Avowed Backgrounds: Roles & Abilities

Avowed boasts a deep character creator, letting you shape your hero's 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 specific 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, but ultimately securing a position in the imperial court archives. Expect dialogue options reflecting knowledge of the occult, legal precedents, history, and poetry.

Court Augur: This Background unfolds a tragic tale. Visions and unusual insights led to suspicion and a desperate flight to Highcrown after a village crop failure. The emperor recognized their potential, making them a personal mystic. Court Augurs possess a strong connection to the spiritual realm, influencing dialogue choices related to magic and the Gods. This Background is ideal for players envisioning a wizard-like character and may find a strong connection with the companion Giatta.

Noble Scion: A classic tale of fallen nobility, the Noble Scion hails from a wealthy but morally bankrupt family. Scandal and conflict forced their hand, seeking the emperor's mercy. This Background offers a unique opportunity 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. Prioritizing wilderness over cities and politics, their skills in tracking and espionage make them a valuable asset. This Background suits players who prefer a hunter-style playthrough and might find common ground with the companion Marius.

War Hero: This character quelled a violent Skaenite uprising, earning a place among the empire's elite warriors. Loyalty and grit define this Background, making it perfect for players wanting a warrior archetype and potentially forming a strong bond with the companion Kai.

Every Background's Starting Weapon in Avowed

Each Background starts with a Common-quality, one-handed melee weapon. These are relatively weak and will likely require upgrading or replacement soon. Therefore, prioritize the Background that best suits your roleplaying preferences, as these starting weapons are easily replaceable early in the game.

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)

These starting weapons can be found near the shipwreck during the "On Strange Shores" quest.

This covers all the Backgrounds in Avowed and their respective impacts.

Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.