A player character in Avowed
Character creation in Avowed is a process in which the player chooses from a number of options that define their character, the Envoy. These choices allow players to craft a unique character who reflects their desired playstyle and roleplaying vision.
Some options are purely cosmetic and exist for the player to make a character which fits their own aesthetic. Other options open up potential roleplaying and quest opportunities, unlocking unique branches in dialogue that only occur if the player chose that option. Furthermore, some options have a direct impact on game mechanics, where they might change your base attributes, or grant you special abilities.[1]
Appearance[]
Your appearance is defined by the following options:
- Body type, from 4 different options, two elven and two human types, each with a masculine and feminine body type.
- Skin tone, a palette of several dozen skin tones.
- Facial features:
- Face preset, a set of 28 different facial structures, 14 masculine and 14 feminine.
- The player is able to customize the preset further using Eyes, Brow, Nose, Face Shape, Mouth, and Ears options, each of which has a number of its own parameters such as depth, angle, and spread.
- Extra options, including complexion, lips, facial scars, eyeliner and makeup.
- Godlike facial features and godlike hair features, whose visibilty can be toggled.
- Hair preset, including facial hair. Consists of a hair model, and a primary and secondary color.
- An extra section allows you to define your identity, made up of three specific options
- Voice, two masculine and two feminine.
- Pronouns, a slider with several options.
- Name, your character's name.
Background[]
The player background is their origin story, where they hail from, how they rose to prominence within the court of Aedyr, and what their life was like before they were sent to the Living Lands.
The game uses background primarily for dialogue and roleplaying. Choosing a particular background is a hint as to the aptitudes and experiences a player character might have, which reinforces what they're saying in dialogue, and gives them a unique perspective on a topic.
Additionally, your starting weapons and equipment is determined by your background, and influences the preselected Attribute distribution, based on what might be best suited for that background (although you're free to modify this distribution manually).
Five character backgrounds are available; Arcane Scholar, Court Augur, Noble Scion, Vanguard Scout, and War Hero, each of which suit the player's role as a member of the court, and justify them being sent as an Envoy to the Living Lands:[2]
| Arcane Scholar | After graduating with honors from Bragganhyl Academy, you published a treatise on soul lineages that threatened the legitimacy and drew the ire of a local lord. When he had you arrested, the Emperor intervened and recruited you into the archives of the imperial court. Your mind is a bottomless well of occult knowledge, legal precedent, historical observation, and poetry. You have forgotten more than most people ever learn. |
|---|---|
| Court Augur | When your village's crops failed, your strange insights and unsettling manner earned your neighbors' suspicions. You foresaw the torches and pitchforks and fled to Highcrown, where the Emperor recognized your talents and elevated you from back alley fortune teller to his personal mystic. You have learned to wield power from the shadows; all it takes is a dash of influence and a pinch of deception. |
| Noble Scion | You were born to a noble house of great influence, middling wealth, and questionable morals. When scandals and succession disputes saw your family cast down, you threw yourself on the Emperor's mercy, and he shielded you. Canny yet refined, you have become a formidable force at court and an invaluable ally to the Emperor. |
| Vanguard Scout | Born to humble beginnings and driven to desperation by famine, your life was destined to end on the executioner's block until the Emperor spared you. More at ease in wilderness than at court, your cleverness and observant nature has made you one of the Emperor's most trusted operatives. Whether tracking prey or spying on enemies, your skills are put to work both inside and outside of the throne room. |
| War Hero | You distinguished yourself on the field of battle fighting a violent Skaenite uprising. The Emperor honored you with a place among the elite Tall Grass Spearmen. Some of your scars are more obvious than others, but you wear them with pride. The Emperor values your loyalty, your grit, and your martial prowess. |
Race[]
The player character is a godlike, a member of one of the kith races whose soul has been blessed by one of the gods before birth.[3] This blessing manifests as a unique appearance based on their patron deity, typically facial appendages, horns, growths, different coloured and textured skin. The player is able to change what this manifestation looks like, and how dramatic or subtle it is.
As an in-game option, you can also choose to hide the manifestation entirely, although this has no effect on how other characters react to the player as a godlike.[4] The exact deity the player is associated with is unknown, which is a mystery explored during the course of the game.
The underlying race may also be selected, which is limited to either human or elf, as Aedyrans are primarily those two races.
References
- ↑ CohhCarnage, itmeJP, Ezekiel_III [Dropped Frames] (February 5, 2024). "Suicide Squad Impressions + Interview w/ Avowed Director - Carrie Patel | Dropped Frames Episode 377", at 2:33:02 - YouTube. "...there are some decisions you can make about your character at the very beginning that are going to have some mechanical impacts, as well as some roleplay impacts... some of them are going to be about creating the character [that] looks and feels the way you want them to, and then some of them will open certain doors for role playing."
- ↑ Gamertag Radio [@thedannypena] (August 22, 2024). "Talking Avowed with Obsidian Entertainment" - YouTube.
- ↑ Joe Skrebels (June 10, 2024). "Avowed: Deep-Diving into Quests, Skills, Party Members and More on the Official Xbox Podcast" - Xbox Wire.
- ↑ Kyle Hilliard (June 20, 2024). "Avowed's Creators On Why Romance Was Considered, But Ultimately Not Included And Skyrim Comparisons" - Game Informer.