From the moment it was revealed, Obsidian Entertainment's new RPG Avowed has drawn comparisons to Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls 6, for good reason. Obsidian and Bethesda have very similar development beats, and strong RPGs from Obsidian are its bread and butter. As The Outer Worlds seems to be its take on the Fallout formula, Avowed is likely going to share plenty of common elements with The Elder Scrolls 6.
One thing fans can seemingly count on is the inclusion of playable races. The Elder Scrolls 6 will likely continue the tried-and-true races of the franchise in its game, but Avowed may initially seem like a different story. Yet, it isn't really. It's been confirmed that Avowed takes place in Eora, the same setting as the Pillars of Eternity franchise, which means players will encounter the same races found there...and probably play them.
There are six playable races within the franchise, which will likely be playable in Avowed as well. Collectively, they are known as the Kith, the civilized races of Eora, but it would be interesting to see if non-Kith races were added. Regardless, here are the likely playable races of Avowed.
Avowed - Humans
Humans (commonly called "folk") are the most common race in the Dyrwood, the Aedyr Empire, Old Vailia, and the Vailian Republics. Though not as large as the towering Aumaua, humans are known for their strength and willpower.
As is usually the case, Humans are the most typical and abundant race in Avowed's setting, Eora. They inhabit the entire world, which will guarantee their appearance regardless of where in Eora Avowed takes place. They are the standard run-of-the-mill race, known for their strength and willpower, although not as powerful as the Aumaua. Humans have four different sub-races, these being Meadow Folk, Ocean Folk (not to be confused with the Aumaua), Savannah Folk, and Storm Folk. Humanity's origins go unexplored and unknown but are dated back to tribes during the older days of the Aedyr Empire, making it incredibly like that Avowed's trailer features a human character, despite not actually being seen.
Avowed - Aumaua
The mighty Aumaua are the largest of the Kith races and are commonly found in or near oceans. Though not truly aquatic, they have an affinity for water and many of their civilizations, such as Rauatai, are based on naval dominance. They are known for their unparalleled strength.
There are two subraces of Aumaua, determined by where they choose to live. They are either considered Coastal or Island, but regardless have a diverse array of blue, yellow, brown, and more skin patterns, elongated heads, towering sizes, longer-than-human life-spans, and webbed hands and feet. They have reportedly been exploring coasts around the world, over 20,000 years, and so it makes sense for Aumaua to appear in Avowed.
Avowed - Dwarf
By virtue of land covered and number of colonies settled, Dwarves are the most well-traveled race in the world. They are commonly found in the Dyrwood, the Vailian Republics, and almost any colonized land. Dwarves are known for their great strength and tenacity.
Whereas the Elder Scrolls relegates Dwemer (dwarves) to an underground race that mysteriously disappeared, Eora sees Dwarves as vivid explorers. Some are known as Mountain Dwarves for this face, although there is also the Boreal Dwarf subrace. Colonizing hasn't typically worked out for the dwarves, although they've explored many parts of the world.
Like most fantasy dwarves, Avowed's setting present this race as short and thick-limbed, while being physically unmovable with a significant life span nearly double that of the Aumaua. Without a lot of concentrated colonies, it may not be that players find one specific concentration of dwarves in-game, instead coming across them when exploring and making a playable dwarf an interesting proposition due to their height restrictions.
Avowed - Elf
Elves are the dominant race in Eir Glanfath and The White that Wends and are extremely common in the Dyrwood and Aedyr. Elves are known for their speed and intelligence as well as a commonly isolationist nature.
Eora's elves are one part traditional and one part unique in the way the franchise handles this common fantasy race. Like many others, Elves are typically isolationists and the least expansive and colonial populous in Eora, but that said, they are also second in number only to humans. Furthermore, they are known for their speed and slighter-the-human builds, with there being two known sub-races: Pale Elves and Wood Elves. Pale get their distinction for being nearly albino, living secluded in the polar regions. Wood elves are the dominant and more known in the lands of Eora, also typically living for 200-300 years.
Avowed - Orlan
Orlans are the smallest of the kith races, though many cultures don't consider them to be civilized at all. Also notable for their large ears, two-toned skin, and hirsute bodies, Orlans are commonly found in Eir Glanfath, the Ixamitl Plains, and parts of the Dyrwood. They are known for their mental intensity and quickness.
Orlans are somewhat equivalent to the halflings of Dungeons & Dragons, something unfound in The Elder Scrolls. Orlans typically live in the north, notable for their small size (half that of a human), two-toned skin, and large hairy ears. They are also nocturnal, although many adapt to a more livable sleeping schedule, but are still often victimized due to their height by many cultures around the world. Hearth Orlans still manage to adapt to a home, while Wild Orlans typically do not. Still, due to their use of guerrilla tactics, traps, and poison, much of the world paints Orlans as savages.
Interestingly enough, again due to the height requirement, it'll be interesting to see if this race is playable in Avowed. Height restrictions can severely mess with gameplay and being uninvolved with the game is certainly a possibility based on location, but their unique qualities would also make them stand out in the fantasy RPG realm.
Avowed - Godlike
The Godlike are children of the Kith who have been blessed with physical aspects associated with the gods (though some do not consider it a blessing). These aspects may take many forms and often come with mystical powers. Aberrant head shapes are typical, and Godlike are unable to wear protective headgear as it is near-impossible to find anything that fits. Because of their unusual nature and their inability to reproduce, Godlike are often viewed with fear and wonder.
However, the most likely to be included race that would make Avowed stand out most are the Godlike, beings with strange physical traits typically attributed to the gods. They can be born of any race (but most commonly human), thought to be blessed at birth, and are either glorified are shunned. Each look incredibly different from the next, with only 4 of the seven different subtypes playable in Pillars of Eternity. It remains to be seen how Godlike manifest in Avowed's Eora, but here are the seven subtypes (aside from the Skaen, who are often so malformed that they are killed or live their lives in misery):
- Berath, the Death Godlike. Typically distrusted with strange growths over eyes up to their entire face, they are recognized as children of Berath by undead but the living will often attack or kill Death Godlikes.
- Magran, the Fire Godlike - Their bodies often look like hot metal or burned wood, with flames crackling throughout their skin.
- Ondra, the Moon Godlike - These are typically the most trusted, with an easier to bear appear. Most Moon Godlike have a moon-like growth on their head and a paler-than-average skin tone.
- Galawain, the Nature Godlike - These kith typically have animal or plant-like features.
- Hylea, the Avian Godlike (Unplayable in PoE) - These kith have bird-like eye, beaks, and feathers.
- Rrmygand, the Endings Godlike (Unplayable in PoE) - These kith are often ravaged by disease and decay, spreading it as well.
- Ngati, Marine Godlike (Unplayable in PoE) - Often associated with Moon Godlikes, these typically have marine-like features such as tentacles for hair, scales, bioluminscent patches, and ink-producing glands.
Overall, the races of Eora (and potentially Avowed) stand in stark contrast to the more basic races of Tamriel (The Elder Scrolls), but in terms of how they operate in the game remains to be seen. It'll be interesting to see how Obsidian Entertainment approaches or acknowledges these races, leading up to the game's eventual Xbox Series X release.
Avowed is in development for PC and Xbox Series X.