Initiation into the Templar Order

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"We welcome you into our fold, brother. You... are a Templar. May the Father of Understanding guide us."

―Haytham Kenway concluding Charles Lee's initiation ceremony, 1755.

Shay Cormac's induction into the Templar Order

The initiation into the Templar Order is a ceremonial tradition practiced by the Templars, which marked the induction of an individual into the ranks of their Order. For several hundred years, these ceremonies consisted of the affirmation of the Templars' goals, a vow of silence, and, in some cases, the symbolic bestowal of a Templar ring upon the inductee.

History

Early details of the practice of initiation are unknown, but a common theme throughout the ceremony was the part that the Grand Master played in the proceedings, usually leading or commencing the initiation. After swearing the new initiate to uphold the values and principles of the Order, the prized Templar ring was given to the new member.

Aside from the bestowal of the ring, however, the ceremony has been known to change from age to age and even from one region to another, to fit the needs of the assembled group.

Plantagenet England

Little is known of the exact ceremony used by the early British Templars, except that they conducted the ritual within the crypts below the Temple Church in Westminster after its construction in 1185. The building also served a dual purpose as a bank, and combined with the regular large donations from nobility, the place grew to be a strong economic and ideological center.

Golden Age of Piracy

"Mark and remember our purpose. To guide all wayward souls 'til they reach a quiet road. To guide all wayward desire 'til impassioned hearts are cooled. To guide all wayward minds to safe and sober thought. By the Father of Understanding's Light, let our work now begin."

―Laureano Torres inducting the new Templar recruits, 1715.

Torres bestowing the Templar rings on the new recruits

In 1715, the Grand Master of the Caribbean Templars, Laureano de Torres y Ayala, inducted Edward Kenway, who was masquerading as the Assassin turncoat Duncan Walpole, into the ranks of the Order. He then handed out Templar rings to Kenway, Woodes Rogers, and Julien du Casse, reminding them of the Templars' secretive nature, their role as the true leaders of the world, and the primary goal of the Order: to tame all of the flaws of the human nature so that humanity could be led into a New World Order. The ceremony was brief yet still solemn, and after the men received their rings, Torres asked for the Father of Understanding's blessing before turning attention to the task of finding the Observatory.

Edo period Japan

"Those Who Came Before left a legacy upon this Earth. Our calling is to use their divine power to restore peace and order to the world. The time has come at last to achieve this great calling. This is the duty you were born to fulfil... To restore the might of the Shimazu clan."

―A Shimazu clan member during Shimazu Saito's initiation, 1725.

Shimazu Saito's induction into the Templar Order

In 1725, Shimazu Saito was inducted into the Templar Order by members of her clan, which had been working alongside the Templars for generations. The ceremony differed drastically from those performed in other parts of the world, as the clan member presiding over the initiation discussed Francis Xavier's mission to spread both Christianity and the Templar ideology in Japan, and the clan's duty to use First Civilization artifacts to bring peace and order to the world.

The clan member then presented Saito with a sword while assigning her the task of finding Angkor, the lost city of the Khmer Empire, and retrieving its treasure. In exchange, Saito was promised that she and her subordinates, all of whom were of mixed heritage, would be recognized as full-fledged members of the clan.

Thirteen Colonies

"Together, we will usher in the dawn of a New World. One defined by purpose and order. Give me your hand."

―Haytham Kenway during Charles Lee's initiation, 1755.

Charles Lee being inducted into the Templar Order

In 1755, after Haytham Kenway led the burgeoning Colonial Templars on a mission to sabotage the Braddock Expedition, the men regrouped in the Green Dragon Tavern in Boston to celebrate their success. Before determining their next course of action, Haytham noted that Charles Lee, who had been assisting the group over the previous year, had shown exceptional promise and suggested that he be welcomed into the Order's ranks.

The group—consisting of William Johnson, Thomas Hickey, Benjamin Church, and John Pitcairn—agreed and stood, and after Lee promised to protect the Order and its principles, Haytham gave him the Templar ring that had previously belonged to Edward Braddock. Haytham then concluded the ceremony as Torres had, with a request that the Father of Understanding guide them.

Three years later, Haytham presided over the induction of the former Assassin Shay Cormac, who had assisted the Templars in their purging of the Colonial Brotherhood. The initiation was similar to the one of Charles Lee, who was also present at Shay's own induction, alongside William Johnson, Christopher Gist and Jack Weeks.

Spanish Louisiana

"Then I welcome you into our arms, sister. Together we shall usher in the dawn of a New World. One in which our hands will ensure that all things find their proper place."

―Madeleine de L'Isle swearing in Aveline de Grandpré, 1777.

Madeleine inducting Aveline

In 1777, Madeleine de L'Isle, the Master Templar leading the Louisiana Rite, organized a small ceremony in the Saint Louis Cathedral, where her stepdaughter Aveline de Grandpré, an Assassin, would be inducted into the Order. Faced with proof of Aveline's loyalty, through the necklace of her deceased Mentor Agaté, Madeleine was then given the Prophecy Disk, a First Civilization artifact she had attempted to acquire for many years.

Placing the relic on the altar, Madeleine commenced the induction, her stepdaughter promising to protect the Order and adhere to its principles. After asking the Father of Understanding to guide them, Madeleine turned her attention to the Prophecy Disk and became frustrated upon her discovery that the device did not work as she had intended. She and her allies were subsequently struck down by Aveline, who had merely pretended to join the Templars so she could eliminate them all at once.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Forsaken
• Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed: Memories (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Rogue
• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (mentioned in Database entry only)
• Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple