtí:io.
Kaniehtíio - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of Kaniehtí:io
ACIII-BraddockExpedition_6.png|Kaniehtí:io and Haytham before the ambush.
ACIII-InfiltratingSouthgate 6.png|Haytham meeting Kaniehtí:io
ACIII-BraddockExpedition 10.png|Kaniehtí:io holding down George Washington.
ACIII-BraddockExpedition 6.png|Kaniehtí:io and Haytham before the ambush
ACIII-BraddockExpedition 16.png|Kaniehtí:io and Haytham sharing a kiss.
ACIII-BraddockExpedition 10.png|Kaniehtí:io holding down George Washington
ACIII-HideandSeek_1.png|Kaniehtí:io with her son.
ACIII-BraddockExpedition 16.png|Kaniehtí:io and Haytham sharing a kiss
ACIII-Awaken 1.png|Kaniehtí:io in the alternate reality with her son
ACIII-Awaken 3.png|Kaniehtí:io interrogating one of Washington's men
ACIII-Warn 6.png|Kaniehtí:io giving Haytham's Hidden Blades to her son
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Reference==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[The Tyranny of King Washington]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forsaken]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' {{mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game]]'' {{Mo}}
 
==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{AC3}}
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[[Category:Characters]]
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Latest revision as of 15:59, 11 May 2026

"[Haytham's] eyes were ever fixed on the future—one in which he and his Templar brethren controlled all. My greatest fear is that one day I shall look into the face of my son and see the same dark hunger there."
―Kaniehtí:io, c. 1760.[src]-[m]

Kaniehtí:io (1731 – 1760), colloquially known as Ziio, was a Kanien'kehá:ka warrior from the village of Kanatahséton. Unlike her fellow villagers, who preferred to stay neutral to protect their sacred sanctuary, she sought to fight the British encroaching on her people's lands. She is an ancestor of Victor Flores Castillo,[1] Noa Kim,[2] and Desmond Miles, the latter through the paternal line.

In 1754, Kaniehtí:io gained an ally in the Templar Haytham Kenway, who sought access to her people's sanctuary. The two shared a brief relationship, which resulted in the conception and birth of a son, whom she named Ratonhnhaké:ton. When her son was four, she died during an attack on the village ordered by George Washington; Ratonhnhaké:ton grew up believing Haytham's subordinate Charles Lee was responsible, setting him on the path to join the Assassins.

Biography[edit | edit source]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Kaniehtí:io was born in 1731 to the Clan Mother in Kanatahséton and was trained to succeed her from an early age.[3] Throughout her life, Kaniehtí:io would often voice her concerns over the colonists expanding into their territory, despite the village's consensus to stay neutral.[4] At some point, she befriended Achilles Davenport, the Mentor of the Colonial Assassins.[5]

Meeting Haytham[edit | edit source]

"There was a woman there, that night. It was she who helped the others to safety. If we could find her, I believe I'll have my answers."
―Haytham Kenway on Kaniehtí:io, 1754.[src]-[m]

Prior to the French and Indian War, in 1754, Kaniehtí:io was captured and personally escorted to the slaver Silas Thatcher with other members of her nation. However, on their way to Southgate Fort through Boston, her convoy was attacked by Haytham Kenway and his fellow Templars, who held the intention of assassinating Silas and freeing the slaves for leverage material on her nation's sanctuary.[6]

Kaniehtí:io smiling at Haytham

On entering the fort, the Templars freed the natives held captive there and Kaniehtí:io led them to safety. While leaving the fort with her people, Kaniehtí:io briefly smiled at Haytham in gratitude.[6]

Later, Haytham decided that Kaniehtí:io would be a vital ally in helping the Templars' search for the Precursor site, as members of the Precursors were considered to be sacred gods by the Kanien'kehá:ka nation. Haytham expected the Kanien'kehá:ka to contact him out of gratitude for rescuing their people, but he heard nothing even after several weeks had passed.[7]

In the winter of 1754, Kaniehtí:io began scouting out Lexington, after learning that Edward Braddock and his troops were posted there and were attempting to drive her and her people from their lands. Her actions caught the attention of Charles Lee, and led both him and Haytham to seek her out near the town.[7]

Kaniehtí:io examining Haytham's amulet

However, Kaniehtí:io left her camp moments before they arrived, and once the two had caught up with her, she escaped into the trees. Haytham was forced to chase her, until she finally stopped to give him a chance to speak. After introducing themselves, Haytham showed her the amulet he had acquired in London. Kaniehtí:io admitted that she had seen similar markings somewhere else, but refused to speak of it, since the location was sacred.[7]

In an effort to gain her trust, Haytham offered to help her kill Braddock, to which Kaniehtí:io agreed but remained suspicious of him. They visited the tavern in Concord and eavesdropped on several Redcoats, learning that Braddock could be found at Fort St-Mathieu. Upon leaving the tavern, Haytham was stopped by the Redcoats, triggering a bar brawl. After beating up the Redcoats, Kaniehtí:io treated a small cut on Haytham's cheek, applying a cloth with alcohol. Although he claimed it was not necessary, Haytham thanked her nonetheless.[7]

Kaniehtí:io later met with Haytham outside Fort St-Mathieu, where Haytham successfully retrieved military plans that revealed the route of Braddock's expedition to Fort Duquesne. Over the next several months, Kaniehtí:io planned an ambush of the expedition to kill Braddock, while gathering the support of like-minded warriors from other Native American tribes.[8]

Braddock Expedition[edit | edit source]

Kaniehtí:io: "All the men are from many different tribes—united in their desire to see Braddock sent away. The Abenaki. The Lenape. The Shawnee."
Haytham: "And you? Who do you stand for?"
Kaniehtí:io: "Myself."
—Haytham and Kaniehtí:io, prior to ambushing Braddock's expedition, 1755.[src]-[m]
A disguised Haytham with Kaniehtí:io

In July of 1755, Kaniehtí:io met with Haytham and her Native allies in the Frontier. While her forces attacked the expedition once panic ensued, Kaniehtí:io came to Haytham's aid by tackling and pinning George Washington. This allowed Haytham to chase and fatally wound Braddock, leaving him for dead.[9]

Haytham's end of the agreement fulfilled, Kaniehtí:io traveled with him to the entrance to the Grand Temple, revealing a painted cave wall. However, the amulet did not react, leaving Haytham at a dead end in his investigation. Seeing his disappointment, Kaniehtí:io explained the story of the cave paintings of their sacred gods. As she held his hand, the two revealed their feelings for one another and shared a kiss; they would later meet again, leading to the conception of a son.[9]

The two eventually separated when Kaniehtí:io learned that Haytham had not killed Braddock as he had assured her, but simply wounded him. A month after the attack, Lee came to inform Haytham that Braddock had died from his injuries and had been buried by Washington. Believing that Haytham had manipulated her, an enraged Kaniehtí:io demanded that he leave.[10]

Later life and death[edit | edit source]

"You will think yourself alone, but know that I will be at your side. Always and forever. I love you."
―Kaniehtí:io's last words to her son, 1760.[src]-[m]
Kaniehtí:io with her son

Kaniehtí:io raised her son, Ratonhnhaké:ton, in her home village of Kanatahséton.[5] However, due to her actions in the attack of the Braddock Expedition, she was denied the position of becoming Clan Mother herself, having defied Oiá:ner's wishes.[4]

Kaniehtí:io also learned the truth about Haytham's Templar affiliations and what his Order truly sought; as a result, she began to fear that her son might inherit his father's malevolent ambitions. She was also initially afraid that her people would reject or disdain her son because of his mixed blood, but they loved and treated him as their own, much to her relief.[11]

One day in 1760, Kaniehtí:io allowed her young son to venture into the forest to play with the other children. During this time, Lee and a group of Templars came to the village, demanding access to the spirit sanctuary, but were denied access and left. Unknown to Kaniehtí:io, Lee had found her son in the forest and assaulted him for his own amusement.[11]

Kaniehtí:io trapped in the burning hut

The village was soon attacked by soldiers under the orders of George Washington, and as a result, Kaniehtí:io was trapped beneath a pile of rubble inside a burning hut; Ratonhnhaké:ton returned but was unable to free and rescue her. Knowing her time was short, Kaniehtí:io ordered her son to leave her or he would perish also, but the boy refused and kept trying until a village elder carried him away to safety, reluctantly leaving her to die. Kaniehtí:io's last words to her son were ones of comfort and love just before the hut collapsed on her.[11]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

"Oh, you're sorry? I found my mother burning alive. I'll never forget her face as she sent me away. Charles Lee is responsible for her death by your order. And you're sorry?"
―Connor blaming Haytham for his mother's death, 1778.[src]-[m]

Ratonhnhaké:ton grew up traumatized by his mother's death. Naturally, he believed the man who had attacked him, Charles Lee, had also burned the village and killed his mother, so he joined the Assassins to ensure the Templars would never again harm his people. He kept his mother's necklace in his bedroom at the Davenport Homestead as a memento.[5]

Haytham eventually learned of Kaniehtí:io's death when he returned to America by 1774.[12] When he encountered his son, Haytham feigned ignorance of her death to more easily convince him that the Templars were not responsible. However, this backfired when Haytham revealed that Washington had recently ordered an attack on the village based on reports of the Iroquois siding with the British. Connor, disgusted with both of their actions, broke off his temporary truce with Haytham for having hidden the truth and completely severed his ties to Washington, swearing he would kill either of them if they tried to stop him rescuing his people[13] and later telling Washington to never call for his aid again.[14][15]

Alternate timeline[edit | edit source]

"You know Washington went mad with power long ago. I tried to stop him but failed. And now I've brought down his wrath upon my own people."
―Kaniehtí:io to her son in the alternate reality.[src]-[m]
Kaniehtí:io attempting to steal Washington's scepter

In the alternate reality projected by an Apple of Eden, George Washington had obtained the Piece of Eden and become a tyrannical king. Kaniehtí:io snuck into Washington's fortress and stole his scepter, which housed the Apple. Israel Putnam managed to retrieve the scepter after shooting it off her back as she made her escape.[16]

After her failed attempt, she returned to the Frontier, reuniting with her son. The two proceeded through the forest and discovered that King Washington's army of Bluecoats were attacking the frontier in search of Kaniehtí:io.[17]

Kaniehtí:io and Ratonhnhaké:ton fought the Bluecoats while rescuing captured civilians in Concord. As they made their way to Lexington, they came face-to-face with King Washington who warned them that he would have revenge against Kaniehtí:io and destroy their village. While traveling back to Kanatahséton, Kaniehtí:io and Ratonhnhaké:ton met with Teiowí:sonte, who revealed that the Clan Mother had sent him to collect boughs from the Great Willow Tree, intending to brew the special tea and gain its power. Knowing the risks of the tea, Kaniehtí:io implored her son not to drink it, afraid that its power would endanger and corrupt him.[18]

Ratonhnhaké:ton hunched over Kaniehtí:io's corpse

Kaniehtí:io returned to the village and confronted Oiá:ner, arguing that they should unite and use their strength without the tea. Oiá:ner retorted that they had no choice in order to fight the King's army and blamed Kaniehtí:io for incurring his wrath upon them. Kaniehtí:io left and gave Ratonhnhaké:ton a pair of Hidden Blades, left for him by his father. The village was then attacked by the Bluecoats. After fighting overwhelming numbers, King Washington approached and swiftly killed Kaniehtí:io using the power of the Apple.[18]

After surviving the attack, Ratonhnhaké:ton would later use the tea from the Great Willow, gaining animal powers in order to fight Washington. During his second confrontation with Washington and later during his third sky journey, Ratonhnhaké:ton was met by phantoms of his deceased mother, saddened and condemning him for disobeying her.[19][20] After the King's defeat, a final vision appeared before Ratonhnhaké:ton, warning him to not take the Apple, which he ultimately ignored.[21]

Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

Kaniehtí:io was first introduced in Assassin's Creed III as the mother of the protagonist Ratonhnhaké:ton, also called Connor, and is voiced by the Kanien'kehá:ka actor Kaniehtiio Horn. In the Mohawk language, her name translates to "nice/pretty snow",[22] and her necklace indicates she is a member of the Turtle Clan. [citation needed] Interestingly, this is the same clan that William Johnson had ties to via marriage to his Iroquois wife Molly Brant. She was the first non-Assassin or Templar to ever be seen performing a Leap of Faith.

In an early demo build of the game, she is playable in a now-cut memory that acted as the beginning of Sequence 4.[23] Further information from datamined files reveal the memory was called "Consequences", with the description "Kaniehtí:io must answer for her actions", and the objectives "Meet the gate keeper", "Follow the gate keeper to the council", and "Attend the council to learn your fate". All that is left of this in the retail version is that she is briefly playable during the Memory Corridor between the end of Haytham's memories and the start of their son's, making her the only woman to be playable in Desmond's ancestry. Additional deleted dialogue from the game clarifies Oiá:ner's line that Kaniehtí:io was once aided by the Assassins. In it, Connor asks Achilles if his mother was an Assassin, to which he responds she was simply an "ally."[24]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Concept art of Kaniehtí:io
    Concept art of Kaniehtí:io
  • Haytham meeting Kaniehtí:io
    Haytham meeting Kaniehtí:io
  • Kaniehtí:io and Haytham before the ambush
    Kaniehtí:io and Haytham before the ambush
  • Kaniehtí:io holding down George Washington
    Kaniehtí:io holding down George Washington
  • Kaniehtí:io and Haytham sharing a kiss
    Kaniehtí:io and Haytham sharing a kiss
  • Kaniehtí:io in the alternate reality with her son
    Kaniehtí:io in the alternate reality with her son
  • Kaniehtí:io interrogating one of Washington's men
    Kaniehtí:io interrogating one of Washington's men
  • Kaniehtí:io giving Haytham's Hidden Blades to her son
    Kaniehtí:io giving Haytham's Hidden Blades to her son

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game – Animus Training Program Quickstart: Character File Folios
  2. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 100
  3. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Initiates – Database: Fire in her Eyes
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed III – Database: Kaniehtí:io
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Assassin's Creed III
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Assassin's Creed III – Infiltrating Southgate
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Assassin's Creed III – Unconvinced
  8. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Execution is Everything
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Assassin's Creed III – The Braddock Expedition
  10. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forsaken – 4 August 1755
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Assassin's Creed III – Hide and Seek
  12. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forsaken – 12 January 1774
  13. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Broken Trust
  14. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Battle of Monmouth
  15. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Benedict Arnold – Traitor in Our Midst
  16. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption – Halls of Injustice
  17. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy – Awaken
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy – Warn the Village
  19. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Consequences
  20. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption – Sky World Journey
  21. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption – Inevitable Confrontation
  22. ↑ Kaniehtiio Horn (@kaniehtiio) on Twitter "❄️HOW TO PRONOUNCE ❄️
    ❄️ MY NAME❄️
    My name is Kaniehti:io, I made a short lil video teaching non-kanien'kéha speakers how to pronounce it properly. Taking the time to learn someone's name is important and respectful, so I hope you enjoy this little how-to. pic.twitter.com/CXJCP8uXsy" (backup link)
  23. ↑ Assassin's Creed 3 E3 sequence 4 missions 0, 1, and 2 [Research & Unused Content] on the Kuriatsu YouTube channel
  24. ↑ Was She an Assassin? (deleted scene) - Assassin's Creed 3 on the Kosappi Uni YouTube channel (backup link)

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