The Encyclopedia of the Common Man is one of the most unique side quests in Assassin's Creed 3, requiring players to observe the everyday routines of the artisans living on the Davenport Homestead. Rather than relying on combat or stealth assassinations, this quest tests your patience and observation skills as Connor documents colonial life. Completing this comprehensive log unlocks achievements and helps preserve the rich historical atmosphere built into the game's world.
Understanding the Homestead Artisans
Before you can begin scanning activities, you must first recruit all the individual artisans through various Homestead missions scattered across the frontier. Each craftsman, from the woodcutter to the blacksmith, brings unique skills to Connor's growing community. Once they settle on the land, they begin practicing their respective trades throughout the day.
It is important to remember that artisans will only perform specific tasks during clear weather and regular working hours. Visiting their homes or workplaces at night or during heavy rain will usually result in missed opportunities. Patience is essential, as waiting nearby often triggers the necessary animations.
How to Scan Artisan Activities Correctly
To record an entry in the encyclopedia, target an artisan using Eagle Vision while standing at a moderate distance. If the worker is engaged in a valid activity, their highlight color will shift, and a progress notification will appear on your screen. Scanning the same activity multiple times will not count toward your total completion.
Each artisan has three distinct activities that must be logged to complete their personal entry. Maintaining a comfortable distance prevents Connor from interfering with their pathfinding or interrupting their tasks. If an artisan stops working, simply leave the region briefly to reset their behavioral cycle.
Tips for Finding Rarest Worker Actions
Certain characters, such as the tailor or the farmers, have subtle routines that can be easy to miss if you are rushing through the area. Watching the farmers perform seasonal tasks like plowing fields or harvesting crops requires visiting them at different times during their routine. Similarly, tracking the blacksmith as he works the forge or shoes a horse yields essential progress.
Fast traveling between the Davenport Homestead and other regions helps force the game to recalculate artisan positions. This tactic is especially useful when searching for the final remaining activities needed to finish the quest. Careful observation remains the most reliable strategy for completing the entire log.
Rewards for Finishing the Quest
Completing the Encyclopedia of the Common Man provides a satisfying conclusion to Connor's development of the Davenport estate. It unlocks the coveted "An Extraordinary Man" trophy or achievement, marking full completion of the homestead logs. Furthermore, it gives players a deeper appreciation for the detailed world-building crafted by the development team.
