In Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, the playable protagonist is the pirate captain Edward Kenway.
Edward is a Welsh privateer-turned-pirate operating in the Caribbean during the early eighteenth century. His pursuit of wealth and reputation draws him into the conflict between Assassins and Templars. The game combines naval exploration, boarding actions, island travel, and historical characters from the Golden Age of Piracy.
Edward is also the father of Haytham Kenway and the grandfather of Ratonhnhaké:ton, linking Black Flag to Assassin's Creed III. This family connection is a frequent source of confusion because the games present the Kenways across different generations and historical periods.
Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read appear as historical figures or major supporting characters, but none is the game's playable lead. Edward's ship, the Jackdaw, is central to his progression and seafaring identity.