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[[File:Zw-eden-slave.png|thumb|300px|The Piece of Eden used by [[Those Who Came Before]] to enslave humans]]
[[File:Zw-eden-slave.png|thumb|300px|The Piece of Eden used by [[Those Who Came Before]] to enslave humans]]
A '''Piece of Eden''' is one of several ancient objects left by [[Those Who Came Before]], each possessing different effects and are known to be capable of bending the thoughts of one or more individuals to the will of the user.
{{Quote|They're gifts, Mr. Miles. From Those Who Came Before|Dr. [[Warren Vidic]] on a Piece of Eden|Assassin's Creed}}
The '''Pieces of Eden''' were technologically advanced pieces of equipment created by the [[First Civilization]]; each possessed unique properties, and all were known to be capable of bending the thoughts of one or more individuals to the will of the user.


==History==
==History==
[[Those Who Came Before]], an ancient and incredibly advanced race of beings, lived on Earth long ago. Exactly who they were, where they came from or how they died is still largely unknown. What is known, however, is that they created both humanity and the Pieces of Eden.
{{Quote|Current examination of Subject Seventeen indicates that aside from the Piece of Eden, all other artifacts related to Christ-figure are literary devices for derived from Piece of Eden, and not actual objects.|[[Alan Rikkin]] [[e-mail]] on the Pieces of Eden adoption as biblical and historical artifacts|Assassin's Creed}}
[[Those Who Came Before]], also known s the First Civilization<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>, were an ancient yet advanced race of beings that lived on Earth long before humanity. The creators of the Human race, the First Civilization used the Pieces of Eden to control their slaves through hypnotic trances<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>. Whether humanity was created to be susceptible to the affects of the Pieces of Eden, or if the Pieces were created after humanity remains unknown; [[Minerva]], a member of the First Civilization, attributed the peace between humanity and their "gods" to the affects of the Pieces of Eden<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.


In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', [[Minerva]] reveals that her kind created humanity in their own image as a slave race. In order to ensure their acquiescence and loyalty, humanity was engineered to be susceptible to specific hypnotic power. This power was focused specifically through technology later known as Pieces of Eden. Because of this, humans and Those Who Came Before lived peacefully, albeit unequally, for some time. However, two humans, [[Adam and Eve]] became resistant to the power of their masters' technology, prompting them to rebel and to steal one of the Pieces of Eden, known only as "the Apple", a story mirrored in the Bible with Eve stealing from the Tree of Knowledge.
Eventually however, two humans, [[Adam and Eve]] became immune to the hypnotic affects of the Pieces of Eden, and stole one of the Pieces &ndash; the Apple of Eden &ndash; from their masters. Soon after this war broke out, pitting humanity against their gods. Despite their strength in technology, the Pieces of Eden failed to protect the creators from the slaves, who heavily outnumbered the masters. The war ended catastrophically for both sides, and both humanity and their gods were forced to work together to rebuild their world<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. Eventually though, the gods became extinct, and their Pieces of Eden were lost to the annals of history<ref name="Assassin's Creed" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.


When the Knights Templar discovered the existence of the Pieces of Eden, they initially believed that they were apples from the Tree of Knowledge, further cementing the original Biblical story, although not all of the Pieces are necessarily "apples". Believing that all supernatural phenomena have roots in the use of Pieces, the Templar Order committed itself to exposing all religious and spiritual miracles as false, ultimately destroying the concept of religion.
Over the centuries, the Pieces of Eden resurfaced; seen as religious artifacts or holy relics, foremost among which being the Apple of Eden. However, as time continued, so groups of individuals begun to see the Pieces of Eden for what they truely were, advanced technologies to be exploited. As early as the 12<sup>th</sup> Century, the [[Knights Templar]] were actively seeking and obtaining numerous Pieces of Eden<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />, in the hopes of uniting the world in peace much like Those Who Came Before had done<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />, and in 1191, they sought the Apple itself.


In ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', [[Al Mualim]] of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] gained a Piece of Eden, the original Apple, and attempted to use it to establish forced peace. However, his plans were thwarted by [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], who then took control of the Apple and the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]]. After doing so, he established a new goal &mdash; to hunt down and destroy the last of the Knights Templar and the remaining Pieces of Eden. Altaïr studied the artifact, writing about its powers and his own theories, this collection of writings later became known as "[[The Codex]]".
Led by the [[Robert de Sable|Grand Master]] of the Order, the Knights Templar used the cover of the [[Third Crusade]] to infiltrate the catacombs of [[Solomon's Temple]], in the city of [[Jerusalem]], where they knew the Apple to be located. Unfortunately for them, [[Al Mualim]], leader of the [[Assassins|Order of Assassins]] and secretly also, a Knights Templar, had sent his best to capture the device. [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and the [[Malik A-Sayf|brothers]] [[Kadar A-Sayf|A-Sayf]] intercepted the Templars, and despite the death of Kadar and Altaïr being thrown from the battle early on, the Assassins prevailed and spirited the Apple to their fortress in [[Masyaf]]<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />. For a year the Assassins and Knights Templar fought one another for control of the artifact, until finally the deaths of both Robert de Sable an Al Mualim at the hands of Altaïr ended the conflict. Originally intending to destroy the Apple, Altaïr found himself unable to do so, and instead decided to seal the Apple in the [[Limassol]] [[Templar Archive|Archives]] after he had liberated it from the Templars; circumstances worked agsinst this however, and he decided to keep the Apple himself, lest it fall into the wrong hands<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref>. Ultimately, the Apple did find it's way to Cyprus, where it was buried away until it's discovery and exhumation by the Knights Templar in 1487<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.


During the events of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', when the Cypriots blamed Altaïr for the disasters that struck the island and tried to attack him, he used the Piece of Eden to control their minds, forcing them to hear the truth &mdash; that the real culprit was [[Armand Bouchart]], the Templar Grand Master. Altaïr then travels to the Archives in [[Limassol]], his intention being to store the Apple and leave it. However, when he arrives, he decides to keep it instead and its later status is unknown.
Centuries later, whilst hacking into the [[Animus]], the mysterious [[Subject 16]], discovered that throughout history, the Pieces of Eden had had an extensive history of changing hands, with many historically notable figures, many Templars, laying claim to them; Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, Gandhi, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill and even Adolf Hitler to name but a few<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. By 2012 however, many had fallen into the hands of the Knights Templar; seeking to obtain the rest, the [[Animus]] project was set up with the intention of mapping the location of, and securing the remaining Pieces of Eden<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />.


In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', while decrypting "[[The Truth]]" files left by [[Subject 16]], it is revealed that the Apple and other Pieces of Eden have a rather extensive history of changing hands. Many notable figures in history (some Knights Templar and some obtaining the artifacts by pure coincidence) have used the Pieces of Eden for varying purposes. Such individuals include, but are not limited to, Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, Gandhi, Houdini, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill and even Adolf Hitler. [[Leonardo da Vinci]] was able to view an activated Piece very briefly, seeing schematics of planes, tanks, helicopters and other devices. These schematics bore a strikingly resemblance to the designs found in da Vinci's notes, suggesting that many of his well-known designs were not of his own creation, but rather copied from the Piece. Indeed, it is possible that every major historical event and scientific discovery can be attributed to a Piece of Eden, as the Pieces seem to be at the very heart of all of human history.
This Animus project was also an important component in the Knights Templar goal of ensuring world peace, through use of the Pieces of Eden. By using the Pieces of Eden known as "the Apples", the Templars sought to manipulate the neuro-transmitters in the entire human race to achieve their goal. Eye-Abstergo, a branch of [[Abstergo Industries]], planned to launch an "all-in-one telecommunication"  satellite into orbit of the Earth; unbeknownst to humanity and indeed, many employees of Abstergo Industries, the satellite would contain at least one Apple, and spread it's power out on a global scale<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />.


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
===Abilities===
===Abilities===
The greatest tools known to man, the Pieces of Eden are capable of warping reality, creating illusions, starting and ending wars, and ushering in forced peace. It is believed by [[Abstergo Industries]] and the [[Templar|Knights Templar]] that the Pieces of Eden were the sources of "miracles" such as the Parting of the Red Sea, the successful use of the Trojan Horse, the miracles surrounding "the Christ-figure" who founded the Christian faith, and the Biblical plagues that ravaged Egypt, among other supernatural happenings.[[File:Fullscreen_capture_2132010_120645_AM.bmp.jpg|thumb|Ezio with the Apple]]
[[File:Almualimxs.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Al Mualim]] uses the Apple to project multiple images of himself.]]
Amongst the greatest tools known to man; by interacting with a neuro-transmitter located deep in the brain of the human body, the Apples of Eden could control the human mind. Other Pieces of Eden were capable of warping reality, creating illusions and ensuring total obediance; both the Knights Templar and the Order of Assassins believed that the Pieces of Eden were the sources of many historical tales and miracles, such as the Parting of the Red Sea, the Trojan Horse, and the miracles enacted by "the Christ-figure" who foreshadowed the Christian faith, and the Biblical plagues that ravaged Egypt, among other supernatural happenings. Some were known to intereact with and change the passage of time, possibly creating paradoxes<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />, while at least one provided an inpenetrable barrier, that would protect the wearer from any attempt at penetration<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.


Each Piece of Eden also contains a holographic map of Earth, showing the current locations of all the other Artifacts. Abstergo kidnapped [[Desmond Miles]] for this very reason; after the [[Masyaf]] Piece of Eden was destroyed during its experimental use at the Denver International Airport, Abstergo was required to access [[Altaïr|Altaïr's]] memories to view the map and discover the locations of the other Pieces of Eden.
Following the destruction of the second Piece of Eden during experimental use at Denver International Airport, the Knights Templar found themselves in need of another artifact with similar properties. Needing access to a map that indicated the location of ''all'' Pieces of Eden, the Templar front company [[Abstergo Industries]] kidnapped the ancestor of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad &ndash; [[Desmond Miles]] &ndash; in order to view the memories of his ancestor. This would allow them to view the very same map Altaïr had viewed in 1191<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />.


Each of the Pieces of Eden contain a great deal of energy and the destruction of one causes explosions similar to nuclear blasts, powerful enough to level a major city. According to [[The Truth|one of the Truth files]], the Tunguska Explosion on June 30, 1908 was caused when a Piece of Eden was destroyed and all of its internal energy was released at once. It is also believed that a Piece of Eden was used in the Manhattan Project during World War II.
Each Pieces of Eden contained a great deal of energy stored within, and the destruction of one would cause an explosion on the same scale of a nuclear blast. [[w:Tunguska event|One such blast]] occured in 1908, in the region of Tunguska, Russia, when the Piece of Eden known as "the Staff"  was seemingly destroyed by [[Nikola Tesla]] as a strike against the Knights Templar<ref name="Assassin's Creed" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.


===Resistance===
===Resistance===
[[Adam and Eve]] are believed to be the first humans that were naturally immune to the Pieces of Eden, with other humans later in history (such as Altaïr and other Assassins) also developing immunity. In an [[e-mail]] to [[Abstergo Industries]] it is revealed that the company's leaders believe some people may be resistant to the mind control effect of the Pieces of Eden and that other such items must be procured to ensure no one is left to cause trouble in the Templar's planned "New World".
{{Quote|I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID. I SAW HIM. HE HAD A METAL BALL. IT OPENED. THEY WENT CRAZY. SHOOTING. STABBING. TORE EACH OTHER TO PIECES. I KNOW IT WAS YOU PEOPLE. SAW THE LOGO. HEARD THE NAME. I'M GOING TO TELL. ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN. YOU'LL BE EXPOSED. THEY'LL KNOW THE TRUTH. AND THEN YOU WILL PAY. YOU CRAZY BASTARDS. YOU'LL PAY.|An unidentified individual's [[e-mail]] to Dr. [[Warren Vidic]]|Assassin's Creed }}
Although the First Civilization created humanity with a neuro-transmitter that forced them to accept the will of the Pieces of Eden, eventual cross-breeding between the gods and their slaves bore a hybrid species. These new humans possed ''some'' of the [[Eagle Vision|natural abilities]] of their gods, but most notably, were free of the neuro-transmitter that binded them to the will of the Peices of Eden<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. The first two known individuals to be born immune to the affects of the Pieces were [[Adam and Eve]], who later stole the Apple of Eden and precipitated the war that followed<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. Members of the lineage also inherited  these natural abilities and immunity to the mind-control of the Pieces, although the Pieces' ability to physically control them remained<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />. Individuals such as Altaïr and his descendants [[Ezio Auditore]], Subject 16 and Desmond Miles all possessed these enhanced abilities, and presumably, an immunity to the Pieces of Eden<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.


Although there is no concrete explanation for immunity to the Pieces, [[Subject 16]] notes in one of his [[The Truth|truth files]] that scientists had discovered a specific neurological receptor in the human brain that does not seem to react to any known stimuli. The receptor has no counterpart in any other species and thus developed independently in humans. This receptor possibly react with the Pieces of Eden, allowing the possessor of the Piece to control human minds. However, some humans are born without this receptor, though how this mutation occurred is still unknown. Theoretically, natural evolution disposed of it in an effort to make humans more suitable independently rather than being solely reliant on their [[Those Who Came Before|masters]] for food and shelter. Another possible explanation, implied in another Truth File, is that the ancestors of Altaïr and Ezio gained their immunity and other abilities from a mixed bloodline, having genetic material from both humans (who have the receptors) and Those Who Came Before (who do not).
By the early 21<sup>st</sup> Century, the Knights Templar were aware of both the existance of Those Who Came Before and the fact that some humans were immune to the mind control of the Apples of Eden, and as such actively sought other devices to compensate for this<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />. One at least one occasion Dr. [[Warren Vidic]], an employee of Abstergo Industries, recieved an [[Vidic's e-mail|email]] from an unknown individual who hd been unaffected by the powers of the Apple, and threatened to expose what he had seen<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />.


Altaïr's resistance to the Pieces is shown when [[Al Mualim]] attempts to use the Piece of Eden to control Altaïr, but for some reason could not. However, even though Altaïr is resistant against its hypnotic effect, the Piece of Eden was still able to affect him in other ways such as immobilizing him, causing him to hallucinate and clouding his mind. Ezio's resistance is shown when he finally confronts [[Rodrigo Borgia]] in Rome. However, during this confrontation Ezio also has obtained a Piece of Eden and it can be argued that he may not be naturally resistant to the artifacts, but instead his own Piece is protecting him from Borgia's.
==Confirmed Pieces of Eden==
[[File:Zw-eden-4.png|thumb|The First Apple of Eden, and the Staff.]]
Below is a list of known Pieces of Eden to exist, including their owners;


The resistance to be genetic in nature, as Altaïr and his descendants, [[Desmond Miles]] and [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], are all immune to the Pieces. These three individuals are the only people specifically mentioned as lacking these receptors. However, although in an [[e-mail]] to [[Abstergo Industries]], an unknown person contacts [[Dr. Warren Vidic]] about the DIA incident, declaring "I know what you did" and gives a firsthand account of the artifact's failed experiment. Furthermore, another e-mail by [[Alan Rikkin]] shows that Abstergo anticipated that enough people would be immune to the effects of the Pieces following their launch into orbit to pose a threat to Abstergo's domination. Thus, it is likely that a significant portion of the human race has developed an immunity to the Pieces of Eden.
'''01: The First Apple''', aka ''the Apple of Eden''


==Confirmed Artifacts==
: '''Use:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can beused in conjunction with the Staff.
[[File:Zw-eden-4.png|thumb|The Staff and the Apple.]]
 
'''01: The First Apple'''
 
: '''Use:''' Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.
: '''Status:''' Destroyed during the Denver Incident. (Mentioned in dialogue with Lucy during the first Assassin's Creed).
: '''Status:''' Destroyed during the Denver Incident. (Mentioned in dialogue with Lucy during the first Assassin's Creed).
: '''Neutral Ownership:''' [[Those Who Came Before]], Jesus (possible), Muhammad (possible), [[Solomon's Temple]], [[Girolamo Savonarola]], Houdini.
: '''Neutral Ownership:''' [[Those Who Came Before]], Jesus (possible), Muhammad (possible), [[Solomon's Temple]], [[Girolamo Savonarola]], Houdini.
: '''Assassin Associated Ownership: '''Adam and Eve, Abel, [[Al Mualim]], [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]].
: '''Assassin Associated Ownership: '''Adam and Eve, Abel, [[Al Mualim]], [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]].
: '''Templar Associated Ownership:''' [[Cain]], [[Al Mualim]], [[Napoleon]], [[Knights Templar]], [[Rodrigo Borgia]].
: '''Templar Associated Ownership:''' [[Cain]], [[Al Mualim]], [[Napoleon]], [[Knights Templar]], [[Rodrigo Borgia]].


'''02: The Second Apple'''
'''02: The Second Apple'''
Line 83: Line 83:
'''25: The Sword'''
'''25: The Sword'''


: '''Use:''' Designed to possibly cut through anything and block any attack. It also probably "passed" along an immense knowledge of combat tactics to the wielder, allowing them to take on entire armies. It's said that Attila the Hun's sword had an attack called the "Scourge of Mars". It was so terrifying that none dared to speak of the details...if there were any that survived it, that is. It created illusions that unnerved their opponents. It is quite possible that the Sword could actually be the legendary Excalibur seeing as it was used by King Arthur. This would explain why King Arthur was such an experienced warrior.
: '''Use:''' Unknown.
: '''Status:''' Unknown.
: '''Status:''' Unknown.
: '''Neutral Ownership:''' Those Who Came Before, Perseus, [[King Arthur]], Sigurd, Joan of Arc.
: '''Neutral Ownership:''' Those Who Came Before, Perseus, [[King Arthur]], Sigurd, Joan of Arc.
Line 100: Line 100:


'''66: The Shroud'''
'''66: The Shroud'''
: '''Use:''' Unknown, possible function is to heal any ailment, wound, or even resurrect the dead. The Templars were behind the crucifixion of Christ, in order to gain the Shroud. Somehow, the disciples stole the Shroud back and possibly used it to resurrect their Messiah. After this, traces of the Shroud has disappeared. It was definitely used to heal, as in the story of the lady who was sick, all she did was touch the robe of Christ and was healed to perfect health. Not wanting to debunk Christ as this is an entire alternate universe where all of history has been controlled by these peices of eden. (note the powerful Aliens in the beginning of the world)
: '''Use:''' Unknown, possible function is to heal any ailment, wound, or even resurrect the dead. The Templars were behind the crucifixion of Christ, in order to gain the Shroud. Somehow, the disciples stole the Shroud back and possibly used it to resurrect their Messiah. After this, traces of the Shroud has disappeared. It was definitely used to heal, as in the story of the lady who was sick, all she did was touch the robe of Christ and was healed to perfect health. Not wanting to debunk Christ as this is an entire alternate universe where all of history has been controlled by these Pieces of Eden. (note the powerful Aliens in the beginning of the world)
: '''Status:''' Unknown
: '''Status:''' Unknown
: '''Neutral Ownership:''' Those Who Came Before, Jason, Joseph, David, [[Jesus]].
: '''Neutral Ownership:''' Those Who Came Before, Jason, Joseph, David, [[Jesus]].
: '''Assassin Associated Ownership:''' None.
: '''Assassin Associated Ownership:''' None.
: '''Templar Associated Ownership:''' Rasputin (possible)
: '''Templar Associated Ownership:''' Rasputin (possible)
'''Note:''' In the twelve trials of Hercules, he was tasked to steal the apples from the garden of the Hesperides, as Perseus did before him. This should indicate that there are either 6 or more apples, or a few of the current ones belonged to him and Perseus.
==Possible Artifacts==
These artifacts are based on the locations given in ''Assassin's Creed'', and the clues and hints found in all the games.
'''The Ark of the Covenant'''
: '''Description''': A vessel described in the Bible as containing the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed, along with Aaron's rod and manna. The Ark is believed to be built at the command of God, in accord with Moses' prophetic vision on Mount Sinai. Supposedly, the Ark can channel the wrath of God to destroy all who oppose his followers.[[Robert de Sable| Robert de Sable]] is said to have obtained this item at the beginning of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''.
: '''Possible Function:''' Capable of unleashing the "Wrath of God."
: '''Possible Owners:''' [[Robert de Sable]], Moses, [[Knights Templar]].
'''The Holy Grail'''
: '''Description''': A sacred object in certain Christian traditions often identified with the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. While said to possess miraculous powers, the Templars doubt its existence.
: '''Possible Function:''' Grant eternal life, among other healing abilities.
: '''Possible Owners:''' Jesus.
'''The Crystal Skulls'''
: '''Description:''' Quartz skulls found in ancient temples in South and Central America. Two are believed to currently exist but the total number is unknown. In an [[Abstergo Industries]] e-mail, they are referred to as Mitchell-Hedges communicators.
: '''Possible Function:''' Telepathic Communication.
: '''Possible Owners:''' Currently possessed by the Knights Templar, one specifically by [[Warren Vidic]].
'''The "Philadelphia Experiment" Artifact'''
: '''Description:''' Said to have been lost in a failed experiment, according to reports, a Navy destroyer ship disappeared for a few minutes, supposedly having travelled to the future. When it reappeared and was searched, most of the men were gone and those that remained were dead and somehow fused into the metal of the ship. According to the [[e-mail]]s in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', it was locked away in a safe location, possibly believed to be Area 51.
: '''Possible Function:''' Time Travel.
: '''Possible Owners:''' Knights Templar.
'''The Golden Fleece'''
: '''Description:''' A seemingly weightless and indestructible piece of armor or cloak, Altaïr speculates that it could have truly existed in his [[Codex]]. He further articulates that it was actually made of a unique metal compound he created using knowledge derived from the Apple. Most likely identical to Piece 66.
: '''Possible Function:''' Indestructible and weightless armor.
: '''Possible Owners:''' Jason of the Argonauts, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
'''The Spear of Destiny / Holy Lance'''
: '''Description:''' Said to protect its user from death, but causes instant death when lost. Also believed to never miss its target and incapable of being stopped in mid-flight. Supposedly pierced the side of Christ at his crucifixion, although apocryphally the man who pierced Christ was said to live forever, until he found out and killed himself with the spear. Most likely identical to Piece 34. This particualr object was sought heavily by Adolph Hitler during World War II, which makes sense seeing as he was a Templar in the game.
: '''Possible Function:''' Invulnerability and precision in battle.
: '''Possible Owners:''' Longinus, Constantine, Charlemagne and other Holy Roman Emperors


'''The Philosopher's Stone'''
==Known locations of Pieces of Eden==
 
: '''Description:''' Legendary alchemical substance and for a long duration of time was the most sought-after goal in Western alchemy. Possibly what started the gold rush in Coloma, California.
: '''Possible Function:''' Turn any substance into gold, possibly create an elixir of life. It's possible that it has the ability to create any material from another (like the elixir from any liquid, gold from any metal).
: '''Possible Owners:''' Nicholas Flamel
Note: King Midas was said to have been able to turn any object into gold. So it is possible that he also possessed the Plilosopher's Stone.
 
==Locations of the Artifacts==
[[File:Codexmap.jpg|thumb|The Codex Map]]
[[File:Codexmap.jpg|thumb|The Codex Map]]


In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', upon the complete collection of the scattered pages of [[The Codex]], the use of [[Eagle Vision]] reveals a hidden map detailing the locations of the remaining and surviving Pieces of Eden. These locations are similar to the locations provided by the global map displayed by [[Altaïr|Altaïr's]] Apple in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''.
Following the death of Al Mualim and the Apples projection of a map indicating the location of all Pieces of Eden, Altaïr copied the map and included it in his [[Codex]], hidden away so that only one of his bloodline might see it<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />. Based off of the locations given on the Codex map, the following locations can be identified as containing a Piece of Eden<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />;


According to the Codex Map, forty-eight Pieces of Eden remain in the world. While there are many speculated specific locations, the actual locations have not yet been revealed. Based on the map, not every location of a Piece holds some kind of historical or cultural value; this may be due to migration from human use. Furthermore, the Codex Map was likely copied from the map displayed by Altair's Apple at some point during his possession of it, and thus only shows where the Pieces of Eden were located at a specific time in the late 1100s or early 1200s. As a result, at least some locations on the map are no longer accurate. However these are those out there who theorize that the locations might be sychronized throughout time and space, or omnisynched. This is due in part to the theory that the Pieces are super advanced in technology, and the fact that Those Who Came Before had some ability of being able to see and know the future (evidenced through the fact of Desmond being spoken to through Ezio.)
#Giza, Egypt
 
Here are some of the speculated locations the pieces may remain.
#Giza, Egypt (home of the pyramids, Sphinx, and the many tombs near them)
#Lake Victoria, Africa, more on the Kenyan side
#Lake Victoria, Africa, more on the Kenyan side
#The Gambia River, Gambia (This is one of the three stops that was part of the slave trade route, 3 million slaves were sent to Europe and the Americas from this spot for 3 centuries, it would make sense if the Templars had used a Piece of Eden on them to make a profit)
#The Gambia River, Gambia  
#Timbuktu, Mali (a source of great wealth and knowledge in ancient times and home to the world's first University)
#Timbuktu, Mali
#Taza, Morocco
#Taza, Morocco
#Canary Islands, Spain
#Canary Islands, Spain
#the Southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, curiously near the volcano of Opala
#The Southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, curiously near the volcano of Opala
#Odessa, Ukraine  
#Odessa, Ukraine  
#Kharkiv, Ukraine
#Kharkiv, Ukraine
#Rennes-le-Château, France (this is a major site for modern day Templar legends, featured in the Da Vinci Code, it was the supposed origin point of a group called the Priory of Sion)
#Rennes-le-Château, France  
#Salisbury Plain, England (The Sword?) (This was supposedly the plain where King Arthur died. Before doing so he asked a squire to take him to the lake that belonged to the Lady of the Lake, where he threw the sword in and she caught it before it even touched the water, then took it back down where it supposedly rests to this day.)
#Salisbury Plain, England  
#Loch Ness, Scotland
#Loch Ness, Scotland
#Maroantsetra, Madagascar
#Maroantsetra, Madagascar
#Nara, Japan (Isonokami Shrine outside of Nara City is home to one of the three national treasures of japan, Kusunagi, a mythical sword that was supposedly used by the  sea and storm god Susanoo to kill the demon serpent, Yamata no Orochi. Supposedly the sword can cut through anything, and can even create wind blasts if swung through the air. The Shinto priests who keep the shrine absolutely refuse to let anyone see or examine their treasure, allowing only the Emperor of Japan to know of it's existence)
#Nara, Japan
#Somewhere close to Goodhouse, South Africa, near the border between South Africa and Namibia
#Somewhere close to Goodhouse, South Africa, near the border between South Africa and Namibia
#Kuwait
#Kuwait
#Delhi, India or the Taj Mahal in India, just a short distance south of Delhi
#Delhi, India or the Taj Mahal in India, just a short distance south of Delhi
# Persepolis, now mordern day Shiraz, Iran (this is where leaders like Darius and Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, Xerxes was killed by the first ever hidden blade used by an Assassin)
#Persepolis, now mordern day Shiraz, Iran  
#Jerusalem, Israel - (The Apple #1)
#Jerusalem, Israel
#Somewhere in the jungle near the southern border of Colombia, South America, around the area of the Igara Paranda River  
#Colombia, South America, around the area of the Igara Paranda River  
#Nazca, Perú - (The Crystal Skulls?)
#Nazca, Perú
#Colombo, Sri Lanka
#Colombo, Sri Lanka
#Hellissandur, Iceland
#Hellissandur, Iceland
#the area of Sabiene Island, Nunavut, Canada (it's really hard to tell with this one because the map blurs out which peninsula or island it could be on, but basically it is somewhere in the bay where Sabiene Island is, or along the coast of it in that area)
#The area of Sabiene Island, Nunavut, Canada
#Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere outside the city
#Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere outside the city
#Washington D.C. (possible locations include the White House, the Washington Monument, the Capital building, although there are probably many others)
#Washington D.C.  
#Juneau, Alaska  
#Juneau, Alaska  
#An area close to Pulau Ratewo, Papua
#An area close to Pulau Ratewo, Papua
#the middle of the South Pacific Ocean
#The middle of the South Pacific Ocean
#the Pacific Ocean, close to the coast of Mexico
#The Pacific Ocean, close to the coast of Mexico
#the South Pacific Ocean, close to the Assassin's temple located at 91 degrees W
#The South Pacific Ocean, close to the Assassin's temple located at 91 degrees W
#The Atlantic Ocean, in an area where it was believed that Atlantis was believed to have existed
#The Atlantic Ocean, in an area where it was believed that Atlantis was believed to have existed
#The Atlantic Ocean, a few hundred miles off the coast of Brazil
#The Atlantic Ocean, a few hundred miles off the coast of Brazil
Line 216: Line 159:
#Somewhere along the northern Coast of Chukotka province, Russia
#Somewhere along the northern Coast of Chukotka province, Russia
#An area close to Tiksi, Russia
#An area close to Tiksi, Russia
The other two that made up the last of the 50 pieces are Destroyed or deactivated. One was the Apple in the Satellite Incident, and the other the Staff that was destroyed in the Tunguska Blast by Nicola Tesla's electricity experiments.
 
The other two that made up the last of the 50 pieces; one of the Apples and the Staff, were both destroyed in the DIA Satellite Incident, Tunguska blast respectively<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
Line 222: Line 166:
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', during the battle against [[Rodrigo Borgia|Borgia]] in the&nbsp;Sistine Chapel, [[Ezio]] creates "clones" much like [[Al Mualim]] did against Altaïr. If Ezio is [[Customization|customized]], the cloned Ezios will appear with different sets of armor and colors whereas when if he is not customized, each clone will be perfectly identical to the real Ezio.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', during the battle against [[Rodrigo Borgia|Borgia]] in the&nbsp;Sistine Chapel, [[Ezio]] creates "clones" much like [[Al Mualim]] did against Altaïr. If Ezio is [[Customization|customized]], the cloned Ezios will appear with different sets of armor and colors whereas when if he is not customized, each clone will be perfectly identical to the real Ezio.


==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}
{{AC}}
{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACSeries}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Series]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Series]]

Revision as of 20:56, 19 March 2010

File:Zw-eden-slave.png
The Piece of Eden used by Those Who Came Before to enslave humans
"They're gifts, Mr. Miles. From Those Who Came Before"
―Dr. Warren Vidic on a Piece of Eden[src]

The Pieces of Eden were technologically advanced pieces of equipment created by the First Civilization; each possessed unique properties, and all were known to be capable of bending the thoughts of one or more individuals to the will of the user.

History

"Current examination of Subject Seventeen indicates that aside from the Piece of Eden, all other artifacts related to Christ-figure are literary devices for derived from Piece of Eden, and not actual objects."
Alan Rikkin e-mail on the Pieces of Eden adoption as biblical and historical artifacts[src]

Those Who Came Before, also known s the First Civilization[1], were an ancient yet advanced race of beings that lived on Earth long before humanity. The creators of the Human race, the First Civilization used the Pieces of Eden to control their slaves through hypnotic trances[2]. Whether humanity was created to be susceptible to the affects of the Pieces of Eden, or if the Pieces were created after humanity remains unknown; Minerva, a member of the First Civilization, attributed the peace between humanity and their "gods" to the affects of the Pieces of Eden[1].

Eventually however, two humans, Adam and Eve became immune to the hypnotic affects of the Pieces of Eden, and stole one of the Pieces – the Apple of Eden – from their masters. Soon after this war broke out, pitting humanity against their gods. Despite their strength in technology, the Pieces of Eden failed to protect the creators from the slaves, who heavily outnumbered the masters. The war ended catastrophically for both sides, and both humanity and their gods were forced to work together to rebuild their world[1]. Eventually though, the gods became extinct, and their Pieces of Eden were lost to the annals of history[2][1].

Over the centuries, the Pieces of Eden resurfaced; seen as religious artifacts or holy relics, foremost among which being the Apple of Eden. However, as time continued, so groups of individuals begun to see the Pieces of Eden for what they truely were, advanced technologies to be exploited. As early as the 12th Century, the Knights Templar were actively seeking and obtaining numerous Pieces of Eden[2], in the hopes of uniting the world in peace much like Those Who Came Before had done[1], and in 1191, they sought the Apple itself.

Led by the Grand Master of the Order, the Knights Templar used the cover of the Third Crusade to infiltrate the catacombs of Solomon's Temple, in the city of Jerusalem, where they knew the Apple to be located. Unfortunately for them, Al Mualim, leader of the Order of Assassins and secretly also, a Knights Templar, had sent his best to capture the device. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and the brothers A-Sayf intercepted the Templars, and despite the death of Kadar and Altaïr being thrown from the battle early on, the Assassins prevailed and spirited the Apple to their fortress in Masyaf[2]. For a year the Assassins and Knights Templar fought one another for control of the artifact, until finally the deaths of both Robert de Sable an Al Mualim at the hands of Altaïr ended the conflict. Originally intending to destroy the Apple, Altaïr found himself unable to do so, and instead decided to seal the Apple in the Limassol Archives after he had liberated it from the Templars; circumstances worked agsinst this however, and he decided to keep the Apple himself, lest it fall into the wrong hands[3]. Ultimately, the Apple did find it's way to Cyprus, where it was buried away until it's discovery and exhumation by the Knights Templar in 1487[1].

Centuries later, whilst hacking into the Animus, the mysterious Subject 16, discovered that throughout history, the Pieces of Eden had had an extensive history of changing hands, with many historically notable figures, many Templars, laying claim to them; Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, Gandhi, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill and even Adolf Hitler to name but a few[1]. By 2012 however, many had fallen into the hands of the Knights Templar; seeking to obtain the rest, the Animus project was set up with the intention of mapping the location of, and securing the remaining Pieces of Eden[2].

This Animus project was also an important component in the Knights Templar goal of ensuring world peace, through use of the Pieces of Eden. By using the Pieces of Eden known as "the Apples", the Templars sought to manipulate the neuro-transmitters in the entire human race to achieve their goal. Eye-Abstergo, a branch of Abstergo Industries, planned to launch an "all-in-one telecommunication" satellite into orbit of the Earth; unbeknownst to humanity and indeed, many employees of Abstergo Industries, the satellite would contain at least one Apple, and spread it's power out on a global scale[2].

Characteristics

Abilities

Al Mualim uses the Apple to project multiple images of himself.

Amongst the greatest tools known to man; by interacting with a neuro-transmitter located deep in the brain of the human body, the Apples of Eden could control the human mind. Other Pieces of Eden were capable of warping reality, creating illusions and ensuring total obediance; both the Knights Templar and the Order of Assassins believed that the Pieces of Eden were the sources of many historical tales and miracles, such as the Parting of the Red Sea, the Trojan Horse, and the miracles enacted by "the Christ-figure" who foreshadowed the Christian faith, and the Biblical plagues that ravaged Egypt, among other supernatural happenings. Some were known to intereact with and change the passage of time, possibly creating paradoxes[2], while at least one provided an inpenetrable barrier, that would protect the wearer from any attempt at penetration[1].

Following the destruction of the second Piece of Eden during experimental use at Denver International Airport, the Knights Templar found themselves in need of another artifact with similar properties. Needing access to a map that indicated the location of all Pieces of Eden, the Templar front company Abstergo Industries kidnapped the ancestor of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad – Desmond Miles – in order to view the memories of his ancestor. This would allow them to view the very same map Altaïr had viewed in 1191[2].

Each Pieces of Eden contained a great deal of energy stored within, and the destruction of one would cause an explosion on the same scale of a nuclear blast. One such blast occured in 1908, in the region of Tunguska, Russia, when the Piece of Eden known as "the Staff" was seemingly destroyed by Nikola Tesla as a strike against the Knights Templar[2][1].

Resistance

"I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID. I SAW HIM. HE HAD A METAL BALL. IT OPENED. THEY WENT CRAZY. SHOOTING. STABBING. TORE EACH OTHER TO PIECES. I KNOW IT WAS YOU PEOPLE. SAW THE LOGO. HEARD THE NAME. I'M GOING TO TELL. ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN. YOU'LL BE EXPOSED. THEY'LL KNOW THE TRUTH. AND THEN YOU WILL PAY. YOU CRAZY BASTARDS. YOU'LL PAY."
―An unidentified individual's e-mail to Dr. Warren Vidic[src]

Although the First Civilization created humanity with a neuro-transmitter that forced them to accept the will of the Pieces of Eden, eventual cross-breeding between the gods and their slaves bore a hybrid species. These new humans possed some of the natural abilities of their gods, but most notably, were free of the neuro-transmitter that binded them to the will of the Peices of Eden[1]. The first two known individuals to be born immune to the affects of the Pieces were Adam and Eve, who later stole the Apple of Eden and precipitated the war that followed[1]. Members of the lineage also inherited these natural abilities and immunity to the mind-control of the Pieces, although the Pieces' ability to physically control them remained[2]. Individuals such as Altaïr and his descendants Ezio Auditore, Subject 16 and Desmond Miles all possessed these enhanced abilities, and presumably, an immunity to the Pieces of Eden[1].

By the early 21st Century, the Knights Templar were aware of both the existance of Those Who Came Before and the fact that some humans were immune to the mind control of the Apples of Eden, and as such actively sought other devices to compensate for this[2]. One at least one occasion Dr. Warren Vidic, an employee of Abstergo Industries, recieved an email from an unknown individual who hd been unaffected by the powers of the Apple, and threatened to expose what he had seen[2].

Confirmed Pieces of Eden

File:Zw-eden-4.png
The First Apple of Eden, and the Staff.

Below is a list of known Pieces of Eden to exist, including their owners;

01: The First Apple, aka the Apple of Eden

Use: Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can beused in conjunction with the Staff.
Status: Destroyed during the Denver Incident. (Mentioned in dialogue with Lucy during the first Assassin's Creed).
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before, Jesus (possible), Muhammad (possible), Solomon's Temple, Girolamo Savonarola, Houdini.
Assassin Associated Ownership: Adam and Eve, Abel, Al Mualim, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
Templar Associated Ownership: Cain, Al Mualim, Napoleon, Knights Templar, Rodrigo Borgia.

02: The Second Apple

Use: Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.
Status: Caught in an explosive satellite malfunction. Possibly survived, but, if so, it is impossible to retrieve in the darkness of space.
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before, Elizabeth I of England, Gandhi.
Assassin Associated Ownership: None.
Templar Associated Ownership: Mary I of England, Knights Templar.


03: The Third Apple

Use: Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.
Status: Unknown.
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy.
Assassin Associated Ownership: None.
Templar Associated Ownership: Lyndon B. Johnson.


04: The Fourth Apple

Use: Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff. Possibly helped in the development of weapons and technology throughout the centuries.
Status: Unknown
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before.
Assassin Associated Ownership: Nikola Tesla, Assassin Order.
Templar Associated Ownership: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Adolf Hitler.


05: The Fifth Apple

Use: Designed to create illusions and control men's minds; can be used in conjunction with the Staff.
Status: Unknown
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before.
Assassin Associated Ownership: None.
Templar Associated Ownership: NASA.


25: The Sword

Use: Unknown.
Status: Unknown.
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before, Perseus, King Arthur, Sigurd, Joan of Arc.
Assassin Associated Ownership: None.
Templar Associated Ownership: Alexander the Great, Attila the Hun, Knights Templar.


34: The Staff

Use: Designed to control men's minds and bodies; it has a spot in the headpiece where an Apple of Eden can placed to enhance the mind control powers. Its bottom end is sharpened and can be use as a spear in combat.
Status: Either Destroyed in the Tunguska Explosion or blown to an unknown location by the blast.
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before, Egyptian Pharaohs, Moses, Saint Peter, Czar Nicholas II.
Assassin Associated Ownership: Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
Templar Associated Ownership: Alexander the Great, Rodrigo Borgia, Rasputin.


66: The Shroud

Use: Unknown, possible function is to heal any ailment, wound, or even resurrect the dead. The Templars were behind the crucifixion of Christ, in order to gain the Shroud. Somehow, the disciples stole the Shroud back and possibly used it to resurrect their Messiah. After this, traces of the Shroud has disappeared. It was definitely used to heal, as in the story of the lady who was sick, all she did was touch the robe of Christ and was healed to perfect health. Not wanting to debunk Christ as this is an entire alternate universe where all of history has been controlled by these Pieces of Eden. (note the powerful Aliens in the beginning of the world)
Status: Unknown
Neutral Ownership: Those Who Came Before, Jason, Joseph, David, Jesus.
Assassin Associated Ownership: None.
Templar Associated Ownership: Rasputin (possible)

Known locations of Pieces of Eden

File:Codexmap.jpg
The Codex Map

Following the death of Al Mualim and the Apples projection of a map indicating the location of all Pieces of Eden, Altaïr copied the map and included it in his Codex, hidden away so that only one of his bloodline might see it[2]. Based off of the locations given on the Codex map, the following locations can be identified as containing a Piece of Eden[1];

  1. Giza, Egypt
  2. Lake Victoria, Africa, more on the Kenyan side
  3. The Gambia River, Gambia
  4. Timbuktu, Mali
  5. Taza, Morocco
  6. Canary Islands, Spain
  7. The Southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, curiously near the volcano of Opala
  8. Odessa, Ukraine
  9. Kharkiv, Ukraine
  10. Rennes-le-Château, France
  11. Salisbury Plain, England
  12. Loch Ness, Scotland
  13. Maroantsetra, Madagascar
  14. Nara, Japan
  15. Somewhere close to Goodhouse, South Africa, near the border between South Africa and Namibia
  16. Kuwait
  17. Delhi, India or the Taj Mahal in India, just a short distance south of Delhi
  18. Persepolis, now mordern day Shiraz, Iran
  19. Jerusalem, Israel
  20. Colombia, South America, around the area of the Igara Paranda River
  21. Nazca, Perú
  22. Colombo, Sri Lanka
  23. Hellissandur, Iceland
  24. The area of Sabiene Island, Nunavut, Canada
  25. Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere outside the city
  26. Washington D.C.
  27. Juneau, Alaska
  28. An area close to Pulau Ratewo, Papua
  29. The middle of the South Pacific Ocean
  30. The Pacific Ocean, close to the coast of Mexico
  31. The South Pacific Ocean, close to the Assassin's temple located at 91 degrees W
  32. The Atlantic Ocean, in an area where it was believed that Atlantis was believed to have existed
  33. The Atlantic Ocean, a few hundred miles off the coast of Brazil
  34. The Antartic Ocean, on the side of Antartica facing up towards the Atlantic
  35. The Indian Ocean, almost cross sectioned with the tips of Inda, Africa and the Southwestern tip of Australia
  36. The Antartic Ocean, the side of the Antartic ocean that faces up towards the Indian Ocean
  37. Archangel, Russia
  38. Andorra le Vella, Andorra
  39. Imperatriz, Brazil
  40. Barrow, Alaska
  41. La Rioja, Argentina
  42. An area close to Hervey Bay, Queensland, Austrailia
  43. An area around South Cross, in Western Austrailia
  44. Somewhere in the middle of the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia
  45. Beijing, China
  46. Somewhere in the Atali Mountains in southwestern Mongolia
  47. Somewhere along the northern Coast of Chukotka province, Russia
  48. An area close to Tiksi, Russia

The other two that made up the last of the 50 pieces; one of the Apples and the Staff, were both destroyed in the DIA Satellite Incident, Tunguska blast respectively[2].

Trivia

  • According to the glyphs and Truth files, many legends and myths throughout human history are actually historically accurate. The supernatural or paranormal parts of each can be explained by the protoganist in each having acquired his or her own Piece of Eden, i.e.: the Greek myth of Perseus, King Arthur, et cetera.
  • In Assassin's Creed II, during the battle against Borgia in the Sistine Chapel, Ezio creates "clones" much like Al Mualim did against Altaïr. If Ezio is customized, the cloned Ezios will appear with different sets of armor and colors whereas when if he is not customized, each clone will be perfectly identical to the real Ezio.

Notes and references