Rings of Eden

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A Ring of Eden is a Piece of Eden which is molded in the form of a ring and serves as personal shields for its wearer, whether human or Isu. Invented by the Æsir Idun,^[1] the Rings project an electromagnetic field which deflect diamagnetic projectiles as well as energy-based weapons discharges. The Rings do not grant the wearer complete immunity, however, and were sometimes used by the Isu in conjunction with a shielding device.

History[]

In the decades preceding the Great Catastrophe, the Isu attempted to adapt the principles behind the Rings to create a shield that could protect the Earth from the impending cataclysm. However, they did not have the time or resources to make even a large enough shield to safeguard a single city, and so they abandoned the research for other, more favorable solutions.^[2]

During the late 17th century, the renowned privateer-turned-pirate William Kidd acquired a Ring and used its ability to deflect lead musket balls, which contributed to folklore stories of his invincibility. Kidd eventually chose to hide his Ring on Oak Island to keep it safe from Templar forces who sought it. To this end, Kidd created a map that provided clues to the Ring's location and divided it among four of his former crew members before he was captured by the British and executed.^[3]

Decades later, the Colonial Assassin Connor managed to gather the four pieces of the map from "Peg Leg", a sailor who sat near the docks of Connor's ship, the Aquila. With the map complete, Connor and his first mate Robert Faulkner sailed to Oak Island to obtain the Ring. Though both wondered why Kidd protected this "treasure" so carefully, Connor soon realized its power when it threw Faulkner's whiskey flask out of his hand.^[3] Around the same time, the Louisianan Templar Madeleine de L'Isle's archaeological digs beneath Chichen Itza's tunnels uncovered a number of Rings and other Isu artifacts.^[4]

Hnituðr[]

Main article: Hnituðr

Despite taking the form of a golden arm ring forged in seven pieces, Hnituðr was forged by the Isu blacksmith Völund^[5] and is also considered a Ring of Eden, sharing many of their properties such as magnetic field manipulation.^[6] It was kept atop an altar in Völund's forge in the North Sea until the late 9th century, when he offered it to the Viking Geirmund Hel-hide, who accepted the gift.^[5] The bracelet passed on to Guthrum, who wore it during the battles of Bedwyn^[7] and Meretun.^[8]

Following Meretun, King Alfred of Wessex negotiated peace with the Vikings and included in his terms that the bracelet be given up to be destroyed. Upon learning that Guthrum and Alfred had been working together, Geirmund confronted his jarl about the deception and they fought. Most of Geirmund's weapons proved useless apart from a bronze knife that he used to wound Guthrum in the thigh. Realizing Geirmund had the will and the means to kill him, Guthrum returned the bracelet.^[9] After Geirmund's death, the bracelet disappeared and was not found on him nor in any of his halls.^[10]

Behind the scenes[]

In both the 2012 video game Assassin's Creed III and the 2018 official replica prop sold by Ubiworkshop, the artifacts are erroneously referred to as "Shards of Eden", contradicting the previous use of the name from the 2011 comic series Assassin's Creed: The Fall to describe the adamant fragments from the Russian Imperial Sceptre, a Staff of Eden that was near-completely destroyed in the 1908 Tunguska explosion.

After players have Connor acquire the Ring, its effects are present if players then have Desmond Miles relive Haytham Kenway's earlier genetic memories. The Ring's effect can also be seen on Desmond himself in the modern day missions if players had uncovered it before leaving the Animus.

The Ring shares many features with the rings of neodymium magnets that are found in miniature motors, which give off a strong magnetic field.