Assassin’s Creed – Edward Kenway Action Figure [Bootleg]

Edward James Kenway is the charismatic protagonist of the 2013 video game Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. He is renowned as one of the franchise’s most popular characters due to his unique journey from a self-serving pirate to a dedicated member of the Assassin Brotherhood.

His story is set primarily in the West Indies during the Golden Age of Piracy (early 18th century). He is also the father of Haytham Kenway (a high-ranking Templar) and the grandfather of Ratonhnhaké:ton/Connor (the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed III), making him a pivotal figure in the Kenway family saga.

1. Character and Personality

• Initial Motivation: Edward begins the game as a reckless, ambitious, and greedy privateer-turned-pirate. Born into a farming family in Wales, his sole ambition is to acquire great riches and earn a reputation to prove he is a “man of quality” to his estranged wife, Caroline Scott.
• Moral Ambiguity: Unlike previous protagonists who started with a strong moral code, Edward is an opportunist. He cares little for the conflict between the Assassins and Templars, viewing both sides as obstacles or sources of profit. He is a charismatic leader, but his self-centered focus on wealth leads him to betray friends and disregard warnings.
• The Transformation: The core of his story is a journey of repentance and redemption. Through the loss of nearly all his closest friends (such as Mary Read and Edward “Blackbeard” Thatch), he is forced to confront the consequences of his selfish actions. He realizes that true freedom requires responsibility and sacrifice, ultimately shedding his pirate greed to embrace the Assassins’ ideals.

2. Role in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

• Inadvertent Assassin: Edward first encounters the Assassin-Templar conflict when he kills a rogue Assassin named Duncan Walpole and steals his robes. For much of the game, he poses as Walpole, using the Assassin’s gear for his own pirating and treasure-hunting ends.
• The Observatory: His central quest involves finding The Observatory, an ancient First Civilization structure that functions as a high-tech surveillance device. Both the Templars and Edward seek it—the Templars for control, and Edward for the immense profit it promises.
• Pirate Republic: Edward is a key figure in the establishment and ultimate downfall of the Pirate Republic in Nassau, associating with real-life historical pirates like Blackbeard, Benjamin Hornigold, and “Calico” Jack Rackham.
• Ship: His flagship is the Jackdaw, a fast and powerful Brig, which is central to the game’s acclaimed naval combat and exploration mechanics.

3. Post-Pirate Life and Death

• Joining the Brotherhood: After achieving redemption, Edward formally joins the Assassin Brotherhood under the mentorship of Ah Tabai in the Caribbean.
• Retirement and Death: Edward eventually receives a royal pardon, settles in London, and marries Tessa Stephenson-Oakley. He rises to the rank of Master Assassin and becomes the leader of the British Brotherhood. In 1735, he is assassinated by Templar agents hired by Reginald Birch (a major figure in Haytham’s life) in a break-in at his London estate, a tragic end that sets the stage for his son, Haytham, to be raised as a Templar.