Avowed boasts a deep character creator, letting you craft your hero's appearance and choose a Background—a pre-set backstory shaping your narrative journey. Here's a breakdown of each Avowed Background and its impact.
Every Avowed Background, Listed
Avowed offers five distinct Backgrounds, each influencing dialogue options and granting a unique starting weapon. However, all equipment and abilities remain accessible regardless of your chosen Background. Let's explore them:
Arcane Scholar: This scholarly Background provides academic dialogue choices, portraying you as a Bragganhyl Academy graduate whose treatise on soul lineages angered a local lord. Imprisoned, you were recruited by the Emperor for the imperial archives. Expect dialogue reflecting knowledge of the occult, law, history, and poetry.
Court Augur: This Background features a tragic backstory, leading to accusations of witchcraft. Visions of villagers turning on you after a crop failure fueled suspicion, forcing your escape to Highcrown where the Emperor appointed you as their personal mystic. Expect dialogue options reflecting spiritual insight and connections to magic and the Gods. This is ideal for players envisioning a wizard-like character, and they'll likely find themselves connecting most with the companion, Giatta.
Noble Scion: The Living Lands' version of a privileged but flawed noble. Born into wealth and influence, your family's downfall due to scandal led you to seek the Emperor's mercy. As a result, you become a valuable ally to the Emperor. This Background suits players who want to remain loyal to the empire and serve its interests.
Vanguard Scout: Spared from execution by the empire, this Background represents a humble life before your encounter with the Emperor. Preferring the wilderness to city life and politics, your tracking and spying skills make you a valuable asset. This Background is perfect for players who want to embody a hunter archetype and will likely resonate most with the companion, Marius.
War Hero: Your role in quelling a violent Skaenite uprising earned you a place among the Emperor's elite warriors. Loyalty and grit define this Background, making you a valuable asset to the Emperor. This is an excellent choice for players wanting to roleplay a warrior, potentially finding a strong connection 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 are meant to be temporary; you'll quickly upgrade or replace them. Prioritize choosing 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)
You'll find your starting weapon leaning against crates near the shipwreck during the "On Strange Shores" quest.
This concludes our overview of every Background in Avowed.
Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.
