Yesterday on Fut 15 Coins the PAX Prime main stage,?Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag?Director Ashraf Ismail fielded questions from fans on the future direction of the Assassin's Creed series, the mysteries of protagonist Edward Kenway, and the fate of Desmond Miles--which may not be as cut and dried as once thought. Obviously, spoilers for Assassin's Creed III follow.

Joined by Charles Vane voice actor Ralph Ineson (of Game of Thrones fame), Ismail emphasized that ACIV would focus on a new kind of democracy—a pirate republic that, unlike the American Revolution, ended in failure. "Quick-witted Welshman" Edward Kenway also isn't a typical assassin, and isn't part of the Assassin Brotherhood at the start of the game--Ismail remained tight-lipped about just how Edward earns his hood, but promised a whirlwind ride.

The real surprises came in a brief discussion of bloodline continuations, and, most importantly, Desmond Miles. "It was never a hard and fast rule that we had to go forward," Ismail said on why ACIV takes place before ACIII chronologically. He emphasized that there's an important reason Edward is being "researched" by the player, and that even though Desmond Miles' story is officially over (which was planned to happen when it did "since Assassin's Creed I"), his bloodline will remain pivotal to upcoming games. In addition, Ismail let slip that information about "Desmond's life after Assassin's Creed III" would be revealed--making the seemingly clear ending of ACIII quite a bit murkier.