Elias O'Connell was born in a small coastal village in Ireland during a turbulent time of English occupation and religious persecution. Raised in a secretive Assassin family loyal to the Irish Brotherhood, Elias was taught from a young age the art of stealth, subterfuge, and survival. His family used their skills to protect Irish rebels and preserve knowledge against the oppressive Templar-aligned English Crown.
Background[]
Early Life[]
Elias O’Connell was born on March 12, 1668, in the rugged coastal region of County Kerry, Ireland, a land still simmering with tensions from the recent wars and English occupation. His family belonged to a long line of Irish rebels who resisted English rule, and unbeknownst to Elias as a child, his ancestors had been quietly aligned with the secretive Assassin Brotherhood for generations. Raised among tales of rebellion and freedom, Elias grew up learning the harsh realities of life under occupation — the betrayals, the oppression, and the constant need for stealth. His father, Patrick O'Connell a skilled blacksmith who secretly crafted concealed blades and weapons for the Brotherhood, recognized his son’s sharp mind and agility early on. By the time Elias was 12, he was already adept at climbing cliffs, blending into shadows, and using a short blade for self-defense.
Joining the Brotherhood[]
At the age of 18, on March 15, 1686, Elias was formally inducted into the Irish Assassin Brotherhood, known for their cunning guerrilla tactics and use of the environment to outsmart English soldiers and Templar agents. His codename, “The Raven,” was earned for his stealth and ability to appear and disappear silently, much like the bird known for its intelligence and mystique. During the late 1680s and 1690s, Elias participated in numerous covert missions aimed at disrupting Templar influence in Ireland — including sabotage of military supply lines, interception of secret communications, and assassinations of key Templar collaborators. He worked alongside Irish Assassin leaders such as Connor MacBride and Fiona Gallagher, whose stories are lightly referenced in Assassin’s Creed lore as part of the turbulent Irish resistance.
Elias witnessed and was involved in clandestine activities during the Williamite War in Ireland, which saw a Protestant English army under William of Orange defeat the Catholic forces loyal to James II. Elias’ role was to gather intelligence and undermine Templar sympathizers who fueled the conflict. During his missions, Elias crossed paths with Duncan Walpole, an English Templar agent active in Ireland. Their rivalry was marked by several close confrontations, though Elias always escaped, earning a reputation as a ghostly figure
Exile and New Beginnings in America[]
By 1700, increasing pressure from English forces and the expanding reach of the Templars made Ireland too dangerous for Elias and many other Assassins. On June 15, 1701, Elias fled across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in the New England colonies. His arrival coincided with the early years of British colonization, a chaotic era ripe with opportunities for the Brotherhood to establish new footholds. In America, Elias worked tirelessly to build networks between local Native tribes, disillusioned colonists, and the fledgling Assassin Brotherhood. He became known in Boston and surrounding settlements as a mysterious figure who aided oppressed communities and fought against the burgeoning influence of Templar merchants and colonial officials.
Elias helped organize safe houses and communication routes through the dense forests and colonial towns to move Assassins and information without detection. Elias trained young recruits in the ways of the Brotherhood, passing down traditional Irish Assassin techniques adapted to the American wilderness. In 1710, Elias was involved in securing a minor Piece of Eden — a talisman believed to have been hidden in the region by Native tribes — preventing it from falling into Templar hands.
Death[]
On November 9, 1715, During a covert mission to protect a newly discovered Piece of Eden from falling into Templar hands, Elias was ambushed by a group of highly skilled Templar mercenaries led by his old rival, Duncan Walpole. The fight took place in the shadowy alleys near Boston’s waterfront. Though Elias fought fiercely, he was ultimately overwhelmed by numbers and sustained fatal wounds. Before dying, Elias managed to pass critical information and his Hidden Blade to trusted allies in the Brotherhood. His death marked the end of an era but also strengthened the resolve of the Brotherhood in the American colonies.
Appearance[]
Lean and athletic, standing around 5'11" with a lithe but strong frame built for agility and endurance rather than brute strength. Thick, dark brown hair worn shoulder-length, often tied back loosely with a leather cord to keep it out of his face during missions. Piercing green eyes, sharp and observant, giving him a somewhat intense and mysterious gaze that unnerved both enemies and allies. A neatly trimmed goatee and mustache, adding a mature and cunning edge to his face. Fair with a slight weathered tan from years of outdoor missions and travel throughout the American colonies.
Elias favored dark, practical Assassin robes in deep navy blue and charcoal gray shades. His outfit included a hood that he could pull up to blend into shadows and a leather chest harness where he kept his Hidden Blades and small tools. He has a faint scar running along his left cheekbone — a souvenir from a close encounter with a Templar swordsman early in his career.
Skills/Weapons[]
Skills[]
- Master of Stealth and Infiltration: Elias excelled at moving unseen through hostile territory. His nickname, “The Raven,” reflects his ability to silently observe and strike without warning.
- Expert Marksman: Skilled with early firearms, particularly flintlock pistols and hunting rifles, Elias could make precise shots from considerable distances, often turning the tide in ambushes or escapes.
- Close-Quarters Combat: Trained in a blend of colonial-era swordsmanship and unarmed combat, Elias was quick and efficient with a small saber or dagger in tight spaces.
- Parkour and Climbing: His agility allowed him to scale buildings, trees, and cliffs with ease, essential for quick escapes or gaining tactical advantages.
- Disguise and Espionage: Elias was adept at blending into different colonial social circles—whether as a common laborer, merchant, or soldier—to gather intelligence and undermine Templar operations.
- Survival Skills: Living and operating on the colonial frontier, Elias was proficient in tracking, hunting, and wilderness survival, making him effective in both urban and rural environments.
Weapons[]
- Hidden Blades: His signature weapon, custom-forged for quick, silent kills during close combat or assassination missions.
- Flintlock Pistols: Typically carried a pair of finely crafted pistols for ranged combat and dueling.
- Small Saber: A lightweight sword used for defense and close combat engagements.
- Throwing Knives: Balanced for accuracy and silent takedowns.
- Hunting Knife: A versatile tool for combat, survival, and utility purposes.
- Smoke Bombs (Homemade): Occasionally used simple smoke devices to create distractions or cover his escapes, crafted from colonial-era materials.