7 things to know about the Pillars of Eternity world before Avowed releases

In the creation of its RPG worlds, Obsidian goes above and beyond, and that’s certainly true for Avowed. This game is set in Eora, the same realm as the Pillars of Eternity series. While fans might spot numerous subtle details, those who haven’t played these remarkable games may overlook some information.

It’s quite demanding for everyone planning to enjoy this game to have previously experienced Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. For those who are new, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with several key aspects of the Pillars of Eternity universe before you embark on Avowed, as these elements might surface during gameplay. Here are seven essential facts about the Pillars of Eternity world that you should acquaint yourself with prior to starting Avowed.

The Wheel and reincarnation
Soul Essence powers magic
Watchers in Eora
The Hollowborn Crisis
The gods of Eora
Where Avowed takes place compared to Pillars of Eternity
Timing between Pillars of Eternity and Avowed

The Wheel and reincarnation

In the realm of the Pillars of Eternity, when an individual passes away, their soul’s vital force is recycled back into The Wheel – a continuous cycle of rebirth. This soul energy is integral to the world of Eora, imbuing magical power into items or enabling one to cast spells. It plays a significant role in the region’s folklore and frequently appears throughout the initial game.

The vital force that infuses The Wheel transfers to a realm called the Intermediate Space. It might take several years for a spirit to reappear in Eora, yet they inevitably do. The influence of these spirits is recognized as spiritual essence, which individuals in Eora utilize to conjure spells and magic, including within the context of Avowed.

Soul Essence powers magic

In Eora, soul energy permeates everywhere, allowing magically gifted individuals to tap into it for casting spells. The manner of using this energy is determined by the specific spells being employed. Practitioners who draw upon the energies in their surroundings, like Druids, amplify their nature magic with the omnipresent soul energy. Those with a potent soul can utilize its power to cast spells, and the intensity of an individual’s soul makes casting easier. Devotees of gods can likewise absorb magical energies from their environment, but the god they revere influences this ability.

The soul essence is omnipresent in Eora, enabling magically inclined people to utilize it when casting spells. The method used depends on the specific spells being employed. For instance, Druids channel the energies of their surroundings to boost their nature magic with the pervasive soul energy, while those with a strong soul can leverage its power to cast spells more effortlessly. Devotees of gods also draw upon magical energies from their environment, but the deity they worship affects this ability.

In the captivating world of Avowed, I’ve discovered that there are various methods to tap into one’s soul essence. This concept will be a recurring theme throughout your journey, given the significant role magic plays in this universe. Most people don’t have the ability to witness the process of reincarnation, but those gifted as Watchers can perceive and even interact with souls.

Watchers in Eora

In the initial and sequel games titled “Pillars of Eternity“, your character was a Watcher – an exceptional being who can perceive, converse with, and influence souls. These unique entities have the ability to witness past lives of others. A Watcher employs their abilities as they see fit; however, they’ve often found themselves in the midst of significant conflicts throughout the history of Eora. Therefore, you may encounter allusions to a Watcher while enjoying “Avowed“.

In the game “Pillars of Eternity,” The Watcher played a significant role in the significant occurrences that unfolded within Dyrwood, where an event referred to as Waidwen’s Legacy or the Hollowborn Crisis transpired. This crisis spanned over fifteen years and was characterized by babies being born without souls during this period.

The Hollowborn Crisis

In the realm of Dyrwood, an event of great magnitude took place, known as the Hollowborn Crisis. This crisis was characterized by babies being born without souls, leading many residents to suspect that the gods were displeased with them. However, in the game ‘Pillars of Eternity,’ it’s revealed that the main character, The Watcher, uncovers a surprising truth: the souls are being intercepted by a machine, preventing them from reaching their intended destinations and disrupting the usual cycle of reincarnation and the In-Between. This plot twist is a significant spoiler, so I’ve only given you a brief summary here.

In the game “Pillars of Eternity,” although there were interruptions and corrections, it’s important to note that the gods significantly influence not only this event but also many others in the land of Eora.

The gods of Eora

In the captivating world of Pillars of Eternity, I’ve found myself immersed in tales spun around its divine beings. Interestingly, there are eleven gods who reside in a realm called The Beyond – a place where souls traverse before they reincarnate into the mortal realm of Eora, or The Here. These gods, while generally refraining from interfering with the lives within The Here, may occasionally intervene if they perceive no other option but to partake in certain unfolding events. Some deities even have the ability to tread The Here through a colossal titan, a sight that left me awestruck in Deadfire, as observed by The Watcher.

In the world of Pillars of Eternity, deities are not figments of imagination but tangible entities with significant roles in numerous narratives within the game.

Where Avowed takes place compared to Pillars of Eternity

In the game known as “Avowed”, your journey begins in the uncharted northern reaches of Eora, within The Living Lands. This area was previously unknown in the “Pillars of Eternity” series. “Avowed” offers four unique regions to traverse: Dawnshore, Emerald Stair, Shatterscarp, and Galawain’s Tusks. Each region boasts its own specific ecosystem, factions, and inhabitants for you to interact with. The events depicted in this game are not connected to any events from the “Pillars of Eternity” games, providing a fresh starting point for all players.

Yet, the occurrences within Pillars of Eternity aren’t deeply rooted in antiquity. In fact, they transpired relatively recently, and there’s a good chance that discussions about these events are still ongoing, even up here in this northern region.

Timing between Pillars of Eternity and Avowed

In simpler terms, there’s not much time difference between the stories of Pillars of Eternity and Avowed. Only eight years have passed since the initial events of Pillars, where The Watcher handled the Hollowborn crisis, and then another five years until the events of Deadfire. This isn’t a long span, suggesting that the character you create in Avowed is active during a time when The Watcher is still very much involved in shaping history. Although they are geographically distant, the events unfold relatively closely together.

In the expansive world of “Pillars of Eternity”, it might be overwhelming to keep up with all the details before diving into “Avowed”. You’ll encounter numerous characters who will provide lore and explanations, but remember, you might find yourself trailing slightly behind. Don’t worry though, as you journey through The Living Lands in “Avowed”, someone you meet could assist you in filling in the gaps of information and bringing you up to speed on everything essential.

2025-02-13 20:53