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Assassin’s Creed: A Templar Presence in Every Era

The question isn’t so much which Assassin’s Creed games feature Templars, but rather, which ones don’t? The Templar Order, in its various incarnations, is a cornerstone of the entire franchise. From the very first title to the most recent releases, the shadow of the Templars, or their predecessors, is always looming, providing the ideological and often physical opposition to the Assassin Brotherhood. They are intrinsically tied to the overarching narrative, serving as a constant reminder of the struggle between freedom and control that defines the series.

The Ubiquitous Antagonists: Templars Across the Assassin’s Creed Series

While the specific names and forms of the Templar Order may evolve across different historical periods, their core tenets remain remarkably consistent. They believe in establishing order through control, often seeking to acquire Pieces of Eden – powerful artifacts from a precursor civilization – to achieve their goals. Here’s a look at how they appear across various games:

Assassin’s Creed (2007): The original sets the stage, introducing the conflict between Assassins and Templars during the Third Crusade, with Al Mualim eventually revealed as a Templar.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009), Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010), Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011): The Templar Order is heavily featured, led by the influential Borgia family, as Ezio Auditore battles their schemes across Renaissance Italy.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012): Features Haytham Kenway, a prominent Templar, as a playable character in the opening chapters, offering a contrasting perspective.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013): Edward Kenway’s pirate adventures lead him to entanglement with both the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order, uncovering their presence in the Caribbean.
Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (2014): This game provides a unique perspective, allowing players to control Shay Cormac, an Assassin who joins the Templar Order, hunting down his former brothers.
Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014): Set during the French Revolution, the game features a Templar Grand Master manipulating events behind the scenes.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015): The Frye twins confront a Templar Grand Master controlling London during the Industrial Revolution.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017): Explores the origins of the conflict between the Hidden Ones (early Assassins) and the Order of the Ancients (precursors to the Templars) in ancient Egypt.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018): While not explicitly called Templars, the Cult of Kosmos serves a similar role, acting as a proto-Templar organization seeking control and power in ancient Greece.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020): The Order of the Ancients returns, posing a threat to Eivor and their clan in Viking-age England, ultimately evolving into the Templar Order.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023): Returns to the roots of the franchise, focusing on the Hidden Ones in Baghdad, battling against the Order of the Ancients.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2024): The game promises to keep the tradition alive by pitting the two factions against each other in Feudal Japan.

As you can see, the Templars, or their antecedents, are a near-constant presence. Even in games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, where the Templar Order as we know it doesn’t exist yet, the ideological groundwork is being laid through other power-hungry organizations.

FAQs: Diving Deeper into the Templar Conspiracy

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Templars in the Assassin’s Creed universe:

1. What exactly is the Templar Order in Assassin’s Creed?

The Templar Order is a secret society that believes in controlling humanity for its own good. They believe that by imposing order and structure, they can prevent chaos and suffering. They often seek Pieces of Eden to achieve their goals.

2. Are the Templars always the “bad guys”?

While often portrayed as antagonists, the Assassin’s Creed series frequently explores the complexities of the conflict. Some Templars genuinely believe they are acting in humanity’s best interests, leading to morally gray areas.

3. Who was the first Templar?

According to Assassin’s Creed lore, Cain, who murdered his brother Abel for the Apple of Eden, is considered the first Templar.

4. What are the Pieces of Eden, and why do the Templars want them?

Pieces of Eden are powerful technological artifacts created by the First Civilization, a precursor race to humanity. The Templars seek these artifacts to control minds, manipulate events, and ultimately establish their vision of a perfect world.

5. Which Assassin’s Creed game lets you play as a Templar the most?

Assassin’s Creed: Rogue is the only game where you play as a Templar for the entire story. You play as Shay Cormac as he turns from an Assassin into a Templar.

6. Who is the strongest Templar in the Assassin’s Creed universe?

Strength is subjective, but according to lore, King Washington is considered one of the most powerful Templars, followed by Rodrigo Borgia and Al Mualim. Their power comes from a variety of sources including Isu artifacts.

7. Are there Templars in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

While not explicitly called Templars, the Cult of Kosmos fulfills a similar role, operating as a proto-Templar organization seeking power and control in ancient Greece.

8. How do the Templars and Assassins differ in their philosophies?

The Assassins believe in free will and individual liberty, while the Templars believe in control and order. This fundamental difference in ideology fuels their centuries-long conflict.

9. What is the Order of the Ancients?

The Order of the Ancients is a precursor organization to the Templar Order, operating in ancient times. They share similar goals and methods, seeking to control the world through influence and manipulation.

10. Why did Haytham Kenway join the Templars?

Haytham Kenway was manipulated into joining the Templar Order after his father’s murder. He was led to believe that the Templars were working towards a noble cause.

11. What role did the Borgia family play in the Templar Order?

The Borgia family, particularly Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI) and Cesare Borgia, were prominent members of the Templar Order during the Renaissance, using their power and influence to advance the Templar agenda.

12. Did the Templars really exist in history?

The historical Knights Templar were a real medieval military order. While the Assassin’s Creed version is a fictionalized interpretation, it draws inspiration from their history and mystique.

13. Are there any Templars in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

Yes, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla features the Order of the Ancients, who are the precursors to the Templar Order. Eivor confronts them throughout their journey in England.

14. Are the Templars always portrayed as being from Europe or of European descent?

While the Templar Order is initially portrayed as a European organization, the series has explored Templar presence and influence in various cultures and regions around the world.

15. What are some resources I can use to learn more about the Assassin’s Creed games?

The Assassin’s Creed Wiki is a great resource. You can also find interesting articles about video games at the Games Learning Society website or GamesLearningSociety.org, where researchers explore the educational and social impact of gaming.

In conclusion, the Templars are an integral part of the Assassin’s Creed experience. Whether they are the primary antagonists, offer a playable perspective, or operate in the shadows through precursor organizations, their presence shapes the narrative and challenges the player to question the nature of freedom, order, and control. Their enduring conflict with the Assassins makes the games what they are.

Which Assassin’s Creed has Templars?