"Exploring Avowed: Backgrounds and Their Roles"

*Avowed* offers an immersive character creation experience that goes beyond mere aesthetics, allowing players to select a Background that provides a rich backstory and unique narrative elements. Here's a comprehensive overview of each *Avowed* Background and their effects on gameplay.

Every Avowed Background, Listed

In *Avowed*, you have the option to choose from five distinct Backgrounds, each providing unique dialogue options and a starting weapon. Importantly, all Backgrounds can utilize any equipment and abilities, ensuring versatility in gameplay. The five Backgrounds available are: Arcane Scholar, Court Augur, Noble Scion, Vanguard Scout, and War Hero. Below is a detailed look at their narrative roles:

Arcane Scholar: This Background imbues your character with an academic past, offering dialogue choices reflective of scholarly pursuits. As a graduate from Bragganhyl Academy, your character published a treatise on soul lineages that challenged a local lord's legitimacy, leading to your arrest. However, the emperor recruited you to work in the imperial court archives. Arcane Scholars possess knowledge in the occult, legal precedents, historical observations, and poetry.

Court Augur: This Background comes with a tragic backstory and abilities that label your character as a witch. After visions foretold your neighbors turning against you due to failed crops and your uncanny insights, you fled to Highcrown. The emperor then elevated you to his personal mystic. Court Augurs are attuned to the spiritual realm and offer dialogue options related to magic and the gods, making them ideal for players interested in a wizard role-play, especially with Giatta as a companion.

Noble Scion: As a Noble Scion, your character is akin to a failed nepotism baby, born into a family of significant influence and questionable morals. After your family's downfall due to scandal, you sought the emperor's mercy. Noble Scions are valuable allies to the emperor, making this Background perfect for players who wish to remain loyal to the empire and carry out its directives in the Living Lands.

Vanguard Scout: Spared from execution by the empire, this Background reflects a humble life before meeting the emperor. Vanguard Scouts prefer the wilderness over urban politics and are prized for their tracking and espionage skills. This choice is great for players aiming to role-play a hunter and connect with Marius as a companion.

War Hero: Having quelled a violent Skaenite uprising, your character was rewarded with a place among elite warriors. War Heroes are valued by the emperor for their loyalty and tenacity, making this an excellent Background for players interested in a Warrior role-play, potentially finding a strong connection with Kai as a companion.

Every Background’s Starting Weapon in Avowed

Each Background comes with a starting weapon of low Quality, all being One-Handed Melee items of Common Quality. These weapons will need upgrading or replacing early in your *Avowed* journey. Therefore, it's advisable to choose a Background based on the narrative and role-playing aspects you enjoy, as you'll soon find alternative weapons in the Living Lands.

Here's a list of each Background's starting weapon:

• 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 can find these starting weapons leaning against crates near the shipwreck during the On Strange Shores Quest.

This covers all the Backgrounds in *Avowed* and their unique contributions to your character's story and gameplay.

*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*