Who is Kassandra’s Son? Unraveling Elpidios’s Story in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Kassandra’s son is Elpidios, a child born to her and Natakas, the son of Darius, during the events of the Legacy of the First Blade DLC in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. His life is tragically short-lived within Kassandra’s care, as he’s taken by the Order of the Ancients after they murder his father. He is then entrusted to his grandfather, Darius, who takes him to Egypt.
This event significantly impacts Kassandra, solidifying her resolve to fight against the Order of the Ancients, who would later become the Templar Order. Elpidios’s lineage also connects Kassandra to a crucial figure in the Assassin’s Creed universe: Aya (Amunet), a co-founder of the Hidden Ones (the precursors to the Assassin Brotherhood) and a prominent character in Assassin’s Creed Origins. Aya is revealed to be a descendant of Kassandra and Elpidios, establishing a direct bloodline link between the Spartan mercenary and the Egyptian assassin. Elpidios serves as the linchpin in this connection.
Elpidios’s Significance in the Assassin’s Creed Universe
Elpidios’s existence, though brief in the narrative, holds substantial weight in the overarching lore of Assassin’s Creed. He represents the personal cost of the conflict between the Assassins and the Templars (or their historical precursors) and highlights how their ideologies and struggles have transcended generations. Elpidios’s kidnapping and the murder of his father are pivotal events that fuel Kassandra’s dedication to fighting the Order and protecting the innocent.
Furthermore, Elpidios’s bloodline is the thread connecting Kassandra to Aya, a critical figure in the formation of the Hidden Ones. This connection highlights the lasting impact of Kassandra’s actions and lineage. Her role as the Keeper of the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus and her prolonged lifespan further emphasize her influence throughout history. The GamesLearningSociety.org explores the intricate narrative designs and historical contexts embedded within games like Assassin’s Creed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kassandra’s Son
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive overview of Elpidios’s story and his significance:
Is Elpidios ever seen as an adult in any Assassin’s Creed game?
No, Elpidios is not seen as an adult in any of the Assassin’s Creed games. His story is limited to his infancy and early childhood within the Legacy of the First Blade DLC of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. His later life remains unknown to the audience, although he is known to have descendants.
What happened to Elpidios after Darius took him to Egypt?
The game does not explicitly detail what happened to Elpidios after Darius took him to Egypt. It is implied that Darius raised him away from the conflict and danger posed by the Order of the Ancients. Elpidios’s later life remains a mystery, but the existence of his descendant Aya confirms that he lived to have a family of his own.
How does Elpidios’s lineage connect to Aya in Assassin’s Creed Origins?
Aya is a direct descendant of Elpidios. This means that a direct line of ancestors connect Aya to both Kassandra and Natakas, confirming that Aya is a great-great-etc. grandchild of Kassandra. This lineage establishes a tangible connection between the events of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Origins, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of Kassandra’s actions and the persistent struggle against Templar influence.
Does Elpidios inherit any Isu traits from Kassandra?
Since Kassandra carries Isu blood due to her father being Pythagoras, it’s highly likely that Elpidios inherited some of these Isu traits. However, the extent of these traits and their impact on his life are not explored in the game. Aya herself does not appear to possess any significant Isu abilities.
Was Elpidios’s kidnapping a catalyst for the formation of the Hidden Ones?
While Elpidios’s kidnapping was a personal tragedy for Kassandra and fueled her fight against the Order, it wasn’t a direct catalyst for the formation of the Hidden Ones. The Hidden Ones were formed by Bayek and Aya in response to the corruption and oppression within Egypt. However, Kassandra’s long-term fight against the Order, inspired in part by the loss of her son, certainly contributed to the broader historical context in which the Hidden Ones eventually emerged.
What is the significance of Natakas being Elpidios’s father?
Natakas being Elpidios’s father is significant because it links Elpidios to Darius, a proto-Assassin figure. Darius is one of the earliest known wielders of the Hidden Blade and a key figure in the fight against the Order of the Ancients. This connection reinforces the idea that Elpidios is born into a legacy of resistance and struggle against oppression.
Is there any indication that the Order of the Ancients knew of Elpidios’s Isu heritage?
It is possible that the Order of the Ancients knew of Elpidios’s Isu heritage. They were actively seeking individuals with Isu bloodlines, such as Alexios and Kassandra themselves. However, the game does not explicitly confirm whether they targeted Elpidios specifically for this reason. Their primary motive seems to have been eliminating Kassandra’s lineage to undermine her influence and her efforts against them.
How does Kassandra’s relationship with Elpidios affect her character development?
The relationship with Elpidios profoundly affects Kassandra’s character development. It humanizes her, revealing a maternal side beneath her warrior persona. The loss of Elpidios hardens her resolve and solidifies her commitment to fighting the Order. She becomes increasingly protective of others and more determined to prevent the Order from inflicting similar pain on anyone else.
Did Alexios (as Deimos) know about Elpidios?
If Alexios played the role of Deimos, he likely knew about Elpidios. The Order of the Ancients kept Alexios under their control and would have informed him about Kassandra’s family, especially as a means to manipulate him further. Alexios’s reaction to this knowledge would depend on his level of indoctrination and his mental state.
Could Elpidios have become an Assassin or Hidden One if he had grown up in Egypt?
It is entirely plausible that Elpidios could have become an Assassin or Hidden One if he had grown up in Egypt under Darius’s tutelage. Darius himself was a skilled assassin, and he would have likely passed on his knowledge and skills to his grandson. Furthermore, the political climate in Egypt at the time, with the growing resistance against the Order, would have provided ample opportunity for Elpidios to join the ranks of the Hidden Ones.
Is the birth of Elpidios considered canon within the Assassin’s Creed universe?
Yes, the birth of Elpidios and his connection to Kassandra are considered canon within the Assassin’s Creed universe. This is firmly established in the Legacy of the First Blade DLC and further reinforced by Aya’s lineage, explicitly mentioned in Assassin’s Creed Origins.
What are the implications of Elpidios’s existence for the future of the Assassin’s Creed storyline?
Elpidios’s existence reinforces the themes of legacy and lineage within the Assassin’s Creed storyline. It demonstrates how the actions of individuals can have far-reaching consequences that impact future generations. It also highlights the enduring conflict between the Assassins and the Templars and how this struggle is often deeply personal, affecting families and communities. The story emphasizes the enduring struggle for freedom.
How does the depiction of parenthood in Legacy of the First Blade compare to other depictions in Assassin’s Creed?
The depiction of parenthood in Legacy of the First Blade is relatively unique compared to other depictions in Assassin’s Creed. While characters like Ezio Auditore and Edward Kenway had families, their relationships with their children were not as central to the plot as Kassandra’s relationship with Elpidios. The DLC directly explores the challenges and emotional impact of parenthood within the context of the Assassin-Templar conflict.
How does the story of Elpidios contribute to the historical fiction aspect of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
The story of Elpidios adds a layer of personal drama to the historical fiction aspect of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. By grounding the conflict between Kassandra and the Order in a personal tragedy, the game humanizes the characters and makes the historical events more relatable. It also illustrates how historical power struggles can have devastating effects on individuals and families, regardless of their social status.
How is Kassandra impacted by the events of the DLC?
Kassandra is greatly impacted by the events in the Legacy of the First Blade DLC. After using the collected artifacts to seal Atlantis, Pythagoras relinquishes the Staff to Kassandra, who becomes its new Keeper and is granted biological immortality. Her son’s kidnapping and her partner’s death cause her to become an even greater fighter, as she now has even more reason to fight.
Elpidios’s story, though tragic, is a vital piece of the Assassin’s Creed puzzle. He connects the dots between ancient Greece and ancient Egypt, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Isu, the conflict between freedom and control, and the personal sacrifices made by those who fight in the shadows. The Games Learning Society analyzes how narratives within games enhance learning experiences by connecting players to history and culture.