Samuel Smith
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Samuel Smith (died 1754) was a member of the British Rite of the Templar Order, operating in and around Great Britain's Thirteen Colonies in the mid-18th century. The treasurer of the Templars in the colonies, Smith was tasked by Lawrence Washington to safeguard an ancient artifact known as the Precursor box.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Little to nothing is known about Smith's early life. Abstergo Entertainment suspects that he was born in Virginia, where he showed some skill as a sailor. At some point, he became the treasurer for one of Master Templar Lawrence Washington's businesses, and by extension, the Templar Order.[1] Smith also got along well with fellow Templar Christopher Gist, who claimed to enjoy drinking with him.[2]
Guarding the Precursor box[edit | edit source]
In 1751, Washington stole the Precursor box and the Voynich manuscript from François Mackandal, Mentor of the Haitian Assassins, amidst the chaos of an earthquake.[3] Smith was later tasked with activating the box, while his fellow Templar James Wardrop was tasked with translating the manuscript. Despite seeking the assistance of learned people in New York and native tribes, the Templars were unable to make the artifacts work.[4]
In July 1752, Smith, Wardrop, and Jack Weeks met with Washington at his mansion in Mount Vernon in the midst of a garden party. Already dying of tuberculosis, Washington sent his brother George away, and asked his subordinates to keep him out of Templar affairs, wishing no potential harm to his sibling.[4]
Respecting Washington's wishes, Smith informed him that he was prepared to leave for Europe, where he intended to activate the box with the help of the continent's various scientists. Soon afterwards, Washington was killed by the Assassin Shay Cormac, although in the process, Smith, Wardrop and Weeks were able to escape.[4]
With Washington dead, Smith answered to Wardrop, who was now in charge of the Templars in the colonies.[5] Despite the assistance of Europe's greatest scientists, Smith was ultimately unable to activate the box.[6]
Death[edit | edit source]
Smith returned to the colonies in 1754. Intending to meet with Wardrop at an encampment on Terra Nova, Smith refitted his schooner, the Equitas. At this time, he was pursued by Shay and his fellow Assassins Liam O'Brien and Louis-Joseph Gaultier, Chevalier de la Vérendrye, who acted on information from the spy Le Chasseur. Not wishing to lose the box, the Assassins were careful not to sink the Equitas.[6]
During the chase, Smith led the Assassins' ship, the Morrigan, into an ambush. After the Morrigan sank the ambushing ships, Smith tried to stop the Assassins using burning oil, and docked at Terra Nova. Despite this, the Morrigan evaded the oil, and Shay went after Smith.[6]
In the refuge of his camp, Smith attempted to dissuade Shay from killing him, claiming that the Assassins were simply using him. However, Shay made his way past the Templar's guards, and assassinated the defenseless Smith with his Hidden Blade from above. As Shay took the box from him, the dying Smith stated that the Assassins' victory was hollow, the greatest scientists of Europe having failed to activate the artifact.[6]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
In 2015, the Templar Isabelle Ardant included Smith's name on a list of known British Templars. This list was later unveiled by the Assassins Rebecca Crane and Shaun Hastings when they infiltrated Ardant's office to plant a bug.[7]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Samuel Smith is a character introduced in the 2014 video game, Assassin's Creed: Rogue, wherein he was voiced by Canadian voice actor Alain Goulem.
Even after assassinating Smith, his database entry still lists his date of death as unknown.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Concept art of Shay chasing Smith -
Shay assassinating Smith -
Smith's database image
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Rogue (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Database: Samuel Smith
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Bravado
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Lessons and Revelations
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Assassin's Creed: Rogue – By Invitation Only
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – We the People
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Assassin's Creed: Rogue – One Little Victory
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Modern day