The Apple of Eden is the recurring precursor artifact central to many Assassin's Creed stories.
The Apples of Eden are powerful Pieces of Eden created by the Isu, the advanced civilization that existed before recorded human history in the series' mythology. They can influence minds, create illusions, and reveal or interact with information in ways that appear supernatural to humans.
The first Assassin's Creed game places one Apple at the center of Altaïr's conflict with the Templars. Later games feature different Apples and show that they are artifacts rather than ordinary historical objects. Their powers help explain why political and religious factions repeatedly seek them.
The term can be confused with other Pieces of Eden. The Sword of Eden, Staff of Hermes, and Shroud of Eden are separate artifacts with different histories and abilities. “Apple of Eden” is also used broadly for the artifact type, while individual games may focus on a particular Apple.