Luís Fróis
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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Shadows. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
Luís Fróis (1532 – 1597) was a Portuguese Catholic priest and missionary who was the Jesuits' historian during their mission in Japan. During the mission, Fróis sent lengthy reports about the country detailing the Jesuits' actions, Japan's internal politics, and the situation of local Christian communities.[1]
Biography
Early expedition to Japan
Though his superiors considered his writing too extensive, he continued sending annual reports of over 100 pages. Fróis, like fellow Jesuit Gaspar Vilela, adopted many Japanese customs to better integrate himself in the society he attempted to convert to Christianity. This effort was not seen kindly by the appointed heads of the Japan sector, Francisco Cabral and Gaspar Coelho, who were in favor of maintaining their European habits. Being open to a new culture, Fróis managed to ingratiate himself to Oda Nobunaga, who once invited him to visit Gifu Castle.[1]
Seeking passage from Nobunaga
On 8 March 1579, Fróis was part of an envoy led by Alessandro Valignano in Kyoto to meet with Nobunaga and seek free movement for the priests in Japan. Accompanied by their bodyguard Diogo, the envoy met with Nobunaga's general Akechi Mitsuhide and followed him to the meeting place at Honnō-ji, where they met Lady Nene and Mori Ranmaru, Nobunaga's wife and retainer respectively.[2]
During the meeting with Nobunaga, Fróis remained silent while Valignano did most of the talking. He then bore witness to Nobunaga taking interest in Diogo due to his skin color, stature, and intelligence. Fróis, Valignano, and the rest of the retainers were then asked to leave the room so that Nobunaga could speak to Diogo alone. The Jesuits would remain a short while later, and were asked by Nobunaga to relinquish Diogo from their service and into his own.[2]
Reuniting with Yasuke
By September 1581, Diogo had spent over two years in Oda Nobunaga's service, he'd also since changed his name to Yasuke.[3] Fróis briefly passed Yasuke on horseback leaving the castle of Oda, he gave him a nod and acknowledged him as a samurai before continuing on his way.[4]
Months later in mid-1582, Luís Fróis had since relocated to the Jesuit Residences in Kyoto, it was here he was approached Yasuke again. He had with him a letter he could not fully understand, Fróis read the letter's contents and revealed it was an oath to the Templar Order. At Yasuke's shock that Fróis knew of the Order, the priest revealed that he heard much of them during his time in Italy before working for Valignano. The Pope and three great houses were part of this great conspiracy, the House of Borgia being one of them. Fróis went on to explain how their thirst for power nearly ruined Rome. When questioned about the fate of the Templars, Fróis told of a mysterious organization that eradicated them.[5]
Continuing on with the letter, Fróis told Yasuke it was addressed to Duarte de Melo, a name Yasuke knew all too well. Fróis then led Yasuke to the name Kimura Kei, a samurai gathering warriors in Kii on the orders of Nuno Caro. When questioned about Caro and the reveal that Yasuke used to work for him before his association with the Jesuits, Fróis recalled how they rescued him at sea holding onto a piece of driftwood. Fróis tried to probe Yasuke for answers into his past though he was harding forthcoming with his answers. With that, Luís Fróis gave Yasuke a final surmising that de Melo and Caro were part of the Templar Order, Yasuke announced his plan to go after Kimura Kei to get to them and left.[5]
Appearances
- Echoes of History – Shadows (first mentioned)
- Assassin's Creed: Shadows (first appearance)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Echoes of History – Shadows – Episode 3: Portuguese Missionaries in Japan
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Shadows – The Lord's Favor
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Nobutsuna Sensei
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Lords of Azuchi
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Assassin's Creed: Shadows – The Path He Walks
