Unveiling the Mysteries of Avowed's Living Lands
Avowed's epic adventure takes you to the untamed expanse of The Living Lands A mysterious plague ravages the land, with rumors of the gods being involved With this new first-person perspective, explore a brand-new world steeped in mystery and danger
Obsidian Entertainment's highly anticipated RPG, Avowed, is set to release next year and is poised to be the culmination of nearly a decade of hard work from the Fallout: New Vegas developer. While the game is a brand-new title, it is actually a continuation of Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity franchise, which has allowed the prolific RPG studio ample time to develop the deep lore that serves as the foundation for its newest flagship fantasy world. Unlike the isometric RPG made for fans of vintage classics of the genre like Baldur’s Gate, Avowed offers a first-person perspective and interpretation of the world of Eora, making it a departure from its predecessor. Additionally, Obsidian has taken exploration even further by focusing on a previously unseen place, showing just how far the studio is willing to go in terms of distance and game direction.
Avowed is Set in the Untamed Expanse of The Living Lands
Avowed, the latest RPG from Obsidian, will introduce the races and powers of the Pillars duology into fully rendered action for the first time. The game's setting is The Living Lands, a wild and abundant island located at the top of Pillars' northern Eora. This isolated land is deeply tied to nature, with diverse flora ranging from venomous weeds to the oldest tree in the world. However, The Living Lands is also known for its harsh elements and lawless people, making it a challenging and dangerous place to explore.
The diverse environments present in The Living Lands make it an ideal setting for an RPG adventure, with plenty of opportunities for players to explore memorable areas. As the player character, you will take on the role of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire tasked with investigating a mysterious plague that is spreading throughout the region. This narrative choice aligns with Obsidian's focus on traditional RPG concepts, rather than modern open-world design trends. The inclusion of mandatory party companions and a well-developed narrative suggest that exploration and discovery will take a backseat to a more structured and defined gameplay experience.
Avowed promises to take players on a journey through the unexplored and captivating world of The Living Lands, revealing the continent's rich lore and diverse environments. From dense forests to dry mountainous climates and colorful, mysterious biomes with glowing mushroom-esque fauna, the continent is a stunning amalgamation of different landscapes. However, it's not just the natural beauty that players will encounter, as sinister presences also lurk in the shadows, adding an element of danger and mystery to the already captivating world.
The Living Lands’ Plague Could Be Tied to the Deities
During Avowed's reveal trailer, fans of the series noticed references to the deities of Pillars of Eternity. These subtle nods to the previous game could be significant clues to the plot of Avowed. In one scene, the castle wall displays banners with a certain symbol, which also appears on the player character's sword later. While these symbols could have been meaningless, Obsidian crafted them with deep lore value.
The symbols represent the nature deity Woedica from Pillars of Eternity, indicating a possible connection between the god and The Living Lands in Avowed. Given the untamed wildlife and wild biomes present in The Living Lands, Woedica's influence over nature seems fitting.
Woedica's inclusion in Avowed would add to the intricate storyline of the Pillars series, despite her role as an antagonist in the original game. Her dual nature and isolated persona among the other deities could provide insight into the game's theme of duality, as well as the potential role of deities in the narrative. Additionally, Rymrgand's dark presence may hold clues to the game's plague. With the Living Lands as the setting, Avowed is poised to become the most captivating location in the Pillars of Eternity series, with its natural phenomena and danger setting the stage for an epic adventure. Obsidian's signature magical and political elements are sure to make the game's world memorable.
The use of vivid colors and classic fantasy imagery in Avowed sets it apart from the current trend of RPGs featuring darker, more realistic visuals, showcasing Obsidian Entertainment's commitment to crafting a distinct and original experience. From its humble beginnings as a Kickstarter campaign, the Pillars of Eternity series has come a long way, and Avowed promises to be its most immersive world to date. Look out for its release on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.
