Cain

Cain and Abel, according to the Bible, were the first two sons of Adam and Eve (Cain being the eldest). Cain would go on to kill Abel who, according to the Bible had pleased God with his offering while Cain had not. A mark was then put upon Cain which is called the "Mark of Cain". In Assassin's Creed II, Cain existed and killed Abel to get a Piece of Eden from him, but after this a mark was put on him. Cain eventually used this mark as the symbol of the Knights Templar. It is also explained by Subject 16 in a glyph sequence that the story of Cain did in fact happen a long time ago and that Cain really did murder someone (probably Abel) to get ahold of the person's Piece of Eden. Given Cain's 'mark' is the same symbol as that of the Knights Templar, it is implied that Cain created the Knights Templar and was the first of the group, with the purpose of gaining control of the Pieces of Eden, which even until modern times the group still exists and is still trying to achieve this goal now using a different name and modern technology. How long ago it all started is unknown, though if the Bible is to be believed, he and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve, placing the event of Abel's murder a generation after Adam and Eve.

Subject 16 also references quotes the from the Mormon movements/Latter Day Saints movements "Pearl of Great Price" (scultpure - different translations between the two movements). The semi hidden message "Templar texts adapted by Mr. Smith" written in Morse code in a glyph sequence. This implies that the Mormon or LDS version of Cain and Able is more accurate, or at the very least least, an accurate reflection of the Templars version of events. Several quotes are also taken from the Mormon script, although the title "Master Mahan" is taken from the LDS version of the "Pearl of Great Price". The meaning of the term is unclear, and it does not seem to occur in other versions of the story. It is stated that Cain took the title of Master Mahan, so it may simply be the original title of the head Templar. It also implies that it might not have been Joseph Smith who is referred to by "Mr Smith", but Joseph Smith Junior, his son.