Kanen'tó:kon (1756 – 1778) was a member of the Kanien'kehá:ka nation and a close childhood friend of Ratonhnhaké:ton. While Ratonhnhaké:ton left their home village of Kanatahséton in 1769 to join the Assassins and protect their people's lands from outside threats, Kanen'tó:kon stayed behind to try and keep the tribe neutral in the conflict between the Patriots and the Loyalists.
In time, however, Kanen'tó:kon began to fear for his people's future and was manipulated by the Templar Charles Lee into siding with the Loyalists, being convinced that it was the only way to protect his village. He also came to believe that Ratonhnhaké:ton had betrayed the tribe by helping the Patriots and attempted to kill him, forcing his friend to regretfully assassinate him in self-defense.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Kanen'tó:kon was born and raised in the Kanien'kehá:ka nation, whose duty was to protect their sacred land. One day, at the age of four, along with Ratonhnhaké:ton and other children, Kanen'tó:kon ventured into the forests outside their village of Kanatahséton to play games.[1]
Kanen'tó:kon on the treetops with Ratonhnhaké:ton
While engaging in a game of hide and seek, the village was approached by Charles Lee and his Templar co-conspirators, who sought to question the village elders about the location of the Grand Temple. Unsuccessful in this endeavor, the Templar group left. Soon after, Kanatahséton was razed under the orders of George Washington, as part of the French and Indian War. While Kanen'tó:kon and Ratonhnhaké:ton were safely away from the village when this occurred, the latter would go on to witness the death of his mother.[1]
The village was eventually rebuilt and the Kanien'kehá:ka strived even after nine years. As a teenager, Kanen'tó:kon learned how to free-run through forest trees, collect materials and hunt wildlife with the help of Ratonhnhaké:ton.[2][3] However, soon after, Ratonhnhaké:ton became concerned that the colonists would invade and seize their land once more, hence he ventured on a personal quest to protect the village.[4] Kanen'tó:kon, meanwhile, remained behind in the valley of Kanien:keh to keep the village and its people safe and neutral in the conflict between the colonists and British Loyalists.[5]
Conflict with William Johnson[]
Kanen'tó:kon informing Connor about Johnson's plans
In 1773, Kanen'tó:kon sought out Ratonhnhaké:ton – by now an Assassin known as Connor – at the Davenport Homestead, where he explained that William Johnson had been given permission by the Iroquois Confederacy to purchase their land and force their people to relocate. Realizing that a diplomatic solution was not possible, Kanen'tó:kon handed Connor a hatchet, who struck it into a pillar of the Davenport manor, signifying the start of war in accordance with their customs.[6]
Connor subsequently traveled to Boston, where he destroyed a shipment of British tea during the Boston Tea Party, which Johnson had been smuggling over to profit from taxation.[7] Despite this, six months later, Johnson returned, having procured the money through other resources and means. Kanen'tó:kon returned to the Homestead with news of this, forcing Connor to seek out and assassinate Johnson during his meeting with the Iroquois clan leaders.[8]
Siding with the British[]
- Kanen'tó:kon: "They have come to us, you know... The men in red coats. Their commanders have offered to secure our borders in exchange for service."
- Connor: "You will make no such alliance."
- Kanen'tó:kon: "Then you would have us join the men in blue?"
- Connor: "I would have you stay out of the conflict."
- —Kanen'tó:kon and Connor discussing the Loyalists and the Patriots.[src]-[m]
As the American Revolutionary War escalated, Kanen'tó:kon began to worry that the Continental Army would seize Kanatahséton, while the opposing British offered to protect their lands and secure their independence in exchange for an alliance with the other Kanien'kehá:ka clans. Kanen'tó:kon informed Connor of this during one of his visits to Kanatahséton, and his friend strongly advised him against picking any side, insisting that their tribe must remain neutral.[5]
By 1778, Kanen'tó:kon was approached by Charles Lee, who informed him that the Continental Army led by George Washington were planning to destroy the village for allying with the British. Furthermore, Lee even convinced him that Connor had turned traitor for siding with Washington. With this in mind, Kanen'tó:kon finally decided to join the conflict to keep the Continental Army away from their land.[9]
He led several other Kanien'kehá:ka warriors outside of the village to scout ahead and attack the invading army; however, Connor intervened by rendering the warriors unconscious to prevent the village from entering the conflict.[9]
Death[]
- Kanen'tó:kon: "He said you had been corrupted. That you would try to deceive. But here they are on our doorstep. What say you to that?"
- Connor: "It is a mistake!"
- Kanen'tó:kon: "The only mistake was trusting you would help to keep us safe. They have seduced you. And you are turned against your own kind."
- —Kanen'tó:kon and Connor during their fight, 1778.[src]-[m]
Kanen'tó:kon facing off against Connor
After this, Connor managed to catch up with Kanen'tó:kon. During their confrontation, Kanen'tó:kon accused his former friend of being corrupted by the Continental forces and betraying their people as a result. To this, Connor tried to reason with Kanen'tó:kon, explaining that he was being deceived by Lee.[9]
Instead, Kanen'tó:kon attacked Connor, pinning him to the ground with his knife close to the Assassin's throat, which forced Connor to stab his friend in the neck with his Hidden Blade, killing him in self-defense. In his final moments, Kanen'tó:kon explained that the Continental Army would be defeated at Monmouth by the British, and died believing that it would ensure the future of their people.[9]
Alternate timeline[]
- Ratonhnhaké:ton: "Kanen'tó:kon, I was unable to protect my mother. I was unable to save the village."
- Kanen'tó:kon: "I'm very sorry, Ratonhnhaké:ton. It has been difficult here as well. I fight with Sam Adams' rebels, but we are too few and too weak."
- —Ratonhnhaké:ton and Kanen'tó:kon following their reunion.[src]-[m]
Kanen'tó:kon and Ratonhnhaké:ton in prison
During the reign of King Washington as displayed by an Apple of Eden, Kanen'tó:kon joined a group of dissenters led by Samuel Adams in Boston, though he was eventually captured by Benjamin Franklin and sentenced to death by beheading by the King himself. Much to his surprise, he was soon released from his cell by his old friend Ratonhnhaké:ton, who had recently been brought to the same prison by Israel Putnam and escaped custody by using his Wolf Cloak ability.[10]
After dispatching several guards and reclaiming his equipment, Ratonhnhaké:ton revealed the secret behind his animal abilities; a tea brewed from the leaves of the mystical Red Willow. Kanen'tó:kon offered to drink the tea as well in order to turn the tide in the battle against King Washington, but Ratonhnhaké:ton refused, noting the inherent danger of the drink. Instead, he drank it himself, gaining the power of Eagle Flight in the process.[11]
Kanen'tó:kon and Ratonhnhaké:ton shortly after escaping the prison
After escaping the prison, Kanen'tó:kon engaged several Bluecoats while Ratonhnhaké:ton chased Franklin,[12] who ultimately escaped when King Washington intervened with his Apple of Eden. Kanen'tó:kon and Samuel Adams soon found an unconscious Ratonhnhaké:ton, injured from the fight, who suddenly realized that he needed to rescue Franklin from the Piece of Eden's power.[13] After successfully recruiting the inventor and freeing from Washington's corruptive influence, Ratonhnhaké:ton began collaborating with Franklin to infiltrate Washington's New York headquarters.[14]
Meanwhile, Adams and Kanen'tó:kon were ambushed by the King's men at Boston Neck. General Putnam personally beat Adams to death, and severely wounded Kanen'tó:kon with a blow to the head, followed by severing two of Kanen'tó:kon's fingers with his own tomahawk. Upon learning of the ambush, Ratonhnhaké:ton investigated the scene of the massacre, and after discovering Adams' bloodied uniform and Kanen'tó:kon's weapon, he presumed both of his allies to be dead.[15]
After recruiting Robert Faulkner and chartering the Aquila to New York with Franklin, Ratonhnhaké:ton fought his way through dozens of Bluecoats to protect the Aquila's crew as they made their escape into the harbor. Suddenly, Putnam appeared with a hostage Kanen'tó:kon, and threatened to shoot him if Ratonhnhaké:ton did not surrender. After dispatching the general with his animal powers, Ratonhnhaké:ton rescued Kanen'tó:kon and the pair fled to the ship and escaped to New York.[16]
Kanen'tó:kon fighting Washington's guards
When they arrived in New York Bay, the Aquila was attacked by Washington's fleet. Once the ship had ran out of gunpowder, Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered his men to swim to the shore while he rammed the Aquila into a Man-of-War; on reaching land, Kanen'tó:kon witnessed Washington threatening Franklin. The Kanien'kehá:ka warrior tackled the king, knocking the Apple from his hands, and fended off his guards before being shot by a firing line. Wounded, Kanen'tó:kon dragged himself to the helpless king to finish him off, but the guards fired a second time, killing him.[17]
When Ratonhnhaké:ton came ashore, he found Franklin mourning Kanen'tó:kon's sacrifice. Vengeful, Ratonhnhaké:ton undertook another spirit journey, gaining the power of Bear Might.[18] Later, after Ratonhnhaké:ton defeated Washington, Kanen'tó:kon's spirit appeared to him, urging his friend not to take the Apple for himself and to let his sacrifice be in vain.[19]
Personality and traits[]
Growing up, Kanen'tó:kon and Ratonhnhaké:ton were close friends and both shared a sense of loyalty and devotion to protecting their village and their way of life. Kanen'tó:kon was noticeably chubby during his childhood years, a fact which Ratonhnhaké:ton teased him for at one point, though he was mostly trying to encourage his friend. Despite this, Kanen'tó:kon trained and worked hard to become a strong, more confident and proud warrior.[20]
Kanen'tó:kon attempting to kill Connor
Like Ratonhnhaké:ton, Kanen'tó:kon wished to take part in the war in order to take a more active role in the protection of their village, which conflicted with Ratonhnhaké:ton's belief that the Kanien'kehá:ka should have remained neutral. This later caused a rift to form between the two friends, eventually leading to Kanen'tó:kon's mistrust in Ratonhnhaké:ton and manipulation by Charles Lee, which tragically led to the end of their friendship and Kanen'tó:kon's life. Kanen'tó:kon's dying words provided further proof to Ratonhnhaké:ton that his trust in Washington and the Patriot cause was misplaced.[20]
Behind the scenes[]
Kanen'tó:kon is a fictional character in the 2012 video game Assassin's Creed III, where he is voiced by the Kanien'kehá:ka teacher and translator Akwiratékha Martin, who also provided the motion capture footage. Martin served as the language consultant and translator for Assassin's Creed III and later provided his services again during the production of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla for the game's arc in Vinland.[21]
It is implied that Ratonhnhaké:ton used to tease Kanen'tó:kon about being fat in their childhood.
Until his death, Ratonhnhaké:ton can engage in a few floating conversations with Kanen'tó:kon. In these conversations, Kanen'tó:kon exhibits growing concern over their village's future and to a lesser extent, Ratonhnhaké:ton's continued loyalty to the tribe.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed III – Hide and Seek
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Feathers and Trees
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Hunting Lessons
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Something to Remember
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Assassin's Creed III – Floating conversations: "Kanen'tó:kon"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – On Johnson's Trail
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tea Party
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Hostile Negotiations
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Assassin's Creed III – Broken Trust
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Prison Break
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Sky World Journey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Dive Bomb
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Consequences
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Return to Sender
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Pieces in Motion
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal – Escape to New York
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption – Dark Waters
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption – Sky World Journey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption – Inevitable Confrontation
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Assassin's Creed III
- ↑
AC Sisterhood Speaks! Episode 7 - Akwiratékha' Martin on the Creed Relay YouTube channel
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