Cudgel Cormac
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They call me many things: Murderer. Cutthroat. Thief. But you may call me Cudgel Cormac. This article is about a subject that lacks an official name and is known only by its nickname, title, or alias. |
"Cudgel" Cormac was a member of the Templar Order active in New York City during the 19th century. He was the grandson of Shay Cormac, a famous Assassin Hunter and Master Templar, and an ancestor of Javier Mondragón.[1]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Early life[edit | edit source]
During his youth, and like his father before him, Cudgel was trained by his grandfather Shay, mastering freerunning and learning how to use his Eagle Vision. Like them, he joined the Templar Order as an Assassin Hunter, serving in their ongoing war against the Brotherhood. He also inherited the Cormac family's air rifle,[1] which Shay had stolen from the Master Templar Lawrence Washington when he was still an active Assassin more than a century earlier.[2]
American Civil War[edit | edit source]
By 1863, Cudgel was the feared barman of one of New York City's pubs, where he was acting as the Templar contact within the city's gangs, being a trusted agent of Grand Master William M. Tweed. As such, he was tasked to convince the various gangs to participate in the riots organized by the Templars to turn the tide of the American Civil War in their favor. The night before the riots were scheduled to start, a letter from Tweed was delivered to Cudgel, instructing him to stop an Assassin from stealing a Piece of Eden rumored to be hidden in the Aztec Club and to bring the artifact to his house.[1]
The following day, Cudgel ambushed the Assassin Varius as he was leaving the Aztec Club with a Dagger of Eden, shooting him with a paralyzing dart from his air rifle and seizing the artifact. He then chose to spare Varius, letting him live with the shame of having been bested by a Templar, and left with the Dagger. As riots began to erupt across the city, Cudgel climbed atop a church's bell tower to observe the chaos, prudently staying out of trouble and determined to bring the Dagger to his master after sunset. While he agreed that the black citizens of New York were a necessary, yet sad, casualty of the Templar agenda, he nevertheless decided to save the children of a black orphanage after it was set ablaze by rioters.[1]
Eventually, as he reached Tweed's estate, Cudgel discovered that Varius, having been guided by one of Tweed's servants, Eliza, was also in the house, and the two resumed their fight. They freeran on the roofs of the city while brawling until Cudgel inadvertently used the power of the Dagger on Varius while ranting about his Templar ideals, throwing a knife at the confused Assassin, which hit him in the stomach.[1]
However, as Cudgel was about to finish the critically injured Assassin, Eliza, who had followed them, used the rifle that Cudgel lost during the fight to shoot a paralyzing dart at the Templar. Enraged by the death of her father, who was beaten to death during the riots, Eliza threatened the powerless Templar with the Dagger to his throat, knowing he had played a part in starting the riots. She nevertheless spared him, promising to return for him and Tweed later, before vowing to join the Assassins and complete Varius' mission by delivering the Dagger to General Ulysses S. Grant.[1]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Cudgel fathered at least one child during his lifetime, whose bloodline continued into the 21st century. His descendant, Javier Mondragón, relived his memories in late 2016 through a simulation based on the New York draft riots to locate the Aztec Dagger. Unlike his ancestor, Javier was not persuaded to join the Templars after experiencing his memories and was somewhat repulsed by Cudgel's participation in the riots.[1]
After exiting the Animus, Javier found that he had acquired some of Cudgel's skills, such as combat proficiency and Eagle Vision, though his vision was not as strong as that of his friend Owen Meyers. He also developed a temporary resentment toward Owen as his friend was a descendant of Varius, who had actively meddled in Cudgel's affairs during the riots.[1] As Cudgel's presence faded from his mind and he became more familiar with the Assassins' goals on a personal level, Javier gradually warmed up to them and came to consider joining the Brotherhood weeks later.[3]
Personality and traits[edit | edit source]
Cudgel was a devoted follower of the Templar Order and a strong believer in their goals and vision for the world. He was willing to assist in bringing the New World Order to fruition, including aiding Grand Master William M. Tweed by participating in the New York draft riots. When confronted by Varius about the innocent lives lost due to the violence instigated by the Templars, Cudgel referred to them as "refines fire" and claimed that they were a necessary part of the Templars' plan.[1]
Despite his strict adherence to Templar doctrine, Cudgel showed some empathy for the people of New York. When he saw an angry mob turn against an orphanage housing both Black and White children, Cudgel believed the violence to be unnecessary and out of line with Tweed's goals. Disapproving of the mob's actions, he intervened to protect the children, showing that he was willing to deviate from the mission when necessary.[1]
Cudgel was well-versed in the long-standing conflict between the Assassins and Templars, understanding their ancient war over the fate of humanity. He frequently referenced his grandfather, Shay Cormac, who was responsible for the purge of the Colonial Brotherhood, for which Cudgel regarded him as a hero to the Templar cause. He also expressed his belief that the Assassins were agents of chaos. When confronted by Varius, who pointed out that Cudgel's actions had caused chaos in the city, the Templar defended his actions by claiming they were part of a greater, organized purpose that he believed would ultimately benefit humanity, in direct contrast to the Assassins' aims.[1]
When Eliza confronted Cudgel about the death of her father, Abraham, he attempted to explain that he had not killed him, even though he and the Templars were directly responsible for starting the riot that had led to Abraham's murder by an angry mob. As Eliza held a knife to his throat, Cudgel became nervous and tried to justify his perceived innocence, but Eliza subdued him with a paralyzing dart before he could explain himself.[1]
Skills and equipment[edit | edit source]
Cudgel was trained in combat and freerunning by his father and grandfather. He was skilled in parkour and could move seamlessly across the rooftops of New York. When confronted by Varius, who had been trained in combat from a young age, Cudgel held his own against the skilled Assassin. Thanks to his Isu DNA, he could use the powers of the Prong of Eden, which allowed him to defeat Varius during their second encounter.[1]
Cudgel was also a skilled marksman, as evidenced by his weapon of choice: the air rifle passed down from Shay. Additionally, he was proficient in using Eagle Vision, a skill inherited from his grandfather.[1]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Concept art by Studio Lounak
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]