Shrouds of Eden

The Shroud, covering Giovanni Borgia.

The Shroud of Eden, commonly known as the Shroud of Turin, is a linen cloth bearing an image of a man suffering a physical trauma relevant to crucifixion. It is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, northern Italy. Some say that the shroud is the very same cloth placed on the body of Jesus, with its image of the face being the Holy Face of Jesus.

In the Assassin's Creed universe, The Shroud, more specifically PE66, is a Piece of Eden. Many historical and religious figures like Jason, Joseph, David, and Jesus have possessed it at a certain time. Its purpose still unknown although it was likely used to cure illness, wounds, and to resurrect the deceased. A characteristic of the shroud demonstrated in the story of the sick lady who touched Jesus' robe, whose health was then restored back to normal. Being responsible for Jesus' crucifixion, the Templars sought to possess The Shroud. Jesus' disciples however, were somehow able to recover it and used it to resurrect him. After this, traces of The Shroud disappeared. The Shroud eventually ended up hidden underneath Monteriggioni, most likely by Mario's great-grandfather when he built the Villa Auditore, although this is not mentioned . The location of The Shroud was discovered by the Templars, at some point, seeing as the siege of Monteriggioni was to gain access to The Shroud. Mario successfully repelled the attack, and through a confession of Luziano Pezatti, Mario learned that the siege was to gain access to something under Monteriggioni. When Mario and a team of soldiers excavated the well, they found a hidden chamber filled with traps. As they crossed the chamber, they suffered many casualties, and a trap even scarred Mario's eye. Eventually, Mario discovered The Shroud, but was attacked by his men because they wanted The Shroud for its healing capabilities. Scared of The Shroud's power, Mario sends for Giovanni Auditore to take it away. It is unknown what Giovanni Auditore did with The Shroud, but it eventually ended up in the hands of the Assassins in Agnadello.

Perotto Calderon traveled to Agnadello in order to save his deformed illegitimate son by using the Shroud. Perotto even killed and maimed several of his brotherhood to access it. The shroud then somehow fell into the hands of Niccolò di Pitigliano, likely during or around the Battle of Agnadello, of which Pitigliano was a participant. In 1510, Assassin Francesco Vecellio was sent to kill Niccolò di Pitigliano and to retrieve the shroud. Vecellio succeeded in striking a deadly blow; however, Pitigliano survived. Wounded and dying, Pitigliano retrieved the Shroud from its hiding place and wrapped himself in it in an attept to save himself. However, the artifact turned against him and destroyed his body, finishing the Assassin's job. Vecellio, who had anticipated this, reappeared and took the shroud from his dying grip. The current whereabouts of the shroud are unknown.

Side effects

The use of the Shroud does not come without side effects. As demonstrated with both Francesco Vecellio and Perotto Calderon the shroud has several psychologically and physically damaging side effects with its use. Once in physical proximity the Shroud seems to "speak" to the user. When touched by Perotto Calderon it "told" him, through a voice in his head, that his son was "broken goods" and could not be healed. Francesco Vecellio experienced the same voice in his head as well as graphic hallucinations. Like other Pieces of Eden, The Shroud has even more detrimental effects when the user attempts to fully control its power. When Niccolò di Pitigliano attempted to control the Shroud, his body was smashed from inside-out by the Shroud's power.

Status

Unknown

Owners

• Those Who Came Before (? - ?)
• Jason (? - ?)
• Joseph (? - ?)
• David (? - ?)
• Jesus Christ (? - ?)
• Mario Auditore (1454)
• Giovanni Auditore (1454)
• Rinaldo (? - 1498)
• Niccolò di Pitigliano (1509 - 1510)
• Francesco Vecellio (1510 - ?)

Trivia

• Interestingly, in the French version of Assassin's Creed II, the Shroud was referred to as Piece of Eden #36, not #66. Whether this was a mistake in the translation or not remains to be seen.
• In Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy, one of Mnemonic Sets from pack Holiday is "Shroud of Turin" with description "Greatest mystery, or clever hoax?". It's components are: Jesus of Nazareth, Jaques de Molay, Geoffroy de Charny and Cesare Borgia, suggesting they were it's previous owners.
• It is insinuated several times in Assassin's Creed II that The Ones Who Came Before were incredibly long lived, possibly as a result of similar technologies to the shroud.