Assassin's Creed 2 Puzzle and Codex Contents and Analysis Version 0.75 Author: Irvine Tomoe Email: DarkerCompanion@gmail.com Date of Submission: November 26, 2009 ******************************* Table of Contents I. Disclaimer/Spoiler Alert II. Introduction III. Puzzle Information and Interpretation IV. Codex Script and Interpretation - Incomplete V. Auditore Tomb Script and Interpretation - Coming Soon VI. Speculation - Coming Soon VII. Legal Somesuch VIII. Credits ******************************* I. Disclaimer/Spoiler Alert Before I say anything else, I have to warn that this file is intended to provide post-game information. This is not a guide having anything to do with how to beat the game, or the glyph puzzles. It is assumed that readers have solved all the glyph puzzles, beaten the game, and in some respects, have beaten Assassin's Creed 1 as well. I will discuss potentially every major plot reveal post game, as that is what this entire guide concerns. So if you are intending to find out the plot yourself, please, stop now. If you are reading this, and you are about to play Assassin's Creed 2 and you have NOT played Assassin's Creed 1, stop. Go buy AC1 for 20 bucks and play it first. Unless you hate it (in which case you will likely dislike the second as well), it will enrich the experience of the second. Furthermore, there is a significant amount of speculation on my part in this file. The first half is examining imagery, references to history, implied connections and deciphered codes, so most of it is only one step (or less) away from what is spelled out directly. However, there will be a few connections I make that may not necessarily be true, so nothing can be taken as absolute truth . . . I'm sure the Assassins would agree. The speculation section will be the most distant from fact, as I will tie together a picture of the state of things in a more linear, definitive fashion, but including some of my interpretations of the more vague plot points. If you are still reading, awesome. Moving on. ******************************* II. Introduction Assassin's Creed 1 is an interesting, fairly popular game about an assassin during the crusades and the political strife and conspiracies he and his order discover while fighting with their enemies, the Templar. That's all find and dandy . . . but it doesn't get really interesting until you beat the game. At the end of the game, there is a tantalizing spoiler of Science Fiction potential in a game that was fairly grounded in reality up until that point. The game left you hanging, having just discovered what little was provided to you, and it left you in the ultimate cliffhanger. But, for those with an insatiable appetite for more, there were hints. Drawings on the walls, that hinted at clues as to the direction of the next game. Emails that hinted that certain well known events were not what they seemed. Suddenly, a game about killing people in an awesome manner, on a historical political backdrop became so much more . . . and said "See ya in two years!" Well, that's just mean. Some of that information requires knowledge of lots of minute details and mythological references, as well as math and languages. And you know, not everyone gets that stuff. Nor is everyone interested in spending days deciphering all the clues. So when I played Assassin's Creed 2, and found that it had at least ten times more subtle clues than the first, I decided I had to look into it. Rather than have people dismiss this aspect and ignore what I consider to be the most interesting part of the game, I aim to combine it all for the reader, so that these aspects do not go ignored. So here we are. I've written down the contents of the puzzles, and what they seem to imply about the plot. When something vital is referenced, but not spelled out, I have done my research and included the facts in the file. If any of it calls to you, I recommend wikipedia. So much of this is there, waiting to be read . . . would you believe that nearly every conspiracy in this game is a REAL conspiracy theory? They may not be real conspiracies in real life, but they are real conspiracy theories in real life. Assassin's Creed 2 makes up very little. I have also deciphered all of the hidden messages in the background of the pictures. It is possible that I have missed one, and if that is the case, please, let me know. In fact, while this file was written nearly entirely by me, I know I could not have caught everything. There must be underlying references of extraordinary value that slipped past me. Or perhaps I missed something obvious and inferred something else (you wouldn't believe some of the bad ideas I had WRITTEN DOWN in this file that I realized were wrong later). If you have anything you think would work well here, or if you have a suggestion, or maybe wish to contest that I have something so absurdly wrong it couldn't possibly be right, let me know. My email is DarkerCompanion@gmail.com, and while I can't guarantee a fast response, I know I am interested in hearing more tie-ins and references. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have written this. You could say the length of this document is how interested I am in hearing what you might have to say. With that explained, let me begin. ******************************* III. Puzzle Information and Interpretation Here, I will list each puzzle and the relevant images, facts, quotes, and the like included. I did NOT record all of Subject 16's dialogue, however, when it seemed important, I did. If you are here looking for solutions to the puzzles, you likely won't find it, except for on a few that the answer is relevant to the story. ----------------------------------- -Puzzle #1: In The Beginning ----------------------------------- This is an image matching puzzle. Its hint is "Five of These Mythic Scenes Share A CORE Similarity. Pick them out and you'll begin to see." The Fall Hercules in the Garden of the Hesperides Atalanta and Hippomenes Judgement of Paris Idun and the Apples These five include apples in them in a prominent sense, many of which are tied into biblical or mythological settings. Upon completion, the image of the Piece of Eden (The Apple) is displayed. Interpretation: This puzzle hints that the Apple/s have played a relevant role in the mythological history of mankind. It also notes several situations in which an apple was potentially more than just a fruit. The Fall - This is a simple image of Adam and Eve by the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Given the contents of Subject 16's video, this one is fairly obvious. Judgement of Paris - This moment from the life of the Greek mythological figure Paris concerned a marriage celebration held by the Gods. Not invited, Eris, the Goddess of Strife, sought to disrupt the party by offering a Golden Apple of Discord to the most beautiful attendant of the party. This caused bickering amongst the arrogant attendees, allowing Eris to manipulate the attendees into doing what she wanted (ruining the party themselves, since she wasn't invited). This use of the apple to control others behavior is especially worth nothing. Eventually, it came down to Paris, a mortal, having to choose which of the three goddesses, Hera, Athena (a.k.a. Minerva) and Aphrodite. He choice and subsequent actions eventually led to the eruption of the Trojan War, a war which concerned humans, super-humans (Achilles was the son of a nymph and a human, who were supernatural beings, leaving him with vaguely defined half-God status, see the Speculation section for more), and Gods. Hercules in the Garden of the Hesperides - Hercules, a half-God (see the Speculation section for more on this subject) traveled to this location during his journeys to steal a Golden Apple as a task. Within the myth, these Apples had supernatural abilities, including immortality. Notably, in some variations of the myth, after the theft, Athena (Minerva) returned the Apples to the Garden. Idun and the Apples - Idun is a Norse goddess who was known, amongst other things, as a guardian of youth giving supernatural apples. Atalanta and Hippomenes - In this particular myth, Atalanta was a athletic, warriorlike woman who was far more capable than the average athletica male. Uninterested in marriage, she finally agreed that she would marry a male who could outrun her. Hippmenes was, according to the myth, granted 3 golden apples by Aphrodite that he used to trick her into slowing down, and through their use, was able to win. This myth is the only one of the five aside from the Judgement of Paris myth in which someone uses a Golden Apple to manipulate someone's behavior, but it is worth nothing. In all five of the myths, the apples are highly desirable and capable of what seems to be more than just being a simple fruit. Furthermore, except for that of Idun, all of the apples are golden. In all five myths are the apples related to the Gods in one way or another. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #2: Sixty-four Squares ----------------------------------- This puzzle begins with a number of spinning circle puzzles. The first: Queen Elizabeth of England,1559 In this image, Queen Elizabeth holds an orb in her hand. The implication is that this is no simple orb. Upon completion, it is highlighted and identified as: ID: Piece of Eden 2 - Apple The second: Emperor Napoleon 1 of France, 1812 In this image, Napoleon's characteristic "hand in jacket" pose implies a Piece of Eden. Given how well known this pose is, it may imply that the Apple had begun to influence his behavior. Upon completion, it is highlighted and identified as: ID: Piece of Eden 1 - Apple The third: George Washington, United States, 1781 In this image, George Washington is shown in a similar pose to Napoleon, and the completed puzzle reveals the same result. Upon completion, it is highlighted and identified as: ID: Piece of Eden 3 - Apple Interpretation: This puzzle is fairly simple in its implications. It shows three incredibly influential world leaders and gives evidence that they each were in possession of an Apple. Queen Elizabeth is considered to be the most recognizable leader in English history, and her reign has been considered as veritable golden age for the nation. Napoleon I was similarly one of the most recognizable leaders of France, as well as being extremely competent in war. George Washington is the first and the most recognizable of the presidents of the United States, and he too was a reputable politician and general. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #3: Descendents ----------------------------------- This puzzle starts with a relevant comment by Subject 16: "Power doesn't die; its passed on." A Where's Waldo style puzzle, this includes images of several famous individuals. The first: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Strategic Meeting, 1944 The image is labeled. "HE CARRIED IT WITH HIM. FIND HIS INHERITANCE" There is a hidden message that goes horizontally across the board. It says: THE MASONS BROUGHT IT ACROSS THE SEA. GEORGE WASHINGTON PASSED IT ON. The Apple one the table is IDed as the Piece of Eden #3. The second: Houdini Beginning the Chinese Water Torture Cell Escape, 1913 A Morse code message says "They hit him in the stomach." The Apple is on the water tank IDed as the Piece of Eden #1. The third: Gandhi During The Salt March, 1930 A Morse code message says "The bullet hit him in the chest." The Apple is on the end of his walking stick, seemingly invisible, IDed as the Piece of Eden #2. Interpretation: A second time, the puzzle reveals that influential world leaders were in possession of Apples. However, in these pictures, the others present in the picture seem ignorant of the presence of said apples. This would imply that that had not just used the apple to gain their power, but to blind their followers to the presence of the apple. This is particularly relevant to Houdini, a master of escape and illusion. The power of the apple would easily allow him trick audiences into believing he had performed his famous stunts, several of which are still considered "impossible" today. Also, this puzzle assigns an accusatory tone towards the Templar for the deaths of Gandhi and Houdini. The note above Roosevelt's picture is not present in the other pictures. When considered in the context of the hidden message in his picture, it shows an important link. Roosevelt was a member of the Freemasons, a fraternal organization guarded by secrecy. Membership was earned, and one had to rise through the ranks to attain higher levels of membership and access to greater secrets. The Freemasons are several centuries old, going as far back as the 16th century. George Washington was also a member of the Freemasons, 150 years before Roosevelt's time in office. Both Roosevelt's and Washington's apples are IDed in the pictures as Piece of Eden #3, so it is clear that it was passed along through the Freemason organization. The most important clue here, however, is that for over two centuries, speculation and conspiracy theories have existed claiming that the Freemasons are a front for the Templar, who were forcefully disbanded. The theories claim that the Templar, losing their official power, created a new order that they could control from behind the scenes, and it is certainly a powerful group, even today, with many important historical figures having been members. It is worth noting that one conspiracy claims that the Freemasons were responsible for faking the Apollo 11 moon landing (See Puzzle 11: Apollo). The hidden message was also encrypted in Masonic code, a form of secret writing used by the Freemasons to keep their communication from prying eyes. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #4: Infinite Knowledge ----------------------------------- This puzzle is another Where's Waldo puzzle. The first: Burning Viet Cong Base Camp, My Tho, Vietnam, 1968 The image is labeled: Its open MOUTH delivers the kiss of death. The picture shows a soldier in Vietnam with a rocket launcher on his back, set against a backdrop of destruction. The MOUTH refers to the rocket launcher. The second: Members of the 2D Infantry Division Advance Under Machine Gun Fire into the Outskirts of Brest, France, 1944 The image is labeled: Leading the YOUNG to their end. The picture shows soldiers in France. The YOUNG refers to a soldier in the background. There is a hidden message in this picture, encoded in Hexidecimal. Once deciphered, it says "Antikythera Mechanism, much older than 150 B.C.E." The third: Union Troops in Formation, Beaufort, South Carolina, 1862 The image is labeled: The Flames from its throat POKE out their eyes. The picture shows a group of soldiers, many of which have bayonets. The poke refers to these. There is a hidden message in this picture, that once decoded says "Ancient city, Rajasthan, India, irradiated by PoE" The fourth: The First Pictorial Representation of a Gun, 900 The image is labeled: The MONSTER did not come from man. An asian picture depicts a horde of demons assaulting a central figure. There is what looks like a firearm/cannon in the picture, and a demon holds a blazing golden sphere. This sphere ends the image, and it is IDed as "Piece of Eden 4 - Apple" There is a hidden binary message in this picture that translates to "Sumerian. Me 23." Ends on a picture of a demon, holding a flaming sphere (ID: Piece of Eden 4 - Apple) Interpretation: Well, this one is a doozy. It has a lot to say, and makes a lot of references. First, the overarching theme is of firearms. The labels imply that guns are not a human creation. With the last picture in mind, it seems evident that a human used the knowledge in one of the Pieces of Eden to develop guns. As to their demonic appearance, that same Piece of Eden (being wielded alongside the guns in the picture) could have been used to convince the wielder's opponents that they were fighting not humans, but demons. Or perhaps the presence of a newly invented gun could have brought such terror that the event went down in history as being a demonic event. The first hidden message refers to the Antikythera Mechanism, a real life artifact found in a shipwreck. It is a surprisingly complex tool that seems to have been used as an astronomical calculator. It was comprised of several dozen mobile gear parts, and when its calibration is compared to reality, it is exceedingly accurate. The mechanism's level of technology is considered to be equivalent to that of somewhere between the 15th and 18th century clockwork. However, it is estimated to be over 2000 years old, showing levels of advanced computing technology not believed to have existing during that period of time. The message implies that it is far older than estimates predict, implying is ancient technology from "Those Who Came Before", though not powerful in the sense of the Pieces of Eden. The second hidden message refers to a combination of myths and scripture. There is a seemingly difficult to trace study on the internet concerning soil samples taken from the Indian state of Rajasthan. The study indicates that they were contained dangerously irradiated dust from a depth indicating that a radioactive event at least several thousand years ago in this area. This study itself has been notoriously hard to back up, however, for the purpose of this explanation, we will take it at face value. Where this ties in is that in Indian scripture, like most scripture, there is a large amount of metaphoric imagery, as well as supernatural beings. Unlike many instances of scripture, however, taken in a science fiction context, the descriptions and powers of the people and beings seem to resemble not saints and gods, but members of an advanced civilization, complete with references to flying machines similar to jets/spaceships, and weapons with the destructive power of an atom bomb. It is the weapons themselves that tie into this, for in the scripture, there is implication that there was a terrible war, and being that this is Indian scripture, it took place in the general area of India. Allow me to say this in another way: An ancient civilization of incredibly advanced technology went to war, and phenomenal destruction ensued, including weapons that match the description of nukes, in the general vicinity of India. And according to this difficult to trace study, an Indian state have heavily irradiated soil under several thousand years worth of sediment and dirt. Suddenly, this seems incredibly relevant. Finally comes the last hidden message, Sumerian Me 23. In Sumerian mythology, the gods granted to humanity many dozen "Me" or aspects of humanity. These are not rules, like commandments, but literal gifts of abilities. Furthermore, these abilities are embodied within literal objects. Me #23 is "Weapons". A physical embodiment of a weapon could refer to an object of vastly powerful combat usefulness, which could match the description of a Piece of Eden. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #5: Instruments of Power ----------------------------------- This is an image matching puzzle. Its hint is "The power they wielded CUT down their enemies." Perseus, Greece Attila the Hun, Eurasia Sigmund, Norse King Arthur, Britannia Joan of Arc, France These five include powerful figures from the world's history, well known for their warrior nature and combat prowess. Each, in turn wields a sword. When completed, Piece of Eden 25 - The Sword is displayed. In this puzzle, the hint is "In their hands, the wise LEAN on a great force." John the Baptist, Jerusalem Alexander the Great, Macedonia Shabataka, Egypt Peter, Jerusalem Moses, Egypt The five include important figures from history, with all of them being from the bible or old world civilizations. In the images, each possesses a staff. Once completed, Piece of Eden 34 - The Staff is displayed. Interpretation: This puzzle reveals the first indication that not all Pieces of Eden are Apples, although we now know that there are multiple apples. The sword and the staff are both Pieces of Eden here, and one might infer from the famous figures wielding them that they possess powers relevant to their purpose. Amongst the wielders of the sword, there is a mix of contemporary history and myth. Perseus, a Greek mythological hero, was in possession of an enchanted adamantine sword that was granted to him by the Greek god Hermes. Interestingly, he was granted a plethora of magical items, including winged boots granting flight (also from Hermes), the shield of Athena (Minerva), and a helmet of Invisibility from god of the dead, Hades Sigmund was a hero in Norse mythology, who amongst other things, came to possess a legendary sword. The Norse god Odin (the leader of their gods), came to a party he was attending and embedded the sword in a tree, claiming that only the person who could pull it from the tree could have it. Sigmund was the only one able to remove it, leading to much jealousy and a fair bit of murder. Attila the Hun was a powerful conqueror from 430 A.D. to 450 A.D. He managed to conquer a significant portion of the known world at the time, and was well known for his skill in warfare and, in many accounts, his cruelty. A legend has arisen around him regarding his sword, which was found in the wilderness. He referred to it as "The Sword of Mars", the Roman god of war, equivalent to Ares in Greek mythology. Amongst non-Roman accounts, it was known as the "Sword of the War God". King Arthur's tale is far too well known to bother explaining it here, but his possession of the legendary sword Excalibur is evidence enough of its place here. Its role as being a sword in the stone, only removable by a specific individual closely parallels Sigmund's sword, indicating a potential connection. Excalibur was mentioned to have the ability to blind its opponents, and its scabbard was said to prevent the wielder from bleeding to death. The last, chronologically, in the line of individuals in this set is Joan of Arc. She stands out from the other four in that there is no record of her sword being in any way spectacular. However, her own life fills this role. She was an uneducated, poor farm girl who claimed to have received divine visions instructing her to lead France, her native country, to reclaim its lost territory from the English. With a lot of convincing, she received permission to fight with the troops, and her influence, through divine knowledge, innate skill, or extreme luck, turned the tide time and time again, resulting in a string of victories that had been preceded by decades of failures. Nearly every tactical decision she made resulted in a victory where others had failed, and she predicted enemy movements with an uncanny degree of accuracy that even veteran military tacticians did not foresee. She did this in the years when she was only 17 and 18. Ultimately, after making great strides in France's name, a political conspiracy against her resulted in her being burned at the stake. It was later officially found that the trials were performed unlawfully, and that she was innocent of the charges. On the subject of the staff puzzle, the individuals depicted all were in a position of power or leadership at one point. The first is Moses, of Jewish and Christian scripture. Most relevant to this topic, while doing God's bidding, he was told by God to perform certain acts with his brother's staff. This often resulted in supernatural event, and it soon became common for Moses to use his staff whenever invoking God's power. Included in these acts are: turning the staff into a snake, invoking numerous plagues upon Egypt, parting the Red Sea for passage, conjuring water, and allowing the Israelites to win a battle so long as the staff was raised high. The second is Shabataka, an Egyptian king who ruled around the year 700 BC. Aside from a brief campaign in Jerusalem, there is little linking him to previous owners of the staff, nor is there significant record of events or a particular staff in his possession. Third is Alexander the Great. Like Shabataka, there is no particular evidence of a staff in his career, however, he led a tremendously successful campaign that created an empire reaching from Greece to India. He accomplished this in about ten years, although his conquest eventually slowed to a standstill. After his death, his empire fell apart within a few short years, unable to maintain itself. Fourth is John the Baptist. His role in birth of Christianity is paramount, as he is arguably the second most important human in its creation, second only to Jesus himself. He himself had a sufficiently large following independent of Jesus, founded around baptism. He himself was the one to baptize Jesus, at which point his followers slowly merged with those of Jesus. He was soon killed by the regions local ruler, at a time which historians believe was within a year before Jesus himself was killed. It should be noted that his mother was a "Daughter of Aaron", or an individual who's lineage could be traced to Aaron, the brother of Moses. Last is St. Peter, apostle of Jesus, and often their leader when Jesus was not present. He would later become the first Pope, and in some ways, could be considered the founder of Christianity as an actual religion (In that Jesus merely spread the belief, but it was more of a following at the time). As the first Pope, it might be inferred that his possession of the staff allowed it to be passed down through the years, eventually culminating in Rodrigo Borgia. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #6: Brothers ----------------------------------- This puzzle contains 4 spinning circle puzzles, each depicting Cain and Able, the sons of Adam and Eve. The first image depicts the burning altar sacrifice, and the remaining three depict the two struggling. Upon completion, each shows that they were reaching for the Piece of Eden. Each image has a line of text, forming a passage: And Satan Said Unto Cain: Swear Unto Me By Thy Throat, And If Thou Tell It Thou Shalt Die And All These Things Were Done In Secret And Cain Said: Truly I Am Mahan, the Master of This Great Secret. Wherefore Cain Was Called Master Mahan, and He Glorified In His Wickedness Upon completion, subject 16 says "Behold; the mark of Cain!" The red templar cross appears upon all four images. A passage of morse code below says "TEMPLAR TEXTS ADAPTED BY MR SMITH". Interpretation: This one holds an impressive array of implications. First: Cain and Able are the sons of Adam and Eve. In the context of Assassin's Creed, this may mean that they would inherit the Piece of Eden that Adam and Eve stole. However, it seems clear that Cain, the ever jealous brother in scripture and culture, would attempt to take the Piece of Eden for himself, and in doing so, commit the first murder in the name of possessing the Apple. This, with the mark of the templar appearing, shows that he was the first person willing to commit terrible acts upon other humans in the name of acquiring the power of the Pieces of Eden for himself. Whether his association with the Templar order is symbolic or real is not clear, but it could be that he would later go on to found the order, attempting to gain control of more of the pieces. Second: "Templar Texts Adapted By Mr. Smith". What an incredibly useless piece of information, what with Smith being so common a name. Fortunately, it is inextricably linked to one important Smith in history. "Master Mahan" is not a phrase present in most biblical accounts. It is, in fact, fairly exclusive to Mormon texts. The founder of the Mormon Order (The Latter Day Saint movement), who also "translated" the texts founding their scripture, is a certain Joseph Smith, Jr. Joseph Smith, Jr., as well as several other founding members of the Mormon Order were members of the Freemasons, and some aspects of Mormon ritual are based upon the rituals of the Freemasons (See Puzzle 3: Decendents). The take home message, however, is that the Mormons are implied to be Templar. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #7: Keep on Seeking, And You Will Find It ----------------------------------- Here, another image matching puzzle appears, with a lengthy hint: First Plucked From A Tree Guarded By A Snake, Its Powers Perform Miracles. Then, Worn Across The Ages, Torn Asunder, Hidden Under A Sea of RED, Reconstruct the Timeline Joseph, Egypt. C. 1700 B.C.E. Jason, Greece, Prehistory Jesus Christ, Jerusalem, c. 30 David and Goliath, Valley of Elah, c. 970 B.C.E. Christ Disrobed, Jerusalem. c. 30 These images share a slightly more subtle similarity than previous ones. All but one depict a figure from Christian/Jewish scripture wearing a bright red cloak or shirt. The fifth of Jason of the Argonauts, battling the hydra to take the Golden Fleece, a legendary article of clothing made from the fur of a supernatural ram. After matching the images, a new picture appears of Jesus crucified on the cross. Using the scanner, one finds the message "They Took It" written across the image. Scanning the note on the top of the cross reveals a Templar logo, and in the bottom corner the scanner reveals Jesus' cloak. Selecting it solves the puzzle, revealing the message: "Piece of Eden 66: The Shroud". Interpretation: This puzzle shows that Christianity has two Pieces of Eden resurfacing time and time again. Along with the Staff from Puzzle 6, the Shroud shows that it played a part in the lives of several of them. Furthermore, it implies it was more than a simple cloak by attaching it to the Golden Fleece. The quest of Jason is a lengthy one, concerning many aspects of Greek mythology, however, only a few are relevant to this context. First, the entire course of his quest is an attempt to get a golden fleece from a foreign land, so that he may rightfully take his place as king in his own nation. Later in the story, the fleece itself shows the power to heal the injured, and protects its wearer from harm. Another relevant thread in the plot is that Jason had a strong association with the Greek god Hera (Juno). It is worth noting that one of Jason's companions was Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythos).(See Puzzle 1: In The Beginning). The tale of Joseph is an important part of Jewish scripture, as it marks one of the many points at which Judaism began its spread in the world. However, one important portion of the tale concerns the beginning, where Joseph's father, Jacob, grants him alone out of his twelve brothers a beautiful, colorful cloak. Out of jealousy, the brothers betrayed Joseph, and sold him into slavery. The cloak is well known for being associated with Joseph's tale. David and Goliath is another tale in Jewish scripture accounting a battle between a young boy with little to no combat training and an immensely large warrior. Despite all odds, David overcame Goliath without so much as a scratch, and eventually went on to become king of the Hebrew nation, bringing it into a brief golden age that it has never regained. In the picture, he is depicted as wearing a bright red shirt. The dual images of Jesus both depict him wearing a bright red cloak, defying the conventional depiction of Jesus' cloak being a beautiful blue. However, if the cloak were indeed to be the same as the Golden Fleece, it could be in possession of the same healing powers. This would make sense, given that several of Jesus' miracles include him healing the disabled, sick, dying, or dead. The disrobing of Jesus is an important stage in the depiction of his crucifixion, and if the message at the end of the puzzle is indeed correct, then this may have been the ultimate purpose of Jesus' death. This might also be the earliest depiction of the Templar in action. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #8: Martyrs ----------------------------------- This puzzle is a simple Where's Waldo type puzzle, showing two images. The first: Czar Nicholas II, Russia There is binary code in the picture, which, when translated, says "17 July, 1918". This is Nicholas II date of death. Searching the picture reveals his scepter is the Staff, Piece of Eden 34. The second: Joan of Arc, France There is binary in this picture as well. It says "30 May, 1431". This is also her date of death. Searching the picture reveals her sword is the Piece of Eden 25. A pointer with the templar logo appears on a map. Place Fire over Joan of Arc, and it shows her burning at the stake, revealing the message "They took it". Place a photo of Rasputin over Nicholas, and it shows the revolution, with a red Templar cross overlaid, revealing the message "Rasputin took it to Tunguska." Subject 16 notes that without the staff, Nicholas could not control his subjects, leading to the Russian revolution. Interpretation: This ties the deaths of two historical figures into the mix. Joan of Arc was mentioned before as having the sword, and the conspiracy to have her executed seems that it may have been a Templar plot to get Piece of Eden 25, the Sword. Whether this is the case or not, the Templar came into possession of the Sword after her death. The information on Czar Nicholas is a bit harder to discern. While it says that Rasputin took it to Tunguska, it does not deliberately state that he stole it from Nicholas. Rasputin was a close advisor and highly trusted by the Czar. His status as a mystic, well versed in the ways of the spirits and magic, might have led Nicholas to trust him with his "magic staff". Czar Nicholas may not necessarily have been a good leader, but it seems he was manipulated by the Templar as well. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #9: Hat-trick ----------------------------------- A combination puzzle here, some Where's Waldo puzzles first, then a deciphering puzzle. First: They Made It Look Like An Accident Houdini and Bess, 1915 Sliding templar symbol over Houdini's chest/abdomen reveals one of the apples, with a heartbeat sound. It then shows Houdini's grave. He Almost BEAT them. Gandhi, 1946 The templar symbol over his chest reveals one of the apples. It then shows Gandhi's funeral procession. Dallas (Archive) file appears. Subject 16 says: "The wolves are out hunting. Where, oh where, has Jack gone?" When you solve the deciphering puzzle, a letter appears: =================================== Operation: New Frontier HQ has given the go-ahead to extract the resource. Negotiations are over. F is planning to give the vote to everyone. Reason just doesn't work with someone like that. I'll send you the driver. We've trained him with PE2 in our labs, he shouldn't be any trouble. The motorcade route is marked below. Once the target has been downed, either by Oswald or Z, use PE1 to stage a distraction. Make some kind of phantom appear around this slope I've marked with an X. Freak people out. The driver will grab PE3 in the confusion. =================================== The bottom of the letter displays a later Templar logo, that looks similar to a corporate logo, with the letters IHSV written on it. Interpretation: The first half of this puzzle reinforces what Puzzle 3: Descendents showed, which is that Houdini and Gandhi were in possession of Apples and that the Templar engineered their deaths, likely to take the Apples. The second part indicates that the Templar were behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It also sounds like JFK was in possession of Piece of Eden 3 at the time of the assassination. Lee Harvey Oswald and an unnamed "Z" sound both to be Templar operatives, and were both gunmen present at the scene. The grassy knoll, famous for having somehow been involved, seems merely to be a red herring created by generating hallucinations with Piece of Eden 1. It also sounds as if, by the end of the assassination, the Templar would be in control of Pieces of Eden 1-3. One of the only relevant Z individuals tied to the assassination is Abraham Zapruder, the famed individual who filmed the assassination. (Pointed out by Failbaddon) The wording of the second sentence of the letter could mean two things. It says "We've trained him with PE2". This could mean either than they have trained him in the use of Piece of Eden 2, or that they have used Piece of Eden 2 to "train" him to be effective and/or obedient. The latter would indicate a new possibility; that the Templar can use a Piece of Eden to not just make an obedient, mindless follower (think of the Masyaf populace at the end of Assassin's Creed 1), but a functional, talented operative who will mindlessly follow instructions. The logo at the end, with the letters IHSV likely stands for "In Hoc Signa, Vinces." This is Latin for By This Sign, Conquer, and the original Latin phrase was a Templar motto. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #10: Apollo ----------------------------------- An image of the moon appears in this Where's Waldo scanner puzzle. It is labeled "FIND THE EAGLE". A hidden code is on the moon in the Masonic script from Puzzle 3: Descendents. It says: JOHNSON WAS ONE OF THEM THE BEES DRONE TOO FOLLOW THE MONEY The scanner detects the Apollo landing craft, which then zooms in and begins a spinning puzzle. Below the puzzle, a quote is written: With these formidable weapons, the adversaries of freedom plan to consolidate their territory, the exploit, to control, and finally to destroy. - JFK After solving puzzle, a photo appears: Apollo 11 photograph released to the public. Scanning it reveals the image in negative, and the message at the top says, when scanned "Original Unreleased Negative" Scanning the American flag reveals the Abstergo logo. Scanning the banner on the moon reveals a Templar standard banner. Finally, scanning the ground in front of the astronaut reveals a Piece of Eden. When scanned, it is IDed as "Piece of Eden 5, Apple". Subject 16 comments "With Jack deep underground, it was easy." Interpretation: This one indicates that, for some reason, a Piece of Eden was on the moon, and the mission to the moon was created to get it. JFK had been a serious proponent for going to the moon, however, this decision was based upon the recommendation of his Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson. Johnson would become president after JFK's assassination, and the moon landing occurred during his tenure as president. The hidden message, along with two other cryptic lines, indicates that President Johnson was a Templar. Subject 16's comment indicates that JFK was not a Templar, or might have even been opposed to them. With him out of the way, and Johnson in power, they engineered the retrieval of Piece of Eden 5 without opposition. The images revealed by the scanner show that the entire mission wasn't even a hidden Templar mission under the guise of an American mission. It WAS a Templar mission, and the photos were doctored later to make it look like an American mission. It is interesting to note that there is conspiracy theory accusing the Freemasons of faking the moon landing. Given the information revealed in Puzzle 3: Descendents, the theory is only half true. It is clear that they were involved, but rather than fake the moon landing, they just concealed its true purpose. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #11: The Inventor ----------------------------------- A letter appears instantly upon starting this puzzle. =================================== The economic transmission of power without wires is of all-surpassing importance to man. By its mean he will gain complete mastery of the air, the sea and the desert. It will enable him to dispense with the necessity of mining, pumping, transporting and burning fuel and so do away with innumerable causes of sinful waste. It will make the living glorious sun his obedient, toiling slave. It will bring peace and harmony on Earth. - Nikola Tesla =================================== After a small pointer game, an image appears: Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower, Under Construction. c. 1902 A number of quotes are hidden throughout the picture: "Fights between individuals, as well as governments and nations, invariably result from misunderstandings in the broadest interpretation of this term. - Nikola Tesla" "Money does not represent such a value as men have placed upon it. All my money has been invested into experiments with which I have made new discoveries enabling mankind to have a little easier life. - Nikola Tesla" "Misunderstanding are always cause by the inability of appreciating one another's point of view. The best way to dispel ignorance of the doings of others is by a systematic spread of general knowledge. With this object in view, it is most important to aid exchange of thoughts intercourse." - Nikola Tesla Scanning one of the upper windows leads to the next picture, one of arcing lightning coursing through a room. The image is labeled Nikola Tesla, c. 1900 A hidden image appears in the lightning. When deciphered, it says "HE USED IT TO DEVELOP A BOTTOMLESS SOURCE OF ENERGY TELEFUNKEN WIRELESS STATION". Scanning Nikola Tesla's lap reveals an artifact, IDed as "Piece of Eden 4, Apple". Subject 16 says "He found it in Croatia. They would find it in his lab." Interpretation: This one introduces a string of puzzles concerning Nikola Tesla. The first two thirds of the puzzle demonstrate that Nikola Tesla greatly valued technology and its advances, especially those of energy transmission and the sharing of information for the purposes of education. His philosophy on life seems to be that lack of communication, understanding, or knowledge seems to be at the core of all major disputes, and that one can reduce the risk of these disputes by improving these things. The second image shows Nikola Tesla in a room with arcing electricity. In his lap is an Apple, Piece of Eden 4. Subject 16 says he found it in Croatia, where Tesla was born. The hidden message indicates he used the inherent knowledge in the Apple to develop limitless energy, or the Apple itself provided the energy. It also references Telefunken Wireless Station, the first trans-Atlantic wireless station, which Tesla helped create. Subject 16s comment that "They would find it in his lab" foreshadows what would be revealed in the later puzzles, that the Templar took the Apple from him. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #12: Titans of Industry ----------------------------------- A file called Edison appears. Opening it reveals a letter: =================================== Dear Mr. Morgan: A serious matter has come to my attention. Nikola Tesla plans to use PE4 to create an information network across the entire world. And if that weren't bad enough, he intends to allow access to it for free! Imagine the masses spreading knowledge amongst themselves instantaneously. That would make everything we intend to do much more difficult. You must cut all funds for his experiments at once! In case you get cold feet, I'll have you know he wants to make electricity free as well, thereby putting us out of business. I've already begun slandering Tesla in the press. Just reallocate his funding, and I'll take care of PE4 myself. Sincerely yours, Thomas A. Edison =================================== A point and click game occurs, and as you complete it, it shows various actions Edison took to slander Tesla, culminating in a real video of an elephant being electrocuted to show that Tesla's energy was dangerous. An image of Edison holding a glowing light appears. Subject 16 says "He wanted everyone to know the secret. To set us all free. They used it to drive him insane." A hidden string of Morse code in the picture says "THEY USED IT TO MAKE TESLA GO INSANE THE ORGANIZATION TOOK HIS RESEARCH ALIEN PROPERTY CUSTODIAN OFFICE". Scanning the glowing orb reveals a file labeled Ford. Opening it reveals a letter: =================================== Dear Mr. Edison, I wanted to thank you for letting me make use of PE4 all these years. Among several things, I was able to convince the workers I was raising their pay to $5 a day, when in fact, I gave them a pay cut. But, I had to let PE4 go. As per instructions, I've shipped it to Europe. H. has it, so I assume the war will begin as soon as he can take over. We'll let him have his fun (Lord knows, that kind of purge will be good for Europe) and then end it with a bang, as planned. Out of the chaos of war a new order will emerge! I've enclosed a picture from Florida of you, me and Firestone. We should attempt to spend more time on the golf course this summer. Yours, Henry Ford =================================== Interpretation: At this point, it becomes clear that the slander of Tesla by Edison fueled by a Templar initiative, of which J.P. Morgan, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford are all members of. In addition to their regular drive to attain any Pieces of Eden they can get their hands on, Tesla represents a triple- pronged assault on their belief of what the world should be like. He intends to allow limitless and instantaneous transmission of information, he intends to offer it for free, and he intends to make electricity free as well, thereby undercutting the Templar's control of information and one of their sources of income. They instituted a dual assault on Tesla; Morgan cutting off his finances and urging other investors to avoid Tesla, and Edison publicly ruining Tesla's image. Without money and without people backing him, his finances fell apart. Further troubling this was that he had a number of mental issues including depression and eccentric behavior. The puzzle implies that this was a third method of reducing the threat of Tesla, by using the Piece of Eden to unsettle his mind. The second letter reveals an even more catastrophic turn of events. Henry Ford used the Piece of Eden 4 to manipulate his employees into happily accepting pay cuts. After he was done with it, he sent it to Europe to H. (Definitely revealed to be Hitler in Puzzle 17: The Bunker), knowing full well that Hitler intended to begin a purge and takeover of Europe. This means not only that Hitler was a Templar, but that the Templar order supported World War II's existence, and engineered the entire thing. The Piece of Eden, as often used in other situations, would be used to manipulate people, allowing his takeover of Germany and the creation of his army. The icing on the cake is that in the same paragraph as talking about deliberately causing the largest loss of human life in the world's history, they talk about playing golf. This provides very good insight into how little far the Templar are willing to go to accomplish their means. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #13: I am become death, the destroy of worlds. ----------------------------------- A file labeled Trinity appears, unlocking it reveals the following letter: =================================== Abstergo Corporation Subject: Test Authorization There comes a time in the life of every experiment when we must test our results outside, in the world. I do not relish a successful outcome, but one is essential if we are to begin the foundations of a new world order. Global security and prosperity depend on a steady hand guiding the populace, a hand that will not falter under the weight of conscience. Give O. the authorization. I believe that history will vindicate us in the end. Signed with the Templar logo. =================================== Pressing a button after the letter shows an atomic bomb go off. Interpretation: This one is not particularly full of hidden meaning, however, it shows very soundly that the Templar were responsible for the development of the atomic bomb. It may be likely that O (Oppenheimer, the most significant creator of the atomic bomb) is a Templar, or at least a pawn of the Templar. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #14: Bloodlines ----------------------------------- A matching image puzzle appears, with the following clue: The Seeds Were Planted As Two Worlds Became One. Behold, the Assassins, the Children of Two Worlds! Danae Visited By Zeus Jupiter and Io Leda and the Swan Cupid and Psyche Rape of Europa Upon selecting these five, depicting a human and a god mating, an Assassin Symbol is shown. Interpretation: A very brief puzzle, but exceptionally full of hidden clues. In Assassin's Creed 1, the implication was made that Eagle Vision was merely a talent, taught by the Assassin Order. However, it is clear further in history, that this is a gift that only a few possess. The only individuals we know of who possess it are Desmond, Ezio, and Altair, and they share a common bloodline. Altair and Ezio are also far more skilled than other assassins in their respective era, putting some level of significance in them that cannot just be coincidence. This puzzle indicates that Assassins are, if possible, some sort of cross- breed between the Ones Who Came Before and humans. This grants them a few advanced abilities, but not the longevity or other unknown powers possessed by the Ones Who Came Before. It is also possible that this is what grants Altair his immunity to the mind control of the Piece of Eden. While purely physical effects such as immobilization or temporary duplication still come into effect, the neural pathways transmitting the mind control neurotransmitter are not present. Perhaps it is possible that they are just less effective, as Altair still was susceptible to illusions, and it took him decades to try and destroy the Piece of Eden (inability to destroy the controlling Piece of Eden would be an intelligent inclusion when controlling hordes of enslaved humans). Either way, this puts a whole new spin on the many myths mentioned earlier in the puzzles concerning half-god individuals. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #15: Guardians ----------------------------------- The Death Of All Tyrants Will Set The People Free (Shows Assassin Symbol) Image of the world shows the following names: Joseph Stalin Rasputin Mary I of England Tomas De Torquemada Cleopatra Francois Duvalier Francisco Pizarro John Wilkes Booth Many of these individuals were cruel leaders in their respective countries. Some of them merely commit gross atrocities, including genocide or persecution. Cleopatra herself was one of the targets of one of the six Assassins in the Assassin's tomb, Iltani. Interestingly, one individual does not fit with the rest. John Wilkes Booth, while certainly responsible for what many would consider an "atrocious" act in assassinating Abraham Lincoln, was the only of these individuals who does not fit the description of tyrant. Despite being a popular actor, Wilkes Booth was effectively little more than an opponent of a political change with no financial backing, and little more than a few accomplices for support. In other words, aside from one act, he did not have a reputation, and no history book would ever describe him as a tyrant, or even a shadow ruler (like Rasputin may have been). ----------------------------------- Puzzle #16: The Cavalry ----------------------------------- The puzzle begins with a letter: ==================== Nikola, We know what they have done to your lab, to your career. It may be too late to set things right, but you can help prevent something far worse. They have taken an object from the Czar, and are conducting experiments in Tunguska to figure out how to use it. Before they do, we must take it from them, or the world will be in danger. We do not ask you to risk your life, just that, when the time comes, you use your electricity to destroy the object. Regardless of your decision, know that we admire your work greatly and will bear you no ill will. We respect your freedom above all else. ===================== A map appears. When you put the Assassin symbol over the word Tunguska, a picture of the Staff over the Abstergo logo appears. When touched with the logo and a picture, it shows an immense explosion. Interpretation: Whether Tesla and the Assassins were involved with each other regularly cannot be seen, but at the very least, they contacted him and asked him to help them in their endeavor against the Templar. The letter echoes that expressed in Puzzle 8: Martyrs, that the Staff, Piece of Eden 34, ended up in Tunguska under the control of the Templar. It is worth noting that the Assassins show a great deal of respect for Tesla, and even more respect for his right not to help them, if he were to choose not to. However, the Tunguska event did happen. For those not familiar with this event, it was a phenomenal explosion that occurred in northern Russia in 1908. It was far larger than the explosions caused by the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in World War II, however, it was non-nuclear, and did not cause radioactive fallout. It was also in such a secluded area that no one is known to have been killed by it, but it was seen by many, for thousands of miles around. It is unknown how it was caused, and many theories have arisen. One of the less commonly believed theories is that Nikola Tesla test-fired a weapon he had been using, and that it caused Tunguska. Nikola Tesla had spent many years developing wireless energy, and theorized that by the same means wireless energy could be accomplished, the same energy could be used as a long range weapon, theoretically striking anywhere on Earth. He supposedly test- fired the weapon at the same time as the Tunguska event, but because the event was kept under wraps by the Russian government, little information got out for several years, and the test-firing was a "failure". This letter would imply it was not a failure at all, or a test-fire. That the Assassins asked him to use "his electricity", it is even more evident that this is the case. Theoretically, if the explosion was successful, the Staff should be destroyed. It is not shown in the ownership of any individuals after this point in time, nor does Abstergo reference its existence post 1908. However, in Assassin's Creed 1, an email did say that the destruction of an artifact by an Assassin agent cause the Tunguska event, and that a survivor was being sought so that they could use the Animus to examine the situation. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #17: The Bunker ----------------------------------- A file labeled WWII appears. When opened, a letter appears. =================================== Abstergo Corporation, May 02, 1945 The war is over, and we are in control, as planned. But a slight concern has arisen. I received word from our agents in Berlin. H. was supposed to execute his double inside the bunker and meet C. at the rendezvous point with the Piece of Eden. It's been three days and he still hasn't appeared. Something must have gone awry. Please send instructions. =================================== An image of Hitler's bunker appears. A message above it says: "We watched the exit from above. He didn't see us coming." Subject 16 angrily comments on the picture "They engineered the war, they engineered the peace. But they weren't going to get away with it. Find our mark." A hidden message exists in the picture that says: The Double Was Killed In the Bunker A hidden Assassin's logo is on the building. The building is later showed destroyed, the same logo still visible. Interpretation: This puzzle indicates that the Templar succeeded in their goal of gaining control over more of the world than prior to the war. As Subject 16 says, they started the war, and they ended it. The sole purpose of the war was to shift the power, and allow them to gain a better foothold in the world's governments. It had nothing to do with any of the other factors of the war. However, the Assassins seem to resurface once again in an attempt to hinder them. Hitler has not appeared to me with C (possibly Churchill), and this is of some concern to the Templar, as he also had Piece of Eden 4. Based on the letter, the label on the picture, and the hidden message, two possibilities occur. Scenario A) The double was killed in the bunker, Hitler left the bunker, and was killed from above by the Assassins. The Assassins claimed Piece of Eden 4. Scenario B) The double was killed in the bunker by the Assassins mistaking him for Hitler, striking from above as he left the door. Somehow, they did not realize that had Hitler escaped. However, if he does not return to the Templar, this means he likely went rogue, possibly with Piece of Eden 4 in tow. In Scenario A, the Assassins now have two successful victories against the Templar; The destruction of the Staff at Tunguska, and the killing of a high ranking Templar official and procuring Piece of Eden 4, putting the Templar down 2 Pieces of Eden. Either way, despite their success with the war, the Templar did not come out unscathed, as either way, they are missing an Apple. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #18: Synapses ----------------------------------- A Medical file appears, with the following letter inside: =================================== Biological Frontier Issue 1, January 2012 The scientific community is abuzz as the results of a new neurological study were made public today. What seemed to be big news in itself - that Dr. Yije We and Dr. P. J. Traunero had discovered a new neurotransmitter - turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg. To quote Dr. Wu "Using a prototype Dmri machine, we've been able to examine the contents of an actual neuron using living tissue. We've found a substance that appears to be an undiscovered neurotransmitter." "Here's where it gets crazy. To test our findings, we subjected the neuron to all kinds of stimuli, but we couldn't get it to release the transmitter. So, we've discovered an entire mechanism: there are vesicles filled with neurotransmitter lying dormant and corresponding ion channels, all for no discernable purpose." Expressing bafflement that natural selection would create an unnecessary neurotransmitter, Wu and Traunero searched for a predecessor in other species, with no luck. "Whatever this bugger is used for, it evolved in humans." Traunero told the press. =================================== A minigame has you highlight neuron synapses (the space between one neuron and another, where information is relayed) with an icon. Upon highlighting the last, the icon turns into a PoE apple. Interpretation: Knowing what we would know from beating the game (That the Ones Who Came Before created humans, and that we were created to be obedient), this puzzle reveals information that is not particularly surprising. The Pieces of Eden function within the laws of logic, physics, and reality. Their function of mind control merely works on a level that only modern technology can comprehend: Humans, engineered down to every detail by the Ones Who Came Before, were designed with a genetic control collar. An otherwise inactive neural pathway is designed to respond ONLY to a signal emitted by the Pieces of Eden. The Pieces of Eden use this neural pathway to control, manipulate, or cause hallucinations in humans. This, of course, cannot be resisted, because it is a physical manipulation of the function of the brain. However, Al Mualim of Assassin's Creed 1 expresses interest in how Altair resists the Apple's influence. This may be due to a few possibilities. (See Speculation). ----------------------------------- Puzzle #19: The Fourth Day ----------------------------------- At the beginning of this puzzle, Subject 16 says "The End. Almost the End. It happened before. The pieces were once part of a whole." Once worshipped, now ignored, from a distance it watched and waits. Nazca Textile Book of the Dead (portraying Ra) Sistine Chapel Fresco Aztec Calender Stone The Eastern Gate Five images are amongst the ten, each of which depict an image of the sun. Matching them reveals an image of the sun. An extremely small dot against the sun is revealed by the scanner to be the Earth. Four messages are displayed against the sun: 1. They died in the fire from the heavens. 2. Toba, 75ka was not a volcano 3. Near the day of purification, there will be cobwebs spun back and forth in the sky. - Hopi 4. A container of ashes might one day be thrown from the sky, which could burn the land and boil the oceans. - Hopi Interpretation: If the explanation of Minerva and Lucy at the end of the game weren't enough to indicate that the sun was the culprit behind the first "end of the world", then this one is. Subject 16 starts by saying the end had nearly happened before. Afterwards, he says that the pieces were part of a whole. This may indicate that the Pieces of Eden are paramount to preventing or alleviating the catastrophe should it occur a second time. The portion about the sun being worshipped as a God is interesting. It is personified, given traits such as being able to watch and wait. However, it is unlikely that the sun itself is sentient in this manner, although it was indeed worshipped as a God by many cultures, several of which are displayed amongst the five pictures. Most important is the inclusion of the word "waits", indicating that something will happen in the future with the sun. The part where it shows how small the Earth is compared to the sun is important, demonstrating how miniscule the Earth really is. If something extreme were to happen with the sun, it would not be at all unreasonable to think it could utterly devastate Earth. The four messages on the sun contain cryptic information. Two of them are quotes from a Hopi prophecy, describing catastrophic events involving the sky, and what sounds like smoke/clouds/ash. One of them, "They died in the fire from the heavens" seems to resonate with what we know of the Ones Who Came Before. The fourth has, potentially, the most hidden meaning. Toba, 75ka stands for a gigantic eruption that occurred 75,000 years ago. This eruption has been detected by examining the layers of dirt under the earth. At this time, there is a thick layer of ash, found in many parts of the world, with a layer 15 centimeters thick covering the entirety of India. All evidence indicates that it was what is called a "mega-colossal" volcanic eruption. The passage in this puzzle indicates otherwise. ----------------------------------- Puzzle #20: The Origin of the Species ----------------------------------- An image of God holding a sphere appears, labeled "It Has Been Hidden, Altered." Open Your Eyes. In the image, Jesus wields a sword and wears a red cloak, which glow under the scan. A staff leans against a sheep, which also glows. As does a sphere that is in God's hand. When scanning the eye above, Leonardo's Virtruvian Man appears. This ends the image. A file called Missing Link appears. The following letter is inside: =================================== Abstergo Corporation January 3, 1997 I'm writing in response to your concerns about the rising alarm in the press and the scientific community. The lack of a transitional ancestor from archaic hominids to modern mankind (Homo Sapiens) is no longer safe. As you wrote, we have to act. We can't let the truth get out, they'll find out about the artifacts. It will cause too much disruption, too much chaos. Bury our constructed skeletons near Tim White's expedition in Ethiopia. We'll give them their missing link. The birth of humanity. The truth makes me sick. Signed with the Templar logo. =================================== A cursor with the Apple allows you to shift an ape skeleton into a human skeleton. Interpretation: This letter seems to confirm that what Minerva said is true; humans were created. However, it seems as if we were not created from scratch, rather, we went through vastly accelerated evolution at the hands of the Ones Who Came Before, possibly, with the use of an Apple Piece of Eden. An interesting note is that the image you have to find to progress is that of Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man sketch. The concept behind this image is that the proportions of the human body are very structured and organized, that the length of X body part will be equal to Y body part. In other words, the human body seems designed by an intelligent mind with a respect for symmetry and mathematics. This letter also shows that the Templar, at least the ones in the present, are not entirely unaware of what has happened in the past, and the reality of the Ones Who Came Before and our origins. To keep this truth (and the artifacts) safe from prying eyes, they created fake skeletons and planted them, leading to a scientific discovery of "proof" of human evolution from apes. The same knowledge seems, at least, to disgust the Templar writing the letter. ----------------------------------- The Truth (video): ----------------------------------- The video, as important as it is, is relatively brief in its scope, but its implications are tremendous. A brief summary is in order: Two humans, one male and one female, garbed in suits that are shiny, skintight, flesh colored and adorned with a few markings, run quickly through a smooth stone structure, surrounded by trees and foliage. They run to a door, which slides open of its own volition. The interior is full of metal scaffolding, and the two make a variety of extremely agile and acrobatic maneuvers to climb to the top. The male bashes out a thick window with an elbow. The climb up the outside of the building, stopping briefly to look inside: there are workers, hammering and hauling boxes, as a conveyor belt runs in the background, flames roaring behind them. Once they reach the top, the camera pans out, displaying a strangely shaped skyscraper, which they are on top of. The female turns to the male and holds out her hand: in it is a Piece of Eden Apple. She says "Adam, I have it!" The male, Adam, turns to look towards the camera, and panicked, says "Eve!" The screen fades to black, displaying a patch of binary code. Eve yells "LOOK OUT!" and the video ends. The binary says "EDEN" The video shows, that like many things in Assassin's Creed, myths are not necessarily fabricated, but merely a fragment of the truth. Adam and Eve do not seem to be the first humans, merely a pair of humans who seem to have done something very brave or very stupid: steal a powerful artifact from their creators. Those Who Came Before seemed to have ingrained in humans a neural pathway for servitude in the presence of Pieces of Eden. How these two resisted could be a few things. First, it could be that once they had the Piece of Eden, they were not susceptible to its suppression. Second, based on the agile movements and jumps, similar to Altair and Ezio's, they could be more than human; they could be Assassins . . . or at least, the genetic offshoot of half-human, half-TWCB (Those Who Came Before). This may have granted them sufficient resistance to steal the artifact and escape, although it seems that they are not out of trouble yet, given their speech at the end. ******************************* IV. Codex Script and Interpretation - Incomplete The following are the text scripts of the 30 codex pages in the game. Cryptic clues left by Altair hint at his actions after the first game, and some tie in strongly with the implications of the puzzles and the plot. Some of them are merely pictures, so I have attempted to briefly describe the pictures in text, but that is all I can do for them. ----------------------------------- Page 1 ----------------------------------- I have spent days with the artifact now. Or has it been weeks? Months? I can no longer be certain . . . The others come from time to time - offering food or distraction. They say I should separate myself from these studies . . . Malik has even suggested I abandon them entirely. But I am not yet ready to turn away. This Apple of Eden will be understood. It must be . . . Is it a weapon? Is it a catalogue? Is it somehow both? "He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow . . ." The philosophy of such a statement I can understand . . . But for it to be true - literally true? A society that waged wars with ideas and information in place of steel and swords . . . Its function is simple. Elementary, even. Dominion. Control. But the process . . . the methods and means it employs . . . THESE are fascinating. Those subjected to its glow are promised all that they desire. It asks only one thing in return: complete and total obedience. And who can truly refuse? It is temptation incarnate. I remember my own moment of weakness when confronted by Al Mualim, my confidence shaken by his words. He, who had been like a father, was revealed to be my greatest enemy. Just the briefest flicker of doubt was all he needed to creep into my mind. But I vanquished his phantoms - restored my self confidence - and sent him from this world. I freed myself. But now I wonder . . . Did I really? For here I sit - desperate to understand that which I swore to destroy. This is why: The Apple has a tale to tell. I sense the flickers of something - great and dangerous . . . We are all at risk. It is my duty to do something about it. I must not - cannot - turn away until I've found the truth. ----------------------------------- Page 2 ----------------------------------- The second page is an image of Templars and Assassins on a battlefield. It is difficult to tell by the image, but the Assassins seem to be either in combat or dead. ----------------------------------- Page 3 ----------------------------------- The third page is an image showing the construction blueprints for a hidden blade. ----------------------------------- Page 4 ----------------------------------- What follows are the three great ironies of the Assassin Order: (1) Here we seek to promote peace, but murder is our means. (2) Here we seek to open the minds of men, but require obedience to a master and a set of rules. (3) Here we seek to reveal the danger of blind faith, yet we are practitioners ourselves. I have no satisfactory answer to these charges, only possibilities . . . Do we bend the rules in service to a greater good? And if we do, what does it say of us? That we are liars? That we are frauds? That we are weak? Every moment is spent wrestling with these contradictions and in spite of all the years I've had to reflect, still I can find no suitable answer . . . And I fear that one may not exist. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Does out creed provide the answer, then? That one may be two things - opposite in every way - simultaneously? And why not? Am I not proof? We of noble intentions, possessed of barbaric means? We who celebrate the sanctity of life and then promptly take it from those we deem our enemies? ----------------------------------- Page 5 ----------------------------------- Who were The Ones That Came Before? What brought them here? How long ago? Centuries? Millenia? Longer still? So little remains of them . . . What drove them out? What of these artifacts? Messages in a bottle? Tools left behind to aid and guide us? Or do we fight for control over their refuse, giving divine purpose and meaning to little more than discarded toys? ----------------------------------- Page 6 ----------------------------------- Robert de Sable may be dead, but his brotherhood survives. Though less conspicuous in appearance, I fear they remain a threat. Where once they proudly walked the streets - making for easier targets - now they retreat into the shadows. It grows difficult to track them. What wicked things will they weave in the darkness? Our work will be all the more complicated for it. Already there are rumors of a movement on Cyprus. I will have to investigate. It's made me realize that our tactics, too, must change. It means an end to our fortresses. To our penchant for spectacular displays of public assassinations. We must weave our webs quietly. And we must do so differently than we have in the past. Though I ask my brothers now to abandon their rituals, I do not ask that they abandon the creed. THIS is what makes us assassins. Not the removal of a finger. Not a false promise of paradise. Not the prohibition of poison. Our duty is to the people, not to custom. If we must sneak, we shall sneak. If we must use poison, we shall use poison. If our blades can be used without removing fingers, we shall not demand they be taken. And we shall not manipulate our initiates with lies and parlor tricks. We shall speak plainly and honestly. We shall be made anew. ----------------------------------- Page 7 ----------------------------------- I had thought Adha would be the one to lead me to rest, that I might lay down my blade and live as a normal man. But now I know such dreams are best left to sleep . . . Her face. I try to banish it from my mind as I remember the days and nights during which I chased her Templar captors across the sea. I almost got to them in time. Almost. If I had only been faster. Instead, I held her lifeless body in my arms - saw the terror reflected in her fixed, unblinking eyes . . . I hunted each man - one by one - until all responsible were gone from this world. But there was no joy in this. No satisfaction or release. Their deaths did not bring her back. Did not heal my wounds. After that, I was certain I would never again feel for a woman as I had for her. I am fortunate to have been wrong. ----------------------------------- Page 8 ----------------------------------- Why do our instincts insist on violence? I have studied the interactions between different species. The innate desire to survive seems to demand the death of the other. Why can they not stand hand in hand? So many believe the world was created by the hand of a divine power - but I only see the designs of a madman, bent on celebrating destruction and desperation. Our origins seem chaotic. Unintended. Purpose and being instilled solely by the passage of time. Imposed first by nature - and later men . . . ----------------------------------- Page 9 ----------------------------------- Over time, and sentence uttered long and loud enough becomes fixed. Becomes a truth. Provided, of course, you can outlast the dissent and silence your opponents. But should you succeed - and remove all challengers - then what remains is, by default, now true. Is it truth in some objective sense? No. But how does one ever achieve an objective point of view? The answer is you don't. It is literally, physically impossible. There are too many variables. Too many fields and formulae to consider. We can try, of course. We can inch closer and closer to a revelation. But we'll never reach it. Not ever . . . And so I have realized, that so long as The Templar exist, they will attempt to bend reality to their will. They recognize there is no such thing as an absolutely truth - or if there is - we are hopelessly underequipped to recognize it. And so in its place, they seek to create their own explanation. It is the guiding principle of their so-named "New World Order"; To reshape existence in their own image. It is not about artifacts. Not about men. These are merely tools. It's about concepts. Clever of them. For h ow does one wage war against a concept? It is the perfect weapon. It lacks a physical form yet can alter the world around us in numerous, often violent ways. You cannot kill a creed. Even if you kill all of its adherents, destroy all of its writings - these are a reprieve at best. Some one, some day, will rediscover it. Reinvent it. I believe that even we, the Assassins, have simple re-discovered an Order that predates the Old Man himself . . . ----------------------------------- Page 10 ----------------------------------- The tenth page is an image of a man in priestly clothing, with a glowing halo, preaching and reaching out to the masses. Above, three images exist; on the left, an apple (the fruit) and on the right, a mechanical device. In between them is an apple (the fruit) with the mechanical lines overlaying it, symbolizing the Apple (the Piece of Eden) ----------------------------------- Page 11 ----------------------------------- Attis. Dionysus. Horus. Krishna. Mithra. Jesus. Simlilar stories color their lives. Too similar, I think. Divine birthright. Persecution. Disciples. Miraculous acts. Resurrection . . . How is it possible? Perhaps it isn't . . . merely a single story told over the ages? Borrowed then changed to fit the times? Evolving as our tools and language do? Is this tale borne of fact or fiction? A bit of both? Could these figures be the same person - their life extended and transformed by a Piece of Eden? Al Mualim spoke of Jesus as a real person - a mortal who had mastered the arts of manipulation. But what if he was wrong? If these men are real - and if they have walked amongst us many times before - does it means they'll come again? Perhaps they are here now? So many questions, and every day, even more . . . ----------------------------------- Page 12 ----------------------------------- The twelvth page seems to be a depiction of the solar system. ----------------------------------- Page 13 ----------------------------------- The Hidden Blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would even say it defines us - and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it. Still, the device has begun to show its age - and so I have been researching improvements beyond ending the need to remove one's finger to weild it. The first is the addition of a metal plate that can be used to deflect incoming blows. The other Assassins believe it is forged of a new metal - and credit me with the discovery of the formulae (included on this page). It is better that they not know the truth. I have also worked with Malik to describe new methods of assassination: from on high, from ledges, and from hiding places. Basic movements, but critical nonetheless. The third and final improvement is the most simple - the provision of a second blade - identical in every way to the first. Should an Assassin ever find himself tasked with dispatching two targets, he need only time his strike in such a way that he might reach both at the same time. These blades will be limited in number since the metals with which we forge them remain difficult to obtain. I will need to think carefully about who shall be allowed to carry two . . . (This page includes an image of a dual-wielding assassin, dispatching enemies from a variety of complex directions, as well as the construction of the new blade cover) ----------------------------------- Page 14 ----------------------------------- Man seeks dominion over all that he encounters. I suppose it is a natural tendency for us to aspire towards mastery of our surroundings. But this should not include other human beings. Every day more and more are pressed into service - by deception or by force. Others, though not so firmly imprisoned, are made to feel as if their lives are worthless. I have seen the ways in which men persecute women. Heard the cruel words hurled at those who come from other lands. Watched as those who believe or act differently are made to suffer . . . We discuss such things often - watching as we do from the spires of Masyaf. What can be done to stop this? To encourage tolerance and equality? Some days we speak of education, believing that knowledge will free us from immorality. But as I walk to streets and see slaves sent off to auction - my heart grows cold. When I see the husband hurl abuses and stones at his wife, insisting she exists only to serve him - my fists clench. And when I see children torn from their parents so that another man might profit - sent off to suffer beneath the desert sun and die . . . . . . On these days, I do not think that dialogue will make a difference. On these days, I can think only of how the perpetrators need to die. ----------------------------------- Page 15 ----------------------------------- The fifteenth page shows an image of an island, Cypress. ----------------------------------- Page 16 ----------------------------------- The Apple is more than a catalog of that which precedes us. Within its twisting, sparkling innards I've caught glimpses of what will be. Such a thing should not be possible. Perhaps it isn't. Maybe it is simple a suggestion. How to know? How to be sure? I contemplate the consequences of these visions: are they images of things to come - or simple the potential for what might be. Can we influence the outcome? Dare we try? And in so doing, do we merely ensure that which we've seen? I am torn - as always - between action and inaction - unclear as to which - if either - will make a difference. Am I even meant to make a difference? Still, I keep this journal. Is that not an attempt to change - or perhaps guarantee - what I have seen? ----------------------------------- Page 17 ----------------------------------- Of all the things I've seen, none troubles me more than the image of the flames . . . Pillars so tall they seem to piece the heavens. The ground rumbled and shuddered. Mountains split and crack. Great metal towers splintered, their innards strewn about the ground . . . And everywhere there was screaming. A chorus so terrible that even now I feel its echoes still. What is this madness I have seen? Is it them, I wonder? Those who came before . . . Is this where they went? Into the fire? Into the dust? Perhaps this destructive power is what the Templars seek. That they might hold it over us and command devotion. What hope would we have, then, if they held such darkness in their hands - that they could murder the world . . . ----------------------------------- Page 18 ----------------------------------- We are obligated to hide. To be silent. To shape the course of history in secret. But some of my brothers and sisters disagree. They grow angry, insisting it is a mistake to shroud outselves. They say it slows our work. But they do not understand the risks. To expose ourselves now would be too dangerous. I fear we would be branded madmen and attacked. So it goes. So it always has. If there is one think I know for certain, it is that men to not learn by being told. Instead they must be shown. They must make the connections themselves. If I say unto a man, be kind, be tolerant, be of an open mind - these words will wither and die long before they've affected change. It would be a waste. And so we must maintain our course. ----------------------------------- Page 19 ----------------------------------- Legend speaks of a Golden Fleece. Could the two be related? . . . I have further refined the metallurgic process, allowing for the production of a suit of armor the likes of which the world has never seen . . . . . . It is possessed of great strength, yet so light as to allow complete freedom . . . . . . I alternate between wonder and fear. Here we have crafted something that will surely change the face of warfare, making those who wear it night invincible . . . Perhaps it was a mistake to create these pieces. I think it best to erase the formulae. What if it were to fall into the hands of our enemies? The risk is too great . . . (An image is shown of a suit of armor, likely the Armor of Altair) ----------------------------------- Page 20 ----------------------------------- I have studied the ancient pagan faiths that came before this more recent obsession with a single, divine creator. They seem to have focused more on the fundamental forces at play in the world around us and less on arbitrary moral rules . . . The sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening. The tides ebb and flow. Grass grows, withers, dies and then in time, emerges from the ground once more. The air turns warm then cools and back again. Some hidden energy keeps us fitted to the ground and pulls us back when we attempt to leave it. Each of these movements was represented before by a god or goddess. Each force given face, but recognized as something distinct and powerful. Which is not to say there were not connections between these forces - a pantheon of individual spirits - of rules. Invisible hands guiding to progress of the world around us. And so here there was an attempt to categorize, study, explain, and understand the way things work - even if it was flawed. But no more. Now we are asked to succumb to a far more simplified explanation. How naive to believe there might be a single answer to every question. Every mystery. That there exists a lone divine light which rules over all. They say it is a light that beings truth and love. I say it is a light that blinds us - and forces us to stumble about in ignorance. I long for the day when men will turn away from invisible monsters and once more embrace a more rational view of the world. But these new religions are so convenient - and promise such terrible punishment should one reject them - I worry that fear shall keep us stuck to what is surely the greatest lie ever told. ----------------------------------- Page 21 ----------------------------------- One may cultivate extracts from various plants found throughout the region. More exotic species can sometimes be obtained from traders and travelers, but their properties are less documented and required further examination. Traditional alchemical implements can be used to distill the poison. Care should be used as certain poisons can be absorbed through exposed skin. Many are those who have lost their lives to carelessness. One's blade should be hollowed according to the specifications listed herein. Deviation may create fractures within the metal, causing the blade to weaken and possibly break. (An image is included of metalwork hollowing a hidden blade and various plants being processed) ----------------------------------- Page 22 ----------------------------------- What to make of this map? It appears to contain the entire world. Not flat as they claim, either, but round - like a ball. Like the Apple. But how is such a thing even possible? Stranger still are the lands it shows - great patches of the unknown. The unexplored. So many places yet to be discovered . . . Are there men there? Are they like us? And if not - different how? I should like to know the answers. Perhaps - in time- I'll have the chance to travel. To chart a course and make my way to these distant lands . . . (An image is included of a mostly accurate image of the world, focusing on the Euro-Asian side of the planet.) ----------------------------------- Page 23 ----------------------------------- The twenty-third page shows an image demonstrating a variety of climbing and movement techniques used by the Assassins. ----------------------------------- Page 24 ----------------------------------- Some days I miss my family . . . Or at least the thought of them. I never knew my parents well, despite them having lived within these walls. It was our way. Perhaps they were sad, though they showed no sign - it was not allowed. For my part, so much of my youth was spent in training, they was little time left to reflect upon the separation. And so when they were finally lost to me, it seemed no different than the passing of two strangers. Al Mualim had been as my father, and his was a weak and dishonest love, though at the time it seemed enough - better, even. Or so I thought. Some day I will have a child - such is the way of our Order. And I will not make the same mistake. Nor any who call themselves an Assassin. We shall be allowed to love our children - and, in turn, to be loved. Al Mualim believed such attachments would weaken us - cause us to falter when our lives were on the line. But if we truly fight for what is just, does love not make such sacrifice simpler - knowing that we do so for their gain? ----------------------------------- Page 25 ----------------------------------- The twenty-fifth page shows a drawing of a templar, fairly feminine in appearance, potentially depicting Maria. ----------------------------------- Page 26 ----------------------------------- I have the answer now. I know the truth. I shall not touch that wretched thing again. Best that no one do, now or ever. I have tried - at least - to destroy it, but it will neither bend nor break nor melt. Oh the irony - I am certain if I asked, the Apple would tell me what need be done. But even this promise is insufficient. Always it holds one more gift to give. I must refrain. So it shall be sealed. We will take it to the island - once theirs, now ours. There is a treasury there - hidden well - and it shall have to suffice. Risky to separate myself from the artifact that others may discover it. Riskier still to keep it close. In time I will be tempted. I am weak. We all are. Who wouldn't be? Oh the things I have seen . . . The tale is here - inside the text. Not between the lines but beneath them. Where only our eyes might peer. Go and see it for yourself. That you might succeed where I and the others have failed. Time marches on - bringing with it new discoveries and developments. And so at least one day the doorway might be opened and the message delivered. They will have their prophet. ----------------------------------- Page 27 ----------------------------------- We are growing larger. More make their way to our fortresses every day. Men and woman. Young and old. From different lands. Of different faiths. Each tells a similar story - of having discovered the first part of our creed: that nothing is true. Too often, though, the revelation undoes them. They lose their morality, certainty, security. Many are driven mad. We must guide them. Help them to heal. Their minds must not be filled with more fairy tales, but with knowledge instead. Let them have answers - and let those answers be difficult and complex. Such is life. ----------------------------------- Page 28 ----------------------------------- Success! We have found a way to alter the structure of the hidden blade so that it can be used to launch small projectiles. It is capable of grievous damage - even from great distance. I confess, the means by which I came about the discovery was . . . risky to say the least. But I have found that in small doses, and with a focused mind, the Apple can be used without ill effect. Or so I hope. The knowledge of projectile combat is not new to us, having been observed amongst our Eastern neighbors. But their weapons were much larger - and insufficient for our needs. I have now found a way to miniaturize their designs, embedding their fiery weapon into a form that can be worn on the wrist. We have also refined the formula for combustible powder, such that common ingredients might be used. This is a dangerous bit of knowledge and it is best shared with only our closest allies . . . ----------------------------------- Page 29 ----------------------------------- A dark tide rises to the east - an army of such size and power that all the land is made quick with worry. Their leader is a man named Temujin, who has adopted the title Ghengis Khan. He sweeps across the lands, conquering and subsuming all who stand in his way. Whatever his motives, he must be stopped. Were I younger, I might attempt to undertake this work in secret - as I suspect to presence of a Piece of Eden. But those days are years gone, now. The mantle must be passed. It is time she and I spoke with our sons. We will travel there together, that they may be tested and that this threat might be stopped. ----------------------------------- Page 30 ----------------------------------- Soon I shall pass from this world. It is my time. All the hours of the day are now colored by the thoughts and fears borne of this realization. I know that the elements of my body will return to the Earth. But what of my consciousness? My identity? That is to say, what of ME? I suspect it will end. That there is no next world. Nor a return to this one. It will simply be done. Forever. Our lives are so brief and unimportant. The cosmos cares nothing for us. For what we've done; Had we wrought evil instead of good. Had I chosen to abuse the Apple instead of seal it away. None of it would have mattered. There is no counting. No reckoning. No final judgement. There is simply silence. And darkness. Utter and absolute . . . And so I have begun to wonder - might there not be a way to stop - or at least delay - death's embrace? Surely the ones who came before were not so frail and feeble as we. But I have sworn to be done with the artifact. To not gaze into its core. Still: faced as I am with the prospect of my end, what harm is there I one last look . . . ******************************* V. Auditore Tomb Script and Interpretation - Coming Soon ******************************* VI. Speculation - Coming Soon ******************************* VII. Legal Somesuch This file is written and copyrighted by me, Irvine Tomoe. That being said, much of this is interpretation of facts that are merely implied already in a game. I would appreciate not passing off the document as one's own creation, but realistically, none of this is mine. I just made the connections that anyone can, with enough effort and research. If you would like you put it on a website, go ahead, though an email sent my way would be appreciated at DarkerCompanion@gmail.com. Thanks, and I hope you will be respectful, and spread this information to as many players of Assassin's Creed 2 as possible. ******************************* VIII. Credits Credits go to four. Ubisoft, for making this game. All the connections I made over the past few days were not invented: they were found. The makers at Ubisoft must have had to scour history for ways to tie all of this in, and they have done an incredible job. How they found all of these coincidences is uncanny . . . and I am impressed. Wikipedia, for being my one-click guide to the world's information. Tesla would be proud. And last, Failbaddon who pointed out for me that Abraham Zapruder is a significant Z named individual in the JFK assassination. I would NOT have found that one on my own. |
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