Ratonhnaké:ton facts for kids

Ratonhnaké:ton, also known as Connor, is a main character from the Assassin's Creed video game series by Ubisoft. He is the hero of the 2012 game Assassin's Creed III. Actor Noah Watts brings Connor to life using special motion capture technology.

In the game's story, Connor is an Assassin who lived during the American Revolutionary War. He is part of the Kanien’kehá:ka Tribe. Connor joined the Assassin Brotherhood to protect his village. He wanted to stop the Templar Order, led by Charles Lee. Connor trained with a mentor named Achilles Davenport. He took the name Connor to fit in better with Western society.

While hunting Templars, Connor helped the Patriot movement in the American Revolution. He even saved George Washington's life. Later, Connor learned that Washington, not Lee, was behind his village being burned. This made him feel disappointed with the revolution. Connor is the son of Haytham Kenway, a Templar leader. He is also the grandson of Edward Kenway, a pirate Assassin. Connor is an ancestor of Desmond Miles, a character in the modern-day parts of the games.

Creating Connor: A Hero's Journey

Connor, whose original name is Ratonhnaké:ton, was designed to be a unique hero. He has a mixed heritage, being part Mohawk. This made him an "outsider" in the American Revolution setting.

To create Connor and other Mohawk characters, the game team worked with the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk community. They asked residents to help translate Mohawk words. They also hired a Mohawk cultural expert. This expert made sure the characters were real and avoided stereotypes. The team wanted Connor to be more than just his heritage. Alex Hutchison, the game's creative director, said Connor is a "real character" in a long story. He is also Native American, but that's not his only trait.

What Does Connor's Name Mean?

"Ratonhnhaké:ton" (pronounced Ra-doon-ha-ge-doon) means "life that is scratched." This name shows his struggle to survive. Other meanings include "his spirit has emerged" or "he has begun to live."

For a while, Ubisoft and others called him Connor Kenway. This was because his father's last name was Kenway. But in the game, Connor never officially took his father's last name. Ubisoft's official Facebook page later agreed with this. However, in newer games like Black Flag and Rogue, he is often called Connor Kenway.

Who Plays Connor?

Connor is voiced by Noah Watts. He also performed Connor's movements in a special studio. Watts first heard about a film set during the American Revolution. He was excited and went to the audition. He didn't know it was for Assassin's Creed III. Watts started working with Ubisoft in January 2012.

Watts is Native American, but he is not Mohawk. He is a member of the Blackfeet Nation. So, he needed a language expert to help him speak Mohawk correctly. Watts was already a fan of the Assassin's Creed games. He enjoyed playing Connor and showing a Native character to a wide audience.

Watts based his portrayal of Connor on actor Wes Studi's work. Studi was in the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans. Watts especially liked Studi's direct way of speaking. He also made Connor speak English without contractions at first. This showed that English was his second language. Later in the game, Connor uses contractions more. This shows how his English improved over time.

Connor's Adventures in Games

Connor's Story in Assassin's Creed III

Ratonhnaké:ton was born to Kaniehtí:io, a Native woman from the Kanien’kehá:ka Tribe. His father was Haytham Kenway, a British Templar. When Ratonhnaké:ton was four, Templars led by Charles Lee attacked his village. They were looking for an ancient site. Ratonhnaké:ton was knocked out. When he woke up, his village was burning, and his mother had died. He believed Lee and the Templars were responsible. This made him want justice and to fight against unfairness.

When he was thirteen, his clan mother told him their tribe protected a piece of the Apple of Eden. This was an ancient artifact. He had a vision that told him to find the Assassins. He needed to stop the Templars from getting to the Grand Temple. The clan mother sent him to a homestead east of the village.

Ratonhnaké:ton traveled across the American frontier. He found the home of Achilles Davenport. Achilles was a former Master Assassin. At first, Achilles didn't want to train him. But Ratonhnaké:ton helped him fight off bandits. So, Achilles agreed. Achilles gave Ratonhnaké:ton Assassin robes and a hidden blade. He taught him about the fight between Assassins and Templars. He also named the Templar leaders: Thomas Hickey, John Pitcairn, William Johnson, Nicholas Biddle, Benjamin Church, Charles Lee, and his own father, Haytham Kenway. Achilles suggested Ratonhnaké:ton use the name Connor. This was his late son's name, and it would help him move around Colonial areas more easily.

Other Games Featuring Connor

Besides Assassin's Creed III, Noah Watts also plays Connor in other games. He appears in Assassin's Creed III: Liberation (2012). The events of this game happen at the same time as III. Watts also plays Connor in the downloadable content (DLC) Assassin's Creed III: The Tyranny of King Washington (2013). He also appears in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Connor is also a character you can unlock and play in the mobile game Assassin's Creed Rebellion.