Introduction
Assassin’s Creed Rogue, a notable entry in the sprawling Assassin’s Creed franchise, occupies a unique and often debated position in the series’ sprawling timeline. Set against the backdrop of the French and Indian War in North America, the game dares to venture into previously uncharted territory: it casts players in the role of a Templar. And at the heart of this shift in perspective stands Shay Patrick Cormac, the protagonist and a figure of considerable complexity. More than just a Templar, Shay Patrick Cormac is a conflicted individual, a former Assassin who, disillusioned by the Brotherhood’s methods and haunted by their consequences, defects and joins the ranks of their historical enemies. This decision, and the journey leading up to it, makes him arguably the most morally ambiguous and fascinating anti-hero the Assassin’s Creed universe has to offer. This article explores the tragic tale of Shay Patrick Cormac, delving into the reasons behind his transformation and examining the challenges this complex character poses to the traditional black-and-white morality of the Assassin’s Creed world. His journey transcends the typical good-versus-evil narrative, forcing players to question their loyalties and consider the perspectives of both sides of the age-old conflict. Shay Cormac’s story forces a re-evaluation of what it means to be an Assassin and what it truly means to fight for justice.
Early Life and Assassin Training
Shay Patrick Cormac began his journey as a promising recruit within the Assassin Brotherhood. A native of New York, he possessed a natural athleticism, a sharp mind, and a strong sense of justice. These qualities made him a valuable asset to Achilles Davenport, the mentor of the Colonial Brotherhood. Under Achilles’ tutelage, Shay honed his skills in combat, parkour, and stealth, mastering the art of the Assassin. He forged close bonds with his fellow Assassins, particularly Liam O’Brien, a fiery Irishman who shared Shay’s idealism and unwavering belief in the Creed. These early years were marked by a sense of purpose and camaraderie, as Shay dedicated himself to protecting the innocent and fighting against Templar oppression. However, beneath the surface of this idyllic existence, cracks began to appear. Shay’s impulsive nature and his tendency to question orders often put him at odds with Achilles and the other senior members of the Brotherhood. These disagreements, though seemingly minor at first, foreshadowed the deep philosophical divide that would eventually lead to his defection. He started to question the wisdom of certain missions, the necessity of collateral damage, and the overall direction of the Assassin’s Creed’s actions. These doubts planted the seeds of dissent that would later blossom into full-blown betrayal.
The Lisbon Earthquake and the Turning Point
The event that irrevocably altered Shay Patrick Cormac’s path was his mission to retrieve a Piece of Eden in Lisbon, Portugal. Tasked by Achilles to find an artifact believed to hold immense power, Shay followed clues that led him to an ancient temple beneath the city. What he discovered there was far more devastating than he could have ever imagined. The artifact, when activated, triggered a catastrophic earthquake that decimated Lisbon and claimed the lives of countless innocent civilians. The sheer scale of the destruction and the weight of his responsibility for it shattered Shay’s faith in the Assassin Brotherhood. He realized, with horror, that the Brotherhood’s relentless pursuit of Pieces of Eden, without understanding their true nature or potential consequences, could have disastrous repercussions for the world. This realization became a pivotal moment in Shay’s life, forcing him to confront the ethical implications of the Assassins’ actions and question the very foundation of their Creed. The Lisbon tragedy became the defining moment in Shay’s story, the event that transformed him from a loyal Assassin into a disillusioned rebel.
Betrayal and the Assassin Hunt
Haunted by the devastation in Lisbon, Shay Patrick Cormac attempted to warn Achilles and the other Assassins about the dangers of the Pieces of Eden and the potential for future catastrophes. However, his warnings were dismissed, and his concerns were met with suspicion and hostility. Convinced that the Assassins were recklessly endangering the world, Shay made the fateful decision to steal a manuscript containing the locations of other Pieces of Eden, hoping to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. This act of defiance marked the point of no return, transforming Shay from a trusted brother into a hunted traitor. The Assassins, led by Achilles and Liam, pursued him relentlessly, determined to recover the manuscript and silence him permanently. During his escape, Shay was ambushed and left for dead, a betrayal that further solidified his disillusionment with the Brotherhood. Found and nursed back to health by a couple and their family, Shay learned a valuable lesson about the world outside the Assassin-Templar conflict and the simple need for peace and tranquility. The Morrigan, his ship, became more than just a vessel of travel; it represented his evolving identity, his separation from the Assassins, and his growing determination to forge his own path.
Shay as a Templar: Order and Justice?
Rescued and recruited into the Templar Order by Haytham Kenway, Shay Patrick Cormac found a new purpose and a new set of ideals to embrace. He found that the Templar ideology, with its emphasis on order, control, and the prevention of chaos, resonated deeply with his newfound understanding of the dangers of unchecked power. The Templars, in Shay’s eyes, offered a pragmatic and responsible alternative to the Assassins’ idealistic and often reckless pursuit of freedom. He became a dedicated member of the Order, committed to preventing the Assassins from acquiring more Pieces of Eden and unleashing their destructive potential upon the world. Shay’s transformation into a Templar was not simply a matter of switching allegiances; it was a profound shift in his worldview, a re-evaluation of his priorities, and a commitment to a different vision of justice. His actions as a Templar, while often ruthless, were driven by a genuine belief that he was protecting humanity from itself. He still held onto his original virtues, but adapted them to the Templar cause.
Morality and Perspective: The Grey Areas
The story of Shay Patrick Cormac is a masterclass in moral ambiguity. It challenges the simplistic notion of good versus evil and forces players to confront the complexities of the Assassin-Templar conflict. The Assassins, traditionally portrayed as the heroes of the series, are shown to be flawed, arrogant, and capable of causing immense harm in the name of freedom. The Templars, on the other hand, traditionally depicted as villains, are presented as individuals driven by a genuine desire to maintain order and prevent chaos, even if their methods are often questionable. Shay’s actions, both as an Assassin and as a Templar, are open to interpretation. Was he justified in betraying the Brotherhood to prevent further catastrophes? Was he right to use violence and intimidation to achieve his goals? These are questions that the game encourages players to grapple with, forcing them to consider the perspectives of both sides of the conflict and question their own moral compass. The cost of his choices was immense, with many of his old friends and associates falling by the wayside of his new path.
Shay’s Legacy and Impact
Shay Patrick Cormac’s impact on the Assassin’s Creed universe extends far beyond the events of Assassin’s Creed Rogue. His actions have significant repercussions for later games in the series, shaping the conflict between Assassins and Templars and influencing the ideologies of other characters. His dedication to the Templar cause had ripple effects felt for decades. Theories abound regarding his potential connections to later games and characters, solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in the series’ overarching narrative. His legacy serves as a constant reminder of the complexities of the Assassin-Templar conflict and the dangers of blindly adhering to any ideology, regardless of its intentions.
Conclusion
Shay Patrick Cormac’s story is a tragedy, a tale of disillusionment, betrayal, and the search for redemption in a world of moral ambiguity. He is a complex and compelling character who challenges the traditional narratives of the Assassin’s Creed series and forces players to confront the difficult questions about the nature of justice, freedom, and order. More than just a Templar or a former Assassin, Shay Cormac is a reflection of the grey areas that exist within the eternal struggle between these two factions. His story leaves us to ponder the true meaning of the Creed and the enduring relevance of the Assassin-Templar conflict, all while highlighting the importance of individual agency in the face of ideological warfare. His journey serves as a reminder that there are no easy answers, that the pursuit of justice is a constant struggle, and that even the most noble intentions can have unintended and devastating consequences. The final image is one of a man forever marked by his choices, a soldier in a war without end, forever caught between two conflicting ideologies.
