Summary
Apart from its iconic platforming and stealth-based gameplay, theAssassin’s Creedfranchise is known for its often historically accurate settings, most of which include historical figures as well. For example, theAssassin’s Creed 2trilogy features historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli, and the more recentAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, Leonidas and Pythagoras. This is all part of Ubisoft’s attempt to bring each historical period to life and essentially immerse players in it to make them feel like they were there. Now, the upcomingAssassin’s Creed Hexehas a chance to do the same with historical figures from Germany’s 16th-century witch hunts. That is, if therumors and assumptions aboutHexe’s settingare true.
Several key figures could make an appearance inAssassin’s Creed Hexe, simply due to the significance of their role during that time. As usual, the next installment will more than likely feature plenty of fictional characters created specifically forHexe, but many of the story’s most important characters will presumably be pulled from real-world history. While these figures include some of the more prominent religious leaders who played significant roles during the witch hunts, there will undoubtedly be many more.
Assassin’s Creed Hexe Has a Wealthy Pool of Historical Figures to Draw From
Johann von Schonenberg of the Trier Witch Trials
The Witch Trials of Trier are the earliest ofGermany’s four largest witch trials, occurring between 1581 and 1593. During the Trier witch trials, around 368 executions were performed in 22 villages, but the total number has been estimated to amount to over 1,000, leading many to define it as the largest documented witch trial. Johann von Schonenberg oversaw the execution of presumed witches, leaving only two women alive in the end. As this is possibly the largest documented witch trial,Assassin’s Creed Hexecould take place during it with Johann von Schonenberg as the primary antagonist.
Balthasar von Dernbach of the Fulda Witch Trials
The Witch Trials of Fulda took place in Germany from 1603 to 1606, with Prince-abbot Balthasar von Dernbach ordering the execution of about 250 people on charges of witchcraft. A protege of his, Balthasar Nuss, oversaw the persecution of the accused witches, so it’s possible both he and Balthasar von Dernbach could appear as antagonists inAssassin’s Creed Hexe’s witch hunts.
Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg of the Wurzburg Witch Trials
The Witch Trials of Wurzburg were overseen by Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg, who burned around 900 people, his nephew included, between the years 1623 and 1631. At least 219 more people were killed during the Wurzburg witch trials, making it one of the largest. IfAssassin’s Creed Hexedoesn’t take place during the Witch Trials of Trier, there is good reason to suspect it will be set during the Wurzburg witch trials, with Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg being a perfect candidate to appear as an antagonist.
Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim of the Bamberg Witch Trials
During the Witch Trials of Bamberg, around 1,000 people were executed on charges of witchcraft from 1626 to 1632. Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim was the key figure here, as he initiated the Bamberg witch trials and is therefore responsible for the executions that followed.Assassin’s Creed Hexecould also feature him as an antagonist, depending onwhat yearHexeis set in.
Assassin’s Creed Hexe Has No Shortage of Potential Historical Antagonists
There are more than likely other major historical figuresAssassin’s Creed Hexecould feature, but the most notable people could be taken from Germany’s four largest witch trials — the Trier witch trials, the Fulda witch trials, the Wurzburg witch trials, and the Bamberg witch trials. It’s unclear whetherHexe’s protagonistwill be based on a real person, but it will presumably, at the very least, feature historical antagonists.
Of course, this is all speculation based on the rumors currently surroundingAssassin’s Creed Hexe.
