Nafanua (died 824) was a Samoan warrior hired by Master Assassin Fuladh Al Haami of the Hidden Ones and the sister of Chief Toa of Savai'i.
Biography[]
The Hidden One's Offer[]
By 824, Nafanua, along with her brother and chief of her village Toa, were caught in a clan war on their isle. However, when Fuladh came for their help against the Martyrs of Agaunum, Toa stayed to fight while Nafanua agreed to help the Hidden One. Recruited by Fuladh,[1] Nafanua traveled to Fustat and met her employer and her new cohorts at a tavern. There, she listened while Fuladh addressed their mission to find the Martyrs and to steal a case they are transporting.[2]
Tracking the Martyrs of Agaunum[]
After preparing themselves, they tracked the Martyrs' route and planned to ambush the Martyrs with a bomb created by Wei, a Chinese bombmaker. Planned out by the young thief Roshan, Nafanua joined most of their group at the passage the Martyrs were heading, while Wei was joined by Persian mercenary Azadeh and her wolf companion Onyx. While they all waited, the young self-proclaimed Christian prophet Francis was in charge to signal Wei but the explosion was mistimed and the ambush failed.[3]While Nafanua was stunned from the explosion, Welsh mercenary Mared, Roman pirate Dias, and the Viking twins Geir and Gud fought against both the Martyrs and their guards.[4]
However, the Martyrs fled and the mercenaries lost Mared, who was used as a body shield by Dias from incoming arrows. Nafanua accused Dias of murder and caused a break in their groups between the women and the men, except for Wei and Francis, who later joined the women. Fortunately, when Azadeh calmed down tensions, Roshan argued to beat them by going by the Red Sea to Karachi. While they all agreed, Nafanua took Wei as her riding partner and insulted Roshan, but informed her that Wei may be a target to Dias and the twins.[4]
At a mountain, they all decided to climb over to a dock despite the risks. Nafanua roped herself with Dias and Francis, while Wei was with Azadeh and Roshan, and the twins by themselves. However, to everyone's horror, they all watched Wei ultimately fall to his death after he lost his footing. While the rest successfully descended, Nafanua joined the group to go to the docks, except for Roshan, who went to find Wei's body, and Azadeh, who followed Roshan. Fortunately, they all reconvened at the dock and stole a dhow to sail to Karachi. While sailing, Nafanua was instantly knocked aboard and let out a scream.[5]
Saving herself, Nafanua soon saw Roshan fall in after her and aided her back onto the ship. Helped by Azadeh, both women climbed back aboard but grew wary of everyone else except themselves. Nafanua explained her part in the mission and how it is an honor to fight against evil, no matter the cost. When night fell, Nafanua took the first watch until she was relieved by Azadeh. Upon arriving in Karachi, Nafanua led the pack and pushed through the crowds to an inn and found a large room for them to recuperate from their losses. While most slept, Roshan left to find maps, only for Geir and Gud to follow after her,[1] and then Azadeh and Onyx.[6]
Death[]
While at the inn, Nafanua began to feel sick and could not keep down her food. When Roshan and Azadeh returned with their new plan, they all readied themselves but Nafanua looked too ill to travel. Nevertheless, after Francis found new horses for them and Geir and Gud had not returned, the remaining members followed Onyx, who traced the Martyrs through scent. However, they all halted when Onyx noticed others were around them. Soon, Nafanua fell off her horse while arrows were loose upon the group.[7]
After the remaining fighters, except Francis, killed the ambushers, Nafanua was found dead on the ground, with Onyx besides her. However, upon her inspection, Roshan saw Nafanua was dead by poison and accused Francis, who was already held by Dias' sword. Realizing Nafanua's water was tampered, Roshan interrogated Francis, who admitted his allegiance to the Martyrs before fleeing. After regrouping, the remaining mercenaries continued after Roshan buried Nafanua and took her weapon Tafesilafa'i to bring back to her brother.[7]
Personality and traits[]
Nafanua's characteristics consist of her tall stature and numerous body tattoos that took up her arms, hands, neck, and torso.[2] Unlike most of the other mercenaries, she accepted Fuladh's offer out of honor for contesting any evil, whether she lived or died.[1]
Skills and equipment[]
Nafanua proved herself to be strong in her combat skills,[3] especially with her serrated club Tafesilafa'i.[4] From her culture, she also knew how to celestially navigate.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
Nafanua is a fictional character from Maria Lewis' 2023 novel Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One that was written as a tie-in to the video game Assassin's Creed: Mirage.
Etymology[]
Nafanua's namesake stems from an historical chieftess and warrior of the same name. The historical figure had a crucial role in the civil war between the eastern and western tribes of the Savai'i and reconfiguring Samoa's government system, which continues today. Like her namesake, Nafanua also wielded a sharpened club that she named after one of the chieftess' personal weapons.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Thirteen - Red Sea, 824
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Five - Fustat, 824
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Seven - Fustat, 824
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Nine - Sinai Border, 824
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Eleven - Sinai Peninsula, 824
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Fifteen - Karachi, 824
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One — Chapter Seventeen - Karachi, 824
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