Warning: Major Spoilers Ahead for Avowed
World-building is a crucial aspect of fiction, particularly within the fantasy genre. Fantasy invites its audience to explore entire universes, demanding a depth of history and lore to create immersive experiences.Avowed, set in the expansive realm of Eora, exemplifies this foundational element with its intricate storytelling and richly developed mythology.
Emerging from 2015’s acclaimed Pillars of Eternity, the world of Eora distinguishes itself from other fantasy landscapes through a nuanced design that revolves around a pantheon of twelve deities. These gods inhabit a mysterious dimension known as The Beyond, from where they orchestrate the natural rhythms of Eora. Their influence is pivotal to the overarching narratives within both the Pillars of Eternity series and Avowed.
Exploring Eora’s Twelve Deities
Abydon: The God of Craftsmanship
Abydon, revered as the deity of craftsmanship, industry, and machinery, is often seen beside Magran, crafting the deity’s weapons. The Knights of the Crucible, a faction from Dyrwood, honor Abydon through their metalwork, incorporating a band of iron in each piece of armor they create as a tribute.
Berath: The God of Life Cycles
Berath symbolizes the intricate balance of life, death, and the cycles of existence. This essential god oversees “The Wheel, ”a process that facilitates the journey of souls to The Beyond after death, allowing for reincarnation. His role also extends to being the guardian of gateways.
Eothas: Light and Redemption
Eothas shares a vital partnership with Berath in overseeing The Wheel. As the deity of light, redemption, and renewal, Eothas guides souls in their transit between realms. Many believe that faith in Eothas can affect the physical form their soul inhabits after death.
Galawain: The Hunter’s God
Known as the “Father of Monsters, ”Galawain embodies the essence of the hunt and is believed to have created the more perilous creatures inhabiting Eora.
Hylea: Inspiration and the Skies
The goddess of the sky and creativity, Hylea is often portrayed as a vibrant figure enveloped in living birds, symbolizing inspiration and freedom.
Magran: War and Flame
A powerful warrior goddess, Magran is depicted in full armor, wielding massive weapons, often ignited in flames. Her followers, primarily soldiers, are known for their potent devotion, with priests frequently equipped with firearms and explosives.
Ondra: The Sea’s Embrace
Ondra, the goddess of the sea, possesses a unique form with a human torso and the head of an anglerfish. Many in Eora believe Ondra yearns for the moon, with her leaps symbolizing the tides and catastrophic events like tsunamis.
Rymrgand: The Frost King
Rymrgand, dubbed the “Beast of Winter, ”governs decay and destruction, encompassing disease and famine. Unlike Berath, who represents a cycle of life and death, Rymrgand embodies the finality of existence.
Skaen: The God of Resentment
Skaen is known for fostering feelings of hidden animosity, earning the title “The Quiet Slave.”Typically depicted as a ghoul-like entity, Skaen’s visage is characterized by a lack of ears and a nose, with scars marring the skin. He is often associated with Woedica, reflecting his subservience in her presence.
Wael: Secrets and Dreams
As the god of dreams and secrets, Wael is shrouded in mystery and is often illustrated as a cloud of eyes, representing his otherworldly domain of illusions and revelations.
Woedica: The Burned Queen
Once the dominant deity of Eora, Woedica was exiled by the other gods, earning her the title “The Burned Queen.”Despite her banishment, she wields significant power over vengeance, justice, and collective memory.
Sapadal: The Living Land Goddess
The newest deity in Eora’s pantheon, Sapadal presides over the Living Lands and is responsible for bestowing the player character in Avowed with their Godlike abilities.
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