Laureano de Torres y Ayala

"A body enslaved inspires the mind to revolt. But enslave a man's mind and his body will follow on naturally. Efficiently."

- Laureano de Torres y Ayala explaining the difference between slavery and the Templars' goals to Woodes Rogers.

Laureano de Torres y Ayala (1645 – 1722) was the Spanish Governor of Florida from 1693 to 1699, Governor of Cuba on two occasions between 1707 and 1716, as well as a Grand Master of the Templar Order.

He plotted along with fellow Templars Julien du Casse and Woodes Rogers to use the Sage, Bartholomew Roberts, to gain access to the Observatory to control the European Empires from behind the scenes.

Torres was later killed by the pirate Edward Kenway in the Observatory while attempting to access the First Civilization site.

Final words

 * Laureano: Captain Kenway. Ever a Splinter in my Side. Does this Murder fulfill you?
 * Edward: I'm only seeing a Job done, Torres. As you'd have done with Me.
 * Laureano: As we have done, I think. You have no Family anymore, no Friends, no Future. Your Losses are far greater than ours.
 * Edward: That may be. But killing you rights a far greater Wrong than ever I did.
 * Laureano: You Honestly believe that?
 * Edward: You would see all of Mankind corralled into a neatly furnished Prison, safe and sober, yet dulled beyond Reason and sapped of all Spirit. So aye... with everything I've seen and learned in these last Years, I do believe it.
 * Laureano: You wear your Convictions well. They suit you...

Reference

 * Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag