Can You Have Kids in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? Exploring Parenthood in Ancient Greece

Yes, you can have a child in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, but it’s not a core gameplay mechanic or a choice made in the main storyline. The ability to have a child is tied to the Legacy of the First Blade DLC, specifically the second episode, Shadow Heritage. Regardless of whether you play as Kassandra or Alexios, your character will inevitably have a child with Natakas (if playing as Kassandra) or Neema (if playing as Alexios), the offspring of Darius, the first assassin to wield a Hidden Blade. This decision, while controversial among some players, is baked into the narrative arc of the DLC.

Understanding the Context: Romance and Relationships in Odyssey

Before diving into the specifics of having a child, it’s essential to understand the broader context of romance and relationships within Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The game features a light romance system, allowing players to engage in short-lived trysts and affairs with various characters encountered throughout the world. These relationships are typically initiated through dialogue choices and often resolve within a single questline. However, these romances don’t lead to long-term commitments or, typically, to having children.

The decision to include parenthood in the Legacy of the First Blade DLC sparked debate within the Assassin’s Creed community because it felt forced and took away player agency. While the game otherwise offers numerous choices that impact the narrative, the predetermined nature of this particular storyline was frustrating for those who felt it contradicted the character they were role-playing. Nevertheless, understanding this context is crucial to understanding the entire picture of relationships and parenthood within Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

The Legacy of the First Blade: A Forced Family?

The Legacy of the First Blade DLC sees the protagonist travel to Macedonia and encounter Darius, who is trying to eliminate a new threat to the region. During this time, the player develops a relationship with Darius’s child (either Natakas or Neema, depending on the character chosen at the beginning of the game), which evolves into a romantic one. At the end of the second episode, the option to either leave or stay and form a family arises.

However, even if the player chooses to leave, the narrative forces the protagonist to settle down and have a child named Elpidios. This is a key point of contention for many, as it removes player agency from what should have been a personal choice. Elpidios becomes a plot point in the third episode of the DLC, serving as the impetus for the protagonist to hunt down the Order of the Ancients who seek to harm his family.

The Significance of Elpidios

Elpidios, as the son of Kassandra or Alexios and a descendant of both Darius and Leonidas, carries significant historical weight within the Assassin’s Creed lore. His existence creates a direct bloodline connection to future events and characters within the overarching narrative of the franchise. While his role in Odyssey is relatively limited, his existence highlights the series’s emphasis on ancestry and the long-reaching consequences of historical events. His brief time in the storyline is also a painful illustration of why Kassandra is destined to live as an immortal, unable to foster meaningful relationships.

Character Backgrounds and Ancestry

As a result of his parentage, Elpidios has Spartan and Persian ancestry. His paternal grandfather was Darius, and his maternal great-grandfather was Leonidas I of Sparta, adding layers of historical depth to his existence. This heritage ties him to some of the most influential figures in the ancient world, making him a significant character within the Assassin’s Creed universe. His character is proof of the historical research that goes into the Assassin’s Creed Universe.

FAQs: Parenthood and Relationships in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about relationships, romance, and having children in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey:

1. Can you get married in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? No, there are no marriage mechanics in the game. The relationships you form are typically short-lived and don’t lead to long-term commitments such as marriage.
2. Are there any long-term romantic relationships in the game? While you can have multiple romantic encounters, there are no major, long-term love storylines. Relationships are generally confined to specific quests or regions.
3. Who are some of the romanceable characters in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? Some romanceable characters include Alkibiades, Kosta the Blacksmith, Lykaon, and several others encountered throughout the various regions of Greece. A complete list can be easily found with a quick online search.
4. Does the choice of playing as Kassandra or Alexios affect the romance options? Yes, the choice of character affects the gender of the romance options available. Kassandra can romance female characters, while Alexios can romance male characters, in addition to both characters having access to the opposite gender.
5. Can you avoid having a child in the Legacy of the First Blade DLC? Unfortunately, no. The storyline is structured in a way that the protagonist inevitably has a child with Darius’s offspring, regardless of the player’s initial choices.
6. What happens if you choose to leave Darius’s family at the end of the second episode of the DLC? Even if you choose to leave, the game forces the protagonist to return and settle down with Darius’s child, resulting in the birth of Elpidios.
7. Who is the mother/father of Elpidios, depending on the character you play? If you play as Kassandra, Natakas is the father of Elpidios. If you play as Alexios, Neema is the mother of Elpidios.
8. Is Elpidios important to the main story of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? Elpidios is not directly relevant to the main story, but he serves as a key plot device in the third episode of the Legacy of the First Blade DLC, motivating the protagonist’s actions against the Order of the Ancients.
9. Can you have more than one child in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? No, the game only features the birth of Elpidios. There are no other instances of the protagonist having children.
10. Does having a child impact gameplay? The birth of Elpidios does not significantly alter the core gameplay mechanics. It primarily affects the narrative and provides a personal stake in the conflict with the Order of the Ancients.
11. How does the community feel about the forced parenthood storyline? The community is divided, with some players appreciating the added layer of personal stakes and others criticizing the lack of player choice and the perceived undermining of the protagonist’s established character.
12. Are there any mods to remove the parenthood storyline? Some mods may exist that alter the narrative or remove certain cutscenes related to the parenthood storyline, but their availability and effectiveness can vary.
13. Does having a child affect Kassandra’s/Alexios’s relationship with other characters? While relationships change and evolve through the game, there is no direct impact of having a child on established relationships.
14. Are there any educational resources available about ancient Greek family structures and child-rearing practices? Yes, numerous academic sources and historical texts provide information about family life in ancient Greece. Websites like Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) can also provide insights into how video games incorporate historical and cultural elements.
15. Does Elpidios appear in other Assassin’s Creed games? No, Elpidios does not make an appearance in other Assassin’s Creed games. His storyline is primarily contained within the Legacy of the First Blade DLC.

Conclusion: Navigating the Murky Waters of Parenthood in Odyssey

The inclusion of parenthood in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, specifically through the Legacy of the First Blade DLC, remains a contentious topic. While it adds a layer of personal stakes and connects the protagonist to future events within the Assassin’s Creed universe, the forced nature of the storyline detracts from the player agency that defines much of the game. Whether you embrace or reject the narrative choice, understanding the context and implications of having a child in Odyssey provides a deeper appreciation for the complexities of storytelling within the franchise. Ultimately, the story of Kassandra or Alexios becomes a complex tapestry of choice and destiny, where even the most independent heroes can find themselves bound by the ties of family.