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Why shay abandoned the colonial and french templar chapters

Shay's Silence | Why Did He Abandon the Templar Chapters?

By

Rachel Kim

Aug 1, 2025, 08:02 AM

3 minutes of duration

Shay turning away from the Colonial and French Templar chapters amid rising tensions, portraying his choice to abandon them
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In a shocking twist of events, Shay Cormac, a pivotal character in the Assassin's Creed franchise, seemingly vanished from the fight between the Colonial and French Templar chapters during tumultuous times. As the Colonial Templars faced brutal attacks from Connorโ€”culminating in the death of Haythamโ€”Shay remained absent, raising eyebrows and sparking debate among fans.

Context: Templar Turmoil

Shay was active during significant conflicts. The Colonial Templars were getting eliminated one by one, ultimately leading to Haytham's death and disintegration of their chapter. Concurrently, France experienced infighting within Templar ranks amidst a civil war, and still, Shay offered no assistance.

Theories Behind Shay's Disappearance

Fans on various forums have discussed possible reasons for Shay's actions:

  • Artifact Pursuit: Many believe Shay was tasked with hunting for the Precursor box at Haytham's request, sidelining him from assisting comrades during crucial battles.

  • Character Development: One commentator pointed out that Shay didn't exist in the initial storyline. Haytham had taken center stage in the Colonial Brotherhood's fight.

  • Arno's Perspective: Another angle comes from Arno Dorian's role. He lacked understanding of revenge, thinking only that his father mysteriously died without considering Shay's involvement.

"His mission ended in 1776, yet Shay let his friends die," observed an active forum member. This comment reflects the sentiment of many who feel Shay's character arc doesn't add up.

Unresolved Questions

Some players are left questioning why key characters werenโ€™t warned of Shayโ€™s actions. For instance, Achilles never warned Connor about Shay, which some are attributing to narrative choices rather than a lack of awareness.

Another interesting point raised was regarding ร‰lisรฉeโ€™s father. Many believe he might have been perceived as a traitor, prompting Shayโ€™s indifference towards the civil strife in France.

Sentiment Analysis

The online discourse ranges from frustration to disappointment, particularly around Shay's perceived neglect of the Templar calls for help. However, some users found this disconnect intriguing as it adds depth to Shay's character.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ” Absentee Defense: Shay was likely preoccupied with obtaining the Precursor box, causing him to abandon his duties.

  • ๐Ÿค” Storyline Shift: Shayโ€™s absence could be attributed to early character development decisions which left plot holes.

  • ๐Ÿง Veteran Opinions: The general consensus reflects a mix of disappointment and curiosity towards Shay's in-universe motives.

These unresolved plot lines keep the conversation alive and reinforce the intricacies of the Assassin's Creed universe. Will future installments address these poetic injustices? Only time will tell.

What Lies Ahead for Shay and the Templar Storyline?

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that future game installments will attempt to fill in the gaps of Shay's character and explore his motivations more deeply. Experts estimate around 70% probability that the next chapter will address his absence during key events through additional lore or flashback missions. Moreover, fans anticipate a redemption arc or a direct confrontation between Shay and other pivotal characters in the franchise. Such developments could not only explain his prior actions but also tie his fate closely with other critical storylines, possibly reigniting interest in the Colonial Templar saga amidst ongoing series expansions.

A Surprising Reflection from History

Shayโ€™s reluctance to help his allies mirrors historical figures like Sir Thomas More, who, during the turbulent reign of Henry VIII, chose silence over rebellion, despite his personal ties to various factions. This echoes the sense of betrayal that players feel in the Assassin's Creed universe when a character opts for self-preservation or personal quest rather than collective loyalty. Just as Moreโ€™s inaction led to a profound shift in the sociopolitical landscape of his time, Shayโ€™s absence during a crucial period for the Templars reshapes our perception of duty and sacrifice within the narrative frameworkโ€”raising the question of whether to prioritize the larger cause or individual ambition.