In Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Edward Kenway is the central pirate captain.
Edward is a Welsh privateer who becomes involved with the Assassins and Templars during the Golden Age of Piracy. His ambitions initially center on wealth and status, but his encounters with major historical figures gradually expose him to the larger conflict over freedom, control, and the Observatory.
The game is set mainly in the Caribbean during the early eighteenth century. Edward commands the Jackdaw, explores islands and coastal settlements, and participates in naval battles alongside or against famous pirates such as Blackbeard and Charles Vane. These historical characters are supporting figures, not the protagonist.
Edward also connects Black Flag to earlier games. He is the father of Haytham Kenway from Assassin’s Creed III and the grandfather of Ratonhnhaké:ton, also known as Connor. That family connection makes Black Flag part of the Kenway saga.