Davenport Homestead

"I trust you now know that this place has become something of great significance. A community to serve as an example of what this would-be nation could become."

- Achilles in a letter to Connor.

The Davenport Homestead was a small but thriving community near Rockport, United States.

During the 18th century, it served as a base of operations for the Assassin Order. The manor and lands were originally owned by the Assassin Achilles Davenport, and were passed onto his apprentice Ratonhnhaké:ton after Achilles' death.

Early expansion
Achilles Davenport rose to the rank of Mentor in 1746, and spent his time both recruiting and expanding the Assassin Brotherhood into the Frontier. The Homestead served as a base for the Assassins and a home for Achilles' wife Abigail, and his young son Connor.

However, this time of prosperity did not last. Once Haytham Kenway, the Grand Master of the Colonial Templar Order established his own base of operations in Boston, the Assassins were hunted down and executed. The Assassins also suffered heavy causalities during the French and Indian War and by 1763, the Brotherhood was scattered.

Faced with the deaths of his Brotherhood, wife, and son (both of whom died of typhoid fever), Achilles lost the will to fight the Templars. He remained in isolation at the Homestead for the next six years, letting it fall into disrepair.

Arrival of Ratonhnhaké:ton
In 1769, Ratonhnhaké:ton of the Kanien'kehá:ka tribe was instructed by Juno to seek the Assassins, so he traveled to the Davenport Homestead. A depressed Achilles refused, but took Ratonhnhaké:ton on as his apprentice after seeing him fight off a group of colonial mercenaries who had come to kill him. He spent years teaching him the ways of the Assassin Order, and gave him the name of "Connor" to honor his own son's memory, and to let Ratonhnhaké:ton blend in with the Colonists.

Over the years, Connor and Achilles worked together to improve the Homestead by inviting craftsman, farmers, and merchants to live on the lands near the Manor and encourage trade. In time, the Homestead expanded and evolved into a small tight-knit community.

At its peak, the Homestead included a mill, carpenter, farmers, hunters, miners, tailors, a doctor, a blacksmith, a church and an inn. The Homestead also held a small dock for the Assassins' ship, the Aquila, which was overseen by first mate and Assassin Robert Faulkner.

For the residents, the Homestead was seen as a second chance, as many had lost their homes and professions due to attacks from mercenaries or the British Army. The Homestead came under attack when these groups sought retribution several times, but Connor always made sure his friends were safe.

Sometime between 1781 and 1783, Achilles' health began to decline, and he passed away peacefully inside the Manor. In a final letter to Connor, Achilles left him the Homestead.

Achilles expressed his hope that Connor would understand that the Homestead had blossomed into a thriving community that could serve as an example of what America could become. Connor buried Achilles next to his wife and son on the hill overlooking the sea.

Later in 1783, Connor returned to the graves of the Davenport family to bury an amulet in Connor Davenport's grave, thinking it would be one of the last places anyone would look for it.

In December 2012, Desmond Miles, Connor's descendant, returned to the grave and dug up the amulet.

Layout
The Homestead referred to a large forested area on the east coast of Massachusetts north of Boston. Two rivers cut through the land, one near the northern part of the property, and one through the middle of the region.

As more people began to move on the Homestead, the land became more settled. Parts of the forest were cleared to make way for new homes and shops, and more roads were established to connect the Manor, Port, and residents together. A primary pathway linked together Ellen, David, Oliver, Lance, Lyle and Godfrey and Terry's businesses with Timothy's church, the Davenport Manor and the Aquila's docking port. Warren's farm, Norris' mine and Myriam's hunting cabin were located on the outskirts of the Homestead.

Several animals could also be hunted at the Homestead, including fox, elk, deer, beavers, raccoon, wolves, and hares.

Mansion
The central hub of the Homestead was the Davenport Manor, where Achilles and Connor resided. The Manor overlooked a small cove where ships could dock and it also had stables nearby.

The first floor contained a kitchen, dining room, a reading room, and Achilles' bedroom. The second floor hosted Connor's bedroom, a gallery room of paintings and trophies, another room storing books and letters, and a display room for the inventions that had been crafted for Connor after he had found their recipes. The basement, which could be accessed by pulling a candelabra behind the staircase, stored Assassin outfits, weapons and a board of information on the Templars.

Gallery
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