Achilles Davenport
- "In your haste to save the world, boy, take care you don't destroy it."
- ―Achilles to Connor.[src]
Achilles Davenport (1710 - early 1780's) was a Master Assassin and a Mentor for a span of time during the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. He was most notably mentor to the native American Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton.
Biography
Life as an Assassin
Recruited in the mid 1730s, Achilles became the Mentor of the Colonial Brotherhood in 1746, as he had a gift for both recruitment and organization.[1] In 1763, he was tried by the Templar leaders after the branch was decimated to all but himself, during the aftermath of the French and Indian War. In a show of mercy, Achilles was allowed to live if he resigned his role as an Assassin and moved into the wilderness.[2]
By 1770, Achilles resided at the Davenport Homestead. In that same year, he reluctantly recruited Ratonhnhaké:ton into the Assassin Order, and acted as his mentor thereafter. He provided Ratonhnhaké:ton with advice, and cautioned the younger Assassin whenever his ambition led him astray.[1]
Death
At some point in the early 1780s, Achilles passed quietly away in his sleep. When Connor discovered his body, he also uncovered a note addressed to him in Achilles' handwriting. In the note Achilles apologized for never getting to say properly goodbye to Connor, and he also thanked him for restoring his faith in the Assassin Brotherhood and its mission. A funeral was held on the cliff behind his mansion, attended by all the inhabitants of the Homestead. While others put flowers on his coffin, Connor put a feather in honour of the Assassins.
Trivia
- Achilles was of British and Caribbean descent.
- The Davenport Homestead contained the graves of two family members; his wife Abigail and son Connor Davenport, who both died of typhoid fever shortly after the French and Indian War.[2]
- Accompanying this, for one Homestead memory, Achilles sends Connor to retrieve a painting of his family from New York, not long before he passes away. Connor then hangs this painting in the Davenport Manor after Achilles' death, as a sign of respect to his Mentor.
- Achilles' nickname "the Old Man on the Hill" is reminiscent of the moniker given to another Mentor in the Order, Rashid ad-Din Sinan: "the Old Man of the Mountain."
- Despite his nearly constant annoyance with Achilles, it is clear that Connor cared for him greatly, which could be seen at both his funeral and when Connor visits his grave. At his grave, Connor states that he misses him nearly as much as his mother, implying that he thought of Achilles as a father figure. In addition, he also promises that he would make Achilles proud.
- Additionally, Connor would often refer to him as "old man" as a term of endearment.
- As he dies in the final Homestead memory, it can take place in either 1781, 1782 or 1783, because the player can choose when they want to complete those memories.
- Achilles wore a different pair of Assassin Robes early in his career, a pair that was previously owned by the Colonial Assassin John de la Tour, who passed it down to Achilles. Achilles also sent the Assassin Ratonhnhake:ton, to retreive them from a cave at the edge of the Homestead, and stated he would give them to him when the time was right, but Achilles passed away before he could, so he wore them in memory of him.
Gallery
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Connor talking to Achilles. -
Achilles explaining the rope dart to Connor.
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Concept art of Achilles mansion in Davenport Homestead
References