Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming Avowed signifies a pivotal moment for the greater franchise that began with Pillars of Eternity, as it’s set to move away from the isometric CRPG style in favor of a first-person action RPG experience. While this difference can make footage of Avowed seem unrecognizable when compared to the gameplay of its predecessors, it is still firmly rooted in the same worldbuilding and lore which defines Eora.
An extensive history was crafted around the world first established in PoE, with thousands of years preceding the actual events of that game. All the related media in the franchise so far seems to be oriented around moving the moment in the timeline forward, and Avowed is no exception to this pattern. Following the world-state-altering events at the end of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, however, some players may be surprised to learn just how soon after that title’s conclusion Avowed takes place.
The Timeline Set Up by the Pillars of Eternity Duology
Thousands of Years Led Up to the Events of Pillars of Eternity in 2823 AI
Eora’s history is marked by a myriad of events which have only been depicted in text, including over 15,000 years of prehistory which contribute to shaping each continent’s diverse cultures and the conflicts between them. From the alleged creation of gods by the Engwithans in 600 Anno Iroccio to the later rise of the Aedyr Kingdom in 2200 AI before it became Avowed's Aedyr Empire in 2399 AI following a war with the elven kingdom of Kulklin, the prelude to the 2823 events of PoE is characterized by a multitude of political motivations as the world powers developed and asserted their control over time.
2828 AI Was the Most Recent Year as of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Relative to the overall timeline that has been established through history, Deadfire takes place shortly after the first title. While the god Eothas’ emergence from the stronghold of Caed Nua directly connects the two games, it could also be said that the sequel’s Deadfire Archipelago setting effectively isolates it. Despite the major lore implications of Eothas’ actions and the destruction of the magical Wheel of Pillars of Eternity, most people in Eora have apparently not even realized such events took place due to the sheer geographic distance.
Avowed is Set During the Latest Period in Eora Yet
What Taking Place a "Few Years After the End of Deadfire" Could Mean
According to an official statement made by Avowed director Carrie Patel in a June 2024 interview with Game Informer which is no longer available, the title is confirmed to be set only a short number of years after the second Pillars game. This has been approximated to be around 2830 AI, a period which would still be marked by dealing with the repercussions of the Watcher and Eothas’ actions in Deadfire. However, considering the plague that Avowed’s Envoy protagonist is being sent to investigate, along with further statements from the same interview that emphasize the game doesn't require a prior understanding of the lore, Deadfire’s recent events might not have a strong impact on what’s happening in the Living Lands.
Being Set Within the Living Lands Provides Avowed with Healthy Distance
While there’s a short enough amount of time between the game’s for old characters to make returns or cameo appearances, Avowed has not been shown to be highly concerned with picking up where the story of Pillars left off. It's practically guaranteed to at least contain references to what occurred in the previous game within Avowed's world of Eora, but the circumstances of establishing an entirely new section of the IP have made the upcoming title far more suited to leaning into its own new perspective.
Avowed
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- February 18, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands - an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- Pillars of Eternity
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
