Kesegowaase
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Kesegowaase (1730 – 1757) was an Abenaki member of the Colonial branch of the Assassin Order.
Biography
Early life
Kesegowaase was born in 1730 in the territory of the Wolastoqiyik tribe, around modern day New Brunswick. During his youth, he lived in a fortified village surrounded by agricultural land, and practiced hunting, fishing and other methods.[1]
As tensions arose between the British and his people, Kesegowaase and other members of his tribe became mercenaries for the French Army. In 1746, he met Achilles Davenport and Liam O'Brien, Assassins who fought for the French. Impressed by Kesegowaase's determination, the two invited him to join the Assassin Order. In 1749, Kesegowaase met Shay Cormac and would serve as one of his instructors. He would also gain the loyalty of warriors from every French-aligned tribe, as well as several trappers, hunters and scouts, providing the Brotherhood with a valuable force.[1]
Hunting the Templars
In March 1752, Kesegowaase taught Shay the finer points of hunting and how to craft holsters for his pistols, while also criticizing him for his tardiness. Kesegowaase would later meet with his fellow Assassins to discuss the Templars' progress on the Precursor box, noting that they had sought information about the artifact from many tribes. Around this time, Kesegowaase also reported that the Templar James Wardrop had evicted several tribes from their original homes.[1]
In early 1756, Shay returned from Lisbon, having unintentionally caused an earthquake there while attempting to recover a Piece of Eden. Determined to keep the Assassins away from any Precursor sites, Shay stole the Manuscript in Achilles' possession. With Shay being caught in the act, Kesegowaase and the other Assassins of the Davenport Homestead attempted to kill the former. Although Shay was eventually cornered, he jumped off a cliff, leading the Assassins to believe him dead.[1]
The Assassins initially believed the Manuscript lost, but learned that it was in the hands of the Templar George Monro. Seeking to take it back, Achilles sent Liam and Kesegowaase after Monro.[1]
Siege of Fort William Henry
In August 1757, the French Army under Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and a large force of native warriors under Kesegowaase's command besieged Fort William Henry. After several days of bombardement, and no sight of reinforcements from William Johnson, the British garrison under the command of Monro surrendered to Montcalm. Thanks to the latter, the British were allowed to surrender while keeping their arms and colors.[1]
As the British retreated on the morning of 10 August, Kesegowaase and the Assassins and natives under his command ambushed them, intending to kill Monro and take the Manuscript, but also breaking the terms of the surrender in the process. Kesegowaase and his men also killed many other British troops and massacred prisoners. Liam tolerated this, not wanting to strain relations between the natives and the Assassins. At his time, Shay, now a Templar, arrived. Upon being informed of the events by Jack Weeks, Shay managed to rescue Monro and his men. As they headed for Shay's ship, the Morrigan, Kesegowaase appeared. Shocked by Shay's survival, Kesegowaase ordered his men to attack the British column.[1]
The column fought off the attackers, and continued onwards slowly, while Shay eliminated any potential ambushers. As the British boarded the Morrigan, Kesegowaase and his men attempted to follow, Weeks threw a powder barrel at them while Shay shot it. The explosion severely scarred Kesegowaase's face, and his men pulled him away.[1]
Attack on Albany
After learning of Shay's survival and defection to the Templars, Achilles made him a target of the Brotherhood. Having failed to kill Shay and Monro at William Henry, Kesegowaase prepared to attack Albany and sent his men to threaten an Oneida village in order to acquire an ancient set of native armor. In anticipation of the attack, Shay managed to defeat the French troops attacking the British in the area and also liberated the Oneida village from Kesegowaase's men.[1]
On 3 November, Kesegowaase and his men attacked Albany, plundering the town and attacking the nearby Fort Frederick. Shay arrived in time to defend the fort from the attacking Assassins, and instructed Monro to take the Manuscript to the Morrigan while he defended Fort Frederick.[1]
Death
- "The Templars will fail. You will fail. Monro... is already... dead."
- ―Kesegowaase to Shay Cormac, 1757.
As Liam set off to assassinate Monro and retrieve the Manuscript, Kesegowaase infiltrated the fort in order to distract Shay. Shay was able to mortally wound Kesegowaase with a Puckle gun, and after a brief struggle he held the Assassin up against a wall. In his dying words, Kesegowaase scolded Shay for having betrayed the Assassins, and told him that he was too late to save Monro, with Liam already on his way to kill him. As Kesegowaase died, an enraged Shay tried to rescue Monro, but true to the former's word, he was too late.[1]
Personality and characteristics
- "Killing should not be meaningless. We must use what nature gives us."
- ―Kesegowaase, on his view of hunting, 1752.
Having grown up close to nature, Kesegwaase was a stoic individual, keeping a calm demanour at most times and rarely speaking much. Because of his Abenaki roots, Kesegowaase also held a deep respect for nature, reminding Shay not to waste hunting spoils.[1]
However, Kesegowaase could also be cunning and ruthless. After the British had surrendered at Fort William Henry, Kesegowaase and his men ambushed and massacred them, breaking the terms of the surrender. Afterwards, he sent his men to hold an Oneida village hostage in order to acquire a set of ancient armor, and they would later pillage Albany during their attack on the town. Despite the brutality of his actions, his fellow Assassins did not intervene, as they did not wish to damage any relations between the Brotherhood and the natives.[1]
Kesegowaase strongly believed in the Assassin cause, obeying Achilles without question. Upon learning of Shay's defection to the Templars, he was determined to kill him. Even in the face of death, Kesegowaase attempted to attack Shay, scolding him for his betrayal and mockingly insinuating Monro's imminent death.[1]
Equipment and skills
- Gist: "Would you happen to know if Kesegowaase has any weaknesses?"
- Shay: "He hasn't any. He was a scout and mercenary long before he joined the Assassins."
- Gist: "May Lady Luck be with you, then."
- —Christopher Gist and Shay Cormac, 1757.[src]
Even before joining the Assassins, Kesegowaase was highly skilled in hunting and fishing, as well as other survival methods. He had also gained experience from working as a scout and mercenary for the French, and was a skilled freerunner, navigating the trees of North America with ease. He was also capable of performing the traditional Assassin's Leap of Faith.[1]
Kesegowaase's Assassin outfit consisted of traditional Abenaki clothing, and he wore a buckskin leather hood and shawl adorned with feathers. He also wore leather boots and a red Assassin sash, as well as red face paint. Kesegowaase was equipped with Hidden Blades, and was capable of various assassination techniques. In combat, he wielded a tomahawk and a pistol with great skill, making him a highly dangerous opponent.[1]
Trivia
- Kesegowaase is an Algonquin name meaning "swift".[2]
Gallery
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Concept art of Kesegowaase
References