Avowed is a highly anticipated fantasy roleplaying game from Obsidian Entertainment that has drawn a lot of attention from fans of the studio’s earlier titles. One of the biggest questions among gamers is whether Avowed exists in the same universe as the Pillars of Eternity series and how closely the two worlds are connected. Understanding this relationship can help players appreciate the lore, setting, and narrative influences that shape Avowed’s world and story. Rather than being a standalone fantasy land, Avowed draws on an established world with deep history and myth, making it appealing to longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Avowed’s Setting in the World of Eora
Avowed is set in the fantasy world of Eora, the same universe that the Pillars of Eternity series takes place in. This means that while Avowed has its own story, characters, and setting, it shares the larger fictional world and foundational lore that fans of Pillars of Eternity are familiar with. Eora is rich with history, magic, gods, civilizations, and metaphysical concepts such as the nature of souls and the forces that shape reality. Players of the Pillars games will recognize many of these elements woven into Avowed’s narrative environment.
How Avowed Expands the Eora Universe
Even though Avowed takes place in the same world as Pillars of Eternity, it explores parts of Eora that have not been the focus of earlier games. Specifically, Avowed is set on the far northern continent and island known as the Living Lands, a region largely unexplored in the Pillars series. This gives the game the flexibility to tell a fresh story without reusing familiar locations or directly retreading old ground.
In Avowed, players assume the role of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire tasked with investigating a mysterious plague spreading in the Living Lands. As the protagonist, you encounter new factions, creatures, and mysteries that contribute to the broader Eora mythos. While references and lore links to the Pillars games exist, the narrative focuses on this distant region and the ongoing threats it faces, allowing both new players and veteran fans to enjoy the story.
Connections to the Pillars of Eternity Story
Although Avowed exists in the same universe as the Pillars of Eternity series, it is not a direct continuation of those games’ main storylines. Chronologically, Avowed takes place shortly after the events of Pillars of Eternity II Deadfire, but narrative connections are minimal and more thematic than plot driven. This means that while the setting and lore are shared, the specific characters and conflicts of the Pillars games do not dominate Avowed’s central narrative.
Obsidian Entertainment has indicated that the stories of Avowed and the Pillars series are as separate as the continents they take place on, highlighting that while events in one game may influence the world at large, they do not directly dictate the plot of the other. As such, Avowed can be enjoyed without detailed knowledge of the Pillars games, though familiarity with Eora’s lore can enhance a player’s appreciation of the connections and deeper worldbuilding.
Shared Themes and Lore
Even without direct narrative overlap, Avowed shares many themes and lore elements with the Pillars of Eternity series. These include the complex metaphysics of souls, the pantheon of gods that influence mortal affairs, animancy (a system of manipulating souls for various purposes), and rich cultural histories across diverse factions. This interconnected design enriches both Avowed and the Pillars games by building a cohesive world where magic, faith, politics, and power intersect in meaningful ways.
Gameplay and Perspective Differences
One of the major differences between Avowed and the Pillars games is in gameplay style and perspective. Pillars of Eternity and its sequel are traditional isometric roleplaying games known for deep tactical combat, party management, and a topdown viewpoint. Avowed, by contrast, is an action RPG that players experience from first and thirdperson perspectives, featuring realtime combat and more dynamic movement. While both games share Eora’s lore and worldbuilding, the gameplay experience is distinct, allowing Avowed to appeal to a broader audience and present the world of Eora in a more immersive way.
Role of Lore and Worldbuilding in Both Games
Even with different mechanics and presentation, both Avowed and the Pillars series emphasize lore and worldbuilding. In Avowed, players can learn about local cultures, factions, gods, and metaphysics through dialogue, journals, and environmental storytelling. Some quests and side content even delve into themes familiar to Pillars fans, such as the nature of divinity and the impact of powerful forces on mortal lives. These shared elements help reinforce the sense that Avowed is part of a larger, interconnected fantasy universe.
Accessibility for New Players
One of the strengths of Avowed’s design is that players do not need to have played Pillars of Eternity to enjoy the game. While the shared universe adds richness for those familiar with Eora’s background, the story of Avowed stands on its own and introduces its own cast of characters and plotlines. The game includes ways for players to learn about the world’s lore through ingame systems such as conversation glossaries and optional lore entries, making the complex universe more accessible to newcomers.
Enjoying Avowed Without Prior Experience
- You can follow Avowed’s main story without knowing Pillars lore.
- Ingame explanations help fill in background about gods, magic, and cultures.
- Story and dialogue provide context for worldbuilding without requiring prior knowledge.
- Returning players from Pillars may notice deeper lore references, but these are optional and enhance rather than define the experience.
Why the Shared Universe Matters
The decision to set Avowed in the Pillars of Eternity universe adds depth and continuity to Obsidian’s fantasy world. Eora has a long and detailed history, with expansive lore that spans multiple continents, gods, and civilizations. By exploring new corners of this universe, Avowed expands players’ understanding of Eora and its many mysteries, making the world feel more alive and interconnected. Veteran fans of Pillars can appreciate nods to familiar lore, while new players get to experience a fresh narrative within a world that is rich with potential and depth.
Yes, Avowed is set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, specifically in the expansive world of Eora. While its storyline is separate and focuses on new regions, factions, and challenges, it shares the deep lore and thematic richness that make Pillars of Eternity beloved by fans. The game’s narrative and worldbuilding draw on the same fantasy setting, allowing both returning players and newcomers to enjoy a compelling adventure. Whether you’re exploring the Living Lands as an envoy or delving into the world’s ancient mysteries, Avowed builds on Eora’s legacy while offering a unique and standalone experience that complements the broader Pillars universe.