In a world where player choice often takes the forefront, it’s fascinating how games like Skyrim or Elden Ring still root players in a distinct character—a Dragonborn, a Tarnished. Avowed follows suit by inviting players to inhabit the role of the Envoy, a divine figure tasked with tackling the mysterious Dreamscourge afflicting the Living Lands.
During a recent chat with Game Rant, Avowed’s senior narrative designer, Kate Dollarhyde, shed light on crafting the Envoy and the thought process behind this intriguing player character.
### Creating the Core of Avowed’s Character
Typically, Obsidian’s narratives allow protagonists to stumble into epic adventures. The Outer Worlds, for example, thrust a random individual into the intricate plots of a faraway galaxy. However, this approach didn’t quite fit the narrative Obsidian envisioned for Avowed. They opted to refine the Envoy’s backstory, straying from their usual path.
“We needed a more defined player character. Our older games’ structure didn’t gel here. We were aiming to tell a tale about power—imperial and personal power, and transformation. While accidents can spur change, the empire’s power necessitated someone to engage with it, face it, and operate within it. Once we identified the Envoy’s role in the empire, we realized the player character could only fit a few archetypal roles,” explains Dollarhyde.
Yet, players still have the freedom to personalize their Envoy.
Players can shape their Envoy’s journey, choosing how they climbed the ranks in the court of Aedyr and defining their pre-game life through choices about background, dialogue, views on power, and handling the Dreamscourge. This ensures each Envoy can maintain its uniqueness. The backgrounds available in Avowed, such as Noble Scion, War Hero, Court Augur, Vanguard Scout, or Arcane Scholar, provide rich storytelling opportunities.
There are constraints, though. Since power in Highcrown, the heart of Aedyr, is monopolized by humans and elves, players must choose between these races. The player’s background is also slightly boxed in, as they are dispatched by the empire to investigate the Dreamscourge—an essential story element, according to Dollarhyde.
“To tell this story, the player character couldn’t just be someone who accidentally found their way into a grand destiny. They needed a role that came with privileges, responsibilities, and allegiances—a framework to function within, starting with a specific perspective. This context was vital for players to understand why they were there and care about their purpose. The player character needed to have split loyalties, to be tugged in different directions, not just drift into power.”
This approach allows Avowed to delve into political maneuvers, the metaphysical aspects of the Pillars of Eternity universe, and divided loyalties. By focusing on the Envoy’s origins, the narrative gains depth, offering storytelling avenues that wouldn’t be possible with a less defined character background.
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The meticulous creation of the Envoy in Avowed enriches the narrative fabric of the game, setting a new standard for player-driven storytelling while grounding it in a thoughtfully developed lore. As fans await its release on February 18, 2025, under the banner of Xbox Game Studios, the melding of player choice and a compelling character promises to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience.
