Guardians of the Observatory
- Roberts: "The handiwork of men born and bred to protect this place. The Guardians of the Observatory."
- Edward: "How long have their kind been here?"
- Roberts: "Oh, at least a thousand years or more. Dedicated men. Very deadly."
- —Bartholomew Roberts and Edward Kenway, after seeing the remains of the Guardians' victims, 1719.[src]-[m]
The Guardians of the Observatory were a group of warrior natives, likely related to the Taíno people, that were known to live in Long Bay, Jamaica, and safeguarded the ancient structure known as the Observatory.
History[edit | edit source]
15th century[edit | edit source]
Towards the end of the 15th century, a Sage arrived in Long Bay to find the Observatory and encountered a native tribe. Gaining their trust, he made them swear to dedicate their lives and those of their descendants to guarding the complex. After the Sage's death around 1510, the tribe buried him in an unmarked grave to prevent anyone from using his blood to open the Observatory.[1]
17th century[edit | edit source]
Because of their duty to protect the Observatory, the Guardians gradually became isolated from other native tribes. They were secretive in their dealings and hostile towards all outsiders, whom they typically executed on the spot.[1]
When Thom Kavanagh arrived at the Observatory sometime in the late 17th century, the Guardians initially attacked him until they recognized his face and realized he was a Sage. Inviting Kavanagh to live with them, the Guardians told him about their history and their responsibility to keep watch over the complex. After Kavanagh's death in 1706, the Guardians buried him in a secluded spot in the jungle near the Observatory per his instructions.[1]
18th century[edit | edit source]
When the pirate Edward Kenway arrived in Long Bay in 1719 with the Sage Bartholomew Roberts, he was forced to dispatch several Guardians in order to safely lead Roberts and his men to the Observatory's entrance.[2] Three years later, when the Templar Grand Master Laureano de Torres y Ayala and his Spanish troops arrived at the complex, the Guardians fought back but were eventually overwhelmed. In the aftermath, the survivors were captured and their village set ablaze. Kenway once again made his way through the jungle, this time freeing the Guardians along the way.[3]
Following Torres' death, the Caribbean Assassins made it their mission to safeguard the Observatory against further Templar incursions. The Mentor Ah Tabai appointed a small faction of Assassins to remain in Long Bay and help the Guardians keep watch over the complex.[4]
Habits[edit | edit source]
Guardians used stealth and secrecy as their primary tactics, hiding in foliage to remain undetected as they eliminated unsuspecting targets with their blowpipes and throwing knives. They were also known to hang their victims from trees above the trail to discourage intruders from making their way further into the jungle, or to execute and dismember any who made it within view of the Observatory.[2]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Edward Kenway dispatching a Guardian -
Edward freeing two Guardians
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Initiates (mentioned in Database entry only)
- Assassin's Creed: Unity (mentioned in Database entry only) (indirect mention only)