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{{Era|Technology|Isu}}{{WP-REAL|Crystal skull}} | {{Era|Technology|Isu}}{{WP-REAL|Crystal skull}} | ||
{{Quote|The priest pulls out another skull, crystal, and holds it high. The relic! I hear its hum in my own skull. Faint, but familiar!|Giovanni Borgia, upon first sighting a Crystal Skull, 1520.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}} | {{Quote|The priest pulls out another skull, crystal, and holds it high. The relic! I hear its hum in my own skull. Faint, but familiar!|Giovanni Borgia, upon first sighting a Crystal Skull, 1520.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia}} | ||
[[File:AC4 Crystal Skull render.png|thumb|250px|A Crystal Skull with an inserted blood vial]] | [[File:AC4 Crystal Skull render.png|thumb|250px|A Crystal Skull with an inserted blood vial]] | ||
The '''Crystal Skulls''' are [[Pieces of Eden]] that function as communication and observational devices. Created by the [[Isu | The '''Crystal Skulls''' are [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] that function as communication and observational devices. Created by the [[Isu]], three distinct variations of Crystal Skulls have been discovered so far. The first type function much like modern telephone devices, allowing communication between all who possess a device. The second type has a record-and-playback function, allowing a user to record and send audio-visual messages to others who possess a counterpart Crystal Skull. Finally, the third works as a monitoring devices, projecting audio-visual surveillance through connection with a living being's blood in a [[Blood vial|vial]]. The Crystal Skulls have notably been found in the remains of the old pre-Columbian civilizations of the Americas. | ||
The first type function much like modern telephone devices, allowing communication between all who possess a device. The second type has a record-and-playback function, allowing a user to record and send audio-visual messages to others who possess a counterpart Crystal Skull. Finally, the third works as a monitoring devices, projecting audio-visual surveillance through connection with a living being's blood in a [[Blood | |||
The Crystal Skulls have notably been found in the remains of the old pre-Columbian civilizations of the Americas. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===16th century=== | ===16th century=== | ||
{{Quote|I hear talking, but I cannot understand the words! I see a face within its cloudy core. No... in my mind. It has appeared in my mind!|Giovanni studying the Skull, 1542.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}In 1520, the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian | {{Quote|I hear talking, but I cannot understand the words! I see a face within its cloudy core. No... in my mind. It has appeared in my mind!|Giovanni studying the Skull, 1542.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia}} | ||
In 1520, the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassins]] assigned [[Giovanni Borgia]] to [[Hernán Cortés]]' crew to search for unknown Pieces of Eden in [[Mexico]]. Giovanni was able to locate a Crystal Skull in the possession of the [[Aztecs|Aztec civilization]] at [[Tenochtitlan]], and retrieved it from an Aztec priest before it was to be utilized in a human sacrifice ritual, amidst the chaos caused by Cortés' attacking crew.<ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Rome: Chapter 4 - Giovanni Borgia]]</ref> | |||
[[File:Vision01-1-.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The skull in use]] | [[File:Vision01-1-.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The skull in use]] | ||
Returning to [[Europe]] with the artifact, Giovanni took it to the scientist [[Bombastus]], who was an expert in studying the Pieces of Eden. Though he subjected it to several tests, Bombastus was unable to discover its purpose, and the Brotherhood dismissed the Skull as little more than an ornate treasure. | Returning to [[Europe]] with the artifact, Giovanni took it to the scientist [[Bombastus]], who was an expert in studying the Pieces of Eden. Though he subjected it to several tests, Bombastus was unable to discover its purpose, and the Brotherhood dismissed the Skull as little more than an ornate treasure. Despite this, Giovanni continued to study the Skull, gazing into it for at least an hour each day for about 22 years. Finally, in 1542, an unknown [[China|Chinese]] man, who had also acquired a Skull, used its communicative powers to contact Giovanni.<ref name="Project Legacy"/> | ||
Despite this, Giovanni continued to study the Skull, gazing into it for at least an hour each day for about 22 years. Finally, in 1542, an unknown [[China|Chinese]] man, who had also acquired a Skull, used its communicative powers to contact Giovanni.<ref name="Project Legacy"/> | |||
===18th century=== | ===18th century=== | ||
In 1719, the [[ | In 1719, the [[Sage]] and [[Piracy|pirate]] [[Bartholomew Roberts]] agreed to take [[Edward Kenway]] to see the [[Observatory (Isu)|Observatory]], an Isu complex used to monitor the lives of people whose blood had been collected in blood vials. Central to the Observatory was the viewing device: a large armillary sphere with a Crystal Skull fixed in its core, where the vials would be inserted. The device would then spin and project images onto the wall behind it.<ref name="AC4">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – {{Cite|8 Jan 2024}}</ref> | ||
[[File:The_Observatory_11.png|thumb|250px|Roberts holding a Crystal Skull with a blood vial slotted in]] | [[File:The_Observatory_11.png|thumb|250px|Roberts holding a Crystal Skull with a blood vial slotted in]] | ||
After leading Kenway to the center of the complex, Roberts activated the Crystal Skull that the Observatory housed to take a look through the eyes of [[Jack Rackham]] and [[Woodes Rogers]]. Betraying Kenway and leaving him locked in the Observatory, Roberts took the Crystal Skull and kept it with him while he sailed the [[Caribbean|West Indies]] and West [[Africa]] for the next three years.<ref name="AC4" | After leading Kenway to the center of the complex, Roberts activated the Crystal Skull that the Observatory housed to take a look through the eyes of [[Jack Rackham]] and [[Woodes Rogers]]. Betraying Kenway and leaving him locked in the Observatory, Roberts took the Crystal Skull and kept it with him while he sailed the [[Caribbean|West Indies]] and West [[Africa]] for the next three years.<ref name="AC4"/> | ||
Kenway later tracked Roberts down to the island of [[Príncipe]], and pursued him along the coast of West Africa before boarding his ship and killing him, taking the Crystal Skull with him. Returning to [[Havana]], Kenway inserted [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Laureano de Torres y Ayala|Torres]]'s blood vial into the Crystal Skull to discern his location. | Kenway later tracked Roberts down to the island of [[Príncipe]], and pursued him along the coast of West Africa before boarding his ship and killing him, taking the Crystal Skull with him. Returning to [[Havana]], Kenway inserted [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Laureano de Torres y Ayala|Torres]]'s blood vial into the Crystal Skull to discern his location. | ||
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===21st century=== | ===21st century=== | ||
{{Quote|The good news is that they work. As a result, we now have a safe and secure communication channel for use after | {{Quote|The good news is that they work. As a result, we now have a safe and secure communication channel for use after the launch.|Alan Rikkin reporting on the Skulls.|Assassin's Creed|Emails}} | ||
By 2012, a number of Crystal Skulls – the Mitchell-Hedges Communicators – had come into the possession of some high-ranking employees of [[Abstergo Industries]], notably [[Warren Vidic]], though their CEO [[Alan Rikkin]] noted they were extremely few in number. The Templars planned to use them as a completely secure means of communication, which the Assassins would be unable to trace. Due to their limited number, only the most essential facilities or members would have access to the Skulls.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Emails]]</ref> | |||
The Templars planned to use them as a completely secure means of communication, which the Assassins would be unable to trace. Due to their limited number, only the most essential facilities or members would have access to the Skulls.<ref name="AC"/> | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*A [[Cryptic Messages|message]] that [[Clay Kaczmarek]] wrote stated that ''"Within Emperor Jiajing's sin and Quetzalcoatl's hunger lies the answers."'' The Chinese man who contacted Giovanni could presumably have been | *A [[Cryptic Messages|message]] that [[Clay Kaczmarek]] wrote stated that ''"Within Emperor Jiajing's sin and Quetzalcoatl's hunger lies the answers."'' The Chinese man who contacted Giovanni could presumably have been the [[Zhu Houcong|Jiajing Emperor]], a Templar-aided Chinese emperor who [[Great Rites Controversy|hunted]] the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]]. {{Wiki|Quetzalcoatl}} is a reference to the Mesoamerican deity, which would tie to the Mitchell-Hedges Skull. | ||
*It was suggested by the author of an Abstergo memo on various | *It was suggested by the author of an Abstergo memo on various Isu artifacts the device being shaped like a human skull was the result of a bizarre fashion trend. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
| Line 42: | Line 34: | ||
AC4 Crystal Skull.png|An Abstergo Industries depiction of a Crystal Skull | AC4 Crystal Skull.png|An Abstergo Industries depiction of a Crystal Skull | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Appearances== | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1stm}} | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]] {{1st}} | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]] | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]'' | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' {{fb}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 18:25, 8 January 2024
The Crystal Skulls are Pieces of Eden that function as communication and observational devices. Created by the Isu, three distinct variations of Crystal Skulls have been discovered so far. The first type function much like modern telephone devices, allowing communication between all who possess a device. The second type has a record-and-playback function, allowing a user to record and send audio-visual messages to others who possess a counterpart Crystal Skull. Finally, the third works as a monitoring devices, projecting audio-visual surveillance through connection with a living being's blood in a vial. The Crystal Skulls have notably been found in the remains of the old pre-Columbian civilizations of the Americas.
History
16th century
In 1520, the Italian Assassins assigned Giovanni Borgia to Hernán Cortés' crew to search for unknown Pieces of Eden in Mexico. Giovanni was able to locate a Crystal Skull in the possession of the Aztec civilization at Tenochtitlan, and retrieved it from an Aztec priest before it was to be utilized in a human sacrifice ritual, amidst the chaos caused by Cortés' attacking crew.[1]
Returning to Europe with the artifact, Giovanni took it to the scientist Bombastus, who was an expert in studying the Pieces of Eden. Though he subjected it to several tests, Bombastus was unable to discover its purpose, and the Brotherhood dismissed the Skull as little more than an ornate treasure. Despite this, Giovanni continued to study the Skull, gazing into it for at least an hour each day for about 22 years. Finally, in 1542, an unknown Chinese man, who had also acquired a Skull, used its communicative powers to contact Giovanni.[1]
18th century
In 1719, the Sage and pirate Bartholomew Roberts agreed to take Edward Kenway to see the Observatory, an Isu complex used to monitor the lives of people whose blood had been collected in blood vials. Central to the Observatory was the viewing device: a large armillary sphere with a Crystal Skull fixed in its core, where the vials would be inserted. The device would then spin and project images onto the wall behind it.[2]
After leading Kenway to the center of the complex, Roberts activated the Crystal Skull that the Observatory housed to take a look through the eyes of Jack Rackham and Woodes Rogers. Betraying Kenway and leaving him locked in the Observatory, Roberts took the Crystal Skull and kept it with him while he sailed the West Indies and West Africa for the next three years.[2]
Kenway later tracked Roberts down to the island of Príncipe, and pursued him along the coast of West Africa before boarding his ship and killing him, taking the Crystal Skull with him. Returning to Havana, Kenway inserted Grand Master Torres's blood vial into the Crystal Skull to discern his location.
He left the artifact in Rhona Dinsmore's care while he searched for his target, only to discover he assassinated a decoy, with Torres' vial having been purposely mislabeled, presumably to keep his fellow Templars from spying on him. Soon afterwards, the Observatory was found by the Caribbean Templars, and Kenway hurried to stop their endeavor to take the complex for themselves. After killing Torres, Kenway and the Assassin Mentor Ah Tabai placed the Crystal Skull back in its original location and sealed the Observatory, hoping to keep it out of the wrong hands.[2]
21st century
By 2012, a number of Crystal Skulls – the Mitchell-Hedges Communicators – had come into the possession of some high-ranking employees of Abstergo Industries, notably Warren Vidic, though their CEO Alan Rikkin noted they were extremely few in number. The Templars planned to use them as a completely secure means of communication, which the Assassins would be unable to trace. Due to their limited number, only the most essential facilities or members would have access to the Skulls.[3]
Trivia
- A message that Clay Kaczmarek wrote stated that "Within Emperor Jiajing's sin and Quetzalcoatl's hunger lies the answers." The Chinese man who contacted Giovanni could presumably have been the Jiajing Emperor, a Templar-aided Chinese emperor who hunted the Chinese Assassins. Quetzalcoatl is a reference to the Mesoamerican deity, which would tie to the Mitchell-Hedges Skull.
- It was suggested by the author of an Abstergo memo on various Isu artifacts the device being shaped like a human skull was the result of a bizarre fashion trend.
Gallery
-
Bombastus and Giovanni Borgia studying a Crystal Skull -
A Crystal Skull making a projection -
An Abstergo Industries depiction of a Crystal Skull
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed (first mentioned)
- Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- Assassin's Creed: Black Flag
- Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple (flashback only)
References
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