You're wandering through Lake Mareotis, maybe taking a break from gutting bandits or hunting those massive hippos that seem to have a personal vendetta against Bayek. You pick up a piece of scrap paper in the Temple of Sekhmet. It’s a Papyrus Puzzle. Most of these are fairly straightforward, but the AC Origins Fertile Lands riddle tends to trip people up because the description is just vague enough to be frustrating. It talks about a "fertile land" where "no one lives," and honestly, in a game where half the map is a lush delta and the other half is a literal desert, that doesn't narrow things down much.
Actually, it's pretty simple once you stop overthinking the "fertile" part.
The riddle reads: "In the Lake Mareotis north of the temple, there is a fertile land. The trees stay in the sun and the house is deserted. You can find me in the smallest of these lands, tucked away in the shadows."
Finding the Deserted House in Lake Mareotis
Most players make the mistake of looking near the water. It makes sense, right? Fertile lands usually sit right on the riverbank. But the AC Origins Fertile Lands treasure is actually tucked away in a small cluster of greenery slightly inland. You need to head north-northwest from the Temple of Sekhmet in Yamu. If you’re fast-traveling, just spawn at the Yamu viewpoint and call your camel.
Don't go too far.
If you hit the actual shoreline of the Mediterranean, you've gone way past it. The spot you're looking for is a small, rectangular farm area surrounded by low stone walls. There are palm trees—lots of them—and a single, lonely house that looks like the owners left in a hurry. Senu is your best friend here. If you fly her up, you’ll notice a specific patch of greenery that looks more like a private garden than a massive plantation.
Where is the Loot Exactly?
So you found the house. It's empty. Now what? The riddle mentions the "smallest of these lands" and "tucked away in the shadows." This isn't talking about a massive forest. It’s referring to the small fenced-off sections of the farm.
Look for a small, square enclosure filled with tall grass and palm trees right next to the house. Specifically, there's a patch of palm trees that creates a thick canopy. Walk into that patch. You aren't looking for a chest. In Assassin’s Creed Origins, Papyrus treasures are always represented by a small, shimmering interaction prompt on the ground.
- Walk toward the tall grass.
- Look for the palm tree cluster.
- The loot is hidden in the grass, usually right where the shadow of the palm tree hits the ground.
You'll get a piece of leveled gear. Usually, it's a Rare or Legendary weapon. If you're doing this early in the game (around level 5 to 10), this can be a massive power spike for Bayek. It's way better than the rusty spears you've been looting off dead soldiers.
Why These Puzzles Matter for Your Build
Honestly, some people skip these. They think, "Why bother with a riddle when I can just raid a fort?" But here’s the thing: Papyrus Puzzles are one of the most consistent ways to get Legendary gear without spending Drachmae at Reda’s shop or grinding Heka chests. The loot scales. If you wait until you’re level 40 to solve the AC Origins Fertile Lands puzzle, you’ll get a level 40 item.
If you're struggling with a specific boss or an Elephant fight later on, having a stock of unsolved riddles is like having a bank account of high-end gear.
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The RNG (random number generation) in Origins can be a bit of a pain. You might get a boring shield, or you might get a sword that heals you on every kill. It’s a gamble, but the "Fertile Lands" one is so easy to get to early on that it's worth the three-minute detour.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't look in the temple itself. The riddle says "north of the temple," not "inside." I’ve seen people spend twenty minutes climbing the walls of the Temple of Sekhmet thinking the "shadows" referred to the temple columns.
Also, watch out for the local wildlife. The area around this farm is relatively peaceful, but Lake Mareotis is notorious for crocodiles. If you stray too far toward the water while looking for this "fertile land," you’re going to end up as reptile food.
Is it Worth the Trip?
In terms of "bang for your buck," the AC Origins Fertile Lands puzzle is a top-tier early-game objective. It teaches you how to read the map and how to use Senu effectively. Plus, the lore of the world is built into these things. You get a sense of the geography and the tragedy of abandoned homes during the Ptolemaic period.
If you’re a completionist, you need it for the "Old Habits" trophy anyway.
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If you aren't, do it for the gear.
Most players end up with a Purple (Rare) item, but there’s a decent chance at a Gold (Legendary) drop. If you get a "Regular Sword" with Crit Chance, keep it. Those things are monsters in the early game.
Steps to Take Right Now
- Fast Travel to Yamu: Use the viewpoint at the Temple of Sekhmet.
- Head North: Use Senu to scan for a small, walled-off farm with a single house.
- Find the Palm Trees: Look for the smallest fenced-in area with tall grass.
- Loot the Grass: Walk through the shadows under the trees until the "Loot" prompt appears.
- Check Your Inventory: Don't forget to actually equip the item; it's easy to forget when you're busy dodging guards.
Once you’ve cleared this one, the next logical step is to head toward the Great Sphinx in Giza. There are a lot more of these hidden around the world, and they only get more cryptic as you move into the higher-level regions like Memphis or the Faiyum Oasis. Keep an eye on your "Quest Items" tab in the inventory to re-read the riddles if you get lost—sometimes the wording has a double meaning you’ll only catch once you’re standing in the right spot.