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You cannot know anything. Only suspect.
This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.
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| This article is about the memory. You may be looking for the event.
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The Battle of the Wabash was a genetic memory.[1]
From the mid-1770s, American settlers began to push into the lands west of the Thirteen Colonies, eager to get their hands on the rich territories of Native Americans, beginning a cycle of violence.
In November 1791, on the eve of the Battle of the Wabash River—an event that will also be remembered in history as St. Clair's Defeat, or the Battle of a Thousand Slain—the leaders of the most prominent Native American tribes of the Northwest Territory gather to organize an attack on General Arthur St. Clair's forces, who have established a camp on a high hill near the headwaters of the Wabash River. Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor) and the Witnesses arrive up at the longhouse to appease the spirits and obtain permission to go to a parley with the American general to try to avoid bloodshed.
In the longhouse, the crackling of the flames is drowned out by chatter in the diverse languages of the tribes gathered here. As you enter, a breath of icy wind sneaks into the hut with a few flakes of white snow. Many people turn in your direction, some with looks of admiration, others of disdain, and others just curious to know who this young man is that everyone is staring at.
Almost 10 years have passed since the day Connor killed two Templars—his father, Haytham, and Charles Lee. The fate of the American nation is no longer of interest to the Assassin, who, on the contrary, often questions his previous actions. Connor's goal is to convince the three chiefs in command that a path of peace and coexistence is still possible for the Native Nations and the Americans, and he wants to prevent many brave warriors from dying in vain.
Three chiefs sit in the center of the longhouse: Little Turtle of the Miami, Blue Jacket of the Shawnee, and Buckongahelas of the Lenape. After a long silence filled with inquisitive looks, Little Turtle invites you all to sit and give the speech you clearly came to give.
- Challenges
- Speech For Peace: To gain permission to visit the enemies' camp and parley with the American General, the Witnesses must convince the chiefs. However, the chiefs have come to battle the American invaders, and changing their minds will be challenging—any Social check made to convince them may require additional Raises, as explained in the descriptions of the following Challenges.
- Little Turtle's Doubt: During the speech, Little Turtle declares he knows Ratonhnhaké:ton's mind. He claims that the Assassin's judgment is clouded by an old alliance, perhaps even friendship or admiration for George Washington, a man who is no longer who he once was. Little Turtle insinuates that that man never really existed—if Connor or any other Witness cannot answer back with something convincing, any Social check made during the Speech For Peace Challenge requires 1 additional Raise.
- Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas: Chiefs Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas don't trust Ratonhnhaké:ton's comrades and demand them to talk—if other Witnesses cannot support Connor with something convincing, any Social check made to overcome the Speech For Peace Challenge requires 1 additional Raise.
- Weaknesses
- The Indian Prophecy: A story tells how, many years ago, George Washington traveled with some soldiers to reclaim the land promised to them by the British government near the Kanawha River in the Ohio territories. There, they met a sachem who began to tell the story of how Washington, on the day of the Battle of the Monongahela 15 years earlier, had been shot at but was never harmed. Taking this as a sign, the sachem prophesied that Washington would become "the leader of the nations" and that an unborn people would respect him as the father of a mighty empire—if a Witness mentions the Indian Prophecy, any Social check made during the Speech For Peace Challenge have 1 Free Raise.
The Witnesses succeed in convincing the Northwestern Indian Confederacy to parley, they can proceed immediately to the enemy camp to speak with General St. Clair. Unfortunately for them, General St. Clair's men have a Shawnee spy and welcome the peacemakers with an ambush, surrounding them with drawn bayonets.
You move with peaceful intent towards the hill where the Americans have set camp. Blue coats quickly emerge from the bushes from all directions, surrounding your group. A myriad eyes and rifle barrels point right at you. You must have been betrayed—they knew you were coming. Safe behind his soldiers, General St. Clair addresses you all directly: "I know who you are. I met Connor's father once. It's such a pity he can't see our dream come true because of your stupid Brotherhood, and George." He pauses for effect. "It doesn't matter. Little Turtle's Apple of Eden will be mine in a few hours!" He laughs at the question on your face. "You didn't know, did you? Do not worry, Assassins, I will take good care of it." Laughing, he mounts his white horse. "But first, let's see if it will be of any use to tame these tribes and make them fight for us. It would be a pity to slay them all. You, on the other hand, must die here and now. Soldiers, take aim..." the General abruptly stops his commands as muffled gunshots and screams erupt above the sounds of the rushing water of the Wabash river. Apparently, Little Turtle chose not to wait for your return, and the Natives have attacked the Americans in the middle of their morning meal—the Battle of the Wabash has begun.
"Shoot! Shoot 'em all!" he screams to the soldiers before hurrying for the camp.
- Challenges
- Shoot 'em all!: At the beginning of this Scene, all Witnesses surrounded by St. Clair's soldiers must make a Reaction check with 2 Raises.
- Blue Coats: Soldiers try to shoot at any Witness that survived the first volley. Others draw their blades and attack them in close combat. Given the high number of soldiers ambushing the Witnesses, any Action check made to overcome this Challenge requires 1 Raise.
- Weaknesses
- Backup (minor): Even if Connor's plan was approved and he went straight to the American camp, the Witnesses might have decided to split up. If they did, some members followed the group from a distance as a precaution, and now have an opportunity to surprise the soldiers on the river banks. In this case, Reaction checks made to overcome the Shoot 'em all! Challenge require no Raise.
- Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas Scouts (major): If the Witnesses did not persuade Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas to trust them in the previous Scene, the Chiefs sent a small group of Shawnee and Lenape scouts to keep an eye on them. As soon as the bullets start flying, the scouts come out to attack the soldiers. In this case, all Approach checks made to overcome this Key Objective's Challenges have 1 Free Raise.
Inside St. Clair's tent, a soldier is gathering the General's personal belongings to take to Fort Jefferson, where he intends to retreat. The battle is not going well for his troops.
You survived the ambush. It's time to address the second part of the plan. The first place to look for information about the Templar's plans must be the General's tent. There, you're faced with a sweaty soldier hurriedly stuffing the General's papers, notes, and personal effects into a leather bag. A couple of papers show sketches of an Apple of Eden. Outside, cries of alarm suggest that the American soldiers are completely surrounded.
- Challenges
- Interrogating the Soldier: If the Witnesses are quick enough, they can capture the soldier and interrogate him about St. Clair's plans and movements. The subordinate can reveal St. Clair is retreating to Fort Jefferson. The documents in the bag also present information about Little Turtle's Apple of Eden and rumors about a secret vault in the Prophetstown area.
- Following the Soldier: If the Witnesses are stealthy enough, they can follow the soldier instead of interrogating him—but watch as he is killed by an arrow or a bullet. Searching the documents now scattered in the snow around the fallen bag, the Witnesses discover St. Clair is headed for Fort Jefferson. The documents also present information about Little Turtle's Apple of Eden and rumors about a secret vault in the Prophetstown area.
- Panicking Soldiers: The battle brings fear and chaos in the camp. American soldiers are shooting wildly at anyone not wearing a uniform. Whenever the Witnesses move without being stealthy, they must make a Reaction check.
- Major General Richard Butler: The commander of the levy regiment has been tasked with covering St. Clair's retreat. Having identified and recognized Connor and his allies, he leads a cavalry charge against them.
- Weaknesses
- Chaos Reigns (minor): The Witnesses can take advantage of the confusion caused by the native attack. Stealth checks made to move through the camp enjoy 1 Free Raise.
- Blue Coats (minor): The Witnesses can steal uniforms from hastily abandoned tents or fallen soldiers to blend in with the American forces. In this case, they overcome the Panicking Soldiers Challenge.
Sagamore Little Turtle (Mihšihkinaahkwa), Chief of the Miami people in the Northwest Territory, is one of the most famous Native American military leaders. In the 1790s, he led a confederation of Native warriors to several significant victories against the American military forces in the so-called Northwest Indian Wars, most notably "St. Clair's Defeat" in 1791.
Predecessor of the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh and war chief of the Shawnee people, Blue Jacket (Weyapiersenwah) is known as the fierce protector of the Shawnee settlements in the Northwest Territory.
Preeminent Lenape chief, councilor, and combatant, Buckongahelas has fought in the Northwest Territory since the days of the Seven Years' War in 1754, and later took part in the Battle of the Wabash with the allied chiefs Little Turtle and Blue Jacket.
Scottish-American soldier and politician, St. Clair formerly served in the British Army during the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War). During the American Revolutionary War, he became major general of the Continental Army and later served as President of the Continental Congress, before becoming governor of the Northwest Territory in 1788. In 1791, during the attempt to conquer the Northwest Territory, St. Clair and his American forces faced the worst defeat ever recorded at the hands of the Native Americans in the battle that later became known as "St. Clair's Defeat", in which he lost almost a thousand men.
Known Owners: Little Turtle (Mihšihkinaahkwa)
Current Status: Unknown
This Apple of Eden only acts as an element of contention between the Natives and General St. Clair and is not expected to end up in the hands of the Witnesses during this Sequence. For this reason, the Reader can freely decide which Apple of Eden to assign to Little Turtle, choosing one among those presented in other Sequences of this book, or in the Assassin’s Creed - Animus Handbook.
