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Music Preview: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen Other Share 17 Feb 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to announce East Again, an original instrumental track inspired by Assassin’s Creed Mirage, out 24th February on music streaming platforms and The Ones Who Came Before’s YouTube channel with a special ambient visualiser! The Assassin’s Creed inspired track was created by Video Content Creation Team Leader Gustav Poulsen ( Gargudon ), and was inspired by and acts a tribute to the newest instalment in the franchise, returning East where everything began. Here is a 30 second preview for the track, which releases 24th February! We can't wait for you to hear it! Gameplay captured by UbiCypher: Twitter Kenway_Joe Instagram UbiCypher comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. 

His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Developer Insights on Story Details & Naoe Background Analysis. Analysis Share 20 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database Two months left, that is all that separates us from wandering across the majestic scenery Assassin's Creed Shadows is ought to deliver us with the long-awaited setting of Feudal Japan, most specifically in the Sengoku Period (AKA Era of the warring states) or Azuchi-Momoyama period. Yesterday, Entertainment Weekly released information pertaining the upcoming Assassin's Creed protagonist; Naoe Fujibayashi exclusively revealed by Ubisoft's Québec's developer and Assassin's Creed Shadows director Jonathan Dumont, strongly emphasizing on Naoe's role on satisfying the Ninja-Assassin fantasy that many fans of stealth and back-to-the-roots-like gameplay are craving for. Naoe as seen in the official CGI trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft.com The Assassin from Iga “She will start a bit of a path of vengeance or fulfilling a promise that she made to her family” -Jonathan Dumont. The story of the game, as many of you already know if you have been following our threads or simply out of curiosity for history, will be taking place in the 1570's when the Portuguese Jesuits aiming to expand their religion in the spiritually unconquered lands of Japan already have a strong foot in their culture, having made many alliances to stay ahead of the curve in Europe's political theatre at that time, securing import-export trade routes and influencing many Daimyos across the islands, a perfect fit for the Templars that, by then, were attempting to expand their ideology in other parts of the world after their numerous defeats at the hands of the Assassins in Europe. Unbeknownst to her, Naoe is apparently descended from a long line of Assassins similarly to many other characters in the franchise , this knowledge hidden to her by her father , Nagato, apparently connected to the Assassins in some way or in this case, maybe her mother who according to Dumont "She doesn’t know much about her origins. Her father’s been training her, but she doesn’t know much about her mother, who’s been gone." Possibly being the missing link, this enigma may only to be solved when the game is finally released as he declined to give more details on the story surrounding her involvement with the Brotherhood however, he did comment on her discovery of such an heritage as "She will start a bit of a path of vengeance or fulfilling a promise that she made to her family, but she discovers a world in need, she begins to really value the community values her father taught." Clearly teasing the core moral values tied to the Brotherhood and the self-development process one goes through upon understanding the motives of the Creed, setting aside personal goals for the greater good. Naoe and her father Nagato as seen in the official CGI trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft.com A Story Tailored By Her Equipment “She is pushed into war and as a cool proverb from Japan says, a frog in a well knows nothing of the sea." - Jonathan Dumont. According to Jonathan Dumont's description of Naoe's use of her gadgets to navigate through Japan amidst the warring clans, all the equipment is tied to a moment of her life and backstory which we will see in the game as she develops and becomes stronger as we progress through the game's narrative and while upgrading her character, he also mentioned how important the Hidden Blade will from a symbolic point of view, stating that "The Hidden Blade is given by her father, and we're going to learn a little bit more what that means" possibly assisting to her initiation or some kind of similar induction into the Brotherhood given her Ninja training that is also heavily rooted in doctrine. Official concept art for Naoe's hidden blade by Ubisoft Naoe's hope for the future of Japan: Junjiro "Can she make a better world?" -Jonathan Dumont. The name itself having many different meanings due to the complexity of the Kanjis and their subsequent variations depending on context and phrasing, we'll go with the one that aligns the most with what Naoe sees in this boy that will be part of the story as revealed by Dumont in the interview hinting at his importance in the plot, which in this case could be "Pure, Unpretentious or To be in one's natural state." With little to go by except that "He's the future Naoe hopes Japan will be" . We'll have to stay on the lookout for more information regarding this boy that will have some degree of importance throughout Naoe's journey and maybe self-growth for that matter. Naoe with Junjiro as revealed by Jonathan Dumont, Assassin's Creed Shadows director to Entertainment Weekly as part of an exclusive interview - Image edited - via ew.com Article adapted from an Isu_Network Twitter Article by UbiCypher comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)

Assassin's Creed Animus Hub Teaser Analysis Theories Share 26 Jan 2025 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome back! The embargo has been lifted and Assassin's Creed: Shadows is getting closer, the Story Trailer finally gave us some insights on what's to come. However I found something....Interesting. Buckle up. The Animus Hub trailer may be hiding something big. It may be something or it may be NOTHING at all. One thing is certain. I don't believe in coincidences and this is a huge one at that, dating all the way back to the holographic map showing the locations of Temples in AC1 & AC II. 1) Not an IP. You'll see what I mean. At the 1:47 mark, the video is almost reaching its conclusion with a summary of what we have just seen with four slides, one of them concerning the Projects. Well, if you pay attention to that slide in particular you can observe sets of numbers: 252.270.168.021. I thought it was an IP at first glance since Ubisoft is no stranger to ARG's and social engagement through complex Cyphers and puzzles. However, it isn't as IP's are composed of 4 numbers (Octets) oscillating between o and 255 thus 255.255.255.255 and 0.0.0.0. So that's not it. 2 ) Not a coordinate -at first- . This gets intricate. Well, since Ubisoft has already teased us with coordinates regarding various locations in the past ie: The Great Temple, I thought I could see if by arranging the numbers in way that they can be identified as Latitude and Longitude and to my surprise. It worked! I split 252.270 into 25º 2' and 70'' and 168.021 into 16º 8' 21 " and let ChatGPT do the rest by converting the numbers into Coordinates applying the DMS conversion system (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) by arranging the numbers, adding overflow to minutes. Gibberish aside, the results were rather exciting! After the DMS conversion, the values turned to this: 25º 2' 70''-> 25º3'10" Since the second number was within 0 to 59 for minutes and 0 to 59.999 for seconds, no conversion was required thus simply being 16º8'21". So the final set of coordinates should be: 25º 3' 10"N, 16º 8' 21"E (Assuming Hemispheres). 3) A shocking revelation. It was for me at least. Well, the coordinates send you right in the middle of nowhere, but that middle of nowhere is 2000KM away of an Isu Vault. Most specifically, the one marked in the Apple Of Eden's map in ACII that corresponds to modern Lagos. While the coordinates redirects us to Libya the marker is really close to the frontier of Niger and Chad, which, are in turn next to Nigeria where the Temple is. But there's more. 4) A pattern . Maybe. There is another number, barely visible, but visible. 021".168".270"252"-> 21º16'8"N - 0º27'52"E. Approximately 1,163.7KM from another site, although in South Eastern Asian territory this time, matching the description of the Vault marked between Cambodia and Vietnam. As I said. Coincidence? Twice? I honestly don't know. But one thing is sure. It's weird. 5) What could this mean? It is but speculation from here on; One thing is certain, two coordinates, although not on the same spot, incredibly close to Isu Temples nonetheless, this can make oneself wonder. If this is just a coincidence. Well, so be it. If it isn't however. Is Ubisoft attempting to tell us where the next games will be? Are those sites having some importance in the upcoming Modern Day Story? I have no idea. This I will leave here for the community to solve. 6) Modern Day Sneak Peek. Besides this fun puzzle solving reminiscent of the old days, There is already a few things that we can figure out in relation to Modern Day from the trailer. An operation taking place in Marrakech looking for a merchant named Chafiq Elharar. Joel Eastman , an investigator (possibly) is looking for this merchant in Jemaa El Fnaa a square home to a bustling market place in Marrakesh, Morocco. No date is given, no names besides these two and that of the operatives of Abstergo Industries (possibly) Hamza and Idrissi. Joel is actively looking for Chafiq Elharar and makes contact with him, giving him a piece of paper that he refuses, the paper in question seeming important. And important it may be, as Hamza and Idrissi are monitoring this merchant that suspects being under surveillance. It looks like this information is found via the Data Files unlocked in the Project 1: Legacy. More to come soon it seems. One last thing though, there is this new thing called Animus EGO and the way they talk of the Animus almost in a cult-esque way, even "Follow the Trail and we will be in touch". - "Paths to mindfulness". Whatever that means. Many questions and no answers. Exciting nonetheless! So far this is everything, nothing more to add. Could this possible Animus Hub Easter Egg link AC SHADOWS to AC II? I believe it is a good chunk of info that we can begin to digest as it clearly gives us a taste of the future of the franchise, so the rest is up to you folks. This is it for today! Stay on the lookout for more lore. Subject 16 Glyphs Thread Coming soon. Stay tuned Assassins! Reddit Thread Article adapted from the Isu_Network X thread comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 17th to 28th February Community Share 8 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run alongside @WonDerNooB_VP an avid Assassin’s Creed fan and virtual photographer. RS has been actively posting and participating in Assassin’s Creed VP for quite a while now. Their support to #ACFirstCivVP has been much appreciated, and we could not wait to team up with RS for this theme. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Symmetry Three in a Row Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @wingsforsmiles The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @WonDerNooB_VP RS I especially love Wingsforsmiles fourth picture with the merchant boats, it’s an easily overlooked subject for composition, just very pleasing to the eye overall. I like the different colours against a neutral backdrop, and a great use of the rule of threes. Aaron When RS mentioned about running a symmetry theme, I was slightly nervous as this style a can be particularly tricky. The great thing though is our community clearly do not, and we have seen some really stunning shots. This week’s winner fits the theme alongside a dash of minimalism. I see moments like this one all the time but can never find the right composition. Here we can see a master class in how to produce symmetry in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Often details like this are overlooked as we sneak around the map, but if you take the time to explore there is much beauty to the environment. Wingsforsmiles has definitely produced a work of art here. Fly By Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ mnt13.bsky.social Of all the Assassin’s Creed entries of late, I would probably say Mirage has the most opportunities for symmetry. The care and attention to detail from Ubisoft is clear to see. The cultural buildings and their ornate design are so pleasing on the eye. This shot from m is a beauty, thanks to some really epic timing. The composition is perfect, framing the arch and that gorgeous design on it. The shadow of Enkidu is wonderful and adds a real majesty to the capture, it must have been really tricky on the timings. What I love most though is the warm colour palette and how it elevates the details of the photo. The Lay of the Land Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ sparbuck47.bsky.social Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a rich entry to the series providing us with a lot of places to explore. I personally found it overwhelming and never got round to playing the DLC’s. When I see captures like this though I know I have probably missed out. What a jaw dropping piece of virtual photography this is. It is helped massively by the height which I assume was possible thanks to Ikaros. Once again, the composition is great with all the sections lining up to meet the symmetry brief. The green and blue tones are really giving me that Greek vibe. What steals the show though is the use of the frame, it makes me feel like I am looking at some hidden map from an Indian Jones movie. Summer Vibes Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ dpruttz-vp.bsky.social I think wandering the deserts of Assassin’s Creed Origins was probably one of the most visually stunning and peaceful moments I have experienced in gaming. Ubisoft nailed the Egyptian world and that’s one of the reason why this game was so successful. Dave has really captured the essence of Origins with this exquisitely minimal shot that also hits the symmetry theme nicely. I just love the colours in this photo. The blue and the yellow working together to give you that summer vibe. Not your classic Assassin’s Creed capture but these games have so many ways to take a photo and that’s why you see so much virtual photography from them. Sneaky Basim Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ charapof.bsky.social I still find it wild that Assassin’s Creed Mirage was originally a DLC for Valhalla. I am so glad that Ubisoft Bordeaux were allowed to make this a standalone entry. Mirage does share a lot of similarities to Valhalla, but it always feels so different to capture. This photo is both fun and well taken. The metal pattern in front of our hero, looks intricate and casts some great shadows on Basim's face. I like how his outfit pops with colour, especially the green, given its relevance to the character. Basim is clearly sneaking up on an enemy here and I love how you can just see one eye peering through. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Jack Harrison (_Virtualtourism) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Photo Mode, the first free virtual photography e-magazine Since 2023, he has provided support and guidance, acting as an Advisor for The Ones Who Came Before's Virtual Photography Team. In January 2023, he won the award for Virtual Photographer of the Year at the Ubisoft Community Celebration Awards in London. Previous Next Jack Harrison Writer Previous Partner Jack Harrison (_Virtualtourism) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Photo Mode, the first free virtual photography e-magazine Since 2023, he has provided support and guidance, acting as an Advisor for The Ones Who Came Before's Virtual Photography Team. In January 2023, he won the award for Virtual Photographer of the Year at the Ubisoft Community Celebration Awards in London. Twitter | TPM Twitter | Website Work

TheÆlchemist is a passionate social media manager based in Japan who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in January 2025 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is known for providing in-depth detailed analysis on all things Assassin's Creed, something which we here at TOWCB always strive to provide. He is also a keen video creator, a skill which we hope to nurture through collaborations with our video content creation team. By joining the partnership program, we will be sharing content created by TheÆlchemist with a larger audience, and he will help our fan community surpass 70,000 followers across all platforms. Previous Next TheÆlchemist Social Media Team TheÆlchemist is a passionate social media manager based in Japan who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in January 2025 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is known for providing in-depth detailed analysis on all things Assassin's Creed, something which we here at TOWCB always strive to provide. He is also a keen video creator, a skill which we hope to nurture through collaborations with our video content creation team. By joining the partnership program, we will be sharing content created by TheÆlchemist with a larger audience, and he will help our fan community surpass 70,000 followers across all platforms. X | Youtube | LinkTree Work AC Community Questions: The Ælchemist Interview

Vikings in Ireland: A History Breakdown Share 19 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Blackett Back To Database The first story DLC for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Wrath of the Druids, is due to release in the near future and it will see Eivor travelling to Ireland to battle a druidic cult known as the Children of Danu. As such, it is a great time to explore the history of the Vikings and their adventures in Ireland. The First Viking Age in Ireland is generally considered to be between 795 CE and 902 CE. The first recorded Viking raids on Irish soil happened in the year 795 CE on the islands of Rathlin and Lambay. It is likely that the invaders were from Norway, just like our good friend Eivor. For the next 40 years, towns, farms, and monasteries were frequently looted and destroyed by Viking warriors. As this was occurring, the Viking settlers were also integrating themselves into Irish society. The Norse warriors attacked the St. Columba monastery on Iona in 795 CE and burned St. Patrick’s Island to the ground in 798 CE. They returned to Iona in 802 and 806 CE, murdering 68 of the island’s residents and devastating the community. The Norse were not ones for large battle fleets. Instead, only a handful of ships – often less than three – would dock at the shores and offload a group of Vikings. Once the pillaging was complete, the warriors would return to their ship and depart, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. Eye-witness accounts from the time refer to the Viking invaders as “faceless wraiths”, strangers who left as quickly as they arrived with the only evidence that they were ever there being the smouldering embers of the towns they passed through. Wrath of the Druids is the first downloadable content expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and is set to launch Spring 2021. The Irish did not take the attacks lying down, however. The Annals of Irish history mention that in 811 CE, the people of Uliad managed to kill a fleet of Viking invaders who arrived on their land. A year later in 812 CE, another fleet was killed in Umall, known today as County Mayo. It was clear to the Viking warriors that their small fleets of only a few longships were no longer working. For one, their men were being slaughtered by the Irish. More than that, though, was that there was only so much loot the Vikings could plunder and bring back to Scandinavia in such small ships. As a result, the invaders decided to upscale their operation in the 830s. The invaders travelled to Ireland with a fleet of between 50 to 100 ships and set up camp. This allowed the Vikings to raid the countryside and bring the loot back to their campsite. In 836 CE, they pillaged Uí Néill. In 837, they carried out river raids on the Boyne, Liffey and Shannon rivers. The Annals of Ulster recorded that sixty ships arrived on the Boyne, with another sixty on the Liffey. They approached Brega and Liffey and plundered everything in sight. In 840, the Vikings attacked Lough Neagh and the surrounding monasteries for most of a year. Their conquest grew in 841 when the warriors set up fortified camps at County Louth and Dublin. The Norse Vikings had a new problem to contend with in 849 CE when more invaders arrived on the shores of Ireland. These settlers were not Norsemen but Danes, and their arrival created a power struggle within Ireland’s Viking communities as the two groups began to fight each other. This distraction gave the Irish nobility time to plan how to deal with the invader armies. However, just as the Irish were building their defences and planning to strike, the Viking raids seemed to stop. 851 CE saw the last major attack of the time as the warriors crossed the sea to begin their invasion of Britain. With the warriors gone, the only Vikings left on Ireland were the settlers who were more concerned with building a life for themselves than attacking other communities. Some of the most prominent Norse populated towns in the late 800s were Dublin, then known as Dubhlinn, Cork, Youghal, and Waterford which became Ireland’s very first city. We know from the events in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla that the game takes place from 873-878 CE. As such, it should be relatively peaceful by the time Eivor arrives in Ireland. There will be a significant Norse population for Eivor to meet and interact with, but there should not be a lot of raiding and pillaging happening. This would allow for the Children of Danu to take centre stage within the narrative, as there will likely not be as much political intrigue happening on the isle at the time. The Children of Danu are inspired by the supernatural race in Irish mythology known as Tuatha Dé Danann which translates to “the folk of the goddess Danu”. Whether this cult will be supernatural in nature or just a group who worship the mythological race remains to seen. One interesting fact about the Tuatha Dé Danann is that they had four magical treasures that they brought to Ireland – a cauldron, a spear, a stone, and a sword. Is it possible these objects are connected to the Isu? Whilst Viking activity in Ireland was mostly peaceful for the latter half of the 800s, that calm was short lived. The Second Viking Age began in 914 CE when a large fleet of Viking ships docked in Waterford harbour to recapture their old settlement which had been reclaimed by the Irish. The raids and pillaging resumed with great force. The Vikings were determined to win back the land that they lad lost to the Irish, including the thriving town of Dubhlinn. That was the last straw for Niall Glúndub, King of Uí Néill, who wanted the Vikings out of Ireland. In 917, he led an army against the Viking warriors in Munster. They were ultimately unsuccessful and retreated having achieved little. The King tried again in 919 and the same thing happened – only this time Niall perished in the attack. With the only person truly willing to stand up to the Vikings now dead, the invaders were free to continue their conquest of Ireland. They established a new town called Weisfjord, now Wexford, in 921 and in 922 they created Limerick. Once again, however, the Viking raids calmed and the settlers focused on building their communities. The British kingdoms of Northumbria, East Anglia and Merica had been defeated and united under one Viking kingdom known as the Danelaw. Dubhlinn was also joined with the Danelaw, as it was one of the most significant Nordic cities of the time due to its high volume of trade and slavery. With such a powerful part of Ireland under their rule, the Vikings began taking control of other Irish towns. In 952, however, Dubhlinn split from the Danelaw due to its power and the Vikings established their own dynasty within the city. Concept art for Ireland coming from the Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Trailer. For the next 20 years, things in Ireland were fairly uneventful – at least where the Viking population were concerned. Amongst the Irish lords, a battle for power was occurring as men competed for the position of High King of their land. It was also during this time that the Norse and Dane population of Ireland began converting to Christianity. Most of the time, the Irish were willing to tolerate the presence of the Viking communities as they were usually peaceful and responsible for much of the country’s trading. However, political turmoil within Ireland’s nobility would soon change this. Mathgamain mac Cennétig, King of Munster from 970 CE was killed in 976 CE by the previous King of Munster, Máel Muad mac Brain. Mathgamain was succeeded by his younger brother Brian Bóruma. Brian wanted two things above all else: revenge for his brother’s death and power over Munster. In 977 CE, Brian attacked the Viking population in Limerick. King Imar and his sons hid in the monastery, believing that a Christian ruler would not desecrate a sanctuary of God. They were wrong. Brian broke into the building and murdered the Vikings inside. In 980, Brian declared himself King of Munster. Brian was not above working with the Vikings when it aided his quest for power. He formed an alliance with the Waterford Vikings so that he could take control of Leinster province. His goal was power and he would do what was necessary to get it. King Brian Boru’s fast-paced rise to power concerned the other Kingdoms in Ireland, particularly Uí Néill. King Máel Sechnaill II tried in vain to take power away from Brian. Realising this was unachievable, the Kings held a meeting and agreed to divide Ireland between them. This was not a move that everyone appreciated, however. Leinster and Dubhlinn were particularly outraged and revolted against the rule of their new leader. Brian was unfazed by this and led his armies into Leinster and Dubhlinn and destroyed them. From there, Brian continued to take control of Ireland’s regions and Kings Silkenbeard and Máel Sechnaill II both surrendered power to Brian. By 1006 CE, Brian Boru had almost claimed the entire country as his own. Brian’s dream of becoming High King of Ireland looked inevitable. No one could stop his conquest. That was until 1013 CE when the people of Ireland turned on their ruler. Brian tried to fight back against the revolts rising up around Ireland, but this time his enemies were stronger and he was forced to retreat. The rebels travelled to Scotland and the Isle of Man to recruit more warriors to their army, and when they returned they were stronger than ever. The foundations for battle were set. The Battle of Clontarf is one of the most famous battles in Irish history as it is seen as the exact moment the Viking rule in Ireland ended. The battle happed in 1014 and one was one of the bloodiest the country had seen. Thousands of men were killed on both sides, and the Vikings retreated to the Isle of Man when it became clear Brian’s army had won. However, Brian’s victory was short lived as he was killed, allegedly having been bludgeoned to death with an axe by a Viking. With the Vikings having left Ireland and regrouped on the Isle of Man, Viking rule in Ireland was over for good. The remaining Vikings were allowed to maintain control over Dublinn until 1074 CE, but in reality the line between Viking and Irishman was becoming blurred. Vikings were now part of the Irish communities they had once raided, and their own culture and heritage had been replaced by Christianity and Irish customs. Over time, there was nothing left of the fierce Norse conquest that had taken hold of the country in the early 800s. Despite the Viking Age ending in 1014 CE, the influence that the Vikings had in Ireland can still be seen today. The Vikings established the first ever Irish city, Waterford, and also created the first naval base within the city. The Vikings were also responsible for introducing Irish currency. Prior to 995, Ireland did not have its own official currency. It was the Viking King Sitric Silkenbeard who created the first Irish coins, which were silver and bore King Silkenbeard’s name. Another interesting fact is that, despite being well known for destroying Christian monasteries during their raiding years, the Vikings are actually responsible for the creation of Ireland’s most famous cathedral. King Silkenbeard was so devoted to his new religion of Christianity that he ordered the construction of Christ Church Cathedral within his city. It is still standing today and as gorgeous as it was in the 10th century. Indeed, even many of the surnames we associate with Ireland today are deviations of the Scandinavian names that the Vikings brought to Irish soil. Having Viking ancestry in Ireland is relatively common due to how the Vikings merged with Irish society and married native Irish people. The reign of Vikings in Ireland may have only lasted for 220 years, but it was a time that was anything but boring. Without those Viking invaders, who knows what Ireland would look like nowadays. One thing is for sure, it would not be the country we know today. That is the beauty of history. For better or worse, our world is defined by the ones who came before us – just like in our favourite video game. Journey to Ireland and unravel the mysteries of an ancient druidic cult. Fight your way through haunted forests and dazzling landscapes while gaining influence among Gaelic kings. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who joined the program in 2019, which allowed for her work to be viewed by a larger audience. She is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and wrote a number of thought provoking articles which you can find here in the Community HUB. Lauren left the program in 2021 shortly after the 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' announcement, which understandably left many fans feeling uneasy. We wish her the best of luck with her future projects. Lauren Harris

Event Log: Assassin's Creed Mirage Red Carpet Digital Event Events Share 9 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Just before the launch of Assassin's Creed Mirage, we were invited to attend an online event exclusively for community members. The event was unlike any other we have ever attended, and featured a mini game where everyone controlled a 'chibi-style' Basim. All players had a username attached, and when you approached audio and video would appear for those interacting nearby. Dotted around the cartoon mini map of Baghdad were also members of the Development team, who players could ask questions of before the game launched. It was a really unique experience, that also contained rewards. By clicking on items of importance around the map, such as Basim's armour or weapons, videos and concept art would reveal itself, all of which was shared with players after the event in the form of an assets pack. After some time interacting with developers and community members, players were invited to join a mini game which involved removing Basim's notoriety status. Wanted posters appeared around the map, featuring different colours which represented the various different teams. When Basim's notoriety had been reset, players met up at the Palace of the Green Dome. Here, host Clement Dagonneau announced that the Red Carpet event would soon be ending, and that a one hour play session for Assassin's Creed Mirage would be starting immediately. According to fellow Assassin's Creed Fan Community, Access the Animus , participants tested the ''Andromeda online p latform''. It featured an ''isometric chibi version of Baghdad where players can wander around with a Basim avatar.'' The Red Carpet event was a fun and interesting way for community members to learn about the game, with many in the Discord server requesting Ubisoft to host the platform permanently. Top marks to all involved for their creativity. Big thank you to the Assassin's Creed Community Team for inviting us! Images provided by Ubisoft comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Shaya Fury is an Artist/Freelance Illustrator who blends a mix of traditional methods with digital designs to create art pieces that are bursting with colour. Previous Next Shaya Fury Artist Shaya Fury is an Artist/Freelance Illustrator who blends a mix of traditional methods with digital designs to create art pieces that are bursting with colour. LinkTree Work Art Reveal: Hidden Blade by Shaya Fury Other Assassin's Creed Watercolour Art Dump by Shaya Fury Community

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 15th to 26th April 2024 Community Share 14 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run alongside @PodToGo, a long-time friend of mine in the VP community. Pod has been a pillar of support since I joined this wonderful community. His excellent virtual photography often catches the eye, whilst also being a very humble and supportive member of the VP community. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. This theme week: Action Strike Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ visionevp The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ PodToGo This image is a great combination. The colouring and timing are fantastic. A worthy winner of the action theme for me. Aaron (@ FalconSwift87 ) “Underestimating your opponent is a fool’s folly”. Bringing justice to the order has always been a pivotal concept of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. It was fitting that Mirage returned to those core values in 2023. There now seems to be a real breath of fresh air into the much-loved series. Striking from the shadows Is what all Assassins do best, and here we have Basim doing just that. A difficult shot to take as timing is everything for these types of captures. I must applaud Visione for managing this without the red glow around the guard. I do really like the colours too as the vibrancy helps the picture stand out. A very Assassin’s Creed photo for shot of the week. Quick Reflexes Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ BasimIbnIshaq_ “Training Is nothing, will is everything”. I must admit when Assassin’s Creed Mirage was announced and we were informed there would be no bows in the game, my heart sank a little. That being said the throwing knives are so much fun, and the design is exquisite. I would have been disappointed if I hadn’t had seen a shot like this in an action themed week. I am really liking the composition with the knife flying through the air. The details of the knife are showcased excellently with that intricate design the hero of the shot. I do think Basim looks great performing the throwing action, his angered face shows that he means business. Taking Aim Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ astroghost001 “You have failed this city”. Despite feeling extremely out of place the Isu gear in the RPG games definitely looks awesome. The dark colours mixed with the bright lights stand out, allowing for excellent photo opportunities. I still remember the fun of trying to find the Isu bow in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by the rock. This capture has everything you could want from an Isu warrior. I am a huge fan of the white boarder, with the blurred rock face in the middle. Bayek looks badass as he almost acts as a 3D image, bursting out of the photo. It’s amazing to see out of the box virtual photography that really catches the eye. Glory Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ _fallenmemory_ “If I was your punishment, you’d already be dead”. The conquest battles are arguably the best place to create action shots. These epic battles played out in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey once you had lowered the power of the region. It was such a brilliant idea and choosing a side made it even more enjoyable. I just wish they had more meaning to the overall story. Here we have Kassandra reaching to the sky with the spear of Leonidas. She looks incredibly powerful dressed in the full Spartan armour. I really like the light glowing from the spear and the depth of field allows us to see the other participants deep in combat. I am not sure any of them stand a chance against this Misthios. Dive of the Valkyries Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 “You couldn’t kill me if you tried for a hundred years”. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has such a monstrous number of abilities to obtain. The sheer amount can almost be overwhelming. Finding those books of knowledge is key and unlocking skills such as throwing axe fury and dive of the Valkyries, these can be real game changer in combat. This shot is perfectly timed as Eivor looks to descend upon her victim. I love the silhouette style, especially with the spear in full swing. Very topical too having the Northern Lights as the background, they are a treat every time you see them in game. The composition is really giving a god like feel to Eivor and that makes perfect sense given her harrowing story. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Kyle created a range of content on his YouTube channel, from opinion pieces, fan trailers and tribute videos. He is a massive fan of the franchise and a big gamer in general, and is currently learning more and more about editing and designing. In early 2021, Kyle joined The Mentor's Guild, which we are thrilled to see! Previous Next Kyle Marvell Video Content Previous Partner Kyle created a range of content on his YouTube channel, from opinion pieces, fan trailers and tribute videos. He is a massive fan of the franchise and a big gamer in general, and is currently learning more and more about editing and designing. In early 2021, Kyle joined The Mentor's Guild, which we are thrilled to see! YouTube Work

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 13th - 19th August 2022 Community Share 20 Aug 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s showcase is in collaboration with VPGamersUK . Each capture is my pick from the daily themes. Thank you to everyone who participated. 1) Columns Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Theme: Architecture This week’s first capture comes from @ 6VAC1 over on Twitter. First up we have a beautiful shot of some columns in Odyssey. When it comes to architecture the Assassin’s Creed games are some of the best places to take photos. The sheer volume of buildings within a single game is off the scale. I picked this shot due to the angle and colours. This capture really does give off a sense of height and grandeur. The saturation adding to the details, it’s no wonder Ubisoft have been commended for their building design. Link to set 2) Frigg Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: Citizens Photo number two comes from @ dpruttz_vp a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Next up we have a Citizen of Asgard, who is also a former lover of Odin. I did enjoy Frigg and Havi’s team up at the start of the Dawn of Ragnarok DLC. It is a shame it is such a small section. This awesome shot really catches the eye, with the fiery background and the excellent pose from Frigg. I am very impressed with how the details of her outfit have been highlighted, mostly thanks to the blurring of the background. What an amazing piece of virtual photography. 3) Fox Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: Wildlife This week’s third shot comes from @ PodToGo a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number three was an easy choice, I love foxes and this photo is one of the best I have seen of that animal. As I have said before, Ubisoft have been perfecting the art of nature in their games of late. The pose of the fox in this shot is adorable and credit to PodToGo for finding this moment. I would love to know how long the Virtual Photographer waited to get this picture. I am really liking the portrait aspect for this capture as it encompasses the stance of the fox so well. A truly wonderful piece of wildlife VP. Link to set 4) Out of the Desert Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Theme: Assassins VP number four comes from @ Jakeste66386991 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . What can I say about this capture other than, it is jaw-dropping. This gorgeous silhouette of Bayek has to be one of my favourite’s pieces of virtual photography since I have been running these articles. I never really add borders to my shots but I must say the white around the edges of this one just makes the photo pop. I love the way Bayek is walking across the dunes towards the sun with the rays casting shadows behind him. What an incredible shot. 5) Sickles Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: Weapons The final capture of the week comes from @ petta_velan a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. This week's final shot depicts an Egyptian Viking readying his sickle swords. I remember when these weapons were added during the Wrath of the Druids DLC, they were a great addition to the game. I actually think they go very well with the Egyptian armour too which, of course, also released with that DLC. I really like how the sickles are showcased here, allowing us to see the engravings. It’s cool how they match the bracers and tattoos, giving Eivor a proper warrior feel. Link to set And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Welcome to the Program The AC Partnership Program (Isu_Network) is a community initiative created by The Ones Who Came Before, which aims to promote and share content. The program is a great way for content creators to gain recognition for their work within the community, and expand to a wider audience. The program hosts a whole range of projects and feature content created by talented members of the community. We aim to amplify community voices. The program also aims to create more opportunities for our community members, such as interviews, giveaways, and more. Out team are working behind the scenes on a number of projects such as art demos, cosplay guides, podcasts, video logs, and walkthrough videos. We are always recruiting, and are carefully monitoring our social media channels and contacting potential partners. The future is bright, and we would love to get more people involved! For some, the program is a stepping stone into the world of journalism; for others, it is the opportunity to work as part of a team, developing skills and making friends within the community. Our partners are encouraged to create regular content for the Assassin's Creed community, with the help of our admins. Partners Aaron Young Bio Charlie Cooper Bio Frame Hold Photography Bio James Davis (TopChef1288) Bio Lisa Zaman Bio Shaya Fury Bio Thea (Moonchildgecko) Bio Yasmin Page Bio Aita_Sageblood Bio Eric Allen // Milz_VP Bio Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Bio Jebs Bio Otamotts (Evil) Bio SisterlyThrower Bio TheÆlchemist Bio Zephryss Bio Calvin Roberts Bio Finn Fletcher Bio Hayden Bird Bio Laura M. Jung Bio Renzo // CapturesByRenzo Bio Taylor McKay (TMAC) Bio Turið Torkilsdóttir Bio Alumni ActualSpider-Man Bio Aureliusz DArccc Bio Caleb Allen Bio Jaime (aSassysCreed) Bio Junaid Iqbal (Medjay_Graphics) Bio Kyle Marvell Bio Michael Doyle Bio Muhamad Verrell Bio Quela Bio Strat Bio Al Boncompagni (It’s A Creed) Bio Ben Weal Bio Edenoi Bio James (FlickzKiller) Bio Katrina Stark Bio Lauren Harris Bio Michael Smith Bio Noon (TheHiddenVirtuals) Bio Serajeddine Bio The Maverick Bio Ashlea Blackett Bio Brandon McDonnell | Sirmcdonnell Bio Jack Harrison Bio Jarrett and Tiffany Bio Kevin (Going Viking) Bio Louise // TheNerdyArcher Bio Mieke Dix Bio Preston Carbonaro Bio Sophia Bio UbiCypher (Joe) Bio The AC Partnership Program is seeking to expand its membership through recruitment. If you have a passion for Assassin's Creed and wish to get involved, get in touch and let us know more about your interests and expertise! Recruitment

Assassin's Creed Mirage Fanart by Yasmin Page Art Share 12 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Ashlea Blackett Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Check out this brand new piece of fanart by our very own digital artist Yasmin Page from our AC Partnership Program! One of the things that makes this piece of art particularly impressive is the speed of which Yas released it, sending it over to the admin team only a day after Ubisoft launched the Assassin's Creed Mirage trailer at the 2022 Assassin's Creed showcase event at Ubisoft Forward! I love how you can see the Assassins lurking in the background, and the glow on Basim's face, as if lit up by candlelight. This scene is directly from the trailer, as Basim is initiated into The Hidden Ones by removing his ring finger, a required sacrifice to operate a hidden blade, and also showing his commitment to the Brotherhood. Ever since the launch of Valhalla, members of our Art Team have been fascinated by Basim, and everything he represents. He is a bridge between the Hidden Ones and the Assassin Brotherhood, along with also being the reincarnation of the cunning Isu trickster Loki. We can't wait to share more Basim art with the community throughout the marketing campaign! Until then, check our what our other team members have been up to in the Community Hub! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Ashlea is the Editor/ Charity Project Coordinator for The Ones Who Came Before on its wide variety of social media platforms. Her main responsibilities for TOWCB involve creating and editing articles, organisation of events and coordinating our charity fundraising, as well as hosting the Rally The Creed Podcast. Ashlea Blackett

In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Previous Next Jebs Art Team In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. TikTok │ Twitter │ Instagram Work AC Community Questions: Jebs Interview 2025 Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser Art by Jebs Community

The Perfect Protagonist: Edward Kenway Analysis Share 7 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag released in October of 2013, the game was a huge success and many fans pointed to the cast as a key aspect in the game being a huge hit for Ubisoft. Many loved the main protagonist, Edward Kenway, partially due to his major difference to past main characters and also his connection to the same bloodline that Ubisoft had created for several games in a row. The connection to past installments and an overall satisfaction for Edward was a huge factor into why the game became such an instant classic. His charismatic personality and the great story that accompanied him is a strong reason why many fans see this game as the best in the entire series. Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag (2013) Many loved the main protagonist, Edward Kenway, voiced by actor Matt Ryan, because of how different he was as a character compared to previous leads. Edward was simply a very different protagonist, and still remains an outlier for the standard of all the great main heroes we have gotten in the series over the years. Edward was different because he was not a typical Assassin. In fact, he wasn’t really an Assassin at all, he was first and foremost a pirate in the West Indies who cared about nothing more than himself and personal gain. The Assassin’s Creed games had yet to feature a true protagonist that had basically zero ties to the famous Assassin Brotherhood. It was certainly a gamble from the developers, as they couldn’t have been sure that a character so far off from their standards would translate well to the fans. Some could see his resentment towards the main faction in the entire game as an insult. Some may have seen this as disrespectful to the main story, but that was far from the case, as instead it turned out to be a massive success despite taking a risk. Edward’s story followed a path of a husband who lives an unpredictable and albeit selfish lifestyle and goes to chase riches in the Golden Age of Piracy. Edward goes through a serious transformation from being a person who only cares about himself to a man who could leave behind a life of notoriety to become a loving father and devoted master of the Assassin Brotherhood. Edward showed he could be so lost and self-centered but still turn his life around and make his impact on the world. Edward meets many characters along the way in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag that both help or deter his life and choices. In the end of his story, Edward shows one is never too far gone. Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag Edward Kenway was proof that the Assassin’s Creed series could branch farther beyond the expected. Edward did not even join the Assassin Brotherhood until basically the final 45 minutes of the game. That means for almost the entire story he resented the brotherhood and even mocked them. It very easily could have gone sideways for Ubisoft, but their execution with storytelling made the difference. Many gamers like to see characters with development. Not just a protagonist that starts as a proven hero and ends as one. Instead, watching a character being so far from the expected that eventually turns into the hero, most gamers like to see. Unfortunately, writing a story for a game is much easier when you don’t have to add any character development, as it takes way more work to come up with a great character arc that eventually comes full circle. Ubisoft and the developers of Black Flag had an opportunity to turn a reckless and selfish pirate into a Master Assassin that we all know to expect. There was a challenge in creating that true character arc, and Ubisoft aced the chance at creating a memorable character with a memorable story. Many gamers loved the connection Edward Kenway had with past games and past characters. The Kenway family line went farther back than most would expect. Most of the family were the main focal points of the previous game, Assassin’s Creed III , and showed the main two playable characters as ancestors to Edward. His son, Haytham and grandson, Connor, were the two protagonists in the past game. Gamers enjoyed seeing a connection between games and bloodlines. Even the epilogue of Black Flag had a cameo of the young version of Haytham Kenway, who is the initial playable character in Assassin’s Creed III . Many enjoyed such a connected family line distributed among consecutive games in the series. Connor in Assassin's Creed III, Grandson of Edward Edward Kenway was loved for his differences and that was shown evident in Black Flag . The Assassin’s Brotherhood was mentioned and featured quite a lot in the game, but Edward the protagonist never joined or paid them any attention until the very end of the game. It was the first Assassin’s Creed game that was willing to take such a large risk and create a protagonist that had no initial resemblances to the main characters all the main games had seen over the years. The fan feedback could have gone either way, and potentially become an issue to the public opinion, but Ubisoft doubled-down on their storytelling ability and showed the players that they could create a protagonist so different and so unlike previous heroes the series has featured and still successfully pull it off. Much of the success Ubisoft found with their main protagonist owed credit to the story of the game, that showed anyone, no matter how different or how self centered, could come through in the end and make something of their life. Ubisoft showed that Edward, a man so occupied with personal greed and carelessness for those around him, could come home and turn his life around before it was too late. Giving him a true success and redemption arc all together. Ubisoft found true success by taking a risk to go out of their comfort zone and creating a character so unlike what the games in the past have featured, and for it to pay off shows how impressive the writing of the game, and the protagonist Edward truly was. Even today, many consider Edward Kenway to be the best main character of the entire series, and that says a lot given the fact the game is over a decade old and there have been many main protagonists before and after Edward’s story was told. Fans of the franchise consider Edward to be the main star of the franchise aside from the most popular and well known character, Ezio Auditore, who received three mainline games, which shows how good Edward truly was to only have had one game to tell his story and still be so fondly remembered even so many years later. It is safe to say Ubisoft knew what they were doing when taking a risk that they hadn’t attempted before and turning it into universal acclaim. The writing that Edward Kenway received was some of the best the entire gaming world has ever seen, and he remains such a fan-favorite main character to this day. Edward Kenway wearing the Mayan Outfit in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 27th to 5th March Community Share 7 Mar 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Havi Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Jonnybubs We start this week with a shot that reminds me of promotional artwork for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The colours are so deep and inviting. I am loving the depth of field, bringing that striking shield into focus. It helps that the sun is reflecting off the shield elevating this shot even further. I have to mention the Bifrost in the distance too, almost looks like a rainbow. The Last Kingdom Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Spiggy_Smalls This shot stood out as it reminds me of the TV show The Last Kingdom. I can imagine Eivor or Uhtred entering Winchester. I adore the viewpoint for this capture, being hidden within the foliage looking on as Eivor enters the city. The environment is just so captivating, you can see effort the team have put in to build the perfect medieval world. Link: https://twitter.com/spiggy_smalls/status/1630534329376952320?s=46&t=rIujpeSq9644fgpRWA_xMA The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week. Judge: UbiCypher Incredibly stunning and smooth. It is as if we are looking at an official screenshot for the game. The picture seems to come to life and the moment of the castle's turmoil is perfectly captured almost like a piece of artwork. Leap of Faith Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ SLICK_R392 Bayek jumping into a hay bale is next up for this week's showcase. I am surprised we don't see more shots like this considering how iconic the leap of faith is. I really like how Bayek is in line with the birds, it makes him look like he is flying. Great colours on this shot too with the deep blue of the sky and the sandy haze creeping in. Enter the Tomb Raider Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ kevinphotomode This shot featured as TOWCBPhoto0fTheDay and I could not resist entering it in the weekly showcase. The framing is perfect with Bayek waiting at the entrance, torch in hand. I have to applaud Kevin too, without the ability to take portrait shots in Origins he has aced it. Reminds me of some key art from Origin's launch with Bayek entering a tomb. Protector of these Lands Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ KeenEyeVP We end this week with a shot I have been a little obsessed with since noticing it in the community. For me it’s one of the best edits I have seen, truly beautiful. Fantastic choice of background and outfit. Kassandra is one of the most powerful characters in the series and this shot is a perfect ode to that. Nice addition of the Odyssey logo in the bottom corner, really caps off the photo. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Interview with Kate Heartfield Author of Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy Interviews Share 8 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Kate Heartfield is a multiple finalist for Canada's Aurora Award. A Sunday Times Best Seller (The Embroidered Book). A former journalist and editor for the Ottawa Citizen, with a degree in Political Science and Masters in Journalism. Her latest release is Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy, the first book in The Engine of History Trilogy. You can read our review of her book at the link below and read further for the interview she and I had during her press tour with publisher Aconyte Books. Michael: Kate, How are you doing today? Kate: I'm doing great. Very happy to be here. Michael : I wanted to start with something you had said in an interview you did with Second Life Book Club about Assassin's Creed being bid in your household. Can you tell us more about the history you have with the series? Kate : Yeah, for sure. I'm just so happy to be talking about it and thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support. It’s really exciting to be talking with fans about this and joining this cannon. As you can tell, I'm excited. I have a lot of enthusiasm for the games and for the universe. So my personal history with Assassin's Creed is that I have a twelve year-old kid and a partner and all three of us are gamers. So we are quite frequently in our introvert corners of the house on a game of some kind. I've played Syndicate, and I've played a little bit of Origins and I am currently working my way through AC2 at the moment. I've watched my kid play even more Assassin's Creed. So there have been many, many hours where I've been sitting in the living room, doing some work and he's been playing Assassin's Creed on PS4 and my partner also plays and I watch him sometimes as well. So, between the three of us I've probably at least watched most of the games being played. Michael: It’s funny you note about playing through Assassin's Creed II. You also did some work with Choice of Gaming with the Magician's Workshop. Have you found any influence for the writing that you did with that from Assassin's Creed II, or vice versa? Have you noticed a lot of your personal choices for how you describe the characters, or the historical figures with how they [are] represented in Assassin's Creed II? Kate: I hadn't played Assassin's Creed II before I wrote The Magician's Workshop. So, I didn't have a connection from that direction. But it's interesting now having written it, because The Magician's Workshop is set in Florence in 1512. It's really interesting now, seeing the characters and that setting. And one of the things I love about all Assassin's Creed games is the immersiveness of the setting and feeling you're there in a way that interactive fiction kind of coerces you in a different way that emphasizes agency and everything else, but it doesn't have that visual element a video game has. Michael: How do you decide what mechanics to include, or write about, that were in the games? Kate: Yeah, that's really interesting, and it was definitely deliberate strategy on my part to think, "Okay, how can I take what's cool about playing Assassin's Creed games" and not really replicate that in prose, because it's not the same format, but create that same sense of excitement and same sense of immersion and the choice of having sort of side quests and multiple plots happening at the same time, and it all coming together. So, I thought about, I didn't want to make it too mechanical either as that can be quite annoying in prose if you had sort of "Here's my weapon's inventory". It wouldn't work the same way in a novel as the game. So in fact my editor had to pull me back a few times, because he noted that I would keep saying exactly what kind of knife it was or what kind of gun it was, and that kind of thing. And eventually "You don't have to give the entire serial number, everytime". So I had, maybe a little too much of that in mind. I was thinking about all of those aspects of a game and... You know I did want things like weaponry to be there though, and to be important to think about how can they reflect the personality of each of the main characters? Like which kind of knife would they choose, for example. In the same way that you make that choice when you are putting together your character in a game. So that was definitely top of my mind. Michael: Would you say that is the same thought process that you had when choosing which books for Simeon, specifically to study while he was going through his apprenticeship? Did you specifically pinpoint those books that you wanted him to read? What was your process with that decision? Kate: That was lots of fun. I think what I wanted to do with the reading list that Simeon has... So Simeon is the main character, one of the two main characters in the book. He's a soldier, and he has a sort of a unconventional education. We learn early on that he was quite bright, and taken into a rich person's house early on to be educated, but it didn't work out. So he has a sort of a patchwork of an education. Then he meets his mentor, who an interesting character in his own right. So the reading list, [the] books that Kane provides Simeon to read, I wanted them to reflect what I though an Assassin's education should be, or could be about. So its sort of a mix of different things. You have very traditional fighting manuals, these traditions of German and Italian and French manuals for swordplay and for wrestling. I thought it would be really cool to draw on that really old tradition, because the brotherhood itself would have been around for so long and they might have incorporated those traditions of those old fighting manuals. But then also, a sort of renaissance man approach to understanding the world. So there's fiction in there, there's philosophy. It is a bit of a grab bag of different things that I though an Assassin should know, but its also reflecting the personality of the teacher that's assigning them as well. Michael: When you're deciding the history that you want to explore, where you taking the "This is the historical timeline for this period, and then here are some blanks I can fill in fictional characters", or was it more of "Here is the idea of what I want to do. Let me find what period, or what events in history would fill into this"? Kate: For us it really started with the period. Aconyte and Ubisoft had an idea that they wanted a trilogy set in this period. So they started working with me about, "Well how could we develop something in this period, and what are some of the things that would interest us in terms of the Assassins and Templars are up to at this time?" So we did start with sort of a basic idea of the time and place. That it would be probably Europe and in this time. I think one of the things that really stood out, I know to my editor at Aconyte, was that the 19th Century had a lot of political assassinations. That every monarch had at least one attempt on their life, several of them were actually killed. You had the rise of anarchism and the rise of Marxism and the revolutions in 1848. So there is just a lot of political ferments happening. With those assassinations, it seems like an obvious thing to ask the question of "Are the Assassins behind them? Are they not behind them? What would be their relationship to the brotherhood and to the Templars?" So it really did begin with that question of "Okay, lets look at what's happening at the time". Then from there it was sort of finding different elements in the history that I thought kind of fed in thematically to what I wanted to talk about. Also, there was a little bit of that sense of, that's another thing that people love in the games, is the opportunity to have those cameos with historical figures and interact with those people. So, that's another thing I wanted to replicate in the novel. Michael: Did Aconyte approach you directly about this, or was this something you had to apply for? Kate: It came about through my agent, so it was one of those things where my agent knew the opportunity was there, and thought I might be a fit for it because I've written a lot of historical settings and I'm really interested in historical alt history and that kind of writing is typically what I do. And, I have a little bit of background in interactive fiction and game writing as well. So she thought, yeah this seems like it would be a good fit for you. If you're interested. So at that point, I developed some pitches for Aconyte and they liked them, and they started working on an outline, and back and forth on that a bit. So it really was sort of a collaborate process right from the beginning. Michael : Did you collaborate with the Ubisoft team, The game historians and such to work along with fitting this into the Assassin's Creed Universe? Kate: It was really... I haven't written tie-in writing like this before for any property, and so I wasn't sure what to expect in that regard. I found it really wonderful and freeing and supportive, the way that that works. They would sort of provide information and say here's where you can find the things that you need to know. Here are a few things that we want to makes sure that you're aware of, in terms of writing. But I was already quite familiar with the universe anyways, so that part of it I felt pretty confident in. Then it was just a matter of, when we would work on an outline or the manuscript itself, just running things past Ubisoft at various stages of the process to make sure there was nothing that I was unaware of that would step on somebody else's toes, or something like that. I would kind of flag little things, "Please not this part of it is related to canon from another game" or something like that people would be aware I was throwing in those Easter eggs, or whatever. Michael : I know that you're very big on representation in your writing. Were there any original characters that you had added for some form of representation in a game that's very heavily marketed towards a more male audience? Kate : It is something that I think about in every stage. So I try to keep it in mind all the time. There is always a little bit of tension between the don't want to write outside your lane, or write things without thinking that you haven't properly researched, or haven't done the homework for and that kind of thing. So, I'm conscious of that as well. I am trying to represent all kinds of people in my writing and consider the kinds of people who have been present throughout history, but maybe haven't had as many stories told about them. I again felt nothing but support from Ubisoft and Aconyte in that regard as well. Definitely I was aware that with gaming in general there's, I wouldn't say maybe the majority but certainly a significant male audience. I have a strong female character in this book. There's one sort of minor side character who is non-binary, although they wouldn't have that word to describe themselves probably in the 19th Century. But they are actually based on a small note about a circus performer I actually found that "Ah, I'll steal that from history". There is a circus performer who is billed with being "neither man, nor woman". I thought, "Okay, they're going in the book." So when I do find those things in history, where people have maybe not, have been forgotten a little bit, I'll be "Okay, I'll put them in the book" and that way we can have a little bit more of a complete representation. Michael: Have you had a chance to look at any of the other transmedia that Assassin's Creed has put out yet? Kate: I have, not all of it by any means. I got myself a few books, a few of the novels, because I wanted to get a sense of what an Assassin's Creed novel is like. I think I have two of the Oliver Bowden novels and I have Elsa Sjunneson's novel that just came out; Sword of the White Horse. So I've read a few of the books. I've taken a quick look at, I'm trying to remember which of the graphic novels it was. But, yeah, I've been aware of a few things, but I feel like there is a lot out there that I haven't seen yet. Michael : Are we expecting to see some modern day later on in the trilogy or are we staying specifically in the historical setting? Kate: Not everything's written in stone yet. So, I don't want to say for sure "this is how it'll be". The conversations I've had with Aconyte so far about the rest of the trilogy are that it'll be historical setting and sort of carrying on the story from the first book. Yeah, I don't want to say too much about it, because I don't want to scoop announcements that are coming fairly soon. That's how its envisioned is definitely to maintain that historical period. But I think its interesting because its a fairly recent historical period, so it has the potential to bring us up into the 20th Century, and start thinking about things like the Animus, and how we get to that. The door's kind of open there in some regard, but so far, no plans to write about the modern period. Michael: The trilogy for the Engine of History is set to go up through the beginning of World War I, is that correct? Kate: I think that's out there in the internet somewhere. So I think its within the bounds of what I can say yes to. And that's first how it was kind of envisioned when I talked about how they came to me with this period. That was kind of the vision, mid-19th Century to World War I, in that period some how. Michael : Are you avoiding well known periods in that time frame like Russia during World War I with Rasputin? Is that something you look at trying to avoid in depicting other historical settings that people may not know a lot about? Maybe telling more about the Crimean War or things like that? Kate: It's always a little bit of a dance, because sometimes there are interesting stories in the parts that haven't been told as often. So there are things that draw me to them, but then at the same time, there's a lot of value in having some familiar touchstones that people can say "Ah yes, I was waiting for this person to show up!" or something like that. So there's a sense of, you kind of have an expectation to a degree. I wrestled with that a little bit, with my novel The Embroidered Book, because that's a historical fantasy about Marie Antoinette. My first thought when I had the idea was, "Oh my God, Marie Antoinette's been written about so many times", but not in the way that I did it. There's only so much room for one of those big well known historical figures. I kept thinking, Catherine the Great is off to the side in this book and I can't really let her on, because then she would take over. So, there's only room for so many of those well know events and figures. I think the same is really true in The Magus Conspiracy. We have Ada Lovelace at the beginning, and she is not as well known as she should be, but she's fairly well known. Being Lord Byron's daughter, she's kind of a celebrity. So she takes up a lot of room in that way, and she looms over the entire novel, in her legacy. So, there aren't that many other historical figures that are known to that extent for the rest in the book, and the few people that do crop up tend to be a little bit less well known. Unless they are walking on for a small part like the Emperor in Vienna. Michael: Do you have an audiobook version coming out? If so, who is actually doing the recording for it, if you are able to say? Kate: It is Recorded Books. I'm trying to remember the narrator's name. It's just gone out of my head. Anyway, if you look it up, there is a Recorded Books version. I believe it is slated to come out August 16th. Which is the same day as the US paperback. Its available through Audible, Libro, and all sorts of places. Michael: I know from some of your previous interviews, you noted how nervous you were working with this tie-in for the first time. How are you feeling now after all the feedback you've received? Kate: Really great. Really relieved. Its nice that the initial feedback from people who know and love the games has been really positive. That's really nice to see. Of course, reviews are for the readers and not the authors, so I try to separate myself from them to some extent. It has been really nice, the things that people have tagged me in, and said directly to me about the book. Its really gratifying that people have welcomed it into the canon, and see how it fits in. Because its a little bit nerve racking, coming into something that's so beloved and so wide spread. That so many people have played these games. Timidly knocking on the door and saying "Here's my offering". You hope that it's okay and that you don't break anything. I feel it's been a great experience to write this story and I feel a lot of ownership over it. Even though it's an Assassin's Creed story, I feel very proud of it and how it worked out and sort of blended together what I like to do in fiction and what I think the game universe does so well. Michael : Who would be your ideal casting for your main characters? Kate: Oh my goodness, I haven't even thought of this. Who would be good? I'm trying to think. I don't know. I have such... I'm terrible when it comes to casting actors. I'm trying to think if there is anyone who is really... I can't think of a Simeon. Although I feel that there could be the perfect person and I'll think of them as soon as I hang up this call. With Pierrette, I don't know. She starts out quite young. I mean maybe, Millie Bobby Brown. I started watching Taboo which has Tom Hardy in it. He's so good. He plays a returning sailor of roughly the same time period. But I think he's got kind of an edge to him. I see Simeon as, even though he is kind of closed down, and somewhat cynical. He's got sort of a spark of innocence in him as well and a spark of really good will. So I don't know, maybe someone like Andrew Garfield, maybe? I'll wait for the fancast, because someone will have a better idea. Kane would be fun to cast. I want to thank Kate for sitting down with me over this interview. For the full interview, check out the video that we recently posted to The Ones Who Came Before YouTube channel. Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy is available digitally and in the US as a paperback in August. The UK will see the physical release in October. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: Feb 12th - Feb 18th 2022 Community Share 23 Feb 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 5) Raiding Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @KupOfGreenTea using the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture A stunning capture of Eivor’s longship docked at a raiding point in England. I love the stillness in this shot especially knowing the carnage that is likely happening behind the lens. The clouds coupled with the mist really make for a moody scene. The sun breaking through adds a warmth that makes this shot very picturesque. 4) Paradise Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Photo number two comes from @Helenthirty over on Twitter. A beautiful shot from Origins which really stood out. Most Origins landscape captures are of the desert so this one caught me out. I don’t actually remember the location from the game. I love the vibrant colours, the light blue sky with the thick white clouds really makes this shot pop. The ancient structure and the placements of the boats gives a real Odyssey feel. 3) Assassin’s Creed Game: Assassin’s Creed This week’s third shot comes from @RobRagiel over on Twitter. What a gem. I have not played this game since 2007. A true great that started it all. This capture really defines Assassin’s Creed. Altair on top of a building looking out across the city. The whites and greys so focal back then with the red of the Assassin standing out amongst the crowd. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

A Tightrope of Rebellion - A Review of Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy Reviews Share 26 Jun 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database The war between Assassins and Templars wreaks havoc in the Victorian era, in this breakneck thriller which opens up a whole new chapter of the Assassin’s Creed universe. London, 1851 – When Pierrette, a daring acrobat performing at the Great Exhibition, rescues the mathematician Ada Lovelace from a gang of thugs, she becomes immersed in an ancient feud between Assassins and Templars. But Lovelace is gravely ill, and shares her secrets with Pierrette, sending the acrobat in search of a terrible weapon which she’d been developing for a shadowy figure known as “the Magus”. Pierrette’s only ally is Simeon Price, Lovelace’s childhood friend, who belongs to a Brotherhood devoted to free will. With Simeon’s aid, they uncover a startling web of political assassinations destabilizing Europe. As they race to foil the Templars’ deadly plot, murders and bombs are everywhere they look, but hope is nowhere in sight. *Review copy provided by Aconyte Books | Minor character/story spoiler warning My Assassin’s Creed journey started in January of 2021, when I began working through the vast universe of Assassin’s Creed in order of the Genetic Memory, or historical period explored within the Animus. At the time of this article, I am about to start the latest DLC with Dawn of Ragnarök, and recently have finished reading the previous novel released by Aconyte Books; Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Sword of The White Horse. So for the last few months, I split my time between 9th Century England and the Italian Renaissance as my Genetic Memory playthrough could not wait until the next piece of media was released. Luckily I did not have to wait long, as I was provided with a review copy for Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy. A new original from Aurora Award-winning author, Kate Heartfield and the Assassin’s Creed Stories transmedia line. Written as a political thriller during the time of the Great Exhibition in 1850s England, this story had me intrigued immediately from the synapsis on the book’s website and back cover. Ada Lovelace, mathematician and a woman considered to be the first computer programmer, developed a weapon called “The Engine of History” with a ''shadowy figure'', The Magus. Two main characters, an acrobat named Pierrette and a soldier named Simeon Price work together to find this device during a time of political assassinations and rebellion. The cover is one of the greatest artworks that I have seen yet for an AC novel, designed by freelance illustrator Bastien Jez. Being an original story, the artwork is not just a piece of key art from a video game, but an intricate design with characters from the book. However, while the Magus at the top, Pierrette in the middle, and Ada Lovelace on the left are all recognizable, I did have trouble identifying the two men on the right. While this did not hinder my enjoyment of the book, it did leave me with that question unanswered. The colours though feel very fitting to the era of the story in the pre-Victorian period, showing class and wealth that reflect the lifestyle of a lot of the characters within such as Lovelace. The history through this book covers so much over a decade of storytelling, with each event intertwined with the Assassin’s Creed series. The book opens on the HMS Birkenhead, a naval ship that crashed off the coast of Africa in 1845. It is here that we are introduced to Simeon Price, a Lance-Corporal in the 74th Highland Regiment of the British Army. After the ship is damaged when it hits an uncharted rock formation, Simeon attempts to help his fellow countrymen that are trapped below deck in rapidly flooding water. It's at this time that a mysterious figure drops down upon a Lieutenant on deck and runs to join him in rescuing the soldiers. The man invites Simeon to visit his Brotherhood in Vienna if he chooses to leave the army. Yet, history has a different plan for him that day and Simeon, along with the rest of his regiment are ordered to go down with the ship instead of abandoning as ordered by the captain. This chapter alone is a perfect example of the action, history, and the mystery of the Assassin’s Creed model. By introducing this original character to the underlying story of the AC universe, readers are provided a fresh introduction to a secret war of factions that have been told over the last fifteen years. The second character is introduced in the following chapter. Pierrette is a French acrobat in a travelling circus troupe who is known for their equestrian performances. When the original male performer that closes their show with a riding depiction of the poem “Mazeppa” by Lord Byron breaks his collarbone, Pierrette convinces the leader of the circus to allow her the chance to close out the show near the Great Exhibition. While performing this dangerous feat which involves riding a horse up a ramp that is built above the crowd, the young acrobat sees a woman being taken against her will from the tent. With her acrobatic skills, Pierrette lifts the woman into the air and out of the clutches of a gang of men, helping her escape to the park outside. This woman is the intelligent socialite and mathematician, Ada Lovelace, a woman that introduces her saviour to a life of art, wealth, and intrigue. Whilst her historical illness begins taking its toll, Ada opens up to the acrobat about her plans for a machine that could be devastating to the world if it was ever built. Ada’s request of her newest and most interesting friend is to locate a man that she grew up with years ago to help destroy her horrific creation before it ended up in the wrong hands; a man named Simeon Price. The remainder of the book is divided between the two protagonists, with Simeon searching for a Brotherhood that he hopes to learn more from and understand conscience and choice over order and servitude. A brotherhood that teaches him how to hide in plain sight, and see the world in a different light that will better his ability to identify the innocent from the unjust. His journey will introduce him to an Assassin named Oscar Kane, who takes him in as an apprentice and teaches him the ways of the Assassin, and the ways of the modern man. The detail of how the new Assassin hopeful is trained was one of the best sections of this novel, as lists of real world books, that are provided for the character to study, giving us, the reader a great idea of what an Assassin would learn outside the swordplay and combo chains from a controller and game tutorial. His training introduces him to the Templar order, as well as historical men of the various European rebellions as the book’s antagonist, The Magus, starts to show their hand in orchestrating multiple assassination attempts on the highest figures in the country using the working man as his weapon of choice. Pierrette’s adventure is built around her traveling family and her yearning to become something more, to become famous. Her time with Ada Lovelace allowed entry into the world of fashion and the ability to befriend artists such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his wife, the model Lizzie Siddal. Her time traveling through Europe will lead her further into the intertwining story of the Assassins vs Templars and the unknown Magus that both she and Simeon are searching for. Pairing the two together against futuristic weapons and the ghosts of their pasts. All aspects of the Assassin’s Creed lore are present; The history of the Assassin v Templar war, the Precursors (Isu) and the artefacts that they created which provide unimaginable power, scenes of combat and synchronization points when characters climb famous landmarks across Europe, mentions of Eagle Vision, character cameos from another AC property, and one of the best Easter eggs I have seen yet in a novel, referencing the name of Master Assassin, Ezio Auditore. Yet, you do not need to know anything about the rest of the AC universe to enjoy this title, as it holds its own with no issues of not understanding the overall lore of the series. The Magus Conspiracy is the first of a new trilogy of Novels under the series, “The Engine of History”. The books will cover the second half of the 19th century, up until World War I. With a good section of the Magus Conspiracy taking place in Austria, I could easily see the story continuing through the Age of Rebellion and the Industrial Revolution until closing the trilogy with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the death that started the first World War. This could also intertwine Jacob and Evie Frye from the Syndicate games Historical figures such as Rasputin and Vladimir Lenin. We could even see the return of Assassin Nikolai Orelov, if the Engine of History moves further east into Russia. This book made me excited for the future of the franchise and introduced me to a fantastic writer, Kate Heartfield. The research that Kate put into this story is very thorough as I was able to find information on all of the historical figures and events that took place and read an accurate retelling that made this story stand out from previous releases. Each political assassination attempt that fueled the plot, was enhanced by the original characters attempting to discover the identity of the antagonist. I found this to be the strongest historical fiction book thus far, as the number of Assassin’s Creed Originals at the time was limited to the book Assassin's Creed: Heresy by Christie Golden, a title that I enjoy as well. While all of the AC Story Classics that Ubisoft had released are good novelizations of the games they represent, the transmedia thrives with the unique Chronicles and Original labels as they have more freedom to create a new story in the expanding universe. Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy releases globally as a digital release and in the US in Paperback on August 2, 2022 & paperback in the UK on October 27, 2022. Assassin's Creed: The Magus Conspiracy is available to purchase on Amazon. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith