Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed is set to release next year, and fans of the genre are excited to see another first person RPG experience in the vein of Skyrim appear in the modern landscape. While it may have seen some stylistic changes since its initial cinematic trailer debut, the recent Avowed gameplay trailer cemented its commitment to creating a more traditional fantasy world that harkens back to classics like Baldur's Gate. The rich setting of Avowed has never been depicted with such detail before, but the lore of Eora far predates the upcoming title.
While Avowed is the first of its namesake, the game is actually a continuation of Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity franchise. Initially a crowdfunded game produced through a campaign, the Pillars series ended up being an isometric RPG dream for fans of the genre. Across its array of continents, Eora is filled with various creatures, gods, and fantasy races that occupy its lands. Avowed may take place in The Living Lands, a part of Eora never before seen, but it seems as though previously playable races of the Pillars games will be returning.
Avowed's Conventional Fantasy Races
Humans (Folk) - One of the Kith (civilized races) in Avowed, Humans, also known as Folk, are the most ubiquitous and basic of the common fantasy races. Humans have developed multiple civilizations through Eora, finding relative dominance over the world. Humans comprise one of the two playable races in Avowed, and while it is unfortunate that the options are more limited than in Pillars, there is still diversity even within races. Humans can be separated into the more light-skinned Meadow Folk, tan-skinned Savannah Folk, dark-skinned Ocean Folk, and the extremely rare Storm Folk.
Elves - The second of Avowed's playable races, Pillars’ version of Elves are shorter and faster than the average Human. While more limited than Humans in their variations, the Elves have two disparate subraces. The Sceltrfolc, or Wood Elves, are the dominant representatives of the race throughout the lush environments they inhabit and almost mirror the Bosmer of The Elder Scrolls. In contrast, the Glamfellen or Pale Elves are extremely isolated, rarely ever seen outside their polar home of The White that Wends.
Dwarves - Short and strong, the Dwarves in the world of Eora are known for their inclination towards travel and exploration. Bold and robust, the subraces of the Dwarves are similarly characterized by their enviromental conditions. The Boreal Dwarves or Enutanik are inhabitants of the tundra that are known to travel extremely long distances but can still be rare to find. The Mountain Dwarves or Aptapo, on the other hand, have diffused themselves all throughout Eora.
Aumaua
Kai, narrator of Avowed's trailer and a companion in the game, is member of the mighty semiaquatic race known as the Aumaua. Physically towering over other races and possessing fish-like features, the Aumaua are easily the most visually recognizable in Eora. A striking blue-green skin coloration is only present for the Coastal Aumaua, a highly seafaring group that has been persecuted through history due to a faulty reputation for being warlike. The Island Aumua, colored yellow and brown, have hardly migrated from their home in the Deadfire Archipelago and tend to live simple lives as laborers.
Orlans
The hairy halflings of Eora, Orlans stand at around half the size of a Human and have massive ears. Historically oppressed due to their stature, Orlans have been forced to isolate themselves in communities far away from other civilizations in most cases. Wild Orlans adhere to this archetype, having gained a reputation as savages from outsiders who fell victim to their guerilla tactics. Enslaved and abused by other races, Wild Orlans are unfairly judged as being uneducated and violent despite the trying conditions under which their race has developed. Hearth Orlans, meanwhile, have acclimated to domestic life and are far more accepted in the colonial world of Eora.
Godlikes
The eldritch offspring of Eora's deities are known as the Godlike. Able to be born of any race, but most often human, Avowed's Godlikes are not characterized by the species of their parents as much as the god who has "blessed" them. Varying in appearance depending on deity that parented them, Godlikes are still highly recognizable due to the deformities they exhibit. Four main subraces have previously been available in the Pillars games, with several others having yet to appear beyond supporting characters.
Nature Godlike - Children of the hunting deity Galawain, Nature Godlikes are known to show animal, plant and fungal features that have created a stigma surrounding their appearance at birth. A less socially cast out variety of Godlike, this subrace finds itself with more opportunities to socialize with other races that it often disregards in favor of spending time in its namesake.
Moon Godlike - Known to be the most accepted subrace, Moon Godlikes are seen as signs of good luck and prosperity to the other Kith despite their equal association the flawed, mortal-made deities in Avowed. Appearing pale and ethereal, the children of sea deity Ondra manage to avoid the typical stigma associated with their race likely due to their aesthetically pleasing appearance characterized by magical, crescent-like growths on top of their heads.
Fire Godlike - Fire Godlikes have a fearful reputation throughout Eora and a connection to the war goddess Magran. Associated with volcanoes and boasting flames for hair, these Godlikes usually have skin resembling hot metal or burnt wood as fire energy courses through their bodies. Often appearing horned and even demonic, Fire Godlikes often evoke fear and reverence.
Death Godlike - Often killed at birth, the Godlikes of reincarnation deity Berath are the most infamously maligned of their kind. Insectoid, tumorous growths cover the eyes or sometimes entire face of the Godlike and they emanate smoky, black "hair". Generally left to rot in the lowest positions of society, the only acceptance of Death Godlikes is found among the extremely devoted, cultish followers of Berath.
Avowed will release in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.