Six methods of salvation

"We chose those solutions which held the most promised, and devoted ourselves to testing their merits. Six we tried in succession, each more encouraging than the last. But none worked. And then, the world ended."

―Jupiter to Desmond Miles, 2012.

Juno, Minerva and Jupiter debating solutions inside the Grand Temple

The Six Methods of Salvation were a series of intricate and advanced solutions engineered by the Isu to avert the sun's coronal mass ecjection that threatened to wipe out all life on Earth. While some Isu decided to invest their resources to continue waging war against the humans, others chose not to take part in the conflict; instead, they designed and built underground vaults to protect themselves from the battle above but to also contain possible consequences if their projects went wrong.

They worked all across the globe and their results were sent to the Grand Temple so that the Father of Understanding, the Mother of Wisdom, and the Sacred Voice—Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, respectively—could sort and sample all that was collected. They were tasked to select those solutions that showed most potential and to put them to the test so their effectiveness could be evaluated. Although each method seemed more promising than the last, none of them succeeded, and the Isu civilization met its tragic fate, leaving behind their artifacts and knowledge for future generations to discover.

The First Method: Absortion

"In the beginning, when we thought we could be saved, we sought to face the sun's wrath and contain it. Four towers would be built—to pull her fury into this place and dispel it. But even with all we knew... with all we had... It would take too long."

―Juno, 2012.

Juno elaborating on the four towers

The first solution was to build four Towers to absorb the solar flare's energies that would strike the planet and dispel them. While the Isu had the means and resources, the time to produce even one of them would take too long to be successful. The first tower was never completed, and the research was eventually abandoned. However, after the Great Catastrophe took place, a few Isu returned to resume their construction. With the help of automated machines, the Towers were successfully built, and their purpose was redefined.

The enclosed content covers events or items that, while canonically experienced, may or may not have been altered in some manner and cannot be taken at face value.
Shortly before the Great Catastrophe, Surtr attempted to use the first of these towers, named Maekinn, when he invaded Svartálfaheimr. He thought it could further his conquering plans, but was stopped by Odin.

The Second Method: Shielding

"If we could not meet the sun's cruel embrace... Perhaps we might rebuke it. Already we could generate the fields—to protect us in times of strife... But these were small and simple things. To replicate them on a scale the size of a world... We lacked the energy to make it so."

―Juno, 2012.

Juno explaining the Rings of Eden

The second solution was to use the Rings of Eden on a much larger scale than ever before. The magnetic field emitted by the Rings could protect the planet against the solar flare, but it was too large to build and was considered impossible. The Isu hoped to save ever-decreasing fractions of the planet's landmass, ultimately ending their attempts at one-tenth the size, but the lack of time and resources proved too great. It was theorized that—at best—a city might have been spared, given more time, but the Isu did not have this luxury and so this plan was also abandoned.

The Third Method: Manipulation

"What is a fact? Is it fixed? Immutable? Certain in its existence and only awaiting discovery? Or might it be changed? Here we learned the answer—and thought that it might save us. They were used to command. To control. To own. But we soon discovered another use. When enough sat in thrall and were told to believe, their thoughts took on form. What was imagined became real. If a hundred minds could wish away a wall or create a tree, what might a thousand do?"

―Juno, 2012.

Juno explaining the enthrallment solution

The third solution was to use the Apples of Eden to control humanity into willing the threat away. If enough humans were compelled to believe in one singular idea, their thoughts took on form and became reality. The consequent solution involved launching an Apple of Eden into orbit, aiming it towards the planet, and commanding the entire human race to think one thought, "make us safe." However, even with a dozen of Apples sent into orbit, the Isu lacked the means to direct and maintain the control beam, and simultaneously influence the humans on a global scale. The project was eventually abandoned.

The Fourth Method: Divination

"Our first instance was to travel back. To change the past. But we could not find a way. But forward... We could look forward... And so here we sought to see beyond ourselves—and know what was to come. First we watched to learn if our work would succeed. But the answer was always the same. So we moved on to other things, but she remained. The one you call Minerva."

―Juno, 2012.

Juno explaining the time manipulation solution

The fourth solution was to attempt to go back in time and prevent the disaster before it could occur. Minerva discovered that there was a pattern to the numbers and equations that define existence. If one could comprehend these numbers, time itself could be tamed. Unfortunately, it appeared that the Isu's attempts had no effect on the past. The device they created could, however, look into the future and see if the other solutions would prevent the disaster, but the result was always a failure.

The solution was ultimately abandoned, though Minerva herself continued her studies on the underlying mathematics of the universe, and eventually used her knowledge to actively communicate with individuals in the far future, such as Desmond Miles, through the genetic memories of his ancestor, Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

The Fifth Method: Bio-engineering

"A new world approached. One that was dark and cold. It would consume us. For we were flesh and flesh is frail. Though suits and shields might offer comfort—such adornments would not suffice... Not to save us all... So we sought to change what we were. In this manner we might thrive in a world made poisonous."

―Juno, 2012.

Juno remaining by Aita's side

The fifth solution was to augment Isu bodies to adapt to the hostile new climate which appeared on Earth following the catastrophe. Juno's husband Aita volunteered himself to test the method, but his mind degenerated and he became increasingly catatonic. With enough will, he wished for Juno to euthanize him, and she fulfilled it. The solution was subsequently abandoned.

The Sixth Method: Transcendence

"What is consciousness but a series of electrical impulses... And the body a vessel to hold these sparks. But it is weak. In time, it decays and crumbles into dust... We asked ourselves, then: what if it might be replaced—with something stronger."

―Juno, 2012.

The sixth and final solution was to transfer one's consciousness to new, stronger, and better vessels that the former solution had failed to create. These new vessels would be able to withstand the new environment and could house the transferred consciousness within. While transferring one's consciousness into the new vessel was relatively simple, subsequent releasing of oneself from the vessel was nearly impossible. They even considered transferring the mind into another Isu being, as if it was a sacrifice, but this proved futile and morally wrong. As a result, this solution was ultimately abandoned.

The Hidden Seventh Method: Rebirth

Aletheia: "I've heard whispers and rumors. It seems the seventh requires a human host."

Loki: "A human host? Do you mean... rebirth? As one of them?"

—Aletheia and Loki.

The Seventh Method was a closely guarded secret, known only to a very select few among the Isu. This method involved a last-resort contingency plan that combined elements of the previous sixth method. This hidden solution aimed to ensure the survival of the Isu by transferring their genetic memories into the human genome. Its procedure wouldn't transfer their consciousness nor would it create a copy of their minds, but it would serve to preserve their knowledge and legacy for future generations by allowing their incarnations to live for them.

The enclosed content covers events or items that, while canonically experienced, may or may not have been altered in some manner and cannot be taken at face value.

The Horn holding the Mead, as depicted in Eivor Varinsdottir's visions The key to this solution was the "Mead", a serum designed by the Capitoline Triad and kept under the guard of Jupiter and Minerva. Learning of its existence, Juno secretly sought to steal and use it as a desperate last means to save Aita, while Odin, leader of the Æsir, simultaneously sought the Mead to ensure his own survival. Manipulated by Juno, Odin stole the Mead from the city of Útgarðar, after deceiving Minerva and battling Jupiter, and subsequently brought it to Mímisbrunnr, which would synthesize the serum, though only after receiving a sacrifice. Odin gave up his left eye and brought the now-synthesized Mead back to Asgard, while Juno kept part of the serum, which she further modified, leading to the creation of Aita Sages. However, Jupiter and Minerva soon learned of Juno's role in the theft of the Mead and stripped her of her title of Mother of Wisdom.

The Æsir using the Mead through the Yggdrasil device

On the day of the Great Catastrophe, Odin and seven other Æsir Isu—Freyja, Týr, Thor, Sif, Heimdall, Iðunn, and Freyr—uploaded their essences into the Yggdrasil supercomputer, which through use of the Mead, inserted the essence into a human bloodline, ensuring their "rebirth" as humans millennia in the future. However, as Odin and his compatriots left the Yggdrasil chamber to meet their fate, Loki secretly snuck in and also uploaded his essence, wishing to circumvent the Great Catastrophe and be reunited with his lover Aletheia, whose consciousness was preserved in the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus.

Gallery

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  Jotun carving of the First Method.
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  Jotun carving of the Second Method.
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  Jotun carving of the Third Method.
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  Jotun carving of the Fourth Method.
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  Jotun carving of the Fifth Method.
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  Jotun carving of the Sixth Method.

Appearences

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations (first mentioned)
• Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Origins (indirect mention only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla