"For love and joy, words can jade. Our souls must sound in a heartful song. And when … no, no… You are less mine than I am yours. And I ask of you only this, keep me honest in the times to come."
Dates: 847 CE - unknown
Location: Europe
Time Frame: Viking Age
Affiliation: The Hidden Ones
Key Allies: Sigurd Styrbjornsson, Valka, Hytham, Deirdre Na Linni
Main Opponents: Kjotve the Cruel, Alfred the Great, Rued, Fulke, Order of the Ancients, the Zealots, the Sons of Ragnar, the Children of Danu, the Descendants of the Round Table
"I am Eivor Varinsdottir, the Wolf-kissed, a Viking shieldmaiden and jarlskona from Norway. In the late 9th century, I embarked on daring raids that would shape the destiny of what would become England. But my story goes beyond mortal bounds, for I am believed to be the reincarnation of the Isu Odin, the chief of the Æsir and a god revered in Norse mythology.
My journey began in the embrace of noble parents, Rosta and Varin, who pledged their allegiance to jarl Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson of the Raven Clan. Tragedy struck when they were killed during a raid on Heillboer, perpetrated by Kjotve the Cruel and his Wolf Clan. Left without kin, I found sanctuary in Styrbjorn's household, and I was raised alongside his son, Sigurd. The flames of retribution burned inside me as I dreamed to avenge my parents and seek glory in their name.
As I grew into adulthood, I often waged raids on settlements affiliated with Kjotve, while Sigurd embarked on his own adventures across Europe. In the year 872, the return of Sigurd to Norway led to a pivotal encounter that would forever change my path — I met Basim Ibn Ishaq and Hytham, two members of the mysterious Hidden Ones. They bestowed upon me the Hidden Blade, a weapon of stealth and precision that would become my ally in the battle against our enemies. With their guidance and the aid of the army of Guthorm the Wise, I was able to strike down Kjotve, finally avenging my parents.
But my journey was far from over. Opposing Styrbjorn's decision to yield his kingdom to Harald Fairhair, many of the Raven Clan, including Sigurd, followed me to England. We settled in Ledecestrescire and founded Ravensthorpe, a sanctuary where we built our strength and forged alliances with the various kingdoms across the land. The Great Summer Army, the Sons of Ragnar, and Clan Hemmingsons were among the allies we gained, solidifying our position and preparing for the challenges ahead.
I took up arms alongside Hytham to rid England of the Order of the Ancients, a sinister organization threatening our newfound home. Little did I know that the Grand Maegester Alfred of Wessex secretly aided our cause, using our actions to further his own agenda, unknowingly paving the way for the emergence of the Templar Order.
A year later, as the jarlskona of my clan, I received an invitation from my maternal cousin, Bárid mac Ímair, to join him in Dublin. There, I aided him in securing his throne through an alliance with Flann Sinna, the High King of Ireland. I also confronted the Children of Danu, a druidic cult determined to preserve their own faith against the encroachment of Norse and Christian beliefs.
Years passed, and I participated in the second Viking siege of Paris, alongside Sigfred's Elgring Clan. We clashed with Charles the Fat, defending England from his avid pursuit of conquest. Amid the struggle, I uncovered a conspiracy orchestrated by the Bellatores Dei, a fanatical group seeking to purge Francia of its pagan roots.
My name, Eivor Varinsdottir, the Wolf-kissed, echoes in the annals of history. My journey is entwined with valor, strife, and the mysteries of the gods, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of Norse legend."
In ancient times, there lived a brilliant scientist known as Consus, also known as Prometheus. He was a gifted Precursor whose talent was crucial in creating the enigmatic Pieces of Eden. Working alongside Hephaistos, he contributed to crafting the powerful Swords of Eden.
However, as the war unfolded, Consus recognized the urgent need for advanced medical technology. He set his mind to design a remarkable device called the Shroud of Eden. This ingenious creation had the ability to scan and reconstruct a body, effectively healing injuries and restoring it to a predetermined state. It had one limitation, though – the Shroud could not reverse death itself.
As Consus approached the end of his natural life, he hatched a daring plan to overcome mortality. He decided to transfer his consciousness into the Shroud, hoping to evade the clutches of death. The transfer was a success, but it had an unforeseen consequence — Consus found himself trapped within the artifact, where he was eventually forgotten by time and history.
Centuries later, during the research conducted by the Capitoline Triad in their quest to survive the impending Toba Catastrophe, the Isu Juno stumbled upon the lost artifact. Discovering Consus trapped within the Shroud, Juno saw the opportunity to exploit his vast knowledge. She experimented with transferring Isu consciousness into artificial bodies, a daring endeavor that ultimately failed.
Throughout the ages, Consus managed to possess different users of the Shroud, offering them invaluable guidance and counsel. His wisdom proved instrumental to those fortunate enough to possess the powerful artifact.
However, fate took an unexpected turn in 2014. The Shroud faced destruction, and with it, Consus' consciousness appeared to be lost forever.
Known Owners: Unknown, Aleksi
Current Status: Unknown
The Shrouds of Eden are rare artifacts with mysterious healing capabilities whose earliest appearance can be traced back to Greek mythology. This specific Shroud represents one of Juno's first failed experiments to clone the technology developed by Consus. The result is a Shroud of Eden that maintains the original's extraordinary healing properties, significantly improving the wearer's physical faculties, but retains fragments of the consciousnesses of the Isu Consus and Juno. Both consciousnesses can speak with the wearer and attempt to possess them. For this reason, wearing the Shroud of Eden can be dangerous, eventually leading to insanity and death.
"There is no greater glory than fighting to find the truth."
Dates: 1165 - 1257 CE
Location: Masyaf, Syria, China
Time Frame: The Levant
Affiliation: Levantine Brotherhood
Key Allies: Maria Thorpe (wife), Darim and Sef (sons), Malik Al-Sayf
Main Opponents: Robert de Sablé, Abbas Sofian, Al Mualim, Genghis Khan
I, Altaïr, was born into a lineage of Assassins, destined to follow the path of the Creed. I ascended the ranks swiftly, achieving the esteemed title of Master Assassin at a mere twenty-five years of age. My accomplishment marked me as the youngest ever to attain such a position at that time.
Amidst the chaos of the Third Crusade, a sacred mission was bestowed upon me. I was entrusted with acquiring an ancient artifact known as the Apple of Eden, the Templar Treasure hidden behind the walls of Jerusalem. However, blinded by my arrogance I deviated from the principles I held dear, breaching all three tenets of the Creed. My actions led to the exposure of the Assassin community in Masyaf, leaving them vulnerable to a devastating Templar assault.
As a consequence of my transgressions, I was swiftly demoted to the lowly rank of Novice. My honor was tarnished, and I sought to atone for my grievous errors. To reclaim my place among the Brotherhood I embarked on a perilous journey to stop the Templars from seizing control of the Holy Land. It was a treacherous path, one that required me to skillfully manipulate both the Saracens and the Crusaders, pitting them against each other, like pieces on a grand chessboard.
While I was unraveling this intricate web of deceit and manipulation, I encountered a shocking revelation — my trusted Mentor Al Mualim was in league with the Templars. He sought to harness the power of the Apple for his own, nefarious purposes. To protect the Creed and preserve the delicate balance of power, I had no choice but to confront him. Al Mualim fell by my blade, and the Apple was retrieved, unveiling the hidden locations of other Pieces of Eden scattered across the globe.
In time, age and experience brought me wisdom, and I ascended to the position of Mentor within the Levantine Brotherhood. Driven by my newfound understanding, I initiated a series of reforms, transforming the Brotherhood into a more egalitarian and inclusive organization. I dedicated considerable time to the refinement of our equipment and delved deep into the secrets hidden within the Apple of Eden.
I compiled my vast knowledge and insights into a meticulously encoded collection I named the Codex. it contains a wealth of wisdom gleaned from the experiences of my life, as well as the profound knowledge imparted by the Apple. This invaluable resource chronicles my journey and may serve as a beacon of guidance for future generations of Assassins.
Thus, I, Altaïr, through trials and tribulations, evolved from a young and headstrong Assassin to a wise and revered Mentor. My legacy lives on in the reforms I instituted, the Codex I crafted, and the profound impact I left upon the Creed. May the wisdom and knowledge I have gathered guide those who come after me, and may the Brotherhood forever remain a beacon of hope in the eternal struggle against the forces that seek to control and oppress humanity.”
Known Owners: Genghis Khan, Hülegü Khan
Current Status: Unknown
Forged by the skilled hands of Hephaistos, this Sword of Eden crafted in the shape of a saber emerged as a formidable weapon during the War of Unification. The sword found its way into the hands of renowned leaders such as Genghis Khan and his successors. Like its counterparts, this Sword of Eden granted extraordinary powers to its wielder, while also enhancing their innate charisma and leadership qualities.
"When I was a young man, I had liberty, but I did not see it. I had time, but did not know it. And I had love, but I did not feel it."
Dates: 1459 - 1524 CE
Location: Italy
Time Frame: Italian Renaissance
Affiliation: Italian Brotherhood
Key Allies: Mario Auditore, Claudia Auditore, Sofia Sartor, Leonardo da Vinci, Bartolomeo D'Alviano, Niccolò Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza, La Volpe, Yusuf Tazim, Lorenzo de' Medici, Suleiman I, Piri Reis
Main Opponents: Rodrigo Borgia, Cesare Borgia, Juan Borgia, the Pazzi family, the Barbarigo family, Prince Ahmet, Manuel Palaiologos
"All my life, a fire of passion blazed in the depths of my soul, an energy that pushed me along an extraordinary path that eventually transformed me from a carefree youth into a respected leader among the noble Assassins. I was born into a family intertwined with the Brotherhood, but I wasn't aware of this heritage until my seventeenth year. It was then that the specter of tragedy fell upon us, when my father and brothers met their untimely demise at the merciless hands of executioners.
I was rescued by my wise and noble uncle, Mario, who extended his guiding hand and welcomed me into the fold of the Assassins in the peaceful refuge of Monteriggioni. There, I learned the ways of our esteemed order under his watchful gaze, honing my skills and expanding my knowledge. Alas, that serene interlude didn't last, as we were soon besieged by the insidious Borgia, a powerful family owning its allegiance to our sworn enemy, the Templar Order. In their ruthless quest for power, they took the life of my dear uncle and wrested an Apple of Eden from our protective custody.
Fueled by an unyielding determination to resist the corrupting influence of the Templars in Rome, I brought new companions to our cause. For many years, I poured my heart and soul into dismantling the Borgia's iron grip on the city, sparing no effort in liberating its people from their clutches.
Yet, my ambitions extended far beyond the confines of Italy. A thirst for knowledge consumed me, compelling me to undertake a monumental task: the search for and reassembly of the scattered pages of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex. I embarked on this quest to enrich the Brotherhood's techniques and uncover lost wisdom. The journey took me to the vast expanses of the Middle East, where I faced a desperate race against the Templars, as they too vied to possess the fabled treasures concealed within Altaïr's long-lost library.
In the year 1512, standing at the threshold of that sacred library, I felt anticipation ripple through my veins. However, what lay inside defied my expectations. No volumes awaited, only the remnants of Altaïr himself, the lingering echoes of the Apple of Eden, and a Memory Seal etched with his final recollections.
With trepidation, I activated the Apple, unearthing its hidden truths. In that moment, a message from the enigmatic Precursors revealed itself, casting a blinding light on my purpose. I, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, recognized my role as a conduit between these ancient beings and a future generation of Assassins. It became clear that destiny had chosen me to transmit knowledge and vital information from one era to the next. Overwhelmed, I meticulously transcribed my experiences and the profound message from the Precursors onto the sacred pages of the Prophet's Codex.
Upon my return from the Masyaf library, I made a solemn decision. I chose to withdraw from the active duties of the Brotherhood, finding solace and love in the embrace of Sofia Sartor, a remarkable woman who had captured my heart. Together, we chose a life free from the shadows, raising a family and savoring the tranquility that had long eluded me. Although my days as an active Assassin had drawn to a close, the flame of passion and purpose continued to burn brightly within, forever reminding me of the extraordinary odyssey that had shaped me into the man I had become."