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Children of Danu: A History Breakdown Share 14 Apr 2021 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Buckley Back To Database We are moving ever closer to the release of Assassin Creed Valhalla’s first story expansion DLC, Wrath of the Druids, which is due to release on the 13th May. The new content will see Eivor travel to Ireland where she will forge alliances with Gaelic Kings and battle a druidic cult known as the Children of Danu. But who were the Children of Danu and how might they factor into this new piece of the Valhalla story? Wrath of the Druids is the first downloadable content expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and is set to launch May 13th 2021. Danu is a goddess in Irish mythology – though she is a bit different to what we may assume when we think of mythological gods. Danu is a hypothetical god and functions as a mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, which translates roughly as “the people of the goddess Danu”. We can assume that the Tuatha Dé Danann are the cult Eivor will be fighting, or at the very least it will be worshippers of the Tuatha. Interestingly, there are no surviving myths or legends associated with Danu in the medieval Irish texts, though Danu is sometimes assumed to be an alternative name for Anu who is another Irish goddess. It is possible that Danu was inspired by Dôn from Welsh mythology, who was a mother goddess in the Mabinogion. It is also possible that Danu is actually Danand, daughter of Delbáeth and mother of Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba, though this is disputed. According to some interpretations of the myth, Danu had a relationship with a sacred oak tree which grew two giant acorns. The acorns fell to the ground and out came The Dagda and Brigid, who would later become important figures within the Tuatha Dé Danann. Another interpretation is that Danu is actually the Greek goddess of the sea, Eurynome. Eurynome was once known as Danae or Dana, which could suggest a connection between her and Danu. Eurynome is usually represented as a mermaid with bright red lips, piercing blue eyes, pale skin, and long blonde hair. It is also theorised that Danu may represent the Danube River, further connecting her to water. The Tuatha Dé Danann were a pantheon who have appeared throughout Celtic mythology in various forms. They were a supernatural race rather than a cult in Irish mythology, which could suggest that Eivor will meet human followers of the race rather than the race themselves due to Assassin’s Creed generally not including supernatural phenomena. According to legend, the Tuatha Dé Danann live in the realm of the deities known in Celtic mythology as the Otherworld. In other legends, it has been known as Annwn, Avalon, and Tír na nÓg. Despite living in the Otherworld, the Tuath Dé often visit the human world and interact with humans. Their rivals were the Fomorians, who the Tuath Dé defeated in the legendary Battle of Mag Tuired. Over the years, the legend surrounding the Tuath Dé has evolved and been altered by those who have interpreted it. The pantheon have been regarded as ancient kings and queens with supernatural abilities, as fallen angels, or even as gods themselves. Eventually, the Tuatha Dé Danann came to be known as the aes sídhe in Irish and Scottish mythology. The Tuath Dé are generally associated with nature and each member is connected to one aspect of life or nature. Some of the more well known members of the Tuatha Dé Danann pantheon include The Dagda, god of fertility, agriculture, strength, magic, Druidry and wisdom; The Morrigan, a crow who was associated with war, fa te, death and doom; Manannán, god of the sea; and Brigid, goddess of wisdom, healing, protection and animals. Concept art for Ireland coming from the Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Trailer. Legend tells that the Tuatha Dé Danann hailed from four cities in Ireland’s north: Falias, Gorias, Murias. and Finias. The Tuath Dé taught their skills in sciences, the arts, architecture, magic and necromancy to the humans in Ireland. According to Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Tuath Dé arrives in Ireland “in dark clouds” and “brought a darkness over the sun for three days and three nights” before burning the ships they sailed in on. According to the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in the country in 1897 BC. They almost immediately became caught up in a battle with the previous settlers, the Fir Bolg. The Tuath Dé overthrew the Fir Bolg but their king, Nuada, lost his arm in the battle and could not continue to rule. He was replaced by Bres who was a tyrant. Dian Cecht managed to replace Nuada’s arm with a prosthetic. Dian Cecht’s son Miach used a spell to force flesh to cover the prosthetic and essentially give Nuada his arm back, but Dian Cecht was furious at being upstaged and murdered his son. Nuada became king again, but this enraged Bres who ended up bring the Fomorians to battle the Tuath Dé. In the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh, Nuada was killed and Lugh took over as king. It is said that a third battle occurred, this time between the Tuath Dé and the Milesians. The Milesians met three Tuatha Dé Danann goddesses Ériu, Banba and Fodla, and their husbands Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. The three husbands were kings at the time and called a truce between the two groups – however the Tuath Dé broke the peace by creating a magical storm. In the end, the Milesian Amergin was called on to split the land between the two peoples. He gave the land above ground to the Milesians and sent the Tuatha Dé Danann to live underground in the Sidhe mounds, thus ending their reign in Ireland. One of the most interesting pieces of the Tuatha Dé Danann legend is the Four Treasures. According to the myth, the Tuatha Dé Danann brought four magical treasures to Ireland, one from each of their home cities. These treasures were a cauldron, a spear, a stone, and a sword. Is it possible that we will see these treasures in Wrath of the Druids? After all, each treasure sounds like the perfect basis for a Piece of Eden. The treasure from the city of Falias was the Stone of Fal. The stone itself is real and still stands in Ireland today. It is now known as the Lia Fáil, meaning Stone of Destiny, or as the Speaking Stone. It can be found on the Hill of Tara in County Meath. The Lia Fáil was said to have supernatural powers. Legend states that the stone would “roar” when the rightful High King of Ireland put his feet on it. It was also said to have the power to rejuvenate the king and bless him with a long reign. According to Lebor Gabála Érenn, the stone can no longer do this due to being split by Cú Chulainn, the Irish demigod and Lugh’s son. The stone also provides the origin of the name Inis Fáil, an ancient name for Ireland. 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. The second treasure was the Spear of Lugh from the city of Gorias. The story of the spear has been told several ways, but generally it involves Lugh demanding the spear which belonged to the King of Persia. The spear was said to be impossible to overcome and would answer to spells. One of these spells was “Ibar” which caused the spear to always hit its mark, and another was “Athibar” which caused the spear to return to its owner. Some writers have also suggested that the spear was alive and thirsted for blood and only a pile of fresh poppy leaves could prevent it from killing everyone around. It also may have been able to shoot flames or even lightning. It is starting to sound like a Piece of Eden we have seen before. The treasure from Findias was the Sword of Light and it belonged to Nuada, the king. Much like the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend, the Sword of Light frequently appears as a quest object in Irish and Scottish mythology. It is thought that the Sword of Light and Cú Chulainn’s sword Cruaidín Catutchenn may be one and the same. The sword is also described as a “fiery and bright lightning weapon” which could emit sparks. The final treasure is the Cauldron of the Dagda which came from the city of Muirias. The Dagda could control life and death, the weather and crops, as well as time and the seasons. He was skilled in magic and Druidry which may explain his connection to the cauldron. The cauldron was known as the coire ansic and was said to be bottomless and left no man unsatisfied. It was also said to have a ladle so big that two people could fit in it. According to the Annals, at least ten members of the Tuatha Dé Danann were High Kings of Ireland at one point. These were Nuada, Bres, Lugh, Eochaid Ollathair, Delbáeth, Fiacha, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. However, as all of these kings reigned before the Common Era, it is unlikely we will see them in Wrath of the Druids. All that said, what can we expect to see in Wrath of the Druids? As many scholars of Irish mythology have pointed out, Danu is essentially a blank slate. With no concrete myth or legend surrounding her, any writer is free to do what they wish with the goddess. As such, the writers of the DLC really do have the freedom to interpret Danu and her influence on Ireland however they like. As for the cult itself, that is harder to anticipate. It is unlikely that the cult will be the Tuatha Dé Danann themselves. Instead, it will probably be a cult who either believe themselves to be the Tuath Dé or who worship them. What kind of fight will they put up? They are druids who follow a supernatural race, so it is likely they will be using potions and mysticism in their battles. What is perhaps most interesting is whether the Four Treasures will appear? Considering how important Pieces of Eden are to the Assassin’s Creed mythos, and how many fantastic weapons appeared in the main story of Valhalla, it would be very disappointing to not see at least some of the treasures in the DLC. Who wouldn’t love to fight using the Sword of Light or the Spear of Lugh? Or to visit the Stone of Destiny or drink from Dadga’s bottomless cauldron? In any case, focussing the DLC on the Children of Danu seems like the perfect move after a game full of cursed objects, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and potions which take you to Asgard. If you enjoyed the more mystical elements of Valhalla, it seems like Wrath of the Druids will be right up your street. Could the DLC introduce Pieces to Eden to Assassin's Creed Valhalla? 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

Product Reveal: Secretlab Unveil Stunning New Assassin's Creed Collection News Share 15 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database JULY 15 2022 - Secretlab have today unveiled the incredible new Assassin's Creed Collection, a collaboration between the award-winning gaming chair designers and Ubisoft, marking the 15th Anniversary of the iconic AAA fan-favourite franchise. The stunning collection features the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair and MAGNUS desk accessories, created with fans in mind, paying ultimate homage to the series. Press Release: Inspired by the Animus and the characteristic colours of the assassin's robe, the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition is upholstered in Secretlab Neo Hybrid Leatherette and features a tonal red checkered pattern and futuristic Animus detailing on the side wings. The sigils of the Assassin's Creed series are embroidered on the backrest as a timeless ode to its legacy, designed specially for fans who have followed the series since 2007. Built on the award-winning Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 series and available in sizes Regular and Xl, fans can enjoy world-class comfort as they revisit their favourite elements of Assassin's Creed or take a deeper dive into the lore of the highly-acclaimed series with the ongoing 15th Anniversary celebrations Alongside the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair, Secretlab are also launching MAGNUS desk accessories, which contains the following products, created specially for the Secretlab MAGNUS Metal Desk. Secretlab MAGPAD Desk Mat Assassin's Creed Edition. Secretlab MAGNUS Cable Management Bundle Assassin's Creed Edition. Alaric Choo (Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Secretlab) ''The compelling plotlines, stunning visuals and unique soundtracks have earned Assassin's Creed its countless awards and nominations. As one of the best-selling games of all time, we wanted to create something timeless to celebrate the 15-year legacy of the franchise by integrating its most iconic elements into the chair. With numerous new titles coming up, I can't wait to jump into the Assassin's Creed universe and this time, in my own Secretlab Assassin's Creed edition chair.'' Addie Dorsey (Global Consumer Products at Ubisoft) ''The 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed is a huge milestone for us. We wanted to make it extra memorable for fans in every way, and creating a real-life chair inspired by the Animus ticked all the boxes. We've always admired the attention to detail Secretlab puts into their chairs, and with over 50 awards under their belt, they were the obvious choice when it came to bringing this idea to life. This chair, along with the MAGNUS desk accessories, is a must-have for any fan to complete their Assassin's Creed set up'' Available now for pre-order now from Secretlab.com , estimated release date 9th September. The Secretlab x Ubisoft collaboration brings to life a dream for many fans. To own an Animus. The TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair acts as the ultimate form of escapism, providing award-winning comfort and support for players as they lean back and follow in the footsteps of Desmond Miles and dive into history. We are also excited to announce that we here at The Ones Who Came Before will soon be teaming up with Secretlab! Keep an eye on our social media accounts (listed below) for more information! 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)

Launch Day: AC Partnership Program News Share 1 Dec 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We're proud to announce the launch of a new community initiative known as the AC Partnership Program. The aim of the program is to promote and share content created by community members, and we are now establishing a network of dedicated and passionate fans who are all individually working on AC related projects. Each one of our partners brings something different to the table, and all of them will be adding their own unique projects to our new Community Hub , a database which will store the projects. We have been working behind the scenes for four months on the new website, and we have almost finished the huge task of adding all past projects to the database. It's now time to think about future projects, and the AC Partnership Program is one which will continue to thrive as regular content is released. We are always on the look out for new members, so if you believe the program is for you, simply message one of our admins and we will be in touch. We currently have nine members on the program, all of whom are now working hard on their next project. Learn more about our members here. The initial idea for the program comes from a desire to help hardworking members of the community who are passionate about creating content. We believe that with the help of TOWCB admins, and our social media influence, the projects created by our members will be viewed by a larger audience, and will gain a regular following. In return, we will have new and exciting content on our new website, and members will help us with projects such as fundraising and giveaways. We can't wait to see what our talented members create next! 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)

Assassin's Creed News Recap: 7th - 20th August 2022 News Share 21 Aug 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to a new Assassin's Creed News Recap series, hosted by Colum Blackett (Col_96) from The Ubisoft Star Players Program (Formerly Mentors Guild). Every week, we will be rounding up Assassin's Creed News and sharing it here on The Ones Who Came Before website. Keep an eye on the site every Sunday for more weekly recaps, or check out our social media links down below to stay updated on everything Assassin's Creed. 1) We have quite a lot to cover in this Assassin's Creed news round-up, this time spanning a fortnight instead of a week due to the launch of our Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser! In collaboration with various community members and organisations, we here at TOWCB are raising funds for The British Heart Foundation and The American Heart Association, two incredible organisations providing critical cardiovascular medical research and education to facilities around the world. To increase donations, we are currently hosting an art sale! Lisa Zaman from the Assassin's Creed Partnership Program has kindly donated prints which we are selling via GoFundMe donations! To purchase a print, simply donate £15 for one, or £25 for x2, and message the admin team with your selections and details! Please donate if you can and help the fundraiser reach it's target of £1500! All donors receive a special thank you pack containing a surprise, and will be entered into raffles depending on donation amount. 2) Antheum Studios released new images of the Assassin's Creed Whisky, and it looks incredible! ''Crafted in the hill country of Texas and finished in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, this 4 year old straight bourbon whiskey carries a rich flavour with rye spice, wheat character, and hints of cherry, vanilla and oak. Appealing to spirit connoisseurs and fans alike, this iconic selection is a worthy addition to any bar. Game hard, drink responsibly.'' Look out for the Assassin’s Creed 15th Anniversary Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which is available now from various retailers in the US! 3) The teaser trailer for the Assassin's Creed event coming to PUBG Battlegrounds dropped! Never did we expect to see Master Assassin Ezio Auditore using a frying pan to knock out enemies, but here we are. In fairness, the crossover has done a good job at replicating Abstergo Industries and Ezio's robes. It also looks like the game features a number of core pillars sacred to the identity of the brand like the leap of faith and the Hidden Blade, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out in-game. 4) Mike Smith from the AC Partnership Program (Isu Network) released his fascinating new interview with Kate Heartfield, author of The Magus Conspiracy novel. In the interview, we discuss her book and working with publisher Aconyte Books on a new trilogy for the Assassin's Creed universe; The Engine of History. For the first time ever, we also released the interview transcript, so you can enjoy this interview on Youtube , or here in written form! 5) We were happy to release a Q&A with Michael Doyle, an online article writer who recently joined the AC Partnership Program (Isu Network). Michael is a close friend of TOWCB admin team and has provided support behind the scenes for many years. In the interview, we covered everything from the Netflix Assassin's Creed TV show to the upcoming Ubisoft Forward Assassin's Creed event. Check it out here! 6) Ubisoft shared three new creations for the weekly social media series titled Wallpaper Wednesday. To mark the 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft have been commissioning community artists. The first image, featuring an Assassin underneath the AC15 logo, and the second, showcasing settings from the games were created by artist Valorianru , formerly of The Mentors Guild! We love the use of colours in these two creations! The third image, by Assassin's Crweed , shows Desmond Miles in a powerful stance holding the Apple of Eden, surrounded by shattered glass fragments featuring the faces of Assassins. Look carefully and you'll notice that even the tiny fragment closest to Arno has an Assassin looking back. It's great to see community artists getting opportunities like this, and we are very much enjoying all of the creations. 7) We celebrated 8 years since the creation of The Ones Who Came Before. The main focus for this year's celebration was to launch the Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser, but we still have one or two celebratory projects to release later on in the month. To mark our anniversary, we reflected on our history in a new article titled 8 Years of The Ones Who Came Before: Looking Back. Check it out here! 8) Hugo Sahuquet, Former Associate Narrative Director at Ubisoft Bordeaux shared some of his notes from the creation of the Wrath of the Druids DLC! We love stuff like this, showing the inner thought processes of the devs, and also how ideas change over time. Look carefully at the notes and you'll notice early dialogue ideas for a quest featuring Barid and Ciara! 9) Ubisoft shared a cryptic image featuring Morse Code on their Weibo account which reveals the phrase “coming soon” The second translation roughly says 'retrace the past, improve the present, define the future.' What do you think they are teasing? 10) Voice actor Roger Craig Smith (Ezio Auditore) shared an image of himself outside of the Ubisoft Montreal studio in Canada! This image sparked speculation that he could he be working on an Ezio project with Ubisoft, and we actually can't rule that out just yet. It could just be a fun tweet by Roger, but then again, it could be something more. The purpose for the visit remains a mystery, but with a new platform based Assassin's Creed project titled 'Infinity' currently in development, it may be that we start to see small chunks of content for older characters, so it may be possible to see Ezio again, or even get a conclusion for other characters such as Connor or Arno. Fingers crossed, the Mentor will return one day! 11) Several retailers including Amazon and IndieBound listed an upcoming novel titled 'Assassin's Creed: The Golden City', written by Jaleigh Johnson & published by Aconyte Books! The novel is set to release February 7th 2023! A young emperor’s life hangs in the balance, and only the Brotherhood of Assassins can save him, in this action-packed historical adventure from the award-winning Assassin’s Creed universe. Which Empire do you think it could it be referring to? 12) Ubisoft announced that CJ Allan (CJthegeek) would be host presenting the #AC15 Cosplay Competition by @CosXpo at Insomnia Gaming Festival! ''As a legendary host of past cosplay competitions, his expertise will benefit this amazing #AssassinsCreed event on Saturday 27th August'' Although we are unable to attend the event ourselves, we are very much looking forward to seeing all of the entries! Good luck Assassins! 13) Check out this incredible Assassin's Creed 15 Year Anniversary sand art project by @fallinginsand This impressive creation is one of many art projects commissioned by Ubisoft to mark the 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed It's interesting to see all the ways Ubisoft are thinking outside of the box to mark the occasion, and we love seeing unique creations such as this. We hope that you enjoyed this Assassin's Creed News Recap! You can look forward to more articles like this, dropping every Sunday! What was your highlight of the week? Let us know in the comments! 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)

New PureArts Edward Kenway Animus Statue Revealed Merchandise Share 26 Aug 2021 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database PureArts are proud to reveal the next entry in the Assassin's Creed Animus Statue Collection. Edward Kenway is one of the most iconic assassins from the Assassin’s Creed® Series. Featuring an LED system lighting up the Animus effect, Edward Kenway is displayed with his saber drawn on the stern of the Jackdaw, the impetuous ship he captains. Standard Edition: Limited to 2000 units. Price: $899.99 Estimated Delivery Q3 2021 PureArts.com Exclusive Edition: The Assassin’s Creed® Animus Edward Kenway ¼ Scale Statue Exclusive Edition, limited to only 500 units available exclusively from PureArts.com , includes a life-size clip-on replica of Edward’s shoulder strap buckle! Available now 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)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: October 12th - 18th 2020 Community Share 19 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the second article of a new weekly virtual photography initiative hosted by Gustav Poulsen from The AC Partnership Program. Each week, five Assassin's Creed shots will be showcased here on TOWCB website, in order to promote virtual photography and community contributions. Gustav is a seasoned pro when it comes to virtual photography, and has a keen eye for special shots. Look out for more Photo Logs over the coming weeks, some of which may include Assassin's Creed Valhalla! Familiar Shore The first picture from this week’s recap is from Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered. Taken by Instagram user @ shaysredemption , it brilliantly captures the beauty and photogenic landscapes of the North Atlantic. With everything from cute penguins, a clear ocean, cliffs & ice mountains, a beautiful night sky and more in the frame, this picture easily makes the top of this week’s recap. Ghost Rider This week’s second picture has been taken in AC Origins by Instagram user @ assassinscreed_shots. Amongst its many elements, it features a beautiful photogenic sunset and blue sky, but most importantly it features Bayek riding in to the sunset accompanied by a… Mysterious companion to say the least. Whether this is an actual ghost, a result of Bayek hallucinating from the desert’s heat or something third, it sure does look freaky. Finally, the photographer has also paid attention to the picture’s depth of field, choosing to focus on Bayek, making the sunset even prettier by blurring it. For this week’s third select, we have another capture from AC Origins; this one taken by Instagram user @x___stardust_gaming___x. In it we see Bayek underground, exploring what looks like a sort of temple; only Anubis would know how old this place is. The photographer has really paid attention to camera placement, as Bayek looks so small compared to the massive ancient site surrounding him. Above him, we see but a fragment of a clear night sky and an opening, securing Bayek’s freedom can he find a way to reach it… The second last picture on this week’s list is from Assassin’s Creed Unity, and is taken by Instagram user @ zbanko_yt. This pictures’ main quality is its timing, as it perfectly captures Arno mid-air doing a wall eject, jumping backwards from one ledge to who knows where. Other than Arno simply looking cool, a beautiful blue sky can be seen in the background, along with but a portion of Paris. With all these factors as well as a cinematic vibe to it, this picture just had to make this week’s recap. Fading Faster, Falling Further Down a Hole That’s Absent of Light For the final capture of this week’s recap list, we have yet another one from AC Rogue Remastered, also taken by @ shaysredemption . This one captures Assassin gone Templar Shay Cormac, masked and geared up with dual swords, running through one of the beautiful, green landscapes of New England. You would think this picture mostly is peaceful, given the beautiful skies colored by the imminent sunset, and all the majestic tall trees surrounding Shay. But as the title suggests, the picture has a dark tone to it. The mix of the lack of brightness, dry saturation, and Shay furiously running away from… Who really knows what, makes this picture too good to not take up the fifth and final spot on this week’s list. Thanks for checking our this weeks's photo log, and to all of the virtual photographers who contributed torwards this article! Until next time, look out for #TOWCBPhotoChallenge on Twitter to take part in our weekly challenges! 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)

6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during Isolation Other Share 14 Apr 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Self-isolating can be draining, leaving you feeling unmotivated and bored. Thankfully, members of the Assassin's Creed community have been coming up with ways to keep us all entertained during these difficult times. Here are six things to do in the Assassin's Creed community during isolation. 6: Support Streamers A number of streamers are playing Assassin's Creed games on a regular basis, giving you the chance to return to the series. Even if you miss a stream, you can still watch it at a later date. Here are a number of channels providing regular streams. Did we miss you? Send us a message , and we'll add you to the list! Phantom Blade Cosplay Fizhy KingZeke92 LazerzZ 5: Assassin's Creed Board Games Board games are a great way to pass the time and can provide hours of entertainment for all the family. Our fan Stuart has been playing Assassin's Creed Monopoly, but a number of games are available. You can even pick up a pack of Assassin's Creed Top Trumps if you're looking for something simple! 4: HomeCon 2020 HomeCon 2020 may be over, but you can still watch all of the panels on Twitch for £4.99 or free with Amazon Prime. It really was a fantastic event, and you can learn more about it here. Paul Amos has also announced that 'Creed-Con', an online Assassin's Creed event will be happening next month, so stay tuned! 3: Fanart Community members have been producing a ton of fan art, and it's a great time to hone your skills and perfect your techniques! Here are some of our favourites so far! 2: Assassin's Creed Jigsaws Jigsaws are another great way to pass the time, and can keep you entertained for days, possibly even weeks! Our fan Vale has been piecing together Connor from Assassin's Creed III, but a number of puzzles are available. 1: Play the games Assassin's Creed is a huge series, and there's a ton of content you may have missed upon release. Now is the perfect time to purchase that DLC, pick up the spin-off games you never had time to play, or just fill the gap in your collection. Who knows, you might even pick up another language and learn some history! Most importantly though, it's something to keep you entertained during isolation. 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)

Q&A with Aymar Azaïzia Interview Share 7 May 2016 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Col: Hey Aymar. Thanks for joining me today. I have a few Assassin’s Creed topics we would like to discuss today. Aymar: Thanks for having me, especially in a pub, with a beer. Is it a strategy to get me to talk? :) Col: We’ll see if we can get any secrets today ;) So let’s get started. Can you tell us anything about the Apple of Eden replica that was shown off a while back? We saw a prototype but we haven’t heard anything since. Aymar: Sure, right now, the project and the will to make it happen during the year is still very real. However we are trying to find the best execution, quality so expect more news soon! Col: Cool! Okay so I have a very big question! How did Ezio die, and was he assassinated? Aymar: My take on it, is watch the Godfather movie, and focus on the death of Don Corleone. Then watch Embers again, and I would say that Ezio get assassinated. There is a price to pay, and there is no rest once you walk the path of the Assassins. It is a bittersweet ending, Ezio got a nice and long life, yet there was no way for him to die from a heart attack (PS focus on the soundtrack!). Now you can hate me :) Col: Poor Ezio! So I was also wondering about the Nikolai Orelov statue that was shown. Is that still happening? Aymar: Got the only one :) It was a prototype that wasn’t supposed to be shown at that stage. It was a unique resin prototype, and we didn’t moved on with that, yet you can expect more cool figurines from us! Col: Nice! So why did the Davenport Homestead mysteriously disappear after AC3? Aymar: History kills a lot of thing… But there may be another explanation… :D Col: Who was the man at Lucy’s Grave in Initiates? Aymar: What is your call? We know who he is, but we are not there yet :) Col – Interesting. I personally think that it could be an Instrument of the first will, but we’ll have to see! Col: I was wondering if you can tell us anything about the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Movie Novel by Ryder Windham. Aymar: Talking about early announcement :) It is supposed to be a movie script adaptation as far as I know, but I don’t have more details at the moment, sorry! Col: Fair enough! Speaking of early announcements, an Assassin’s Creed Colouring book appeared on Amazon. So what kind of images can we expect to be colouring in? Aymar: We have the guys working on our artbook selecting the best images, so expect a mix between characters, landscape, iconic symbol and more! Col: Awesome! So Assassin’s Creed has released two sets of comic books recently, so I was wondering if any more can be expected in the future? Maybe comics focussing on Erudito or Juno’s Instruments. That could be cool. Aymar: YES! Both Titans and us are really pleased with what is happening at the moment, and I would be lying if I was saying we don’t have more plans for Assassin and Templars :) Col: That’s cool. Speaking of future plans, I was wondering if you guys would ever consider making more Chronicles game’s? Aymar: Right now, we are focusing our game effort on our next Assassin’s Creed game, but nothing is impossible with Chronicles :) Col: Fair enough! So Assassin’s Creed Last Descendants was announced recently, and a new Piece of Eden was mentioned in the description. “The Trident of Eden”. Can you tell us anything about that? Aymar: Yes, but I will have to kill you then :) What I could stay is that it is a very amazing story, I LOVE what Matt did with it, and the trident is a very interesting POE :p Col: Sounds interesting! So I was wondering if we could see the Lydia Frye story going anywhere in the future? Aymar: Haha, Lydia, Haytham, and so many others we want to bring back. So stay tuned! Col: So I left the difficult question until the end. Let’s talk about the precursor box. Does one exist or many. I personally believe that we saw 2 in AC Rogue, but several exist. Aymar: How many visuals versions have you seen so far? Same? :p Col: Interesting. I’ll stick to my theory though! Thanks for your time Aymar. It’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you. Aymar: It was a pleasure, let’s focus on beers now :) 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)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 16th April - 22nd 2022 Community Share 3 May 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. 1) Ancient Egypt Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s first capture comes from @zNotHermes over on Twitter. After watching Moon Knight this week I had to pick this one. A great capture of Bayek doing a bit of Tomb Raiding. I love the colours and the lighting in this shot. The warm glow of the torch guiding Bayek through the darkness, whilst being watched by the gods is very cool. I really miss exploring these wonderfully detailed tombs. 2) Easter Celebrations Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo number two comes from @NoviKaiba23 over on Twitter. A topical shot this week after the release of the Ostara event in Valhalla. The best part of each festival is how the environment changes to fit the theme. This capture sums up Easter for me. The details on the flowers and the pole really bring this shot to life. Eivor also looks very cool with the hood and cloak up amongst the guests. 3) Into The Fire Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey This week’s third shot comes from @anxelreyes over on Twitter. A leap of faith into what looks like a Volcano is my third pick for the week. This is such an eye catching picture with the molten lava bubbling below a diving Kassandra. For me, this capture brings the old and the new together in one shot. I would love to know what happens next. 4) Poppy Field Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @FlyingTrilobite over at ACFirstCiv Community. This shot immediately caught my attention when it was posted in our Twitter VP Community. The Poppies are so vibrant and I love the positioning of the capture. I like how Eivor is stood to the side admiring the beauty of the flowers. Valhalla can be quite a gloomy game but if you find the right spot you can create some amazing pictures like this. 5) Deep in Thought Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla The final capture of the week comes from @thewolfkissedVP over on Twitter. This is a stunning portrait of Eivor from the recent Ragnarok expansion. Everything just works here, I like the hairstyle and beard combo. The tattoos and the missing eye really give off that Norse feel. The armour is remarkable, very fitting of the mythical setting. The sepia toning of this shot is the winner for me, as it just gives off such a historic feel. 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

TOWCB Assassin's Creed Art Exhibition: Yasmin Page Art Share 6 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the first article in a new series dedicated to Assassin's Creed art. This new community showcase will explore the works of many artists around the world, and cover many different styles. Our first 'art-icle' is dedicated to Yasmin Page, a talented digital artist based in Melbourne, Australia who discovered the Assassin's Creed series in 2019. In Summer 2022, Yasmin joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership Program (Isu Network) Art Team, so keep an eye out for future projects on the site! We begin our art exhibition with a hooded Altaïr, member of the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins and later Mentor of Masyaf. To me, this looks like the original Altaïr that we saw in AC1, voiced by Philip Shahbaz. The face hidden beneath the hood resembles the AC1 face model, where an older version of the Animus made ancestors look like its users, in this case Desmond Miles. The shading is particularly impressive in this digital sketch, adding tone and depth to the great Assassin. Next up we have Ezio Auditore from Assassin's Creed II, the charming Florentine nobleman who goes on to become Mentor of the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins. I particularly like the detail on the iconic scar which he receives after an encounter with a sharp rock on the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence. Ezio's hair is also striking in this piece, and to me, his lack of facial hair indicates that this is a youthful man in the days before the tragic events of AC II. Here we have Desmond Miles from either AC II or AC Brotherhood. This is a character that changed many times throughout the series, but this piece does well to capture an early version of the character. This piece makes me think of a Desmond who is enjoying his freedom after escaping Abstergo with Lucy Stillman, hopping in and out of the animus in search of answers. Arno Victor Dorian. The hair. The eyes. The stance. Yasmin has done an incredible job of capturing Arno's facial expressions, and this piece in particular shows off her talent for bringing Assassin's Creed characters to life. I can't age Arno in the piece, but the piercing gaze and nose scar portray him perfectly. Hopefully this is before the great pain he suffers in Assassin's Creed Unity. Here we have the Great Medjay, Bayek of Siwa. Looking at this picture, I feel like I can hear Abubakar Salim's exceptional voice acting. It makes me want to boot up Assassin's Creed Origins again, and hunt down the The Order of Ancients. This piece also had me re-listen to 'I Walk on Your Water' by Sarah Schachner, one of the stand-out songs on an excellent soundtrack. I really like how this piece captures Bayek's mood, especially after the loss of his son. The dark background also builds on the sombre atmosphere. If looks could kill. In this case, they do. Here we see Kassandra, also known as The Eagle Bearer or Misthios. Although some felt that Odyssey was a questionable title for the series, as it acted as a prequel to a prequel. Kassandra's personality and the great open landscapes made it worth at least one playthrough. This is another side profile sketch, something which Yasmin excels at. I like how the shading on Kassandra's neckline adds to the 3D effect of the image, along with the wisps of hair which add volume against the white background. Kassandra had a great sense of humour, and knew how to be sarcastic without being annoying (unlike Shaun Hastings) ''Malaka!'' Grand Master Haytham Kenway, wearing the iconic tricorn hat. This is a man who is planning the expansion of the Colonial Rite of the Templar Order, and the destruction of the Assassin Brotherhood. I like how the colours chosen for this image bring to mind those connected to the Templar Order. Another character who would be depicted well in this style would be Shay Cormac, as he is the perfect reflection of this red and black colour scheme. It looks as if Haytham has just been in battle, and the small pieces missing from the Templar cross remind me of animus fragments, suggesting descyronisation. This piece is a cool tribute to a great character, who in another timeline, would no doubt have been a great Assassin. Finally, we have Ratohnhakéton, also known as Connor (and not Connor Kenway). To me, this looks like Connor in simpler times, before the destruction of his village. The light surrounding him could even be depicting the scene during his first encounter with the Apple of Eden, where Juno reached out to him in an effort to locate and hide the Grand Temple Key for Desmond. I like the use of the purple background, as it is a colour you don't see very often in Assassin's Creed. My favourite part of this piece is Connor's hair because of the level of depth achieved by the artist, especially the attention to detail in including Connor's plait, a signature of the character's youth earlier in the game. There's a long road ahead for this young man, but he will meet his destiny head on with striking conviction. That's it for this Assassin's Creed Art Exhibition. Keep an eye on the website throughout 2022 and beyond for more Assassin's Creed artwork by Yasmin Page! You can find her personal channels listed below 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)

Michael Draft Article Community News Watch Dogs x Assassin's Creed Crossover Officially Announced 19/8/21 By Colum Blackett Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share Season Pass owners for Watch Dogs: Legion will soon be able to play as Darcy, a futuristic Modern Day Assassin operating in London. In an update launching August 25th, Darcy will be introduced as a playable character in the main game and online mode, alongside two new story missions that will be available for all players. Although the addition is purely f an service rather than a canonical crossover, fans are undoubtedly excited to Glimpse was revealed back in February Where this article comes to the opinion of myself, is in the latest three titles, an opinion made after seeing the Ubisoft team that works on the Assassin’s Creed series’ game plan for future DLC and the recent announcements of more transmedia stories. Stated simply, the story must be progressed with a shift in focus towards a third party, the Isu race. While AC Origins established the backbone to the creation of the Assassin Brotherhood via the Hidden Ones and their leader Amunet, it wasn’t until the post-game that a proto-Assassin group was introduced and their creed established. Gameplay moved to a more combat focused style with skill trees and gear sets, over the expected gameplay of gear and evasive movement and tools to work from the sidelines of battle. The next title, Assassin's Creed Odyssey , which took place nearly 360 years before Origins dove into the lore of the Isu by telling the Greek Epic of Kassandra of Sparta, a demi-god trying to discover the secrets of her heritage and stop a hidden organization known as the Cult of Kosmos. From this title came the “Fate of Atlantis” DLC which put the misthios (mercenary) in the pantheon of the Isu, the Gods of Greek Mythology. Following this was the age of the Vikings and the journey of Eivor (mentioned before) as she worked to establish a home for her people in England while on the side assisting the Hidden Ones from outside their order. With the inclusion of transmedia stories, the Assassins vs Templar had shifted to the budding seed of a bigger war, Man vs God. While the story of the Assassins was still present (Bayek & Amunet, Darius, and Basim & Hytham), the new characters (Kassandra, Eivor, & Geirmund of Geirmund’s Saga) were locked in wars of nations (The Peloponnesian War & the Norse Invasion of Europe). What links all of these warriors from the RPG titles is their belief in the Gods. Egyption, Greek, and Norse Gods that in the lore of Assassin’s Creed were known as the Isu. The Isu are a race of pre-human beings powered by divine abilities and tools known as the Pieces of Eden. Both the Assassin’s and the Templars fight over discovering and collecting these tools to overpower the other and either save or control the world from the destructive nature of the Isu’s creations. Focused now on exploring this outside party, the Isu’s humanity and corruption as a people and puppeteers of the Genetic Memories that were witnessed with the RPG protagonists is simply the next stepping stone in lore and world building. These are times where choice and belief in higher powers, victory in battle and the search for wealth were more culturally driven than the secret war of the previous 10 years of games. Whilst Ubisoft works on the next stage of the series with Assassin’s Creed Infinity, an entry that is seeming to move towards a live service, the Assassins we have come to love have been provided a new home in the various mediums of transmedia, showing that the series and its historical timeline is not always controlled in secret, but sometimes by the actions of warriors seeking a seat at the table of the gods. With future content being released across transmedia, which includes the games, Ubisoft should take what their fans are saying about the lack of Assassins in the main staple of the series (the games) but fans should also take into consideration the effort and world building that is put into transmedia as some of these stories would not translate well to a game or add-on. The other benefit of these tales is that you get to experience the world through the eyes and minds of multiple authors and artists while you learn more about the characters and location with descriptive detail and inner thoughts which give a more fulfilling experience. In time, I hope a balance of story and traditional mechanics, such as the return of the stealthy nature of the original games, can be reached to bring life back to the abandoned bureaus and the fans of the past back to the wonderful fold of the Assassin’s Creed series. With how great the community is and how supportive it is within itself, I have enjoyed my time with the world of AC and seeing how what started as a game in the shadows of the major AAA games has become a beacon for adventure in the annals of history. Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of the transmedia platform for the series. With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, he is exploring the universe in order of Genetic Memory, and waiting eagerly for the next story to be released. Mike joined the program in 2021 as an Online Article Writer, and has a section dedicated to his work in the Community Hub. About the Author

Merchandise Guide: Assassins Creed Funko Pop! Vinyls By Ashlea Buckley Updated 11/1/21 Share This article looks at the wide range of Assassin's Creed Funko Pop! Vinyls currently available. The majority of these Pop! figures are widely available to purchase, however there are several Pop! figures which are more rare and can be priced much higher than standard Pop! figures. Aguilar de Nerha Pop! Figure This pop figure is among some of the easiest Pop! figures to get hold of. It is accessible in most Pop! stores and online through sites such as Ebay and Amazon. Amazon: Link Assassin's Creed Movie Callum Lynch Pop! Figure As with the Aguilar Pop! Callum is fairly easy to find in stores and online from Ebay, Amazon and Pop In A Box. Amazon: Link Maria Pop! Figure Maria can be found along with other Assassin's Creed Movie Pop! vinyls in stores such as Forbidden Planet as well as online from Pop in a Box, Ebay and Amazon. Amazon: Link Ojeda Pop! Figure Ojeda can be found in pop stores and online from Pop in a Box, Ebay and Amazon. Amazon: Link Crouching Aguilar Pop! Figure This Pop! figure is becoming increasingly more accessible. This figure was initially released as a loot crate exclusive, however the number of these Pops being sold through platforms such as Ebay and Amazon is increasing. Amazon: Link The Games Ezio Auditore da Firenze (aka Col_96's main man) Pop! Vinyl This pop figure is fairly accessible online from Ebay and Amazon which is unsurprising due to the popularity of the character. However, as seen below, the different variations of this pop vinyl are more rare. Amazon: Link Merchandise Ezio Pop! Figure - Eagle Vision This Ezio Pop! shows the use of eagle vision and therefore is a little more rare than the Original Ezio Figure. However it is still fairly accessible on Ebay and Amazon, and the average price does not appear drastically more expensive than the standard Pop! vinyls at around £15-20. Amazon: Link Ezio Pop! Figure - Black Robes This Pop figure is much less readily available and therefore would be a prize piece in any avid Assassin's Creed fan's collection. However having this gem in your display will not come cheap as this Pop! figure sells for anywhere between £70-£130 on Ebay, and cannot be found on many other sites. Plague Doctor Pop! Figure This is a rare figure from the Assassin's Creed multiplayer mode in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. Due to the niche nature of this Pop! there are fewer available to buy. This pop is often only found on sites such as Ebay and for prices around £35-70. Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton) Pop! Figure Connor's Pop! figure is a little more difficult to find on main sites such as Amazon where the figure will cost around £50-60. However more appear to be available on Ebay for a slightly lower price of around £20-40. Amazon: Link Aveline De Grandpré Pop! Figure This Assassin's Creed Liberation figure is again a little more difficult to locate and will often fetch a higher than standard price. This figure can be found on Ebay for around £30+ and on Amazon for anywhere between £40-£120! Amazon: Link Edward Kenway Pop! Figure This Pop! figure is one of the more difficult to obtain, Edward can be located on sites such as Pop in a Box, Amazon and Ebay however for a high price. Amazon lists this Pop at around £90 whilst on Ebay it can be found for closer to £60. Amazon: Link Arno Dorian Pop! Figure This figure is much easier to access than those from AC3, however it is priced slightly higher than a standard pop vinyl at around £18-27 on both Amazon and Ebay. Amazon: Link Élise de la Serre Pop! Figure Again, as with Arno, this figure is not too difficult to find but the price is a little higher than the average Pop vinyls on Amazon at around £23. However, Ebay does show some pops priced at closer to £10 as well as some at £20-25. Amazon: Link Evie Frye Pop! Figure This pop figure is easy to find and reasonably priced at around £10-15 on both Ebay and Amazon. Jacob Frye Pop! Figure As with Evie, this Pop! figure is easy to locate on both Amazon and Ebay, as well as sites such as Pop in a Box and in pop stores. This figure is usually sold for around £10-£15. Amazon: Link Jacob Frye - Uncloaked This Pop! figure is harder to locate than the standard Jacob Frye Pop and as with the variations of Ezio, this pop fetches a higher price than the original model but the price is still only slightly higher than standard at around £20. Amazon: Link Which Pop! Figure would you like to see next? Bayek concept art by Deviant Art user Undi3sss Eivor Standard Edition This Funko Pop was revealed during the virtual FunkoFair 2021 that aired during the annual ToyFair event. It features one axe and a hidden blade, so you can summon your inner Viking, or work alongside the Hidden Ones for a stealthier approach. Amazon: Link Eivor (Gamestop Edition) The double axe variant of Eivor is exclusive to Gamestop, and was also revealed at FunkoFair2021. This version of Eivor demonstrates the duel wielding ability, that was a key focus of the game's marketing campaign. Two axes are better than one!

Ubisoft have just released the World Premiere trailer for Assassin's Creed marking the dawn of a new era of the series Community The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Analysis Cracking the Isu Code: Part 4 Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 16/12/21 By Preston Carbonaro Edited by Ashlea Blackett Share Assassin's Creed fans are working hard to crack messages written in the secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu, and in the process, decode multiple hidden messages We here at TOWCB have joined the community efforts to try our hands at decoding these messages which are scattered around throughout the game; in Standing Stone puzzles, on Layla’s laptop, and even promotional content. We sincerely hope that none of you experience the Bleeding Effect during the decoding process … Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd Col is the Community Admin for The Ones Who Came Before, and one of the Community Builders for The Mentors Guild. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player, and has spent the last 7 years working within the Assassin's Creed community on countless projects. Twitter About the Author Preston Carbonaro Article contains ads that support TOWCB. Top Stories Decoding Brendan of Clonfert’s passage on the Isle of Skye (AC Valhalla)

Welcome to the home of the 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, where history is our playground! Here you will find our complete collection of articles, imagining the series in uncharted territories, written by visionaries jumping in and out of history to pitch concepts that may well give readers a glimpse at the future of the Assassin's Creed series. Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Hub Welcome to the home of the 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, where history is our playground! Here you will find our complete collection of articles, imagining the series in uncharted territories, written by visionaries jumping in and out of history to pitch concepts that may well give readers a glimpse at the future of the Assassin's Creed series. Where would you like to see the series explore next? Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Futuristic Modern Day Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Fall of the Berlin Wall: Written by Colum Blackett Coming Soon Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Building the Perfect Game Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Caledonia (Scotland) Written by James Davis 6/8/25 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Caledonia (Scotland: Part 2 - Myths and Legends) Written by James Davis 8/10/25 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Black Eden Written by James Davis 21/11/25 Written by Hayden Bird 09/11/24 Written by Finn Fletcher 28/6/23 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Chinese Pirates Written by Finn Fletcher 13/9/22 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Aztec Empire: Written by Finn Fletcher 26/7/22

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide - Part 3 Updated 20/3/21 By Colum Blackett Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share Here we will be logging all of the merchandise we find for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. Please note that this guide contains Amazon affiliate links, Learn more The ultimate guide for Assassin's Creed Valhalla Merchandise. Literature Assassin's Creed Valhalla Official Novel by Matthew J Kirby (cover not final) Discover the epic adventure of a legendary Viking warrior in this new novel set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Pre-order now from Amazon UK Waterstones The Art of Assassin's Creed Valhalla (cover not final) This masterfully designed oversized hardcover art book invites the reader on a visual journey through the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: A world defined by the harsh beauty of Viking life, rich with fascinating characters and breathtaking landscapes. Ubisoft and Dark Horse Books offer this enticing collection of art and commentary that is sure to attract returning fans and newcomers alike. Pre-order now from: Xzone Cz Amazon Amazon UK (Kindle Edition) Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glorycomic book series by Cavan Scott, Martin Tunica, and coloured by Michael Atiyeh. Published by DarkHorse #1: Eivor, a Viking warrior, observes a village raided by a neighboring kingdom. Bloodshed and mayhem erupt as she seizes the attack in her own favor—but will her victory be a blessing to her clan or a terrible curse? Elsewhere, another Viking searches for a different kind of prize, one of crucible steel . . . Hardcover version available on Amazon Discover the epic adventure of legendary viking Geirmund Hel-hide in this new novel set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Mid-9th century. The Viking attacks and invasions are shattering England's kingdoms. Born into a royal lineage of Norwegian kings, Geirmund Hel-hide sets out for adventure to prove his worth as a Viking and a warrior. A perilous journey across the sea brings him into contact with a being out of myth and grants him a mysterious ring that promises both great power and bitter betrayal. As Geirmund rises in the ranks of King Guthrum's legendary army, he will have to use all his cunning to face the many dangers of a land ravaged by war . . . Fighting alongside his band of loyal warriors, his path will soon lead him into a conflict as old as the gods themselves. Available on Amazon The Art of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Deluxe Edition This masterfully designed oversized hardcover art book invites the reader on a visual journey through the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: A world defined by the harsh beauty of Viking life, rich with fascinating characters and breathtaking landscapes. The Assassin's Creed series is renowned for its skillful blend of historical fiction, epic environments, and exciting action. This art book offers an insider's look at the immersive art direction of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the first title in the franchise to explore Norse culture and the Viking invasion of England in the 9th century. Featuring iconic artworks ranging from stunning settings to brutal weapons, as well as developer insights. This deluxe edition includes: • An exclusive cover • A decorative slipcase • A gallery-quality lithograph print Pre-order now from Amazon Mugs Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by GBEye Eivor Mug by GBEye Valhalla Assault Mug by GBEye Valhalla Assault Mug by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raid Mug Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Eivor Mug Available from Zavvi Photos/Prints Eivor Print by GBEye Eivor and Wolf print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Poster by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wall Art Available from the Ubispft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wall Art Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Other Assassin's Creed Nordic Backpack Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Raider's Backpack Available from the Ubisoft Store Pin designs by PinClub Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack by Difuzed. Available from XZone Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eivor Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: 3D Shield Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: 3D Axe Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Gamlery , Xzone Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wristband by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hammer Necklace by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Ladies Zip Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bifold Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bifold Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Akedo high top trainers, Sold out from Zavvi. (Limited to 100 pairs) Assassin's Creed Valhalla Stickers Available from the Ubisoft Store Retailers Brloh.sk and Jrc.cz are offering an #AssassinsCreedValhalla F ace mask by Difuzed as a pre-order bonu s Limited edition #AssassinsCreedValhalla lithograph by Raphael Lacoste available when you pre-order the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Bundle from PureArtsLimited . Assassin's Creed Valhalla Goblet Available from Ent247 Assassin's Creed Valhalla Tankard Available from Ent247 Eivor 1/4 scale statues Available from PureArts Assassin's Creed Jigsaw Puzzles by DarkHorse Available from Derive Figurine Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axe/Crest backpack by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mousepad by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Keyring by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Collector's Box Available exclusively from WooBox Assassin's Creed Valhalla 2020 Calendar Currently Unavailable Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axes Towel Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Club C Revenge Shoes by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla CL Legacy Shoes by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Zig Kentica Trainers by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Various Assassin's Creed Valhalla Phone-Case designs can now be found on eBay Assassin's Creed Valhalla Comics Packpack Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Headset by Astro Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Slides Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Water Bottle Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Lanyard Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Notebooks Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Jewellery Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Pillows Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by Jinx Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wallet by Jinx Are we missing anything? Let us know and we'll update the article Did you buy anything from the Merchandise Guide? Let us know in the comments! PART 1 PART 2 Assassin's Creed Valhalla Holdall bag. Available July 2021 via GroovyUK Assassin's Creed Valhalla Runes Zippo Available now from the Zippo website Merchandise

Assassin's Creed Mirage Virtual Photography Hub

Rally The Creed Podcast The Ones Who Came Before Team are proud to present Rally the Creed, an original live podcast hosted by members of our team! The live show, which airs on a Sunday at 10pm GMT on TikTok is hosted by Colum Blackett (UK AC Community Ambassador) & James Davis (TOWCB Video Content Creation Team Leader). Each week a new guest is invited on to the show, lifting the lid on the lives of content creators, their honest thoughts and feelings on the franchise, and hopes for the future. We hope that this new and exciting structure keeps the podcast fresh, and helps it to stand out from other fan projects. The new series will cover a huge range of topics relating to the Assassin's Creed series, and give a voice to community members. For some, the podcast will provide the opportunity to step out of the shadows for the first time, and introduce themselves to the community, whilst for others, it becomes a meeting place for long-time fans of the series to discuss all things Assassin's Creed. Edited by Charlie Cooper (TheAssassinsLord) Music by Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Rally The Creed Live! Add a Title 22) In episode #22 (The Creedmas Special) of Rally the Creed Live, an Assassin's Creed Podcast, host Col is joined by James Davis (TopChef1288) from TOWCB. Topics include: Secret Santa surprise unboxing, James' big win and casting news for the upcoming Assassin's Creed Netflix TV Series. Spotify Add a Title 21) In episode #21 of Rally the Creed Live, an Assassin's Creed Podcast, host James is joined by stand-in guest Col from TOWCB. Topics include: James experiences backlash for the first time, iconic duos in Assassin's Creed and discussing the declining quality of writing to create a focussed narrative. Spotify Add a Title 20) In episode #20 of Rally the Creed Live, an Assassin's Creed Podcast, hosts James & Col are joined by RTC Editor Charlie Cooper from TOWCB Video Content Creation Team. Topics include: The Attack on Titan collaboration for Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft's problem with release quality & news on the AC Netflix TV series. Spotify Add a Title 19) In episode #19 of Rally the Creed Live, an Assassin's Creed Podcast, host Col is joined by Marco from Access the Animus! Topics include: Creating an AC Community, deciphering Isu messages & marking 16 years of Assassin's Creed II. Spotify Add a Title 18) In episode #18 of Rally the Creed Live, an Assassin's Creed Podcast, host James is joined by TallManGames. Topics include: Co-op in Assassin's Creed, Love for AC Odyssey & Blind Ranking Assassin's Creed characters. Spotify Add a Title 17) In episode #17 of Rally the Creed Live, an Assassin's Creed Podcast, host James is joined by co-host Col. Topics include: Comments made by Yves Guillemot at Paris Games Week which contradict recent internal Ubisoft decisions, updates to Assassin's Creed parkour and ranking Assassin's Creed characters to create Mount Rushmore. Spotify Add a Title 16) In episode #16, host James is joined by UK Content Creator BPRGaming. Topics include: Content Creation & the journey so far, Accidentally leaking Juno due to a miscommunication & Reimagining Black Flag as an RPG title. Spotify Add a Title Special Episode: The Podyssey x RTC Live Col from The Ones Who Came Before and Rally The Creed Live joined The Podyssey to talk everything Ubisoft and Assassin’s Creed! Add a Title 15) In episode #15, the Halloween Special 🎃, hosts Col & James are joined by SisterlyThrower & Jebs from The Ones Who Came Before. Topics include: The darkest moments for Assassin's Creed, potential storylines for Hexe and Pitching an AC Game: Black Death . Spotify Add a Title 14) In episode #14, host James is joined by UK Content Creator & Skit maker Calvin Whiteway (formerly Roberts), from The Ones Who Came Before Video Content Creation Team. Topics include: The definition of love, losing Marc-Alexis Côté and the reveal trailer for Assassin's Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory. Spotify Add a Title 13) In episode #13, host Col is joined by UK Content Creator WillisMakesMovies, host of The Podyssey (alongside The Exile). Topics include: Starting The Podyssey, meeting The Exile, making slop (easy to make videos), analysing Assassin's Creed & a potential cancelled Assassin's Creed game set during The Reconstruction Era, featuring a slave Assassin fighting The Ku Klux Klan! Spotify Add a Title 12) In episode #12, host James is joined by Cosplayer / Prop Creator Rick Boer from RBF-Productions! Topics include: BTS life of a Cosplayer, almost drowning, mental health and mechanisms to cope, accidentally fuelling Black Flag Remake rumours and more! Spotify Add a Title 11 ) In episode #11, host Col is joined by Gaming Content Creator, AndyReloads! Topics include: BTS life of a Youtuber, beating burnout and mechanisms to cope, narrative choices in AC Shadows. Spotify Add a Title 10 ) In episode #10, host Col is joined by Gaming Content Creator, Ironside George! Topics include: Content creation as a parent, Ubisoft events & the future of Assassin's Creed. TikTok Spotify Add a Title 9 ) In episode #9, host Col is joined by Gaming Content Creator, JorRaptor! Topics include: The Claws of Awaji, Content Creation & Animus Hub Potential. TikTok Spotify Add a Title 8 ) In episode #8, host Col is joined by Declan Rose from the Let's Talk Assassin's Creed podcast! Topics include: Modern Day, Assassin's Creed Podcasts and Discovery Tour. TikTok Spotify Add a Title 7 ) In episode #7, host Col is joined by Dave Woodward from AC United Kingdom! Topics include: Upcoming Mirage DLC, Creation of AC United Kingdom and Assassin's Creed Tattoos! TikTok Spotify Add a Title 6) In episode #6, host Col is joined by Arshak from AC Landmarks! Topics include: Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC, Gaming Landmarks, Upcoming Projects and hopes for a Black Flag Remake. TikTok Spotify Add a Title 5) In episode #5, host Col is joined by Streamer Laury_Runs, known in the AC Community for her 24 hour AC livestreams and fundraising efforts. Topics include: Working from home, preparing for a 24 hour stream & life during Assassin's Creed Time Periods Spotify Add a Title 4) In episode #4, host Col is joined by Youtuber HangryHiggs, known in the AC Community for his in-depth Assassin's Creed news coverage and gameplay videos. Topics include: content creation, burnout and the AC Community in 2025. TikTok Spotify Add a Title 3) In episode #3, host Col is joined by Calvin from The Ones Who Came Before's Video Content Creation Team. Topics include: Skit creation, Assassin's Creed Mirage and future DLC content, Potential Game settings, Modern Day Assassins and more! TikTok Spotify Add a Title 2) Join TOWCB Team Leader @col_96 with guest James Davison TikTok as we discuss Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, the upcoming Netflix series, the 2025 Community Fundraiser and more! TikTok Spotify Add a Title 1) Rally the Creed returns in a new format! Join TOWCB Team Leader @col_96 on TikTok as we discuss all things #AssassinsCreed! Sundays at 10pm BST See you there Assassins! TikTok Spotify Rally The Creed Reboot 1) In episode #1, Col and Michael from TOWCB Core Team discuss Assassin's Creed Mirage, the new podcast format and choices in Assassin's Creed. Spotify 2) In episode #2, Col, Gustav and Finn from TOWCB Team discuss Assassin's Creed Mirage, potential settings for future games and creating music inspired by the series. Spotify 3) In episode #3, guest host Jack from ThePhotoMode E-Magazine joins TOWCB Team members Lisa Zaman (Portrait Artist) and Aaron Young (Writer) to discuss all things in AC. Spotify 4) In episode #4, host Michael Smith from TOWCB Core Team discusses LGBTQ representation in Assassin's Creed with guests Ollie (@ItsOlliebyGolly ) and Louise (@TheNerdyArcher ). Spotify 5) In this new episode of Rally The Creed, Gargudon and Col look back on 9 years of The Ones Who Came Before, from Col first creating the site in 2014, first getting recognised by Ubisoft, our two guests first getting acquainted, the site growing and expanding, the future and much more. Also touched upon is the imminent release of AC Mirage, what to expect from it and the impact it will have on the community. Spotify 6) The Rally The Creed podcast is back at last, this episode hosted by Gargudon, featuring UbiCypher from our team and Arshak from AC Landmarks. Covering everything from an evaluation of AC Mirage, with the game having been out for a while now, hopes and expectations for AC Codename Red with more in between. Enjoy listening! 7) In Episode 7 of Rally The Creed, host Gargudon is joined by one of the newest recruits on our team, video creator and streamer Andy, also known as SisterlyThrower. At the core of this episode is a proper introduction to Andy, talk about our growing video venture and future content, the American saga and more. Enjoy listening! 8) In Episode 8 of our community podcast Rally The Creed, host Gargudon is joined by in-game photographer and video creator Armin, better known as Mentor Captures throughout the community. Together, the two talk photography in the AC community and its evolution in gaming overall, as well as the music and soundtracks of Assassin’s Creed; from favourite tracks, iconic composers, soundscapes, fan themes inspired by and more. Spotify 9) In this special ninth episode of our community podcast Rally The Creed, part of celebrating 10 years of The Ones Who Came Before, host Gargudon is joined by Aaron (Falconswift) and Jack (VirtualTourism) from our photography team, to talk the new upcoming instalment in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. From expectations for the world and story, gameplay features, photo mode and more. Enjoy listening! Episode originally recorded 13th July, 2024. Edited by FrameHoldPhotography. Spotify 10) In this special tenth episode of our community podcast Rally The Creed, site founder Colum and Gargudon reflect on 10 years of The Ones Who Came Before. From the site’s origin and growth, the evolution of our team, our hosts’ 9 years of friendship, looking to the future and much more. Enjoy listening! Thanks for 10 years to every single one of our followers, whether you have been with us from the beginning, have just hopped aboard, or anywhere in between. Cheers Assassins and here’s to 10 more! Spotify 11) Andy (AKA TheSisterlyThrower) from TOWCB Video Content Creation Team hosts his first episode of Rally the Creed podcast, covering all things Assassin's Creed with community member Jenerator3‬! Spotify Rally The Creed Podcast (Original Series 2020) Welcome to Rally The Creed, a brand new Assassin's Creed community podcast by The Ones Who Came Before! In each episode, Ashlea_97 will be joined by members of the community to discuss the franchise, giving listeners a unique perspective on the world of Assassin's Creed. Listeners will also have exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of the biggest AC fan communities, and gain an insight into what it takes to create and manage a community. Spotify Link Promo image created by our fan Maor. Twitter Add a Title 1) Episode 1 Ash and Col discuss the creation of TOWCB fan community, and how fans can start up an Assassin's Creed project of their own. Also available on Spotify Add a Title 2) Episode 2 In this episode, we discuss our new roles within The Mentors Guild, Marketing for Assassin's Creed Valhalla and the upcoming Netflix TV Universe. Also available on Spotify Add a Title 3) Episode 3 Community discussion led by Gargudon, featuring guest Kyle Marvell. Also available on Spotify

The Animus Archives An Assassin's Creed Fan Magazine by The Ones Who Came Before Welcome to The Animus Archives, the first-ever Assassin's Creed Community Magazine by The Ones Who Came Before. The series was a quarterly fan project launched in 2019, full of bonus content for the biggest fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise. Our readers have full access to exclusive articles, interviews, puzzles, and more! We thank you for taking the time to engage with our project and would really appreciate any feedback you can give us to improve. - 2020 update: The Animus Archives has been put on hold so that we can focus on new projects. We thank all our readers for their support! Issue #1 - March 2019 Issue #2 - June 2019 Issue #3 - September 2019

Starter Guide focussing on Norway for new players looking to begin their Assassin's Creed Valhalla adventure. Community Guides Assassin's Creed Origins: Starter Guide By Aaron Young 15/2/21 Share Top Stories The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Bayek is the protagonist of this story, an Egyptian Medjay, and the first location for you to explore is Siwa. This city is the home of Bayek and his wife Aya, and acts as the introduction to the game. There is much to do in this part of the map and I would recommend exploring it all. The main quests will act as the foundations of what is to come, however the side quests and extra locations will teach you the basics of what to expect throughout the game. Edited by Ashlea Buckley Bayek of Siwa Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd Top Stories Origins introduces a levelling system that will define what you can do in the game. You will earn XP for completing activities within the world. By earning XP you will be able to level up and slowly become more powerful. Even in Siwa there will be areas that are initially too dangerous for you, which indicated by red skull icons above enemies. In some cases, it is possible to defeat them or just sneak past, but I highly recommend either matching their level or going just above. To do so you will want to find a balance between story, side quests and undiscovered locations. The main story will provide you with the most XP, however this will not be enough on its own. The game can restrict your progression if you do not deviate from the main story. This isn’t a bad thing as the map is full of interesting things to discover. If you open the map and check each area of Egypt, you will notice that it has been assigned a power level, and visiting there early can be a frustrating task. My advice would be to follow the organic path set out by the game. Ability Points and Playstyles Every time you level up you will be rewarded with an ability point. This can be added to your ability tree in order to gain new skills. It is a relatively common practice in games now, but at the time it took a bit of getting used to. Your ability tree is split into three playstyles. You can choose to master one, or split your abilities to allow for a more balanced experience. Either way, by the time you reach the conclusion of the game, the chances are that you will have all the skills. The three styles are: Hunter: Focuses on ranged abilities Warrior: The emphasis here is on melee Seer: This is for gadgets/perks that lend themselves to an Assassin’s playstyle Senu and Loot Combat is a lot more difficult in comparison to the blocking and countering of the old games. Now you can go all-out attack if you wish. Be warned though, that you cannot just button bash, and there is still the need to defend and this is where the shields comes in. Bayek’s shield will be your saviour when surrounded. Use it to parry incoming attacks, but also utilise it as cover from enemy archers. Senu is your eagle and companion as you travel across Egypt. You will not start with Senu but if you follow the main quest you will soon be reunited with your companion. Senu is easily accessible by pressing up on the D-Pad (console). From here you will be able to fly Senu around the map, with the option to scout areas in advance. Use Senu to discover and tag enemies, loot, resources and objectives, however if you over use this function the game can become less challenging. Sync points will give you a stunning view of the surrounding area, but most importantly increase Senu’s perception. In turn, this links to the loot hidden around the map. You will find a lot of chests hidden underwater and the better Senu’s perception, the more likely you are to find them. Just be aware of crocodiles and hippos, as fighting them off in the water can be challenging. The loot in Origins is critical to so many aspects of the game. Just grab as much as you can, and sell or dismantle it to fill your pockets with Drachma or crafting materials. Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Assassin’s Creed Origins is the first entry in the series to fully embrace RPG elements. Origins lays the foundations for both Odyssey and Valhalla, whilst acting as a prequel to Altair’s crusade. Origins alters the formula for the series as it ushers in a new player base, whilst trying to retain the magic of the original games. Origins is a visually magnificent game that will leave you in awe of both its beauty and size. Spanning across the whole of Egypt, you will embark on a journey of revenge to right the wrongs inflicted upon your family. You begin with one of my favourite cinematics in the series. The game will then throw you straight into the action. Origins is not a slow burner, and you will be fully involved from the start. This can lead to a steep learning curve, but one you will soon master. In this guide I will try to give you the best possible start to your Egyptian adventure. Levelling System Weapons and Combat AC Origins has a lot to offer in this department. There is a real magnitude of weapons available to choose from, and each weapon has a rarity ranking. Blue: Regular Purple: Rare Yellow: Legendary The rarer the item, the more you get from it. You can choose to sell these items for Drachma (money) or dismantle them for resources. I would recommend keeping your favourites from each category, and then dismantling any unwanted regular weapons and selling the rare ones. It is good to know that the rarity often links to stats such as critical hit bonuses. Always compare your gear to see which one offers you the best stats for your playstyle. Keep an eye out for attributes assigned to your weapons. Blacks are standard attributes, but gold will provide you with a nice little boost. The red ones (cursed) are the most interesting as they provide you with high damage but at the cost of reducing your health. Don’t worry if you find a weapon that you like but feel that it is too low a level. A trip to one of the many blacksmiths will provide you with the opportunity to boost it up to your current level in exchange for some Drachma. Crafting Crafting in Origins is all about 6 pieces of gear that you secure very early in the game. From this point on you will need to collect resources to upgrade them. When highlighting the gear you will be shown which resources you need to collect. Hidden Blade: Who does not like this, the staple for any assassin? You will get this once you arrive in Alexandria. You have 10 upgrade levels, each adding to the damage the blade can do. Essential for anyone wishing to play the way of the assassin. Quiver: You will only need to upgrade this 5 times, allowing you to carry additional arrows. A big favourite of mine as the introduction of the bow really mixes up the gameplay. Stabilizer Glove: This compliments the quiver, providing you with increased damage with the bow. Just like the Hidden Blade you will need to level the glove 10 times. Bracer: These can be upgraded 10 times for additional melee damage. Breastplate: Upgrade this to further increase your maximum health, there are 10 levels. Tool Pouch: Only 5 upgrades for this one, and one I did not bother with in the early game. If you follow the Seer abilities focus on this gear piece. If you are playing Origins after Valhalla or Odyssey then you may slightly be disappointed with the customisation options. There are many outfits in the game but they do not have interchangeable parts. Bayek’s clothing does come with the same rarity as his weapons but unfortunately they are purely for cosmetic purposes. The same can be said for the mounts, although you can switch out your horse for a camel if you wish. Do not be put off by this though as there are some very nice outfits in the game. Outfits and Mounts Thanks for reading our Assassin's Creed Origins Starter Guide. We hope that you found it useful! About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who recently joined TOWCB AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer. Throughout 2021, Aaron and other writers will be joining the admin team in a collaborative effort to create an Assassin's Creed Valhalla Guide Database, which you can find here . Twitter Aaron Young

Learn about the reasons for the creation of Assassin's Creed Day Community Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today History Female Vikings: The Real History Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 27/10/20 By Lauren Harris Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share When the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released and fans were introduced to the protagonist, Eivor, who can be played as either male or female, it was the subject of much discussion. Fans debated over how realistic the concept of a female Viking warrior was. Could a female Eivor be historically accurate? Or was it simply a gameplay decision made for the benefit of representation and player choice? In this article, we look at the true history of women during the Viking era and the role they played in their society. According to Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham and the author of Women in the Viking Age (1991), women could not be Vikings as the Old Norse word “vikingar” only applied to men. The idea of female Viking warriors being a historical fact seems to have originated with a DNA study into the remains found in a grave in Birka, Sweden, in 1889. For over one hundred years, the remains were assumed to be of a male warrior. However, in 2017, DNA proved that the bones belonged to a woman. The researchers then published their assessment that the deceased must have been a warrior woman. The reasoning for this was due to the possessions found in the grave, such as pieces of a chess-like board game. Items like this were often found in the graves of warriors, and so the assumption was made that this must have been a warrior. Vikings historians were quick to dispute this conclusion, however. For one, there was no concrete evidence that board games had any connection to warriors. Also, it was very possible that bones had been mixed together during burials, and that this was not specifically a warrior’s grave. Sadly, most scholars believe that female Viking warriors simply did not exist. However, that does not mean that women had no role in Viking society. Actually, research shows that Viking era women had a level of equality with men that most societies would not achieve for many, many years. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players can let the Animus choose which perspective to view the memory stream from depending on its strength. This is to encourage fans to play as both characters, rather than as just one. Women had a number of important roles in Viking society. Many of these involved work around the house and farm – but women were not simple housewives. In fact, they were responsible for all the wealth in their household. The women controlled the money and the keys to the property. If the men wanted to use either of these things, they would have to go to their wives first. Additionally, since the men were often away exploring, raiding, or voyaging, the women were in charge of making the decisions. They were the ones left behind to keep the economy flourishing and prevent the village from falling apart. In what was an incredibly progressive move for the time, women were allowed to have occupations outside of the home. They were traders, priestesses, and even rune masters. Often, women would produce textiles and sell them in the village. Sometimes, the power of a woman could overshadow her husband. Some men would admire their wives for this fiery personality, but others would feel emasculated. Regardless, society always respected a powerful woman. Evidence of a powerful Viking era woman was found in a burial in Oseberg. Remains of a woman, assumed to be of nobility or even royalty, were found buried in a large ship. She was interred with carved wooden furniture, a tapestry, fine bedding, and household utensils. This suggested that she had power within the society and was respected by her peers. Law was also much fairer to women in the Viking Age than in other periods of history. Women were able to inherit land from their parents, though less than their brothers would receive. A woman would also receive money from her groom upon marriage, of a similar value to the dowry she would present to him. Married couples in the Viking Age were able to divorce, a progressive concept in itself, and if they did, the woman would get to keep her own dowry and that of her groom. They were also free to remarry without judgement. Abuse of women was not tolerated in Viking society. Rape of a woman was a crime punishable by exile, and a woman could demand a divorce if her husband hit her three times. That said, female infidelity was not acceptable and was punished, though men were allowed to have mistresses. Another way that Vikings showed their appreciation for the women in their lives was through rune stones. Whilst most rune stones were erected for men, many were also erected in memory of women. This shows that Vikings wanted people to remember their women and felt that they deserved the same memorial as the men. Despite the historians suggesting that female Viking warriors did not exist, there are many stories in Norse literature of women riding into battle alongside the men. Where did these myths come from? The Icelandic sagas with tales of Viking shield-maidens and Valkyries were written centuries after the Viking Age, which makes it difficult to believe the stories they tell. However, what these sagas do show is the way the Norse respected and admired strong women in their society. The women in these stories were depicted in various ways. Some were Valkyries sent by the god Odin to retrieve fallen warriors from the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. Some were mortal but with supernatural powers, like fortune tellers and prophets. Others were regular humans who picked up a sword and shield and went into battle with their male counterparts. Famous female warriors in Norse literature include Sigrdrifa the Valkyrie, who appears in the poem Sigrdrífumál also featuring Sigurd the Dragonslayer. While little historical evidence has been found to support the idea of Viking warrior women existing, there have been some accounts which could lend support to the theory. One is from an Irish history book written in the 12th century which speaks of a warrior named “The Red Maiden” who attacked Munster with a Viking fleet in the 10th century. Another is from 11th century Greek historian Johannes Skylitze who recorded that there were armed female Vikings among the warriors who attacked the Byzantines in Bulgaria in 971. As with the Icelandic sagas, though, the fact these sources were written hundreds of years after the Viking age makes the stories less credible. Other evidence which could suggest female Viking warriors existed comes from two sets of remains found in Norway. One set was the skeleton of a woman around 20 years old who was buried with a complete set Viking weaponry. The other was a skeleton of a woman around 18 years old who had a full set of weaponry along with equipment for a horse. There is little reason for the women to be buried with these possessions unless they were important to them, suggesting that they could have been warriors themselves. However, under Viking law, a woman would gain all her husband’s belongings upon his death. It could be that these weapons belonged to their warrior husbands and were buried with the wives for sentimental reasons. To conclude, historians believe that the existence of Viking warrior women is unlikely – and so too would be a character like female Eivor. However, it is clear that women held more power in Viking society than any other culture for years to come. Women were not subservient and they were free to make their own decisions in life. It is said that no one could tell a Viking era woman what to do. We have to wonder then if a woman wanted to be a Viking warrior, who was going to stop her? In that case, maybe there were female warriors lost to the annals of history – and maybe Eivor was one of them. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who loves the Assassin's Creed franchise. As a member of the AC Partnership Program, she will be writing regular articles for the AC community, and her work can now be found in the Community Hub. Lauren is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and will be exploring this more in future articles. Lauren Harris Support TOWCB Support TOWCB By using our Amazon Links Save 15% with the code 'TOWCB' Eivor is a fierce Viking warrior, and the leader of the Raven Clan. Available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on UPLAY+, and Stadia. Also coming to PlayStation®5. 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