Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is a vast open-world video game developed by Ubisoft and overall it is the 21st game in the Assassin's Creed franchise. The game is also the largest in the series as one of the major installments. With Odyssey, and Origins before it, Assassin's Creed is moving in a new direction by implementing more RPG elements into the series including the open-world exploration.

Related: The 10 Best Legendary Engravings In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

In Odyssey, the player can choose whether to play as a male or female and become the great Eagle Bearer. They explore Ancient Greece and are gifted with any incredible weapons but the best one is easily the immortality staff or the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus.

10 The staff is registered as a spear

It is not entirely clear why but in the game, the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus is not registered as a staff like one might expect. Instead, it is registered as a spear. It makes some sense in that you can wield and use the staff like a spear, but it's strange that the game wouldn't simply label it as a staff since there are other staffs you can retrieve in the game.

Aside from the immortality staff, other staffs in the game include a Witch's Staff, Royal Staff, Battle Staff, Olympian Torch, Staff of Athens, Champion's Staff, and more. But because the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus is so special, that may explain why it has a different registry.

9 It is actually known as the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus

Despite being referred to as the Immortality Staff in several articles about the game and even in conversations during the game itself, the true name of this legendary item is the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus. It is named for its creator, the Isu philosopher, Hermes Trismegistus.

He helped create the Cult of Hermes which eventually grew into what we eventually know as the Cult of Kosmos. Hermes is regarded as one of the major deities of the Greek pantheon. He survived the Great Catastrophe and brought about the end of the Isu while wielding the staff that granted immortality. After surviving for several thousand years, Hermes eventually passed it on to his successor.

8 It was once owned by Pythagoras

You might recognize the name Pythagoras from your math classes but he is actually an important part of Odyssey. The man was a famous Greek scholar, philosopher, and of course, a mathematician. At one point in time, he had dealings with Hermes and retrieved the staff from him as the successor.

Related: Ranked: The 10 Best Abilities In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

Given the staff increased his lifespan, Pythagoras was able to live in the time of King Leonidas I. We find out later that he is actually the father of Kassandra. However, he was eventually corrupted by the staff and the player will have a choice of whether or not they want to fight him in the DLC.

7 You will have to complete the Fate of Atlantis to get it

If you were hoping to get this legendary weapon by completing the main quest of Odyssey you're about to be sorely disappointed. You will have to beat The Fates of Atlantis DLC. The good news is, the DLC is fantastic and a great addition to the game but it can be difficult.

The story arc involves three different episodes including Fields of Elysium, Torment of Hades, and Judgement of Atlantis. You'll meet new mythic creatures and begin to understand the expansive mythology behind the fabled city of Atlantis. It's an impressive storyline and at the end of it, you'll come face-to-face with your biological father, Pythagoras, and face-off for the staff.

6 Isu Aletheia replicated her consciousness into the Staff

Returning to the Isu Era, Aletheia was the Dikastes of Atlantis during the war between the Isu and humanity. She was repulsed by those around her who treated humans like lesser people and in order to assist in her heir's journey, Aletheia replicated her consciousness into what we now know as the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus.

Related: Assassin's Creed: Odyssey - 10 Reasons Why Kassandra is Better Than Alexios

It was because of Aletheia the staff was imbued with such great power and mysticism. That wasn't the only thing this remarkable character achieved during her life either. She was a valuable asset to maintaining the integrity of the Olympus Project and ensuring the records remained protected so that one day, people could learn and uncover the secrets of Atlantis.

5 It can take on the shape of anything the user wishes

The Staff of Hermes Trismegistus is not just a valuable weapon and staff, but it can also change its form into anything the viewer needs it to be. It's a powerful companion and more than just your ordinary run-of-the-mill staff or weapon.

There is nothing else in the game quite like it which is why it has such an esteemable reputation and why players fight so hard to get the chance to wield the weapon. In one part of the game, it is transformed into a lantern. Plus, it is the staff that is responsible for sealing off Atlantis. It has many capabilities beyond its status as a powerful weapon.

4 It is capable of destroying cities

When we speak of the power of this staff, it is not just hyperbole. The Immortality Staff has enough power stored within it that it can take down entire cities if the wielder so desires. It is why the staff is such a dangerous tool if it is in the wrong hands.

Related: Assassin’s Creed: The 10 Best DLC Missions In The Franchise, Ranked

It has a quality to it that can drive the owner mad and with so much power they're able to destroy civilizations with hardly anyone able to stand in their way. This fact is revealed in the Judgment of Atlantis DLC and we find out that Kassandra must learn how to control the staff's power.

3 The staff can corrupt the wielder

Going off off the above point about how the staff is capable of destroying cities, it can also corrupt the person who is in control of it. It's something the player must contend with and understand when their character gains control of it. We also see the corruption affect other wielders in the game like Layla in the future and even Pythagoras.

It's not dissimilar to the ring from Lord of the Rings, or many other items found in mythology. It's like the infamous Spider-Man quote, "with great power comes great responsibility." You must understand what having this staff can do to you in order to master it.

2 The staff is a Piece of Eden

The staff is actually one of the legendary Pieces of Eden. These objects are special, sophisticated devices that were crafted by Isu. At the time they were created, it was so they could better use humans as slave labor. Their past usage is pretty horrifying actually.

The Pieces of Eden were specifically crafted to react with the neurotransmitters within human minds and therefore humans are unable to understand their ability as they can't see beyond the magic. Some of the pieces, like Apples and Staves, were utilized purely for control but there were other items created too like the Shrouds, which had a medical purpose, and obviously, the staff.

1 The staff first appeared in Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy

The Staff of Hermes Trismegistus, although a major component of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, appeared before the game in the AC franchise. Do you remember Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy? It was a 2010 Facebook game where you could relive genetic memories from characters throughout different places and times.

In the second chapter in the Divine Science Pack, you accessed the memories of Kyros of Zrax. Guess where he's located? 6th century BCE, Ancient Greece. The staff is only shown in passing but it's kind of a cool easter egg for fans who didn't know what was to come. At the time, it's not even clear if the developers knew.

Next: 10 Best Armor Sets in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Ranked