Shrouds of Eden
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 for almost 1500 years until it fell into the hands of the Assassins and was kept at Agnadello. After this it fell into the hands of two different assassins. The first was Perotto Calderon who used the Shroud to save his deformed illegitimate son, Giovanni. The second was Calderon's apprentice, Francesco Vecellio who used it to save himself after being attacked by his own assassin brothers. After the use by Vecellio the whereabouts of the Shroud became 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 disturbing side effects with its use. Upon physical contact 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. However it also appears that the shroud's healing is more an illusion than reality. An example of this is when Niccolo di Piigliano attempted to control the shroud's power and had his body smashed from the inside by the shroud's power.
Status: Unknown
Neutral ownership: Those Who Came Before, Jason, Joseph, David, Jesus Christ, Niccolò di Pitigliano.
Assassin associated ownership: Mario Auditore, Giovanni Auditore, Francesco Vecellio, Perotto Calderon
Templar associated ownership: Unknown.
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.
