Avowed boasts a deep character creator, letting you shape your hero's physical appearance and choose a Background that provides a rich backstory and narrative context before the adventure begins. Here's a breakdown of each Avowed Background and its impact on your gameplay.
Every Avowed Background, Listed
Avowed offers five distinct Backgrounds, each influencing dialogue options and providing a unique starting weapon. However, all equipment and abilities remain accessible regardless of your chosen Background. Let's explore each one:
Arcane Scholar: This Background paints your character as an academic, granting access to unique dialogue choices reflecting their scholarly past. A graduate of Bragganhyl Academy, your character's treatise on soul lineages incurred the wrath of a local lord, leading to arrest. However, the Emperor intervened, recruiting you to work in the imperial court archives. Expect dialogue options reflecting knowledge of the occult, legal precedent, history, and poetry.
Court Augur: This Background presents a tragic tale, with abilities that lead to accusations of witchcraft. Visions of villagers turning against you after a crop failure, coupled with your unusual insights, forced you to flee to Highcrown. The Emperor, recognizing your potential, appointed you as his personal mystic. This Background offers dialogue options aligned with spirituality and magic, making it ideal for players who envision themselves as a wizard, potentially finding a strong connection with the companion, Giatta.
Noble Scion: A classic tale of fallen nobility, the Noble Scion Background casts you as the offspring of influential, wealthy, yet morally bankrupt nobles. Family scandals and disputes led you to seek the Emperor's mercy, securing a position as a valuable ally to the crown. This background is perfect for players who wish to remain loyal to the empire and serve its interests throughout the Living Lands.
Vanguard Scout: This Background depicts a character spared from execution by the empire. Having lived a humble life before encountering the Emperor, you prefer the wilderness to the complexities of city life and politics. Your skills in tracking and espionage make you a valuable asset to the empire. This Background is well-suited for players who prefer a hunter-style play and might find a connection with the companion, Marius.
War Hero: This Background portrays a character who quelled a violent Skaenite uprising, earning a place among the empire's elite warriors as a reward. Loyalty and grit define this character, making them a valuable asset to the Emperor. This is an excellent choice for players who wish to roleplay as a warrior, potentially forming a strong bond with the companion, Kai.
Every Background’s Starting Weapon in Avowed
Each Background provides a starting weapon of Common quality—a one-handed melee weapon. These weapons are meant to be temporary, requiring upgrades or replacements as your journey progresses. Therefore, choose the Background that resonates most with your desired roleplaying experience, as similar weapons are readily available in the Living Lands shortly after the tutorial.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Arcane Scholar – Common Dagger (One-Handed)
- Court Augur – Common Mace (One-Handed)
- Noble Scion – Common Sword (One-Handed)
- Vanguard Scout – Common Axe (One-Handed)
- War Hero – Common Spear (One-Handed)
You'll find your starting weapon leaning against crates near the shipwreck during the "On Strange Shores" quest.
This covers all the Backgrounds in Avowed and their impact on your gameplay.
Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.
