Avowed, the upcoming first-person RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, is set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. The two Pillars of Eternity titles are both isometric RPGs, and have often been praised for their rich lore and unique world. One of the most powerful weapons in the world of Eora, and therefore in Avowed, is magic, which can be wielded by anyone who masters its secrets.
All magic in the Avowed universe is derived from Soul Essence, a normally-invisible energy that flows through everything on Eora. It's this energy that allows the intelligent races to be reincarnated, as their Souls pass through the In-Between and the Beyond, then back into the physical world in a new form. Magic is a broad term for tapping into the power of Soul Essence, and using it to create supernatural effects. This magic can take many forms, with different methods used to both access and harness it.
Using the Soul - Wizards and Monks
The first group of magic-users in the Avowed universe are those who have learned to harness the power of their own Soul. Wizards do this through meticulous study, mental strength, and the use of arcane grimoires. Using these methods, Wizards are among the most versatile magic-users on Eora, able to do anything from creating defensive shields and summoning tentacled monstrosities, to transforming enemies into beasts or calling down rains of meteors.
The other group that focuses exclusively on harnessing their own Soul Essence are the Monks, though their extraordinary abilities are often not considered magical. Monks have reached an enlightened level where their Soul can be used to empower their physical form, granting them strength, speed, and resilience beyond that of a normal warrior. They can even use their Souls to strike in the physical realm, extending their reach beyond their fists and feet.
Using the Souls of Nature - Druids and Priests
The second group of magic-users on Eora are those who harness the Soul Essence of plants, creatures, and the spirits of the natural world. Priests employ the latter of these categories, using the power of the Avowed deity they follow to create prayers and miracles. Although almost as versatile as Wizards, Priests are limited to the spells that are within their deity's domain, and have more of a focus on healing and support.
Druids harness the Soul Essence of the natural world to perform effects ranging from growing vines to summoning spectral claws. They can also tap into the previous incarnations of their own Souls, allowing them to Spiritshift into powerful half-human, half-beast forms. Druids don't need as much study to access their powers as Wizards, but they do require greater talent and an innate connection to the natural world.
Using the Souls of Others - Ciphers and Chanters
The final group of magic-users in the Avowed universe are those who manipulate the Souls of other intelligent creatures. The more established of these two practitioners are the Bard-inspired Chanters, who use meaningful phrases in ancient languages to summon the Soul Essence of dead creatures passing nearby. The phrases of the Chanters are based on myth and legend, and when used correctly can cause these drifting Souls to coalesce into recreations of the great feats of those stories. For example, the phrase "Sure-Handed Ila Nocked Her Arrows With Speed" tells of a legendary archer famous for her quick shots, and boosts the attack speed of all ranged allies within earshot.
Unlike the ancient Chanters, the Ciphers are relatively new to the world of Eora. In fact, depending on when Avowed is set on the Pillars of Eternity timeline, they may not exist yet. Ciphers are rare individuals with incredible mental powers, allowing them to not only harness their own Souls, but also the Souls of others. Unlike Chanters, Ciphers can manipulate the Souls of the living, forcing enemies to switch sides, face the suffering of past lives, or relive their nightmares. They can also use Soul Essence to enhance their weaponry, allowing them to slice through Souls with each blow, releasing more energy for them to harness.
The growing power of Ciphers is derived from Animancy, a new science sweeping the world in the Pillars of Eternity games. Unlike the old religions and wizarding schools, Animancy sees Soul Essence and reincarnation as a natural process that can be studied, measured, and manipulated. Animancy is the new face of magic on Eora, and players will almost certainly experience its power and its dangers in Avowed.
Avowed is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.