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PL Treasure HunterHQ He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.

This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all.

This template should be removed from the article 3 June 2026.

PL ArtisanHQ Patience, brothers. Soon we will reveal the secrets of the Assassin's Creed: Black Flag novel, The Lost Journal, Dead Men's Gold, and Caribbean Sea, 1713 CE.

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"For years I've been rushing around, taking whatever I fancied, not giving a tinker's curse for those I hurt. Yet here I am... with riches and reputation, feeling no wiser than when I left home. Yet when I turn around, and look at the course I've run... there's not a man or woman that I love left standing beside me."
―Edward Kenway, reflecting on his life before aiding the Assassins, 1721.[src]-[m]

Edward James Kenway (1693 – 1735) was a Welsh-born British privateer-turned-pirate and a member of the West Indies and British Brotherhoods of Assassins. He was the father of Haytham Kenway, the founder of the Colonial Rite of the Templar Order, and the grandfather of Ratonhnhaké:ton, a prominent Colonial Assassin. Through this line, he is an ancestor of William and Desmond Miles, as well as Victor Flores Castillo. He is additionally an ancestor of Noa Kim.

Born to humble farmers, Edward always sought to acquire riches and fame. He became a privateer for the Royal Navy early in his life and, once accepted, found himself stationed in the West Indies. However, an abrupt end to the War of the Spanish Succession and the promise of gold, glory and fame eventually seduced him into a life of piracy. It was during this quest that Edward first encountered the Assassins and Templars, and became embroiled in their struggle.

Over the next few years, Edward struggled with the internal conflict that arose from his desire for fame and riches—through finding the Observatory—and his duty to his friends. After losing nearly all of his closest friends, he realized the folly of his quest for glory. He then joined the Assassin Order, hunted down the Templars in the region and entrusted the Observatory to the Assassins.

After a decade in the West Indies, Edward returned to Britain and received a pardon from Robert Walpole. He soon acquired an estate in London and married Tessa Stephenson-Oakley, with whom he fathered Haytham. He quickly joined the British Assassins, rising up to the rank of Master Assassin and, eventually, co-leader of the Brotherhood alongside Miko.

Continuing his work as an Assassin, Edward researched the First Civilization, traveling around the world in search of more sites like the Observatory, and kept his research in a journal. His most notable mission took place in Southeast Asia in 1725, where he searched for the lost city of Angkor, a rumored First Civilization site. During his mission, Edward made numerous new allies with whom he established the Zhang Wei Union, an organization that would continue to work alongside the Brotherhood for generations to come.

Following his return to London, Edward retired from active Assassin duty to focus on raising and training his son in the Assassin ways. However, in 1735, he was killed in his family estate by mercenaries in the employ of the Templar Grand Master Reginald Birch, who sought to acquire Edward's journal. Birch also took advantage of Edward's death to indoctrinate Haytham into the Templar Order.

Biography

Pre-birth

During the Peloponnesian War, after the Cult of Kosmos had been defeated by the Spartan misthios Kassandra, she saw a vision of Edward and all the Assassins that would follow her legacy in fighting against chaos. This vision alluded to the war that would continue for centuries afterwards between the Assassins and the Templars.[3]

Early life

Youth in Bristol

Edward was born in Swansea, Wales, to Bernard and Linette Kenway; at the age of ten, his family relocated to a farm in Bristol, in South West England.[1] However, the pastoral life did not agree with Edward and he became a well-known troublemaker in his adolescence.[4]

In Defense of Rose

The Cobleighs and Julian assaulting Edward

At the age of seventeen, Edward met Caroline Scott, who intervened on his behalf during an altercation outside the Auld Shillelagh tavern, in which Edward was defending Rose, one of the Scott family's housemaids, from being raped by Tom Cobleigh. Edward immediately fell in love with Caroline and asked her to meet again sometime, but she refused, as her father would not allow such a breach of social etiquette after having already promised her to Matthew Hague, the son of a prominent East India Company executive.[4]

Despite their differences in social status, Edward still pursued his love for Caroline.[1] Through Rose, Edward learned that Caroline often visited Bristol's port on a weekly basis. Hoping to attract her attention, Edward recruited a young street urchin named Albert to present Caroline with a bouquet of flowers on his behalf. As the boy set off, Edward realized too late that Albert was a thief who intended to steal Caroline's purse.[4]

As Edward moved forward to stop Albert, the thief successfully snatched Caroline's money, but in the process was noticed by her nearby suitor, Matthew, and his hulking bodyguard, Wilson, who caught the criminal and proceeded to beat him. Finally reaching the scene, Edward subdued Wilson before forcing Albert to apologize. Drawn to his fearless conduct, Caroline met Edward that night outside his house.[4]

Setting out for a midnight stroll, Caroline explained to Edward how the thought of becoming Hague's wife, and what society expected her to do after the marriage, sickened her. At the same time, she knew that starting a relationship with Edward would incur the wrath of her father upon them both. Despite the looming threat of Emmett's imminent anger, the couple maintained a secret relationship for the next several months. They finally married in 1712.[4]

Precarious marriage

"I want food that don't make me sick. I want walls that hold back the wind. I want a decent life."
―Edward to Caroline, 1712.[src]-[m]
Edward Kenway Memory 7

Edward and Caroline

However, Caroline's father, Emmett, disapproved of the marriage and disowned his daughter without providing a dowry. Deprived of the Scotts' wealth, Caroline and Edward settled in the farm of Edward's parents, who quickly became fond of Edward's young wife, who tried her best in order to acclimate to her new life. But dissatisfied with his life as a farmer and his inability to offer a privileged life to his wife, Edward failed to meet his marital obligations and assiduously frequented the taverns of the area.[4]

During a night of drinking, in late 1712, Scott approached an inebriated Edward in a tavern and offered him a deal, sending Caroline back to him by leaving her in exchange for a large sum of money. Scott tried to convince him to accept his offer, but Edward fainted before giving an answer and his father-in-law took him to the Kenway farmstead, where he took the opportunity to show his distraught daughter what a bad husband Edward was.[4]

The next day, Scott received the visit from Edward, who refused his offer and proposed him another deal. In accordance with his own plans, Edward was going to try to make his fortune as a privateer in the West Indies and promised not to return to England until he became rich. To Scott, who wanted the marriage to end, Edward pointed the fact that the odds were great that he died at sea, making Caroline a widow able to marry again, and that Scott could also take advantage of his absence by trying to turn Caroline against her husband. Scott agreed to Edward's offer, and the latter announced his departure to Caroline, who left the farm and returned to her parents' home, angry with Edward's decision.[4]

But the night Edward embarked on his assigned ship, Emmett Scott sent the Templar Wilson and some members of the Trade Organization, including Edward's nemesis, Tom Cobleigh, and his associate Julian, to set fire to the Kenways' farm while Bernard and Linette were sleeping inside, in order to prevent Caroline from ever coming back to them during Edward's absence. With Edward's departure being delayed, he returned in time to warn his parents and tracked the arsonists, but was knocked out and put on his departing ship by a hooded Wilson, who assured him that no more harm would come to his parents if he respected his pact with Scott.[4]

Despite Edward managing to save his parents, his father disowned him, seeing him to have brought nothing but trouble on the family. Distraught, Edward sought revenge on the Cobleighs, killing Julian in the process. Before Edward could interrogate Tom, the latter was killed by Wilson. Edward tried to engage Wilson, but was bested by the more experienced swordsman. Knocked unconscious by Wilson, Edward found himself aboard the Emperor, the ship he was intended to sail on.[4]

Life as a privateer

Sailing under the Emperor, Edward was often harassed by his more experienced and hardened peers, especially the brutish sailor Blaney. Initially bullying Edward as means of asserting his superiority, Blaney came to genuinely hate Edward for not fearing him.[4]

The Emperor's captain, Alexander Dolzell, soon foresaw that the War of the Spanish Succession was soon coming to a close, meaning that privateers would be put out of business. Dolzell announced his plans to turn to piracy to his crew, and offered those who decided not to partake in piracy safe passage home. Before Edward, not willing to become a pirate, could join those like him, he was stopped by his fellow sailor Friday. Edward then saw the sailors who wanted to leave the crew thrown overboard.[4]

In January 1713, Edward participated in the Emperor's capture of a British merchant ship named the Amazon Galley, and was assigned along with Blaney to guard the ship's captain, Benjamin Pritchard. Edward recognized the ring that Pritchard was wearing which matched the ring worn by Wilson. Pritchard offered Edward answers in exchange for his safety, but he was soon executed by Dolzell's blade.[4]

At the same time, the privateer Edward Thatch and his crew came to the rescue of the Amazon Galley, still loyal to the British Crown. Seeing that they were outnumbered, Blaney decided to mutiny against his former crew, killing first mate Trafford before moving in on Edward. However, Thatch took a liking to Edward, and instead proposed a brawl to decide who should join his crew, pitting Edward against Blaney.[4]

While the larger Blaney was physically stronger than Edward, the latter's smaller size outmaneuvered the brute. Although Edward landed several good hits on Blaney at the beginning, Blaney soon got the upper hand and eventually drew a blade. However, because Blaney broke the rules by using a weapon, he was quickly shot dead by Thatch. Edward, as the victor, joined Thatch's crew.[4]

Under Thatch's tutelage aboard the Sea Dog's Bite, Edward learned how to properly wield a sword as well as a pistol.[4] He was also guided by Thatch's own mentor, Benjamin Hornigold. He remained in Jamaica for six months until the Treaty of Utrecht in early 1713, which effectively ended all conflict between the major empires. As a result, British privateers were no longer needed or tolerated in the West Indies, causing Edward to find himself out of work. He subsequently took to piracy and joined Abel Bramah's crew, working aboard a brig named the Jacobite.[5]

Life as a pirate

Impersonating Duncan Walpole

"Mr. Walpole... let's collect your reward."
―Edward preparing to impersonate Walpole, 1715.[src]-[m]
Edward Kenway Memory 1

Edward aboard the Jacobite

In June 1715, the Jacobite attacked a passing vessel which proved to be too much for the crew to handle. With their captain dead, Edward took the helm and did his best to keep the ship afloat. While the pirates emerged victorious thanks to the storm, the ship's magazine caught fire and exploded, sinking the ship. Shipwrecked in Cape Bonavista, Edward met the only other survivor, an Assassin named Duncan Walpole, whose ship the pirates had attacked.[5]

Washing up next to Edward, Walpole was wounded by the shrapnel from the magazine's explosion. He offered to pay Edward for passage to Havana. Edward agreed upon condition of immediate payment, and advanced toward Walpole. Concerned, the Assassin drew his pistol, but it misfired due to wet gunpowder. Walpole fled, and Edward pursued him through the jungle, taking an interest in Walpole's Hidden Blade. Cornering Walpole, Edward quickly dispatched the wounded Assassin.[5]

Edward Kenway Memory 17

Edward donning Duncan's robes

Looting Walpole's body, Edward found a letter from Governor Laureano de Torres y Ayala of Havana, detailing Walpole's intended defection to the Templar Order. Oblivious to the implications of the letter, Edward donned Walpole's Assassin robes but was forced to discard the broken Hidden Blade, and collected a set of maps and a crystalline rectangular prism which were to be delivered to Torres for payment.[5]

While looking for a way to leave Cape Bonavista, Edward encountered a group of British soldiers harassing a merchant named Stede Bonnet, whom they believed to have been one of the pirates involved in the earlier battle. After dispatching the soldiers, Edward introduced himself to Bonnet using Walpole's name and accompanied him to Havana.[5]

Lively Havana 1

Edward and Bonnet arriving in Havana

Upon arrival, the two traveled to a local tavern to meet with Bonnet's contact, where several thugs recognized Edward as a pirate and provoked him into a fight. After dispatching the men, Edward was forced to flee as Spanish soldiers entered the tavern and began to chase him.[6] While he was able to escape, the Spanish turned on Bonnet and seized his ship's holdings, including the package meant for Torres. Edward infiltrated the Spanish fort to recover the package before going to the intended meeting with Torres.[7]

Introduction to the Templar Order

Torres: "You were expected one week ago."
Edward: "Apologies, governor. My ship was set upon by pirates. We were scuttled. I arrived only yesterday."
Torres: "Unfortunate. Forgive my caution, but were you able to salvage from these pirates the items you promised me?"
Edward: "Ah, yes Sir, I was."
—Edward, in his Duncan Walpole guise, meeting Laureano Torres, 1715.[src]-[m]

Edward carefully maintained his charade as he conversed with prospective Templars Woodes Rogers, whose wife had met Duncan, and Julien du Casse. Du Casse equipped Edward with a new pair of Hidden Blades and requested that Edward show them some Assassin techniques in action. Picking up on hints from du Casse and Rogers, Edward was able to replicate the moves with relative accuracy.[8]

Mister Walpole I Presume 6

Edward meeting with the Templars

When Torres eventually arrived, Edward presented him with the maps and the prism he had collected from Walpole. Torres then inducted "Walpole", Rogers and du Casse into the Templar Order before explaining his plan to locate a First Civilization site known as the Observatory, which the Templars believed would allow them to monitor every person in the world and learn all their secrets. Uninterested, Edward took the opportunity to pickpocket the Templars as they discussed their plans.[8]

The four then traveled to the city docks to retrieve a man named Bartholomew Roberts, an alleged Sage who knew the Observatory's location. On the way back to the governor's house, they were ambushed by Assassins and Roberts fled, though Edward managed to chase him down and retrieve him. As Roberts was led away, Torres gave Walpole's intended pay of 1,000 reales to Edward for a job well done.[9]

Claiming What's Due 10

Edward taken prisoner by the Templars

Later, meeting with Bonnet, Edward complained about the pay he had received, believing it was insufficient. He then resolved to discover the Observatory's location and sell it to the highest bidder, and realized he would need the Sage's assistance. He infiltrated the prison where Roberts was being held, only to find the Sage gone and the Templars, having discovered his ruse, waiting for him. For robbing them of Walpole's valuable expertise, Torres had Edward imprisoned on a ship in the Spanish Treasure Fleet heading for Seville, to deliver him to British Templars in London.[10]

Captain of the Jackdaw

"Adé, these lads are the better part of our growing confederacy here. Ed Thatch, Ben Hornigold, James Kidd."
―Edward introducing Adéwalé to his fellow pirates, 1715.[src]-[m]

Edward managed to escape confinement with the help of a similarly imprisoned Adéwalé, where they recruited a number of other prisoners, and stole one of the fleet's ships in the process. Hit by a storm, they narrowly managed to escape before the entire accompanying fleet was sunk.[11] Edward decided to name his newly acquired ship the Jackdaw and, realizing that hardly any of his new crew would accept Adéwalé as captain, dubbed him quartermaster.[12]

Now Hiring 1

Edward meeting with his fellow pirates

After a brief excursion to Abaco Island, where he hunted some animals to craft himself a new holster,[12] Edward sailed to Nassau with his new ship, where he introduced Adéwalé to three of his old associates: Edward Thatch, James Kidd, and Benjamin Hornigold. Edward then moved throughout the British-occupied town, freeing imprisoned pirates to recruit as crewmen and weakening British control over the island.[13] With that complete, he began working with Hornigold and Kidd to carry out lucrative missions, plundering ships with the former,[14] and raiding a nearby plantation with the latter.[15]

Thatch shared with Edward his concerns about protecting their newly formed "Pirate Republic" from British recapture, and proposed a plan to take a particular Spanish Galleon in order to better protect the nascent revolutionary state. At his request, Edward located and tailed the Galleon to Great Inagua, only to learn that the ship was owned by none other than Julien du Casse.[16] Reasoning that du Casse could not be allowed to live and spread news of his escape, Edward approached the cove through the jungle, snuck aboard du Casse's ship and assassinated him, before deciding to take over Great Inagua for himself.[17]

Months later, in March 1716, Edward was visited at his new base by James Kidd, who congratulated him on his victory and brought him to a Mayan stela in the jungle, telling Edward to use "the light of life" to uncover the treasure to which it pointed. Kidd then showed Edward an underground tunnel leading to the du Casse manor and the special armor locked away there.[18]

This Old Cove 8

Edward and Kidd looking at a map of the Assassin bureaus

Trying out a key he had taken from du Casse, Edward saw that he required four more to unlock the armor. Kidd suggested that the keys could be found in the possession of four Templars sent to attack the Assassin bureaus whose locations had been exposed by Edward when he delivered Walpole's maps to Torres. Although Kidd advised that this was an opportunity for Edward to fix his mistake by warning the Assassins, the latter was only interested in the keys.[18]

After they finished touring Great Inagua, Kidd returned to his ship and left the island, requesting that Edward meet him in Tulum in several weeks' time, as he had more to show him there. Talking with Adéwalé afterwards, Edward expressed his doubts regarding Kidd's intentions but nonetheless decided to set a course for Tulum.[18]

Introduction to the Assassins

"Jaysus, Kidd! You led me into a mess. Is it these monks guarding the treasure you promised me?"
―Edward to James Kidd, 1716.[src]-[m]
Nothing Is True 5

Ah Tabai questioning Edward about the Sage

In Tulum, Edward found himself having to sneak through the jungle to meet with Kidd, as the area was heavily guarded by Assassin forces. Upon their eventual meeting, Edward was set upon by Ah Tabai, who demanded to know why Edward had sold their location to the Templars and attacked the Assassins in Havana. Kidd diffused the situation by telling Ah Tabai that Edward had "the Sense", and requested leave for them to enter a nearby temple. After claiming that he would recognize Bartholomew Roberts if he saw the man again, Edward was granted access to the temple with Kidd.[19]

While explaining the nature of the Assassin-Templar conflict and the Creed, Kidd led Edward to an antechamber containing a sculpture of the Sage. Edward originally claimed that it did not resemble Roberts at all; however, as he and Kidd completed an associated puzzle, layers of the sculpture were removed to show a better likeness underneath. Astonished, Edward confirmed that the statue perfectly resembled Roberts.[20]

Overrun and Outnumbered 7

Ah Tabai forgiving Edward's transgressions in Havana

When Edward and Kidd exited the temple, they found the Assassin base under siege by British troops. After conferring with Ah Tabai, Kidd gave Edward a blowpipe. Edward then aided the Assassins in their fight, freeing several who had been captured and earning the appreciation of Ah Tabai. However, considering the damage he had caused through negligence, Ah Tabai decreed that Edward was not welcome in Tulum any longer.[21]

Before Edward left, Kidd explained to him in more detail what both the Assasins and the Templars strived for and how he came to join the Brotherhood. He also told Edward that he could help the Assassins complete their contracts in return for monetary rewards, and showed him a locked door which could be opened by Mayan keystones like the one they had found in Great Inagua, claiming that a treasure lay behind it.[21]

Hunt for the Templar keys

Edward: "That's the map I sold to Governor Torres in Havana. He said it marked the locations of Assassin encampments."
Kidd: "You think maybe you owe them a bit of a warning then? If you have any kind of heart beating in that chest?"
Edward: "S'pose I could. If it leads me to the other four keys."
Kidd: "A bad excuse is better than none at all."
—Edward and James Kidd discussing the Templar keys, 1716.[src]-[m]

Determined to acquire the Templar armor locked away in Julien du Casse's former manor in Great Inagua, Edward decided to hunt down each of the four Templars attacking the Assassins' bureaus in the region in order to take their keys.[22]

The Taino Assassin 1

Edward meeting Opía

His first destination was the Cayman Islands, where the local bureau leader, Opía Apito, was initially distrustful of Edward and challenged him to a hunting competition. After Edward proved himself by winning the contest, Opía allowed him to help and asked him to meet her at a nearby fishing village.[23] There, Edward eavesdropped on a conversation between some of the villagers and learned two names, Lucia Márquez and Vargas, before stealing a ledger revealing the latter's address.[24]

Arriving at Vargas' home with Opía, she and Edward inquired about Lucia's whereabouts, prompting Vargas to flee. Edward chased him to his ship, where he defeated and then interrogated him, learning that Lucia was heading to the Isla de la Juventud. With the location of their enemy known, Opía took Vargas' ship and asked Edward to meet her on the island.[25] To draw Lucia out of hiding, Edward and Opía attacked her men, eventually prompting the Templar to reveal herself and confront Opía. While the Assassin goaded Lucia in order to distract her, Edward approached his target from behind and assassinated her, taking her Templar key.[26]

The Maroon Assassin 2

Edward agreeing to help Antó

Edward headed to Kingston next, where the local bureau leader, Antó, was not at all pleased to learn that Edward had sold his location to the Templars and tasked him to make amends by locating some of his captured men.[27] After Edward explained his motives for being there, Antó convinced him to help him free his men in exchange for the Templar key once they found it.[28]

When the Kingston bureau came under attack, Edward helped Antó and his men to defend it. Antó apologized for having nothing to reward Edward with, but the pirate told him that the Templar key could wait as he wanted to exact retribution upon the person responsible for the attack.[29] Learning that his target was Kenneth Abraham, a British officer and Templar who had been engaged in a long-standing conflict with Antó's Maroons, Edward tailed one of Abraham's men to find his location and assassinate him. On Abraham's body, he found the Templar key he had sought.[30]

Bureau Under Attack 5

Rhona questioning Edward's motives

Edward later went back to Havana, where he found the local Assassin bureau being headed by his old acquaintance, Rhona Dinsmore. With the bureau under attack, Edward helped Rhona to fight off her assailants before explaining his motives for being there.[31] As Rhona had been injured during the attack, she tasked Edward to investigate the Templars who were behind it and directed him to the market. There, Edward witnessed a thief pickpocket a guard and decided to give chase, eventually tackling the thief and recovering from him a stolen map.[32]

Returning to Rhona, Edward discussed with her the map he had acquired, which showed the locations of several gunpowder storehouses. Revealing that the storehouses belonged to a Templar named Hilary Flint, who was running an arms race against her, Rhona tasked Edward to destroy Flint's gunpowder reserves to sabotage his operation.[33] After Edward did so, Rhona decided to eliminate Flint and came up with a plan to distract him whilst Edward approached him from behind to strike the killing blow. The plan was successful and, with Flint dead, Edward claimed his Templar key.[34]

Oh Brother 3

Edward attempting to assassinate Upton

Edward's final destination was Nassau, where he met with who he believed to be the local bureau leader, Vance Travers. Vance told Edward that the Templar key he sought was in the possession of a Templar named Upton and that he could keep it if he assassinated him. Tailing two of Upton's men, Edward found his target but just as he was about to kill him, he discovered that Upton was Vance's brother and the true bureau leader.[35]

Learning he had been deceived, Edward was informed by Upton of his feud with Vance, which had begun when a Chinese pirate named Jing Lang seduced Vance and convinced him to kill Upton and steal his half of a treasure map the brothers had acquired, so that Vance and Jing could claim the treasure for themselves. At Upton's request, Edward then tailed his brother to confirm his suspicions of Vance's betrayal.[36]

Upon being informed that Jing was a Templar conspiring to murder him and that Vance was helping her, Upton tried to drink his sorrows away, forcing Edward to escort him to safety.[37] Once Upton had sobered up, he decided that his brother had to die alongside Jing, and asked Edward to assassinate them both. Edward did so, recovering a Templar key from Jing in the process.[38]

With all four Templar keys in his possession, Edward returned to Great Inagua and obtained the Templar armor.[22]

Pursuing Roberts

Torres: "Two years ago we offered a reward for the Sage's recapture. Today someone claims to have found him. This gold is his ransom."
Edward: "Who found him?"
Torres: "A slaver by the name of Laurens Prins. He lives in Kingston."
Edward: "We like this story, Torres. And we want to help you finish it. But we're going to do it our way. Using you and your gold."
—Torres and Edward discuss Roberts, 1717.[src]-[m]

By January 1717, Edward was back in Nassau where he witnessed the arrival of Charles Vane and Jack Rackham, who had decided to join the Pirate Republic. After welcoming the new members alongside Thatch, Edward learned from Vane that Torres was residing in a fort with a sizable amount of gold that Vane aimed to steal. Undercutting him, Edward quickly sailed to Torres' location and captured the fort.[39]

The Forts 5

Edward interrogating Torres

Inquiring about Roberts, Edward learned that the Sage had been captured by a Kingston-based Dutch slaver named Laurens Prins, who was ransoming him to the Templars. Edward decided to use the opportunity to reach Roberts himself, and coerced Torres into aiding him.[39] When they arrived in Kingston, Edward started to tail Torres, only to discover James Kidd was also pursuing Prins, intending to assassinate him.[40]

Reluctantly, Kidd agreed to Edward's request not to assassinate Torres and Prins until they had uncovered the Sage's location.[40] Despite being detected, the two eventually tracked Prins down to his manor in the north of the city. Edward agreed to aid Kidd in the infiltration and the assassination of Prins. Kidd, noticing that they would not be able to get far through stealth alone against such a heavily guarded complex, elected to act as a distraction. Removing her bandanna and reddening her lips, Kidd revealed herself to be a woman.[41]

Unmanned 12

Mary warning Edward not to reveal her secret

Edward quickly overcame his confusion and, using "Kidd's" distraction, snuck into the manor's gardens and assassinated Prins. Moments later, Edward was surprised to find Roberts free from confinement and holding "Kidd" at gunpoint. Roberts revealed that he was working for Prins, but was not surprised to hear about his betrayal. Shooting the alarm bell, Roberts made his escape, followed shortly by his two would-be rescuers.[41]

After escaping Prins' property and regrouping with "Kidd", Edward requested her real name; she told him it was Mary Read, and that if he informed anyone of her true identity, she would "unman" him. Edward respected Mary's wishes and agreed to keep her secret.[41]

A crumbling Republic

Medicines for Nassau

Thatch: "Caution's nothing without charisma! For if a man plays the fool, then it's only fools he'll persuade. But appear to be the devil, and all men will submit."
Edward: "And would you be the devil?"
Thatch: "For an audience, aye. It's all a big show. Give your quarry something to fear, some hellish thing from a fever'd dream, and men will drop to their knees pleading for their Lord before aught else!"
—Thatch and Edward discussing the use of intimidation over force, 1718.[src]-[m]
Diving For Medicines 8

Edward showing the spoiled medicine to Thatch and Bonnet

The following year, in 1718, word reached Nassau of a general pardon for all pirates being issued by Woodes Rogers, the new Governor of the Bahamas. Thatch and Hornigold disagreed on how they should address the situation; the former favored the use of force to keep the Pirate Republic alive, the latter a period of quiet to turn prying eyes away from Nassau. Hornigold stated that without proper care, including medicine for the sick, Nassau was not worth attempting to save.[42]

Edward agreed with Hornigold and elected to procure some medicine in a way that did not draw British attention. Remembering the storm that had sunk the Spanish Treasure Fleet, he suggested searching the wrecks for any medicine that might have survived.[42]

After purchasing a diving bell for the Jackdaw, Edward met with Thatch at the site of the sinking, where he was surprised to see that Bonnet had turned to piracy and joined Thatch's crew. Using the bell, Edward explored the sunken fleet and retrieved a crate of medicine from the wrecks; unfortunately, the medicine had not survived three years at the bottom of the ocean. Disappointed, Thatch left, but was shortly pursued by Edward.[42]

Devil's Advocate 9

Edward suggesting to Thatch that they steal medicines from Charles-Towne

Soon enough, Edward learned that Thatch had attacked a British Man O' War in an attempt to gain some medicine, and was now in trouble. Sailing the Jackdaw to his location, Edward managed to relieve Thatch of his predicament and took control of the Queen Anne's Revenge, before disabling the Man O' War and plundering the cargo. However, because the amount of medicine they had acquired was small, Edward suggested they travel to Charles-Towne – whose stamp adorned the medicine crates – to retrieve more.[43]

Siege of Charles-Towne

Edward: "What the hell are you doing, man? All of Charles-Towne can see this mess."
Thatch: "That's the idea. Out of range, but well in sight."
—Edward on Thatch at Charles-Towne, 1718.[src]-[m]

While on his way to meet with Thatch near Charles-Towne, Edward ran into Bonnet, who had left Thatch's crew and was now a pirate captain in own right. Bonnet thanked Edward for the courage he had inspired him and told him that their friendship had been his most treasured find on the seas, before departing.[44] This would be the last time the two pirates saw each other before Bonnet's death later that year.[22]

The Siege of Charles-Towne 2

Edward meeting with Thatch at Charles-Towne

Arriving at Charles-Towne on 28 May 1718, Edward was surprised to see the Queen Anne's Revenge brazenly off shore with hostages aboard. Thatch revealed that he had spent eight days there, waiting for the medicine to be delivered, but that the crew he had sent ashore a week prior to retrieve it had not been heard from since. Edward set out to retrieve the medicine personally.[44]

After discreetly guiding the Jackdaw through the bayou, Edward snuck ashore and forcefully obtained the key to the storeroom holding the medicines. He returned to Queen Anne's Revenge with two crates, as well as the means to make more. Thatch congratulated him, but then revealed he would not be returning to Nassau, instead choosing to retire while he still had time to enjoy it.[44]

Blockade of Nassau

"The Brits have brought their supplies ashore, see? If we nick some gunpowder and pine pitch, we can build a fire ship and send it straight at the blockade, blasting it to smithereens."
―Edward explaining his plan to escape Nassau to Charles Vane, 1718.[src]-[m]

Shortly after Edward's return to Nassau, the city was blockaded by the Royal Navy. Woodes Rogers came ashore to publicly announce the general pardon being offered to the pirates, but warned that, for the time being, they were restricted to the island regardless of their answer. Hornigold and his crew elected to accept the pardon, whilst Vane angrily rebuked it.[45]

The Gunpowder Plot 2

Edward explaining his plan to Vane

Meeting with Vane, Edward decided the time had come to leave Nassau. He proposed using a fireship to ram the British blockade, and went to gather the gunpowder while Vane retrieved the pine pitch.[46]

After procuring the gunpowder, Edward returned to Vane, who was still in the process of retrieving the pitch. While there, the two overheard that Rogers' associate, Commodore Peter Chamberlaine, had decided to ignore the Governor's orders and was set to destroy the pirate fleet that very night. Vane suggested Edward kill the Commodore before he could order the attack. Edward agreed, made his way to the Commodore's warship, and assassinated him.[47]

With Chamberlaine dead, the pirates made their move. Launching the fireship at the British fleet, they punched a hole in the blockade and escaped the area, heading for Edward's base in Great Inagua.[48]

Blackbeard's last stand

"In a world without gold, we might have been heroes!"
―Edward Thatch's last words, 1718.[src]-[m]

Meeting with Mary Read in Great Inagua, Edward stated his intentions to try and bring Thatch back to the West Indies. He then set sail for Ocracoke, where Thatch had retired to, in order to make the attempt.[49]

When he arrived, he found Vane angrily giving up on his attempts to bring Thatch back to the Pirate Republic; Edward reluctantly accepted that Thatch had no intention of returning, and instead decided to help him celebrate his retirement. As a parting gift, Thatch informed Edward that he had learned about a man named "Roberts", who was working on a slaver ship called the Princess. Edward gratefully accepted the information, but soon spotted a local man acting suspiciously.[49]

Do Not Go Gently 7

Edward witnessing the British attack

Edward followed the man through the outlying jungle until he met with a British officer. Eavesdropping on their conversation, Edward heard the two discussing Thatch's reputation. Eventually, they reached a clearing overlooking the village and one of the men launched a flare. Within moments, a nearby British fleet bombarded Ocracoke with mortars, destroying the town and many of the ships in the docks. Edward hurriedly made his way back to the Jackdaw, where he once again met with Thatch, and the two attempted to escape.[49]

They succeeded in disabling and boarding the attacking Man O' War, but were soon overwhelmed. Thatch was surrounded and decapitated by the British, whilst a shocked Edward, who had tried and failed to fight his way to Thatch's aid, was thrown overboard. Deeply shaken, Edward returned to the Jackdaw and eventually fought his way free of the attacking fleet.[49]

Search for the Observatory

Marooned on Isla Providencia

"Fucking hell. Is this my reward for believing the best about men? For thinking that a bilge rat like you could muster up some fucking sense, once in a while! Maybe Hornigold was right. Maybe the world does need men of ambition to stop the likes of you from mucking it all up."
―Edward after his fight with Vane, 1719.[src]-[m]
Vainglorious Bastards 9

Rackham leading the mutiny against Vane and Edward

Edward returned to Great Inagua and, disheartened, informed Vane of Thatch's death. Soon enough, a decision was made to pursue the Princess and learn the location of the Observatory. As such, both Edward and Vane traveled south in search of a slave ship.[50]

Once they had located one, both the Ranger and the Jackdaw launched their attack. Quickly overcoming the vessel and capturing its captain, they learned that the Princess regularly sailed out of Kingston. However, before their next move could be decided, Vane and Edward found themselves surrounded by Jack Rackham and the rest of the mutinying crew.[50]

The two were marooned on the island of Isla Providencia. After a few months, Vane grew distrustful and nonsensical, blaming Edward for all their troubles and threatening to kill him. Vane fled, and Edward pursued him into the jungle before being surprised by a stack of muskets and grenades Vane had happened upon.[51]

Marooned 7

Edward spotting an opportunity to escape the island

Sneaking through the ruins, Edward managed to get behind Vane and disarmed him, before leaving him alone on the island. Upon his return to shore, Edward took advantage of the timely arrival of a fishing schooner and used it to return to Great Inagua. There he found Mary Read and Adéwalé waiting, an incarcerated Rackham in tow and the Jackdaw safely docked.[51]

Journey to Príncipe

Edward: "I'm looking for the Observatory. Folks say you're the only man that can find it."
Roberts: "Folks are correct. Despite my distaste for your eagerness, I see in you a touch of untested genius."
—Bartholomew Roberts agreeing to help Edward, 1719.[src]-[m]

Edward returned to his pursuit of Roberts. With Adéwalé's help, he learned that the Princess was due in Kingston soon, and that Torres was in the city with Hornigold in attendance. Listening in on their conversation, Edward learned that Hornigold had sent one of his ships to Príncipe, where Roberts had last been seen.[52]

Imagine My Surprise 7

Edward confronting Hornigold

Hornigold soon spotted the Jackdaw in the harbor and deduced that Edward had been following them. Edward came out of hiding to berate Hornigold for his betrayal, whereupon he was beset by Torres' soldiers. Not wanting to waste time, Edward escaped the soldiers who engaged him and, upon his return to the Jackdaw, set course for Africa.[52]

In June 1719, Edward and his crew arrived in Príncipe to find the crew of the Princess dead or captured by Hornigold's Templar associates, Josiah Burgess and John Cockram. As Edward searched the remains of their encampment, he came upon Roberts hiding there. After a tense discussion, Edward and Roberts made a deal; Edward would kill the Templars and free the crew of the Princess in return for Roberts leading him to the Observatory. Edward then completed his end of the bargain, assassinating Burgress and Cockram.[53]

Partnership with Roberts

Edward: "You threw in with the very kind we once hated!"
Hornigold: "No! These Templars are different. I wish you could see that. But if you continue on your present course, you'll find you're the only one walking it! With the gallows at its end."
Edward: "It may be. But now the world has one less snake in it. And that's enough for me."
—Edward and Hornigold, moments after the latter's assassination, 1719.[src]-[m]
Black Bart's Gambit 1

Edward meeting with Roberts on his ship

In order to show Edward the Observatory, Roberts deduced that he would have to acquire blood vials. In September, the pair infiltrated a Portugese fleet to recover the vials from its figurehead, a Man O' War called the Nosso Senhor da Compreensão. Equipping the Jackdaw with a Portuguese flag, the pirates managed to get close enough to the Man O' War for their crews to ambush it.[54]

While Adéwalé took the Jackdaw to safety, Edward and Roberts fought off the rest of the fleet and found the vials. With this, Roberts arranged to meet Edward near the Observatory, while taking the Man O' War for himself and renaming it the Royal Fortune.[54]

Later, Edward met with Roberts off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, but soon discovered he had been followed by Hornigold. Edward gave chase and disabled Hornigold's ship, forcing it to beach on a nearby island. Going ashore, Edward managed to evade Hornigold's crew and several British sailors, sneaking behind his old friend before assassinating him. The two had a brief, heated exchange as to the nature of Hornigold's betrayal before he succumbed to his wounds.[55]

Roberts' betrayal

Roberts: "There's nothing in my code about loyalty, boy! You played your role, but our partnership is done!"
Edward: "You're a dead man, Roberts!"
—Roberts betraying Edward, 1719.[src]-[m]

After making sure no one else had followed him, Edward returned to Roberts at Long Bay and together, the two traveled inland toward the Observatory. As the area was heavily protected by indigenous guardians whose presence made it impossible for his crew to reach the Observatory, Roberts instructed Edward to clear a path whilst he and his men followed behind. Eventually, the group reached a black geometric structure that Roberts identified as the Observatory, which he recalled from a previous life. He then promptly killed his crew, shocking Edward, but Roberts assured him that while his men would have not been able to cope with seeing the inside of the Observatory, he suspected Edward was made of "sterner stuff".[56]

The Observatory 8

Edward and Roberts watching a projection

As they made their way to the main chamber, Roberts explained the true nature of the Observatory – to project what the target was seeing in real-time; however, it required a sample of the target's blood kept in a vial to properly function. To demonstrate, Roberts inserted a vial containing the blood of Jack Rackham, who was currently overhearing "James Kidd's" attempt to recruit Anne Bonny into the life of piracy. He then inserted a vial containing the blood of Woodes Rogers, who was discussing the Observatory with Torres.[56]

Edward quickly realized the true reason for the Templars' interest in the Observatory: with just the tiniest amount of blood from each member of the British, Spanish and French governments, the Templars would be able to spy on, blackmail and effectively rule these Imperial governments from behind a veil. However, Edward's interest still laid in financial gain, and he expressed excitement that he and Roberts could be "masters of the ocean" using the Crystal Skull that powered the Observatory. However, he was quickly struck by Roberts, who had no further use for him with the guardians neutralized. Roberts then left, sealing Edward within the facility and taking the Crystal Skull for himself.[56]

The Observatory 15

Edward captured by Roberts

Edward eventually managed to locate a passage out of the complex but, in his escape, he was impaled on a sharpened branch and fell down a long slope. Reaching the beach, he stumbled toward Roberts, but was too badly wounded to defend himself against the man's crew. An amused Roberts then told him that the Jackdaw had fled, and he decided to take advantage of the large bounty on Edward's head, turning him over to the British authorities.[56]

Imprisonment

Edward: "You're such a pain in the arse. Damn it, you should have been the one to outlast me."
Mary: "I've done my part. Will you?"
Edward: "If you came with me, I could. Mary?"
Mary: "I'll be with you, Kenway. I will."
—Mary urging Edward to make amends for his actions, 1721.[src]-[m]
To Suffer Without Dying 11

Rogers and Torres interrogating Edward

In November 1720, after over a year of imprisonment in Port Royal, Kingston, Edward was made to witness the sentencing of Mary and Anne for the crimes of piracy, though the two managed to stave their execution by announcing that they were pregnant. During the trial, Edward was approached by Torres and Rogers, who offered him his freedom in exchange for the location of the Observatory, though they warned him that they could only stay his eventual execution for so long. Edward refused and was then returned to a gibbet.[57]

Five months later, in April 1721, Edward was freed by Ah Tabai, who had traveled to Port Royal in order to free Mary and Anne. He offered to ensure Edward's safe passage from the prison should he aid in their rescue, an offer Edward readily accepted. Edward infiltrated the prison and, after a brief visit to both Jack Rackham's gibbeted body and a delirious Charles Vane in a prison cell, succeeded in finding Mary and Anne and assassinating the guards posted at their cells.[57]

However, Mary was gravely ill due to giving birth in the prison's unsanitary conditions; despite Edward's attempts to carry her to freedom, she could not make the escape. Asking Edward to make amends for his past and change the course of his future, she died within the prison walls, and Edward carried her body to the shore. Edward handed Mary over to Ah Tabai, who stated that, while he still had not earned them, the Assassin robes Edward had taken from Walpole many years before suited him. He then returned the outfit to Edward before departing with the pregnant Anne.[57]

Delirium 8

Edward with Caroline on the Jackdaw in his hallucination

Following Mary's death, Edward fell into a deep state of despair, drinking heavily and hallucinating. In his hallucinations, Edward was beset by apparitions of Rogers, Roberts, Caroline, and Mary, among others. The former two mocked him, and Caroline and Mary berated his lust for gold and personal glory over anything else. Eventually, he awoke near the Kingston docks, hungover. Standing over him was Adéwalé, who returned the Jackdaw to his care, resigned as his quartermaster and urged Edward to visit the Assassins in Tulum.[58]

Joining the Assassins

Making amends

Ah Tabai: "And what do you think of our creed?"
Edward: "It's hard to say. For if nothing is true, then why believe anything? And if everything is permitted... why not chase every desire?"
Ah Tabai: "Why indeed?"
Edward: "It might be that this idea is only the beginning of wisdom, and not its final form."
—Edward reflecting on the Creed with Ah Tabai, 1721.[src]-[m]

When Edward arrived at Tulum, Adéwalé confirmed his resignation as his quartermaster, stating his distaste for working with a man so obsessed with his own gain. He stated he had joined the Assassins to pursue a more worthy cause. Edward agreed, reflecting on the fact that despite his wealth, he had lost everyone he cared about in its pursuit. He then appealed to Ah Tabai to help him make amends for his past misdeeds, as per Mary's final request.[59]

Everything is Permitted 2

Edward reflecting on his life choices

After a brief conversation between the two about the Assassins and the true meaning of their Creed, Tulum was once again beset by Spanish troops. Despite Ah Tabai's reservations, he realized that Mary had seen something in Edward, and so chose to place his trust in the man. Handing the aspiring Assassin a set of rope darts, Ah Tabai and Edward worked together to clear the jungle of Spanish troops, before Edward snuck aboard their Galleon and assassinated the captain.[59]

With the attack repelled, Edward, Adéwalé and Ah Tabai discussed their next move: the removal of Rogers, Roberts, and Torres. In the interim, Edward sought out the company of Anne, with whom he found camaraderie in the wake of their friends' deaths. He eventually offered her the position of quartermaster in Adéwalé's absence, which she accepted.[59]

Around this time, Edward finally unlocked the temple door in Tulum which Mary had shown him years ago, after collecting enough Mayan keystones. Behind it, he found a set of Mayan Armor created using scavenged Shards of Eden which could deflect bullets and claimed it for himself.[22]

Three targets

Edward: "I know my targets by sight well enough. But how will I find them?"
Ah Tabai: "We have spies and informants in every city. Visit our bureaus, and the Assassins there will guide you."
Edward: "That fixes Torres and Rogers... but Bartholomew Roberts won't be near any city. Might take months to find him."
Ah Tabai: "Or years. But you are a man of talent and quality, captain Kenway. I believe you will find him."
—Edward discussing his targets with Ah Tabai, 1721.[src]-[m]

Travelling to Kingston, Edward and Anne visited the bureau leader Antó to inquire about Rogers' location. Antó suggested that Edward infiltrate a party Rogers was hosting in the guise of an Italian diplomat. Edward agreed and assassinated the diplomat, taking his outfit which granted him access to the party. Once inside, he positioned himself on a bench and waited for Rogers to pass by him, at which point he struck the Templar with his Hidden Blade. Before he left, Edward pried from Rogers the location of Bartholomew Roberts: Príncipe.[60]

Royal Misfortune 4

Edward attacking the Royal Fortune

In February 1722, Edward traveled to Africa once more in pursuit of Roberts, arriving at the very same stronghold that had held his target captive years before. Roberts attempted to flee aboard the Royal Fortune, but the ship was soon disabled by the Jackdaw and boarded.[61]

On board, Roberts and Edward fought one another, with the latter emerging victorious after impaling Roberts with a rope dart. Remorsefully, Roberts remarked that perhaps Edward was indeed the one she had sought, and that he wished he had only had time to open the door to the Temple. Before Edward could get any more answers, Roberts passed away, requesting his body be destroyed to prevent the Templars from acquiring it. Edward respected Roberts' final wish and threw his body into the ocean, while also taking possession of his Crystal Skull.[61]

With Roberts dead and the Crystal Skull that powered the Observatory in-hand, Edward traveled to Havana to assassinate Torres, his final target. He found the city in lockdown, as Torres had anticipated his arrival. With a drop of Torres' blood, Edward tracked the Grand Master through the city to a fort in the north. He infiltrated the fort and assassinated Torres, only to find the man he had slain was actually a double wearing Torres's clothes.[62]

Tainted Blood 9

Edward facing El Tiburón

Edward was then set upon by El Tiburón, Torres' right-hand man and bodyguard, whose blood had resided in the vial under Torres' name. After a prolonged fight, Edward succeeded in killing El Tiburón and escaped the fort. Regrouping with Anne and Havana's bureau leader Rhona Dinsmore, Edward was informed that Torres had left the city earlier that day and deduced that the Grand Master was on his way to the Observatory, oblivious to the fact that Edward held the prize he sought.[62]

Confrontation in the Observatory

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."
Torres: "You wear your convictions well. They suit you..."
—Torres praising the strength of Edward's newfound convictions, 1722.[src]-[m]
Ever a Splinter 7

Edward preparing to assassinate Torres

Returning to the Observatory once more, the Jackdaw fought its way past the Grand Master's escort and its captain went ashore. Edward, accompanied by Anne, again made his way through the jungle, eliminating Torres' soldiers and freeing the guardians they had captured, before entering the Observatory.[63]

Inside the facility, Edward was set upon by the Templars, but made full use of the complex's defenses, which had activated in responses to the Crystal Skull's removal, to dispose of them. Freerunning through the Observatory's ever-changing and disjointed architecture, Edward managed to reach Torres, and struck him down.[63]

As he lay dying, Torres reminded Edward that he ended up a man with nothing, but the latter retorted that killing Torres righted his own wrongs and criticized the Templars' goal of controlling humanity. With his last breath, Torres expressed his respect for Edward's convictions. With the Grand Master dead, Edward returned to the Observatory's central device to find Ah Tabai, Adéwalé and Anne waiting for him. Together they returned the Crystal Skull to its rightful place and vowed to seal the Observatory once more.[63]

Ever a Splinter 12

Ah Tabai handing Edward the letter

Ah Tabai then suggested Edward aid in the search for the missing blood vials, which had been removed since Edward's last visit. Edward agreed, but stated that he would return home to mend his relationship with Caroline first. Remorsefully, Ah Tabai handed Edward a letter which had arrived from England a week past. The letter stated that Caroline had died two years prior from smallpox and her father's negligence, and revealed that Edward had a daughter, Jennifer Scott.[63]

The last pirate

Jennifer: "Hmm, and what about pirates? Will I see any pirates?"
Edward: "No, there's not much chance of that, I think."
Jennifer: "Oh, that's rather sad. I should like to have seen one."
—Edward and his daughter on their journey home, 1722.[src]-[m]
Kenway and Law

Edward threatened by Low

In September 1722, before Edward left for England, he and Adéwalé sailed one last time together in order to recover the gold of a sunken Spanish vessel, the Polvora. However, while Edward was underwater in the diving bell, looking for the treasure, the Jackdaw and the crew were captured by the infamous pirate Edward Low.[64]

Threatening the lives of his crew, the cruel captain forced Edward to lift the rest of the treasure back to the surface. Unfortunately for him, Edward trapped the bell, filling it not just with gold, but also with barrels of gunpowder found in the wreck.[64]

When Low and his men brought the diving bell back onto the ship, it exploded, throwing the gold pieces like shrapnel at the assailants. Using the distraction, Edward snuck on board the Jackdaw and released his men. Together they pushed the other pirates back to their own ship and an enraged Low prepared to fire with his cannons on the defenseless Jackdaw. However, Edward had also placed several barrels of the Polvora on the deck of Low's ship, which he shot with a rifle, causing considerable damage and neutralizing his rival.[64]

The End 10

Edward meeting Jennifer for the first time

By October, Edward had arranged for Jennifer to be brought from England to Great Inagua, and gifted the island to the Assassins for use as a base, an offer gladly accepted by Ah Tabai. Adéwalé revealed that, despite his wounds, Rogers had survived Edward's assassination attempt and returned to England, broke but no less of a threat. Edward vowed to deal with him once he had time.[65]

Edward then invited Anne to return to London with him, but she refused the offer, also claiming she did not possess the conviction to remain with the Assassins. However, Anne did tell Edward that she considered him a good man and felt he could prove himself a good father in time as well. Shortly thereafter, a brig carrying the young Jennifer arrived in port, and Edward went to meet his daughter for the first time.[65]

While sailing back to England in the Jackdaw, Edward lectured Jennifer on the difference between a ship and a boat, and expressed his remorse regarding his abandonment of Caroline, saying he might have returned home earlier had he known about her illness or Jennifer's existence. He also apologized to his daughter for not being there for her and offered to let her steer the Jackdaw, much to Jennifer's excitement.[66]

Life in England

Homecoming

Edward went back to his hometown, where his mother disowned him out of disappointment of his intention to track down and kill those who were responsible for the attack on their home years ago. Afterwards, he met Rose and settled old scores with his callous father-in-law and the Templars who burned down his family's farm.[4]

Scott and Wilson kidnapped Rose and used her as a hostage against Edward. Edward and Scott had an angry exchange over the latter's responsibility for Caroline's passing before Edward killed him with a pistol to the head. Edward afterwards fatally wounded Wilson with a throwing knife.[4]

Edward then turned his attention to Matthew Hague, Caroline's intended fiancé. Before he could finish Hague off, he was confronted by Matthew's father, Aubrey, and Robert Walpole. Walpole dissuaded Edward from killing Matthew and offered him a pardon from his former life as a pirate. Walpole insisted that it was out of gratitude for killing his cousin Duncan, who had brought dishonor on the Walpole family. Walpole also dissuaded Edward from tracking down Woodes Rogers, who was currently locked up in a debtor's prison and had been expelled from the Templar Order for his continuing practice of slavery.[4]

Leading the London Assassins

Upon receiving a pardon from Lord Walpole, Edward moved to London and joined the British Brotherhood, eventually gaining the rank of Master Assassin. While in London, he met Tessa Stephenson-Oakley, the daughter of the wealthy landowner from whom he rented his house. Using her family connections, Tessa assisted Edward in purchasing a manor on Queen Anne's Square, London. The two eventually got married and, by 1725, Tessa was pregnant with their son, Haytham.[2]

After joining the British Brotherhood, Edward quickly rose to become co-leader alongside Miko. Edward brought great stability to the Brotherhood, using his charm to make connections across London in both high society and the criminal underworld, and together with Miko, was able to keep the Templars at bay and further the Assassin cause in the country.[67]

Search for Precursor sites

Edward used his commercial enterprise as cover to travel the globe in search of First Civilization sites like the Observatory. He discovered Temples in Italy, as well as one underneath Alamut.[68] Edward also attempted to discover the location of the Grand Temple, and wrote down clues regarding its location in his personal journal.[68]

One discovery Edward made, he kept a closely guarded secret; on one of his extensive travels Edward came across a Shroud of Eden, a powerful artifact that had the ability to heal even fatal injury. Edward elected to keep this discovery hidden from the world, and to do this he locked the Shroud in a box made by the First Civilization that could only be opened through the use of a key made with the same design. To ensure that the Shroud remained hidden, he secreted the casket within the Tower of London where he believed it would be secure, alongside the British Crown jewels, and he placed the key within a secret room atop the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.[67]

ACFT - Edward and Caribbean Assassin

Edward being informed of Angkor by his Assassin contact

On 24 December 1724, Edward was at a tavern in London, waiting to meet with a West Indies Assassin whom he had previously contacted about the Temples in Italy and Alamut. When the Assassin arrived, he told Edward that the Brotherhood had intercepted an East India Company ship in the Caribbean, and gave him a document recovered from the ship, which Adéwalé thought Edward would find interesting. Edward thanked the Assassin for the information and wished him a merry Christmas before leaving to meet with his daughter Jennifer, who was expecting a present from him.[69]

Adventures in East and Southeast Asia

Journey to Macau

Edward: "You've been bragging to all and sundry about the lost city of the Khmer Kingdom. Where is it? The sooner you tell me, the better for both of us. Spill it, before I slip back into my old habits from the pirate days!"
John: "E-eek! I-I'm sorry! It was just a lie! I made it all up!"
—Edward interrogating John Young about Angkor, 1725.[src]-[m]

By February 1725, Edward had arrived in Portuguese Macau to begin his search for Angkor, the lost city of the Khmer Empire, mentioned in the document he had received from his Assassin contact. Believing the ruins to house Pieces of Eden and determined to keep them out of the Templars' hands, Edward headed to a pub frequented by Dutch East India Company sailors to look for his only lead: a navigator named John Young who claimed to have seen the ruins. The barkeeper was quick to notice Edward's Welsh accent and warned him to avoid the Dutch sailors, who would not take kindly to any Englishman due to the two countries currently being engaged in a proxy war.[69]

ACFT - Edward interrogating John

Edward interrogating John

Upon locating John in the pub, Edward approached him, but the navigator mistook him for a debt collector and called him out for being British. This drew the other sailors' attention, who proceeded to attack Edward. He defeated them effortlessly, but the commotion had allowed John to escape. Chasing him through the streets, Edward eventually caught up to John and started to interrogate him about his knowledge of Angkor. A terrified John confessed that he had made up the story after hearing about the ruins from his friend Hendrik, just as a trio of cloaked ninja warriors arrived to silence him.[69]

Edward protected John and killed his attackers, whom the latter identified as pirates from Cipango. Edward concluded that the ninja were targeting anyone who knew about Angkor, and asked John to take him to Hendrik, who was staying at a boarding house accommodating Dutch East India Company sailors in the city. Telling John to wait for him outside, Edward climbed to the window of Hendrik's room and entered, only to find a mortally wounded Hendrik. The navigator told Edward about a "piece" located in Angkor and gave him a letter to deliver to his family before passing, just as his friends entered the room and mistook Edward for Hendrik's killer.[70]

ACFT - Edward and John running

Edward and John fleeing from the latter's company mates

After trying and failing to explain himself, Edward escaped by leaping out the window and into a cart of hay below. Upon informing John of Hendrik's fate and the misunderstanding caused, Edward attempted to outrun the furious sailors chasing him, with John following closely behind. Edward pushed John into a nearby alley to get him out of danger, and eventually managed to escape his pursuers by hiding in a cart full of flowers.[71]

While trying to hide in an alley, Edward was attacked by more ninja, whose masked leader ordered them to capture the Assassin, triggering another chase. Escaping to the port, Edward tried to fight off the ninja, and saved an innocent man from being killed, before a cannonball hit the water near them, dispatching the ninja.[71]

The cannonball had been fired by John, who had decided to continue his adventures alongside Edward and had stolen a Dutch East India Company ship. After sailing into the sea to escape from the ninja's leader, John informed Edward that Hendrik kept a sea log, which could contain useful information to aid their search for Angkor. However, the port was being patrolled by the navy following the fight that had taken place there, meaning the pair would have to wait until they could dock and resume their mission.[72]

Helping Zhang's village

John: "Everyone in the village is grateful to you. He says if you ever need their help... They'll gladly do anything they can for you."
Edward: "No, that won't be necessary..."
John: "The Chinese have a strong sense of honor, friend. One good turn deserves another, and all that. Turning them down would be considered an insult."
—John explaining to Edward the villagers' willingness to repay his help, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward and John seeking shelter

Edward and John arriving at Zhang's village

While waiting, the local man saved by Edward, whose name was revealed to be Zhang, expressed his gratitude and offered to take him and John to a safe place where they could hide for the time being. Accepting his invite, they traveled to a village south of Macau, where the locals welcomed them and allowed them to stay as guests.[72]

After settling in, Edward took John into the wilderness to hunt for food. Spotting a deer, Edward shot and skinned it before using its legs as bait to lure and kill two alligators. He and John then returned to the village and shared their gains with the locals to repay their hospitality. However, the feast was interrupted by the worsening health of a local woman who was suffering from cholera.[72] Upon being informed by the villagers that many others were suffering from the same illness, Edward and John became determined to help them in any way they could.[73]

Believing that a solution of salt and sugar may ease the people's sickness, Edward conferred with John, who pointed him to a warehouse in Macau owned by the affluential businesswoman Lee Huiyin. After taking a horse from some nearby stables, Edward made his way back to the city, where he found and infiltrated Lee's warehouse. Upon finding both salt and sugar, he began looking for a way to transport the resources, but was interrupted by a random check from Lee's guards. Hiding in the rafters, Edward overheard the guards talking about Lee's recent purchase of a deceased Dutch sailor's sea log, which Edward quickly deduced to have belonged to Hendrik.[73]

ACFT - Edward fighting Shimazu ninja

Edward fighting against the Shimazu ninja

Moments later, Edward spotted a bomb being thrown into the warehouse, setting it on fire. Using this attack as a distraction, Edward looted the resources he had come retrive and attempted to make off with them, but was stopped by Lee's workers outside. Edward tried to point out that the fire was of bigger concern to them, but the workers were swiftly slain by more ninja who had come to kill the Assassin.[74]

Edward's skills proved superior and he eliminated most of the ninja with ease, before pinning down one of them in order to interrogate him. However, the ninja refused to talk and took his own life using Edward's Hidden Blade after proclaiming his undying loyalty to the Shimazu clan.[74]

As several Dutch East India Company soldiers arrived on the scene, Edward decided to make his escape and packed his sugar and salt quotas onto a horse. The soldiers spotted him and opened fire, initiating a horseback chase through the streets of Macau.[74] Although Edward managed to outrun his pursuers, he was eventually cornered by the soldiers at the city's port. Thankfully, he was saved by John, who had also decided to come to Macau with his ship. As John fired a cannonball at the soldiers, incapacitating them, Edward jumped with his horse onto John's ship before the pair sailed back to Zhang's village.[75]

ACFT - Edward explaining Templars to John

Edward explaining the Templars to John

Thanks to Edward's remedy of salt and sugar, many of the villagers were saved, although it was too late for Zhang's daughter, who was already too sick and ended up passing away. Edward later expresseed his remorse to John, revealing to him that he also had a daughter. John tried to comfort him, saying that what had happened was fate, but Edward countered that people could change their fates, reflecting on his decision to leave his pirate days behind him and join the Assassins.[75]

Edward and John's conversation was interrupted by Zhang and his wife who, alongside the rest of the villagers, wanted to thank them for their assistance and repay the favour. Edward initially tried to turn them down, but after John told him it would be considered an insult in Chinese culture, he decided to ask Zhang and his fellow labourers to become his informants in Macau, in the hopes of learning more about Lee. After a week, they managed to confirm his suspicions that Lee had acquired Hendrik's sea log.[75]

Alliance with Lee

Edward: "I'd like your company's assistance when I set off on an expedition to the lost city after bringing back the sea log. That sounds like an awfully good deal for both of us, don't you think?"
Lee: "Except it seems to me that you expect me to foot the bill for this grand venture of yours."
Edward: "Well, you know what they say. You have to bet big to win big, isn't that so?"
Lee: "Fine, as you wish. We have a deal, Mister Kenway."
—Edward forming an alliance with Madam Lee, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward infiltrating the Mandarin's House

Edward infiltrating the Mandarin's House

After John told him Hendrik's log was likely located at Lee's private residence, the Mandarin's House, Edward asked the navigator to take him back to Macau with his ship in order to retrieve it. Upon being dropped off by John, he stealthily made his way back into the city, as he was still being sought by the authorities, and arrived at the Mandarin's House at night.[76]

Despite the place being heavily guarded, Edward made use of his infiltration skills and Eagle Vision to break in undetected. After locating Lee's room, he searched it for Hendrik's log, finding it hidden in a secret chamber. As soon as he took the log, however, he was confronted by Lee and two guards, who held him at gunpoint. Revealing her knowledge of the Assassins and Edward's identity, Lee invinted him to sit down for tea and talk. In response, Edward demanded to know about Lee's business in Macau, but their conversation was interrupted by an attack from Shimazu ninja, who had killed Lee's guards stationed outside.[76]

ACFT - Edward saving Madam Lee

Edward saving Lee from an attacking ninja

After ordering her remaining guards to kill the intruders, Lee had one of them hold Edward at gunpoint to prevent him from running away, but he grabbed the guard's pistol and used it to kill a ninja running towards Lee. He then dealt with three more assailants before making his way to the courtyard to help Lee's guards fight off the remaining ninja.[77]

Recognizing the ninja's masked leader from their earlier encounter, Edward confronted them and the two engaged in a fierce duel. Unfortunately for Edward, his opponent proved to be the more skilled fighter as they managed to break his sword, forcing Edward to pull back.[77]

As another ninja arrived to pick his leader up on horseback, the masked person revealed their name—Shimazu Saito—and asked for Edward's in return. After the latter complied, Saito and their ninja retreated, having obtained what they had come after: Hendrik's log, which Saito had managed to discreetly grab from Edward during their duel. Despite the loss, Edward took satisfaction in the fact he had managed to keep a letter he had retrieved from Hendrik's log.[77]

As Lee's workers cleaned up in the aftermath of the attack, she and Edward resumed their earlier conversation. After Edward pointed out that they shared a common enemy and that it was in their best interest to tell each other everything they knew, Lee agreed and told him of the Templars' interference in her business, her turning down Hendrik after he had asked her company to sponsor an expedition to Angkor, and the Templars approaching her to demand Hendrik's log, which Lee refused to give to them.[78]

ACFT - Edward allies with Madam Lee

Edward forming an alliance with Lee

Concluding that the Templars were working with Lee's business rivals, Edward proposed an alliance and asked Lee to sponsor his future expedition to Angkor in exchange for dealing with the Templars, thus weakening her rivals, and recovering Hendrik's log. After Lee agreed, Edward asked her if she had read the log, to which she revealed that its contents seemed ordinary, meaning the information on Angkor was most likely encrypted. Unaware that the letter he had found was the cipher needed to decode it, Edward then departed to meet up with John.[78]

After the pair returned to Zhang's village, they opened two chests of treasure and other goods that Lee had gifted to Edward. While the villagers enjoyed the gifts, Edward invited John to accompany him on his upcoming expedition to Angkor, to which the latter enthusiastically accepted. He also revealed that he had come up with a plan to acquire more information in Macau by having Zhang and his fellow laborers once again act as his informants. However, this time they were to be dressed in fine clothes that Edward had purchased, so that they would appear to be of a higher social status and, thus, be able to secure work contracts with major trade companies.[79]

Investigating Lee's rivals

"So, those three are in league to keep Madam Lee's business in check. Let's see. Among the three of them... Who is it that serves the Templars?"
―Edward suspecting one of Lee's rivals of being a Templar, 1725.[src]-[m]

Some time later, Zhang contacted Edward and asked him to meet in Macau, after the former had managed to learn of a meeting between higher-ups from three of Lee's rival trading companies: Alan Jacob of the Far East Company, Jan van Aert of the Dutch East India Company, and Sun of the Hualien Trading Company. After startling Zhang, the laborer pointed Edward to Alan, who was part of a nearby crowd, and the Assassin proceeded to tail his target to the meeting place: St. Dominic's Church.[79]

ACFT - Edward spying on rival meeting

Edward spying on Lee's rivals

Using a pouch of coins to create a commotion and distract the guards outside, Edward entered the church undetected and climbed to a balcony from where he could observe the meeting below. After learning that Alan, Jan and Sun were working together to sabotage Lee's business and were behind the attack on the Mandarin's House, he suspected one of the three men of being a Templar.[79]

Although Edward was ultimately unable to confirm his suspicion, he did learn that Alan had acquired a "treasure" which he used to entice Sun and Jan's cooperation by promising them unprecedented riches. He then left the church in order to inform Lee of what he had learned.[80]

Meeting with Lee at the Mandarin's House, the businesswoman was concerned to learn that her rivals were working together and believed that they were preparing to simultaneously attack her fleet and the market, where her most important workers were located. She then instructed Edward to defend the market, believing that the loss of several ships and sailors would not hinder her company, but this angered the Assassin, who called out Lee for treating her workers as expendable.[80]

When one of Lee's workers arrived to confirm that the market and fleet were both under attack as anticipated, Edward was faced with a dilemma. Although there was a chance he would find a lead to the whereabouts of Hendrik's sea log at the market, heading there would require him to betray his convictions and leave Lee's innocent workers aboard her ships to fend for themselves. Ultimately, he decided to protect the fleet and went to meet with John.[80]

ACFT - Edward defeats captain Rupiya

Edward taking Rupiya hostage

As the pair approached one of Lee's ships that was being raided by pirates, Edward instructed John to fire a cannonball at its mast to immobilize it before taking him closer so that he could board it. Once aboard Lee's ship, Edward effortlessly dispatched half of the pirate crew and took the captain, Rupiya, hostage, scaring the remaining pirates into returning to their own ship and fleeing. He then interrogated Rupiya, who revealed that his crew had been hired by Sun as replacements for his previous associates: a crew of Japanese pirates.[81]

After returning to Zhang's village and locking up Rupiya, Edward went to Macau to inform Lee of what he had learned. Arriving at the market, he discovered the aftermath of the attack that had taken place there and was confronted by Lee, who blamed him for not being there to prevent the attack.[82]

In response, Edward claimed that he had made his share of foolish choices in the past, but had learned to take responsibility for them rather than blame others, which surprised Lee. He then revealed that Sun was behind the attacks on her ships, but before they could discuss more, a worker arrived to inform Lee that one of her ships had been detained by the Dutch Navy.[82]

The opium plot

"I told you, this is not something you ought to trifle with! I witnessed countless lives ruined by drinking during my pirating days in the West Indies! I tell you, dabbling in liquor is child's play compared to the devil's powder! It destroys people's very souls!"
―Edward explaining the dangers of opium to Lee, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward finding opium

Edward finding the crates of opium

Edward eavesdropped on Lee's conversation with the Dutch navymen, who claimed that the ship was under investigation for transporting illegal narcotics. Deducing this to be another plan concocted by Lee's enemies to sabotage her, Edward met with her afterwards and offered a solution. At night, he followed Alan Jacob to a convoy, which he then tailed to a basement in an alley, where Alan's men were unloading the cargo.[82]

After killing all the workers, Edward investigated the cargo and discovered it to be opium. Taking a sample, he went to meet with Lee, who upon seeing the drug asked Edward to deliver her more so that she could sell it herself. However, Edward explicitly forbid Lee from doing so, and instead came up with a plan to out the Far East Company by raiding one of their ships transporting the opium.[83]

To sneak aboard the ship undetected, Edward tipped off several drug addicts about its cargo and enlisted the help of John to create a distraction by firing a cannonball at the docks, igniting several barrels of oil and setting a warehouse on fire. While the soldiers guarding the ship were preoccupied with the addicts and the fire, Edward stole several opium packages and dropped them onto the dock, thus exposing the Far East Company's drug trafficking. Several guards spotted him but were distracted by the addicts rushing to get their hands on the opium, allowing Edward to escape amidst the commotion.[83]

ACFT - Edward in One Eye's Pub

Edward offering the sailors a drink in exchange for information on Sun

With the Far East Company out of the picture for the time being, Edward decided to investigate Sun. Heading to the One Eye's Pub, he tried to question several sailors after offering to buy them a drink, but was interrupted by another group of sailors who had recognized him from a wanted poster and sought to collect the bounty on him.[84]

After dispatching them, Edward left the tavern and ran into Zhang, who informed him of Sun's largest shop in Macau: a ceramic store. He then had Zhang take him to the shop to try and set up a business meeting with Sun, but was turned down by the store's manager. As he and Zhang left the shop, Edward spotted a trio of disguised ninja walking among a crowd of people. Deciding to follow them, he told Zhang to head back and blended in with the crowd.[84]

ACFT - Edward undercover as a ninja

Edward undercover as one of Saito's ninja

Edward tailed the ninja to a heavily-guarded temple, to which he gained access after dispatching two ninja stationed outside and taking one of their disguises. Maintaining his cover, Edward was able to get close to the temple's altar, where Sun and Shimazu Saito were discussing the Far East Company's opium shipment confiscated by the Dutch Navy. Sun tasked Saito to recover it and, in exchange, promised that the Shimazu clan would benefit greatly once his company was in control of Macau's market.[85]

Deciding to join Saito's team as they prepared to attack the Far East Company's ship, Edward blended in with the ninja, though Saito quickly became suspicious of him and decided to watch him closely. That night, while Saito's ninja battled the guards protecting the ship, Edward sneaked aboard with the intent of destroying both the vessel and the opium shipment. Arriving in the gunpowder storage room, he emptied a barrel on the floor, but just as he was about to ignite the gunpowder, Saito confronted him and immediately recognized the Assassin.[85]

ACFT - Edward interrogating Saito

Edward trying to interrogate Saito

Saito tried to interrogate him about the cipher needed to decode Hendrik's log, but Edward did not know what Saito was referring to and attacked them. After punching the mask off their face, Edward was surprised to see that Saito was a woman, just as two of her ninja arrived to investigate the commotion. Edward briefly fought Saito and her men before deciding to make his escape.[86]

Arriving on the ship's deck, he witnessed Saito's ninja retreating and Lee's workers carrying several crates of opium. Edward tried to prevent the workers from leaving, but Lee ordered him to step out of the way, revealing that she had gone back on their deal and decided to take the opium for herself.[86]

Not too surprised by Lee's betrayal, Edward pulled out his pistol and shot a lantern, causing burning oil to spill and set off a nearby firework. This signaled the Assassin to leap off the ship before it was destroyed, along with its cargo, by John and Rupiya, using the latter's ship's cannons.[86] Edward boarded Rupiya's ship with John's help and all three made their escape before the Dutch Navy arrived on the scene.[87]

Forming the Zhang Wei Union

"As of this moment... We declare ourselves a legitimate merchant shipping company! Everyone will be an equal member of the Union... And we will govern ourselves just as I did in the Caribbean! We will be united as a family, under one rule... We do not abandon our family!"
―Edward establishing the Zhang Wei Union, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward establishing the Zhang Wei Union

Edward establishing the Union

With his alliance with Lee over, Edward later decided to start his own organization that would allow him to conduct his business in the region without raising suspicion. He began by recruiting the people of Zhang's village, believing that his new organization was an opportunity to bring them together like a family.[87] Naming it the Zhang Wei Union, he decided that the organization would operate as a legitimate shipping company and look after its members, with their number one rule being to never abandon those they deemed "family."[88]

However, the organization struggled with finding business opportunities at first, mainly due to their various enemies blacklisting them, which made it near impossible for Edward and his associates to find any clients. Fortunately, the Assassin was soon approached by one of Lee's merchants, who turned out to be the owner of the same ship he had previously defended from pirates. Showing his gratitude, the merchant hired Edward's crew to escort his ship to the Philippines and back for a business endeavor.[89]

After sailing to Manila using Rupiya's ship, Edward waited at the port while John left to party with the locals. Upon his return, John informed the Assassin that the Dutch East India Company and the Far East Company had recently begun recruiting people for an expedition in Southeast Asia. Edward believed this to be a sign that the Templars were preparing to begin their search for Angkor, but decided against doing the same, choosing to focus on building up their reputation first.[89]

ACFT - Edward aboard the pirate ship

Edward aboard the burning pirate ship

While sailing back to Macau in order to complete their contract, Edward spotted a pirate ship attacking a Dutch East India Company vessel. Unwilling to let such an opportunity go, Edward ordered his crew to attack the pirates, intending to take their ship as a prize.[89] Making use of a distraction in which his crew lured the pirates to a rock, Edward boarded their vessel alongside several of his men and killed the pirate captain. However, he was soon forced to abandon the ship when it caught fire due to the damages it had sustained during the battle.[90]

After being informed of slaves held in the ship's hull, Edward freed them and escaped from the sinking vessel before it was destroyed when its powder kegs detonated. The Assassin then decided to escort the Dutch East India Company ship they had rescued to Macau, but was informed that its wheel had been destroyed. Fortunately, one of the prisoners Edward had freed, the Korean scholar Yun Pyeong-Gyu, was also a skilled engineer and repaired the wheel, allowing Edward to sail the ship to Macau.[91]

Impressed by Yun's skills, Edward later decided to recruit him into the Zhang Wei Union while they looked for a way to return him to his homeland. Yun accepted the offer, but as Edward and John prepared to go drinking with him to celebrate, the Assassin was approached by Jan van Aert. Despite his distrust of the man, Edward agreed to talk with him in private after Jan thanked him for bringing his ship back safely.[91]

Mission to the Paracel Islands

Zhang: "We're going to do what?"
Edward: "I said, we're to set sail for the Paracel Islands to rid them of pirates. We're going into business with the Dutch East India Company."
—Edward explaining the mission to John and Zhang, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward meeting with Jan

Edward meeting with Jan

Jan made Edward a proposition to rid the Paracel Islands of pirates who had overrun them in exchange for keeping any goods looted from the pirates. Edward was initially hesitant about accepting the job, but eventually did so after Jan promised to secure a five-year partnership between the Dutch East India Company and the Zhang Wei Union. Believing this was a great opportunity to expand his organization, Edward later met with John and Zhang to tell them about the job. Although they both questioned their odds of success, they nonetheless agreed to accompany him.[92]

Edward also met with Yun to request that he create several weapons to give them an advantage over the pirates, providing the inventor with the necessary resources and manpower. After building and testing Yun's weapons, Edward set sail for the Paracel Islands with his crew and new weaponry to take on the pirates.[92]

ACFT - Edward and John on the Paracel Islands

Edward and John on the Paracel Islands

En route, Edward devised a plan to destroy the pirates' compound: while he and John would take a rowboat to arrive on the islands undetected and proceed to plant explosives around the base, Rupiya would distract the pirates by getting them drunk and Zhang would pose as his prisoner. The plan was successful until the Assassin freed Zhang and the pirates' other prisoners, as the resulting commotion attracted the pirates' attention, initiating a gunfight.[93]

As Edward, John and Zhang ran towards Rupiya's ship, the explosives the former two had planted detonated, destroying the pirate compound. Upon reaching the ship, Edward volunteered to buy the crew time to escape, but was surprised to learn that John still had a bomb in his possession, which he threw at the pirates. Although he missed, the bomb's blast radius was large enough to destroy the dock they were standing on, separating them from the pirates.[94]

ACFT - Edward boarding the pirate ships

Edward and his crew boarding the pirate ships

As they sailed away from the islands, Edward was informed by Rupiya that he had inadvertently sailed to a rough patch of the sea, forcing the captain to slow down the ship and allowing the pirates to catch up with them. Deciding to eliminate their pursuers, Edward devised a plan to lure them into a trap where all they were killed by hwachas built by Yun. With all the pirates dead, the Assassin and his crew proceeded to board their ships to plunder them.[94]

Their mission a success, the crew returned to Macau with the pirate ships they had managed to seize. At the harbor, they were met by an impressed Jan, who kept his promise of a five-year contract between the Zhang Wei Union and the Dutch East India Company. However, Edward referred Jan to Zhang, claiming that he was merely an advisor and that Zhang was the true head of the Union. This surprised both Zhang and Jan, but they nonetheless shook hands, marking the beginning of the partnership between their organizations.[95]

Shimazu clan civil war

"Kill and be killed amongst your own, it matters little to me! But I'll have you answer my questions before you do! Now, your leader stole something very important from me! Like I said, I don't give a hoot whose side you're on! Either side that tells me the whereabouts of your thieving excuse for a leader... Will have me fight alongside them!"
―Edward trying to question the Shimazu ninja about Saito's whereabouts, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward, John and Zhang meeting

Edward meeting with John and Zhang to discuss about the Shimazu ninja

The Zhang Wei Union's partnership with the Dutch East India Company allowed the organization to grow rapidly, receiving numerous shipping contracts. However, as a result, Edward found himself having to complete countless paperwork, much to his annoyance. Eventually, he decided to resume his search for Angkor and met with John and Zhang to talk about the ninja who had stolen their only lead: Hendrik's sea log.[95]

After Zhang revealed that the ninja had allegedly split into two factions – the mainland Japanese ninja and those originating from overseas – Edward was intrigued and decided to investigate alongside John and Zhang. Arriving at the Macau market, the trio witnessed an altercation between two groups of ninja. After telling John to inform Jan about the situation, Edward interfered in the fight, but quickly found himself the target of both groups, as the mixed-blood ninja sought to kill him for their master, Shimazu Saito, while the Japanese ninja believed he had sided with Saito.[95]

ACFT - Edward ending the fight between the ninja

Edward ending the fight between the Shimazu ninja

Eventually, Edward ended the fight by firing his pistol into the air and demanded Saito's whereabouts, claiming that he would side with whichever faction helped him. At that moment, however, Sun arrived and revealed that Hendrik's sea log was now in his possession, while threatening the Assassin not to pick a quarrel with him.[95] While Edward was thinking about his next move, Lee arrived, accompanied by the Japanese ninja she had allied herself with, and warned the Assassin not to get in her way.[96]

As Sun and Lee were about to clash, Jan arrived with backup and ordered both of them to stand down. Edward proudly stood by Jan's side while thinking to himself that, thanks to his alliance with the Dutch East India Company, the Zhang Wei Union was finally one of Macau's major players. Eventually, the three-way standoff was broken up when the Japanese ninja convinced Lee to retreat. Sun followed suit, and Edward proceeded to thank Jan for his assistance in breaking up the fight.[96]

Later, Edward was approached by the Japanese ninja, who he believed had come to eliminate him. However, their leader, Fuma Sukuna, revealed that he was aware of Edward's affiliations and clarified that he did not wish to fight the Assassin, but rather to enlist his help in eliminating Saito. Intrigued, Edward accepted and Sukuna revealed that Saito was likely located aboard Sun's floating gambling hall, where Sukuna and his ninja would also be waiting to help the Assassin accomplish his mission.[96]

ACFT - Edward checking on Yun

Edward checking on Yun

Returning to the Zhang Wei Union's headquarters, Edward informed John and Zhang about his new assignment, much to their surprise. However, Edward clarified that, because Saito and her ninja served as Sun's bodyguards, the latter could not be far away, meaning this mission was also an opportunity to recover Hendrik's log. With this, Johh and Zhang agreed to help Edward, before the Assassin inquired about their newly-acquired flagship, the Fenghuang. Zhang revealed that Yun was currently overseeing repairs to the ship and so Edward decided to check on his progress.[96]

Speaking with Yun, Edward was informed that all repairs to the Fenghuang were complete, and that the engineer had taken the opportunity to upgrade the ship's artillery, installing a number of new armaments. Yun also revealed that he had upgraded Edward's right Hidden Blade, adding a crossbow-like mechanism to allow him to eliminate targets from a distance. The Assassin thanked Yun for the gift and promised that he would put it to use soon.[96]

Infiltrating Sun's gambling den

"Master Sun operates a floating gambling hall at sea. The gambling hall has no fixed location, but wherever it lays anchor, that's where Master Sun can be found. And for now, Saito and her ninjas serve as his bodyguards. Which means that wherever Master Sun is, Saito can't be too far away."
―Edward explaining his plan to find Saito, 1725.[src]-[m]

Taking a rowboat and disguising himself with a cloak, Edward made his way to Sun's floating gambling hall. While John acted as his decoy to distract Saito and her ninja, Edward surveyed the area with his Eagle Vision and managed to locate Sun aboard the main ship. He also witnessed three guests arriving to meet with Sun and decided to steal back Hendrik's sea log while Sun was distracted. However, he was ambushed by Saito, who demanded the cipher to the log. As Edward refused to hand it over, he and Saito prepared to clash.[97]

ACFT - Edward and Saito fighting at the gambling den

Edward facing Saito at Sun's gambling den

Fighting the Templar and her ninja atop a ship's mast, Edward was able to throw the ninja to their deaths before he was cornered by Saito. The Templar promised to spare him if he surrendered, but Edward knew this to be a lie and willingly jumped from the mast. He then grabed a rope and surprised Saito by launching himself back on the mast and tackling her from behind. Once they both fell into the water below, Edward realized that Saito was not a strong swimmer and tried to take advantage of this to drown her.[98]

However, Edward had a change of heart at the last minute and decided to save Saito, carrying her onto a nearby ship. Once the Templar woke up, she immediately tried to attack him, but Edward stopped and threatened her with his Hidden Blade before claiming he had no intention to take her life. Saito believed Edward had only spared her because she was a woman, but the Assassin explained that she reminded him of his old friend Mary Read and that he respected her dedication to her cause, even if they were on opposite sides.[99]

Claiming that they shared a common goal, Edward then proposed an alliance to Saito to find Angkor and recover its treasure. Saito was confused by his sudden willingless to work with her, but agreed to the partnership, though she threatened to kill Edward if he planned to use or betray her. Realizing that Sun was targeted by Fuma Sukuna and his ninja and that Hendrik's sea log was in jeopardy, the Assassin and Templar then rushed to his ship to retrieve the book before it was too late.[99]

Working with Shimazu Saito

"We, who still breathe, owe it to the dead... To carry on living on their behalf!"
―Edward trying to convince Saito not to forsake her life, 1725.[src]-[m]
ACFT - Edward and Saito fighting ninja

Edward and Saito fighting against the Shimazu ninja

As Edward helped Saito to kill every Japanese ninja in their way to avenge the deaths of her men, they received aid from John, who provided cover fire with a musket. Eventually, Edward and Saito reached Sun's ship, where they witnessed his guards and Saito's men fighting against the same three guests the Assassin had seen earlier. When one of them cornered Sun, Edward intervened and engaged in a duel with the mysterious warrior.[100]

Edward soon deduced that his opponent had acquired Hendrik's sea log and asked that he hand it over, but the latter refused and fought Edward to a stalemate. Eventually, the Assassin was disarmed when his adversary used a rope dart against him, prompting him to activate his Hidden Blade. His opponent did the same, causing the two to realize that they were both members of the Brotherhood.[101]

As Edward remarked that the rumors of a Chinese Brotherhood were true, his fellow Assassin, Xiao Han, questioned his reasons for being in Macau, to which Edward jokingly claimed he sought an adventure. He then slammed Xiao Han to the ground, causing him to lose the sea log, which landed near Sun. Edward stopped Xiao Han from recovering it and asked about his plans with Angkor's treasure, to which the Chinese Assassin claimed he would use it to overthrow the oppressive Qing dynasty. Edward remarked that using First Civilization artifacts for personal gain went against the Brotherhood's principles and compared Xiao Han to the Templars.[101]

ACFT - Edward and Xiao Han fighting

Edward fighting Xiao Han

During Edward and Xiao Han's argument, Sun grabbed the log and began to make his escape, prompting Xiao Han to give chase. As Edward turned his attention back to Saito, he saw her being defeated by another Chinese Assassin, Liu Qing. Edward intervened to save her, but before he could fight Liu Qing, the latter was called by Xiao Han to help pursue Sun. When Edward asked if Saito was alright, the latter broke down and claimed that, with all of her subordinates dead, she had no reason to live anymore.[101]

This angered Edward and he told Saito to find a reason to keep living as he still needed her help. Their argument quickly escalated into a fight, during which Saito asked Edward to kill her, but he refused. Claiming that everyone had experienced similar losses and that they owed it to the dead to keep living, Edward told Saito to make her decision regarding her life before leaving. As he went to confront Fuma Sukuna and his ninja, he was relived to see Saito join him, having regained her resolve. Leaving Saito to deal with Sukuna and his ninja, Edward set off to recover Hendrik's sea log from Sun before Xiao Han and his Chinese Assassins.[102]

ACFT - Edward confronted by the Chinese Assassins

Edward confronted by Xue Yan and Liu Qing

Approaching Liu Qing, Edward dodged his attack and leapt over him before continuing his pursuit of Sun. He was soon intercepted by Xue Yan, but was able to fight her off and eventually caught up with Xiao Han, who had just killed Sun and retrieved the sea log. After Edward stole the log from him, Xiao Han asked him why he insisted on interfering with the Chinese Brotherhood's mission, to which Edward stated that he could not allow them to use Angkor's treasure for their own selfish gain. Seeing that he could not change Edward's mind, Xiao Han declared him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood as Liu Qing and Xue Yan arrived and surrounded him.[103]

Before anything could happen, however, all four Assassins witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with cannon fire by Jeong, an admiral and mercenary hired by Lee to destroy Sun's fleet.[103] While Edward was distracted, Xiao Han used a rope dart to snatch Hendrik's sea log away from him and warned him to stay out of the Chinese Brotherhood's way before leaving with Liu Qing and Xue Yan. Edward attempted to pursue them but was stopped by a cannonball, allowing the Chinese Assassins to escape with the sea log.[104]

ACFT - Edward and Saito escaping Sun's gambling ship

Edward and Saito escaping the gambling ship's destruction

As Edward returned to Saito, he informed her that he had lost the sea log, much to her annoyance. However, he then revealed that he had already thought of an escape plan and the pair were soon picked up by John in a stolen gunboat. John had also rescued a waitress named Xialun Qing, whom he claimed to be his "true love", causing Edward to congratulate John for his find.[104]

After the group were spotted by Jeong, who had orders to kill them, they were rescued by the timely arrival of the Fenghuang, captained by Rupiya and Yun. After boarding the Fenghuang and escaping from Jeong's fleet, Edward welcomed Saito into the Zhang Wei Union and told her that the only course for their current voyage was the one towards freedom.[104]

Journey to the Philippines

Zhang: "Kenway, are you sure it's a good idea to leave me here in Macau by myself?"
Edward: "Don't worry, my friend. We'll be back once we find the treasure. In the meantime, take good care of the Zhang Wei Union and help us as best you can from afar."
—Edward leaving Zhang in charge of the Union before sailing to the Philippines, 1725.[src]

Back at the Zhang Wei Union's headquarters, Edward informed the other Union members of his decision to recruit Saito into the organization. This decision was heavily opposed by Yun, which confused both Edward and John as they had never seen Yun in such an agitated state. Zhang explained to the pair that Yun's animosity towards Saito roused from the Imjin War fought between their respective countries over a century prior. Eventually, Yun and Saito were able to drop the animosity between them during a friendly archery contest, much to Edward's satisfaction.[105]

ACFT - Deciphering the sea log

The Zhang Wei Union members deciphering Hendrik's sea log

Edward later told John and Zhang about the Chinese Assassins' plans with Angkor's treasure and they all agreed that it was important to find the artifact first. Working together with Saito, who had memorized the contents of Hendrik's sea log, and Yun, Edward was able to find a hidden message telling them to follow in the footsteps of explorer Ferdinand Magellan.[105] Deducing that this meant they had to find Magellan's final resting place, the Zhang Wei Union members began making preparations for a voyage to the Philippines.[106]

Prior to their departure, Edward had Yun build him a custom blowpipe similar to the one he had used back in the Caribbean. He also decided to recruit Xialun Qing into the Zhang Wei Union due to her medical knowledge and allowed her to accompany them on their journey as the crew's doctor. Once all the preparations were complete, Edward, John, Saito, Yun, Qing and Rupiya boarded the Fenghuang and began their journey to the Philippines, leaving Zhang in Macau to take care of the Union's headquarters.[106]

As the crew neared Manila, the Fenghuang came under attack by Jeong's fleet, which had followed them. Edward ordered the crew to return fire before being informed by Yun of his latest invention: fire barrels which exploded on impact. The Union members subsequently dropped several barrels into the sea, causing considerable damage to the enemy ships.[107]

Departure from Macau

Edward: "It won't be long until we leave Macau."
Zhang: "Of course, Mister Kenway. This place is in good hands. On my word, we'll never forget our debt to you. No matter where you are in the world... We will do everything we can to help you, Mister Kenway."
—Edward and Zhang, prior to the former's departure, 1725.[src]-[m]

Eventually, Edward and the others returned to Macau, though the Assassin was forced to leave and return home to England not long after. Before his departure, he visited Zhang at the latter's residence in the A-Ma Cultural Village to appoint him the official head of the Zhang Wei Union. Zhang assured Edward that his organization would remain in good hands and promised that they would find a way to continue helping him, wherever he was in the world.[108]

Later life

Mentoring Haytham

"Soon you will begin training with this sword. There is much for you to learn, Haytham, not only about the steel you hold in your hands, but also the steel in your heart."
―Edward gifting Haytham a sword on his son's eighth birthday, 1733.[src]
AC4 Kenway Family Opera House

Jennifer, young Haytham and Edward in Theatre Royal

After Haytham was born on 4 December 1725, Edward began training his son to become an Assassin from a young age, already tutoring him in swordsmanship and other types of combat when he was just six years old. He also encouraged Haytham to think for himself and to dispute others' opinions. However, Edward kept his past and the true purpose of Haytham's training hidden from his young son, though his former career as a pirate forever distanced the family from their neighbours in London.[2]

On 4 December 1733, Edward, Haytham and Jennifer attended a performance of The Beggar's Opera at the Theatre Royal, where they were joined by Edward's aspiring property manager, Reginald Birch.[66][109] Following the show, the four met with Tessa at White's Chocolate House on Chesterfield Street, to celebrate Haytham's eighth birthday.[2]

During the walk back home, the group were accosted by a mugger. When the mugger attempted to steal Tessa's necklace, he was swiftly repulsed by Edward, before being pounced upon by Birch. Edward adamantly refused to allow Birch to kill the mugger, and was infuriated at the man's harsh vigilantism. When the family returned home that night, Edward asked his son whether he thought that the thief should have been allowed to go free. Haytham replied that he had initially wanted to exact revenge, but would have offered the man clemency. Satisfied with Haytham's answer, Edward rewarded him with a steel short sword.[2]

Over the next two years, Birch became a regular visitor of Kenway Manor while courting Jennifer. She eventually discovered he was a Templar, and after informing her father, the two men engaged in a loud argument, ending with Birch storming out of the office. Regardless, he had what he was looking for: young Haytham had unintentionally revealed the location of Edward's journal when he told Birch about his sword in a secret compartment in the games room.[2]

Death

"Father was kneeling, dying. Standing over him was a man with his sword buried hilt deep in my father’s chest, the blade protruding from his back dripping blood to the wooden floor. Not far away stood the pointy-eared man, who had a large gash down his face. It had taken two of them to defeat Father, and only just at that."
―Haytham describing his father's death in his journal, 1735.[src]
Attack on Kenway House

Edward killed by mercenaries

On 3 December 1735, the Kenway household was infiltrated by masked men who kidnapped Jennifer and killed several of the servants. After making sure that his wife and son were safe, Edward raced to the games room and was confronted by two of the intruders. After a prolonged fight, one of the men managed to impale Edward through the chest with his sword, killing him instantly.[2]

Legacy

"My own path was paved with lies, my mistrust forged from treachery. But my own father never lied to me and, with this journal, I preserve that custom."
―Haytham reflecting on Edward being the only honest person in his life while writing his final journal entry, 1781.[src]

Edward's actions in the Caribbean had lasting consequences for the local Assassins; they found the Observatory and expanded their influence at the expense of the Templars,[22] effectively forcing them out of the area for decades to come.[110]

Juan's Journal

Haytham reading his father's journal

Even during his own lifetime, Edward's past life as a pirate led to the Kenway family being ostracized by certain aspects of London society. Edward kept his past a secret from his son Haytham, though he did reveal the truth to his daughter Jennifer. It was this secrecy that allowed Reginald Birch to manipulate and indoctrinate Haytham into the Templar Order, as Haytham would not be made aware of his Assassin heritage until decades later.[2]

Haytham was determined to see his father's killers brought to justice and thus dedicated much of his life to tracking them down. Despite Birch's efforts to cover up the truth with more lies and manipulation, Haytham eventually learned what had happened from his sister Jennifer after finding and rescuing her in 1757. The siblings would then lead an assault on Birch's chateau alongside Haytham's friend Jim Holden, killing the Grand Master and avenging Edward's death.[2]

The revelation of his Assassin heritage left Haytham with many conflicting thoughts, both on his father and the Assassin-Templar war. During a confrontation with Adéwalé in 1758, when the Assassin claimed that Edward would be ashamed of what his son had become, Haytham expressed contempt for his father and claimed that, for better or for worse, he was his own man.[111] After discovering that his own son Connor had become an Assassin, Haytham hoped to reconcile with him and, in doing so, unite the Assassins and Templars. However, when it became clear his dream was unachievable, Haytham decided to leave his journal for his son to find after his death. In doing so, he hoped to convince Connor about the honesty of his words, thus preserving the custom set by Edward, who himself had never lied to Haytham.[2]

ACS Playing It by Ear 5

Evie Frye and Henry Green exploring the Kenway mansion

The loss of Edward, and later Miko, was a crippling blow for the British Assassins. Their deaths began a severe, century-long decline of the Brotherhood in London that all but wiped out their presence in the capital. The situation would not be reversed until the twins Jacob and Evie Frye arrived to help Henry Green wrest control of the city from Templar hands in 1868. During that time, Evie would use Edward's research of Precursor artifacts as part her pursuit of a Shroud of Eden.[67]

Moreover, Edward's journal, detailing his researches into the Temples of the First Civilization, allowed Haytham to find the Grand Temple Key and the site of the Grand Temple,[2] which in turn enabled their descendant, Desmond Miles, to retrieve the key in 2012 and stop the Second Disaster.[109] While reliving Haytham and Connor's memories, Desmond mentioned to Rebecca Crane in a December 20 conversation that he had also began experiencing Bleeding Effect visions of Edward, though he was unaware of who it was at the time. Rebecca suggested that the team could look into it in the future,[112] but never had the chance before Desmond's demise the next day.[109]

In 2013, Edward's memories were relived by an Abstergo Entertainment researcher as part of the Sample 17 Project, which resulted in at least two entertainment products based on Edward's life being made: a feature film titled Devils of the Caribbean, and a video game titled Pirates of Nightmares; both were heavily censored and modified to remove any mention of the Assassins and Templars. Additionally, the Templars used Edward's memories to find the Observatory and attempted to excavate it, but were unable to get inside as the site had been sealed by the Assassins.[113]

In 2015, the Templar Isabelle Ardant included Edward's name on a list of known British Assassins. This list was later unveiled by the Assassins Rebecca Crane and Shaun Hastings when they infiltrated Ardant's office to plant a bug.[114]

Edward's flintlock pistols were retrieved by Abstergo Industries and displayed in their Madrid facility by 2016.[115] Around the same year, Victor Flores Castillo, a descendant of Edward's grandson Connor, operated in London as a member of The Descendants, a group of Assassins searching for a Piece of Eden.[116]

In 2017, the Master Templar Juhani Otso Berg relived Edward's memories at Abstergo Montreal in order to learn how to graft the Assassin's skills and knowledge onto himself as the Black Cross.[64]

ACFT - Noa and Edward

Noa Kim "talking" with a hallucination of Edward

In 2023, Abstergo abducted Edward's Korean-American descendant Noa Kim and forced him to relive Edward's memories during his time in Southeast Asia in order to locate a Piece of Eden believed to have been found by Edward in the region.[117] As a result of the Bleeding Effect, Noa later began to see apparitions of Edward and even interact with them. At one point, Noa had an extensive "conversation" with Edward where he reaveled that he admired the Assassin's freedom and hoped that his memories would help him find his place in the world.[118]

Personality and traits

"For Christ's sake, Edward. Don't anything but the stink of riches wrinkle your nose?"
―Mary Read commenting on Edward's greed, 1718.[src]-[m]

During his formative years, Edward was a brave, albeit reckless individual who was infatuated with the idea of fame and glory. Such was his obsession that he left his first wife to become a privateer in the British Navy, hoping to score his fortune in the Caribbean and prove his worth. After the Treaty of Utrecht effectively made privateers redundant, many turned to a life of piracy, Edward among them.[22]

AC4 Drunken Edward

A drunken Edward with Caroline

As the captain of the Jackdaw, he quickly became feared and respected for his skill at the helm of a ship and his combat prowess, with even the renowned Edward Thatch commenting on his ability. It was the promise of wealth, power and infamy that spurred Edward into seeking out the Observatory, at the expense of both the Templars and Assassins. Although the Assassin Mary Read knew him to be good at heart and capable of change, the Assassins en-large remained suspicious of him and strongly disagreed with his lifestyle.[22]

Despite the vested interest of both the Assassins and the Templars in the veteran pirate, Edward remained steadfastly focused on his own goals: power, infamy and proof that he was better than he was born to be. Edward was also one to take any advantage afforded him, twisting the meaning of the Assassins' Creed to suit his own ends. Only after losing his friends and compatriots to greed and glory-seeking did he recant his previous behavior, and come to realize what the Creed truly promised: the power to better himself.[22]

Upon discovering her existence, Edward immediately begun working to develop a relationship with his daughter Jennifer, in order to make up for her parents' estrangement. He was also accepting of her decision to honor her mother by carrying her maiden name. Later, he encouraged his son Haytham to think for himself instead of believing everything his home-school teachers said. He also expressed pride toward his son when Haytham said that he would have offered a mugger clemency, instead of acting on the impulse to kill him. However, Edward could be quite conservative in other respects, such as his decision to marry off his daughter to Reginald Birch, as was the tradition at the time.[2]

In terms of clothing, Edward originally wore an orange crewman outfit during his time as a privateer, years later he took the robes of the fallen Duncan Walpole; whilst on-board a Spanish ship he heavily modified his outfit with leather padding and metal bracers, along with white trousers, black boots as well as a fastened red sash across his waist.[22]

Upon returning to London, Edward donated his old robes which eventually came into possession of Achilles Davenport, Mentor of the Colonial Assassins, which the Mentor modified and passed on to Edward's grandson Ratonhnhaké:ton. During his later years, Edward opted to wear a dark blue noble coat with gold linings.[109]

Equipment and skills

A Single Madman 3

Edward holding onto a collapsed bridge

From an early age, Edward possessed the extra-sensory ability known as Eagle Vision, which he eventually managed to hone and utilize during his adult life. During his youth, Edward became skilled with throwing knives, with which he practiced in his free time.[22]

Edward proved to be a capable hand-to-hand combatant having been experienced in several brawls in local taverns where he could take down multiple opponents, as well as utilize the environment to his advantage.[22]

Over time Edward accrued skill in captaincy, as he was able to pilot various ships with relative ease across the Caribbean, fending off rogue waves and storms.[22]

Edward was trained in swordsmanship and was taught how to wield firearms. His skill with a sword was initially average, but drastically improved after receiving tutelage in swordsmanship by Edward Thatch and Benjamin Hornigold, to the point where he was able to dual-wield swords and became a master swordsman. Additionally, Edward was able to wield several different weapons including swords, pistols, knives, axes, and muskets; he proved able to dual-wield several combinations of these weapons with great proficiency.[22]

During his time as a privateer, Edward repeatedly climbed the vast rigging and masts aboard various ships; through this he became a capable freerunner, able to transverse through cityscapes as well as climb natural elements – including trees – just as easily, providing him with an agility and dexterity that rivalled that of a Master Assassin.[22]

Despite not being originally trained in the Assassin methods, Edward possessed his own skill set that rivaled that of the Assassins, demonstrating some expertise in stealth, eavesdropping, and pickpocketing. Moreover, despite only being recently introduced to the Hidden Blade, he proved capable in its usage and, after being instructed by Rogers and du Casse, was capable of performing various assassination techniques.[22]

In terms of equipment, Edward primarily carried two cutlasses and four flintlock pistols on his person, in order to compensate for the long reload times of the firearms. During his time in the West Indies that was spent dealing with the Assassins and Templars, Edward acquired various pieces of equipment, including a pair of Hidden Blades, a blowpipe, smoke bombs, and rope darts.[22]

Diving For Medicines 3

Edward using a diving bell

However, one of Edward's most invaluable pieces of equipment was his ship: the Jackdaw. She was equipped with a harpooning boat for the spearing of marine life, and a diving bell that Edward used to submerge himself to locate treasure beneath the waves.[22]

During these maritime explorations, Edward proved to be a strong swimmer and was able to hold his breath for a relatively long period of time. Additionally, he proved to be a capable hunter as he was able to fend off hostile creatures both on land and sea, most notably sharks in his underwater skirmishes.[22]

In London, after retiring from privateering, Edward retained his Hidden Blades and sword. He also utilized a cane-sword, unleashing it only in times of need, such as fending off criminals. Furthermore, Edward learned how to wield a bow and arrow, to which he then tutored his son Haytham in its use.[2]

During his time in Macau, Edward's right Hidden Blade was modified by Yun Pyeong-Gyu, who added a crossbow-like mechanism to allow him to launch the blade at his enemies.[96] It functioned similarly to the Phantom Blade later used by the French Assassins during the French Revolution,[119] albeit being more primitive in its design, requiring Edward to manually fire the weapon with the press of a button.[96]

In addition to his native English, Edward demonstrated a knack for recognizing Cantonese and Japanese when spoken, although his fluency in these languages was near nonexistent.[74][77]

Trivia

  • The name Edward can be translated as "rich guard", as it is derived from the Old English elements ead "rich, blessed" and weard "guard".
  • The middle name James comes from an Hebrew name, Yaʻaqov. It means "supplanter," one who follows.
  • The surname Kenway comes from an Old English name, either Cynewig or Cenwig, composed of the words cyne ("royal") or cen ("keen, bold") and wig ("war").
  • Edward was the first member of the Kenway family to join the Templars, albeit unwittingly, while posing as Duncan Walpole. He was officially inducted into the West Indies Templars by Laureano de Torres in 1715, though his tenure was brief and rarely recognized thereafter.
  • Despite being the protagonist of an Assassin's Creed game instalment, Edward never really becomes an Assassin during the whole story of Black Flag. He was never a proper member of the West Indies Assassins as there was no induction. He eventually joined the British Brotherhood after returning to Great Britain. Other protagonists never being in a brotherhood in their games are Eivor, who did not join the Hidden Ones in the life, and Kassandra, who could not know any organization of this kind in her time.
  • Ratonhnhaké:ton, Edward's grandson, remarked that he seemed to have inherited his taste for maritime adventures from him.[120]
  • Edward's outfit is notable in that it departs from the usual style of having a beaked hood that previous Assassins have displayed.
  • In Assassin's Creed: Forsaken, Edward is described as having dark hair, though he has been shown to have blonde hair in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
  • In Forsaken, it is noted Edward was not wearing a shirt during the attack on his home, but the Initiates illustration of his death depicts him wearing a coat.
  • Voice actor/motion capture provider Matt Ryan initially chose to portray Edward with a Mancunian accent during casting call. However, after the developers heard Ryan's natural Welsh accent they asked him to voice Kenway instead with a South-Welsh English accent. They then chose to rewrite Kenway's backstory to fit Ryan's accent.[121]
  • In the novel Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, Edward considered adopting parts of his Duncan Walpole persona into his everyday demeanor. However, no such thing is ever alluded to in the game.
  • In Assassin's Creed: Rogue, Edward is never mentioned by name in the story except in Adéwalé and Haytham's database and also in Juhani Otso Berg's Inspiration file of Haytham. Edward in the story is only referred to as Haytham's father by the characters of the game.
  • Edward is unique among Assassin's Creed protagonists as, not only was he mentioned in a prior installment, he also had an appearance in a novel before he appeared in his own game. In addition to this, he is also unusual in the sense that his death was described prior to his video game appearance as well.
  • During development of Assassin's Creed: Origins, Edward was used as a placeholder until Bayek had his own character model.[122]

Appearances

References

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  122. Twitter Jean Guesdon (@JeanGuesdon) on Twitter "My wallpaper at work, a very very early concept, Edward in Egypt (Bayek was not born yet). Already 3.5 years old but still so inspiring! 😀pic.twitter.com/A4JC09eYpg(backup link) (screenshot)


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