Avowed's Character Creation: A Deep Dive into Backgrounds
Avowed boasts a rich character creator, allowing players to shape their character's physical attributes and select a Background, which provides a pre-game backstory and narrative context. This guide details each Background and its impact on gameplay.
Avowed offers five distinct Backgrounds: Arcane Scholar, Court Augur, Noble Scion, Vanguard Scout, and War Hero. While each offers unique dialogue options and a starting weapon (all common-quality, one-handed melee weapons), all equipment and abilities remain accessible regardless of chosen Background. The key differentiator lies in the narrative context and roleplaying opportunities.
Background Details:
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Arcane Scholar: This academic background provides dialogue options reflecting scholarly knowledge of the occult, legal precedents, history, and poetry. Your character is a Bragganhyl Academy graduate whose treatise on soul lineages incurred the wrath of a local lord, leading to arrest and subsequent recruitment by the emperor.
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Court Augur: A tragic past and mystical abilities have branded this character as a potential witch. Following a village crop failure and suspicion surrounding their visions, they fled to Highcrown, where the emperor appointed them as a personal mystic. This background emphasizes spiritual connections and provides dialogue options aligned with magic and the gods.
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Noble Scion: The Living Lands' equivalent of a privileged but ultimately flawed noble. Born into wealth and influence, their family's downfall due to scandal led them to seek the emperor's patronage. This Background is ideal for players seeking to remain loyal to the empire.
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Vanguard Scout: Spared from execution by the empire, this character's humble past contrasts with their preference for wilderness over city life. Their tracking and espionage skills make them a valuable asset. This Background suits players favoring a hunter-style gameplay.
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War Hero: Their bravery in quelling a Skaenite uprising earned them a place among the emperor's elite warriors. Loyalty and resilience define this Background, making it perfect for players who want to embody a warrior archetype.
Starting Weapons:
While each Background provides a starting weapon (a common-quality, one-handed melee weapon), these are easily replaceable. Prioritize choosing the Background that best aligns with your desired roleplaying experience. The starting weapons are located near a shipwreck during the "On Strange Shores" quest.
- Arcane Scholar – Common Dagger
- Court Augur – Common Mace
- Noble Scion – Common Sword
- Vanguard Scout – Common Axe
- War Hero – Common Spear
Ultimately, the choice of Background in Avowed shapes your character's narrative and initial interactions, but it doesn't limit your gameplay options. Choose wisely based on your preferred roleplaying style.
Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.
