Finding the Eyes of Kosmos is basically your first real taste of how deep the conspiracy goes in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. You’re fresh off the Phokis reveal, you’ve just seen the massive pyramid in the Sanctuary of Kosmos, and suddenly the game hands you a menu filled with silhouettes. It’s overwhelming. Honestly, the first time I saw that screen, I thought I’d never finish it. But here’s the thing about this specific branch: they are the "intel" wing of the Cult. While the Heroes of the Cult are out there brawling and the Gods of the Aegean are sinking ships, the Eyes are the ones lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings of politics and information.
You have to hunt them. If you don't, you're missing out on some of the best gear in the early-to-mid game, specifically the Snake Set. This set is legendary for a reason—it turns your poison damage into something actually terrifying.
Who are the Eyes of Kosmos anyway?
Think of them as the Cult’s secret police. They aren't usually warriors. Most of them are politicians, merchants, or even healers who have compromised their ethics for power. They oversee the flow of information across Greece. If a piece of news gets suppressed or a witness "disappears," it's usually because one of these five people gave the order.
The branch consists of Elpenor, Sotera, The Master, Hermippos, and Midas. Then you have the Sage, Nyx the Shadow.
Tracking them down isn't just about a waypoint on a map. For some, you have to do actual detective work. You’ll find yourself scouring the coast of Attika or sneaking through silver mines just to find a scrap of paper that mentions a name. It’s a grind, but it’s a rewarding one. The game doesn't just give you their locations. You earn them.
Elpenor: The One You Already Know
You meet Elpenor early. He’s the guy who tried to hire you to kill your own mother (or father, depending on your choices). He is the introductory "boss" for the Cult system. He’s arrogant. He thinks he’s untouchable because he’s rich.
Killing him is mandatory for the story, so you can't really miss it. He’s hiding out in the Valley of the Snake in Phokis. Once he’s gone, the rest of the branch opens up. He drops the first piece of the Snake Set, the Chronos’s Dagger. It’s a decent weapon, but the real prize is the cumulative bonus you get once you wipe out the rest of his colleagues.
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Finding Sotera and The Master
Sotera is usually the next one people find. She’s tucked away in Megaris, specifically at the Port of Nisaia. She isn't a fighter. If you’re careful, you can just sneak into the fort, put an arrow in her head, and leave before the guards even realize the "Eye" is dead. She holds the Slithering Belt.
The Master is where things get a bit more complicated and, frankly, a bit more morally gray. He’s tied to the "Free Speech" side quest in Attika. You’ll find him near the Silver Mountain. He’s a slave owner, which makes killing him feel particularly justified for most players. But here’s the catch: he’s surrounded by guards and workers.
I’ve seen players try to rush him and get absolutely swarmed. Don't do that. Wait for nightfall. The Master has a predictable patrol route near the quarry. If you use Ikaros to tag him, you’ll see he spends a lot of time standing near ledges or isolated corners. A well-placed Spartan Kick or a Critical Assassination ends him instantly. He drops the Venom Gloves.
Hermippos and Midas: The Public Faces
Hermippos is a high-ranking official in Athens. You won't find him just wandering the streets. You have to complete a specific quest line involving Alcibiades—yes, the guy who is always in the middle of something scandalous. The quest "Free Speech" eventually leads you to Hermippos. He’s usually at the Temple of Hephaestos.
He’s a weak combatant. Seriously. If you’ve leveled up your Assassin damage at all, he’s a one-shot. The challenge is the location. The Temple is a public area, and getting caught killing a prominent citizen will instantly jack up your bounty. Be ready to pay it off or run. He has the Noxious Boots.
Then there’s Midas. He’s in Argolis. Unlike the others, Midas is just standing out in the open near the leader's house or the agora. He’s loud. He’s corrupt. He’s basically a walking stereotype of a greedy politician. You can walk right up to him and end it. He carries the Scaled Vest.
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Unmasking Nyx the Shadow
Once those five are dead, you get the clue for the Sage: Nyx the Shadow.
Nyx is a different beast entirely. While the others were hiding behind guards or titles, Nyx is an actual shadow. She wanders the streets of Athens, usually near the Theatre of Dionysos. What makes her dangerous isn't just her combat ability—though she is much tougher than her subordinates—it's that she blends in.
If you haven't identified her yet, she looks like any other civilian. But once the Eyes of Kosmos branch is revealed, her icon will pop up.
Pro Tip: Do not fight Nyx in the middle of the day. Athens is crowded. If you start a fight with a Cult Sage in the middle of a square, the Athenian guards will jump in. Even civilians might pick up a broom or a discarded sword and start swinging at you. Catch her at the outskirts of the city or wait until the streets clear out at night.
When she dies, you get the final piece of the Snake Set and the Gorgoneion Head.
Why the Snake Set is a Game Changer
You might be wondering why you’re doing all this. Is it just for the XP? No.
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The Snake Set is arguably the best early-game Legendary armor. When you wear all five pieces, you get a massive boost to Poison Damage and Intoxicated Duration. In Assassin's Creed Odyssey, poison is a "soft" CC (crowd control). It weakens enemy attacks and lowers their defense.
If you’re playing on Nightmare difficulty, the Eyes of Kosmos should be your first target. Being able to poison a mercenary and watch their health bar melt while they deal 30% less damage to you is the only way to survive some of those late-game encounters.
The Real Impact of the Eyes on the Story
Beyond the gear, these kills matter for the political landscape of the game. By removing the Eyes, you are effectively blinding the Cult.
The game doesn't explicitly shout this at you, but if you pay attention to the dialogue in Athens during the "Perikles" segments, the atmosphere changes. The Cult's influence over the Assembly wanes. You’re not just a mercenary; you’re a surgeon cutting out a cancer.
There’s a nuance here that people miss. The Eyes of Kosmos represent the "Civilized" evil. They aren't monsters in the woods. They are the people you meet at dinner parties. Killing them feels different than killing a bandit chief. It’s personal because they’ve betrayed the very cities they were supposed to lead.
Actionable Steps for Your Hunt
If you’re looking to clear this branch effectively, follow this specific order to maximize your efficiency and gear progression.
- Prioritize the "Free Speech" Quest: This is the gatekeeper for both The Master and Hermippos. You can find it in Athens after the main story moves through the initial meeting with Perikles.
- Level Up Your Poison Mastery: Before you finish the set, put ability points into the "Venomous Attacks" tree in the Assassin branch. It synergizes perfectly with the gear you're about to get.
- Check the Silver Mine: Many players miss the clue for The Master because they don't explore the Attika silver mines thoroughly. Look for a small note on a table in the guarded area of the mine.
- Confirm the Kill: Always remember to "confirm the kill" on Cultists. If you drop them with an arrow from a distance, you won't get the artifact or the gear until you actually walk up to the body and interact with it.
- Engrave for Success: Once you have the full Snake Set, go to a blacksmith and engrave your weapons with "Convert Normal Damage to Poison Damage." This makes the set permanent, meaning you never have to manually activate your poison ability again.
By the time you finish off Nyx the Shadow, you won't just have a new set of armor. You'll have a fundamental understanding of how the Cult operates. You’ll be faster, deadlier, and ready to take on the more physical threats in the other branches. The Eyes are just the beginning, but they are the most important start you can make in your journey across Ancient Greece.