Crafting a captivating fantasy narrative requires a delicate equilibrium in its lore. A well-constructed world must feel vast and immersive, populated by a diverse cast of characters. Simultaneously, the storyline should avoid becoming mired in excessively intricate lore that detracts from the primary action.Avowed, the latest entry in Obsidian’s acclaimed lineage, adeptly navigates this intricate balance.
For the developers at Obsidian, the task of weaving Avowed‘s lore must have presented both advantages and challenges. Set in the already rich universe of Eora, which has been well-established through the Pillars of Eternity series, the game benefits from a deep foundation of lore. However, given that Avowed is marketed as a standalone experience, there was a pressing need to distill extensive historical context into digestible segments. This was crucial to ensure accessibility for new players while simultaneously satisfying the dedicated fans of the original series. The game provides a succinct overview of its foundational lore while inviting players to delve deeper into complex concepts like “Berath’s Wheel.”
Understanding Berath’s Wheel in Avowed
Defining Berath’s Wheel
In the intricate world of Eora, the lifecycle of the soul is a profound aspect of existence. Upon death, a soul departs the physical form and travels towards the nearest pillar of Adra, a crystal-like structure that serves as a conduit of life. Subsequently, Adra veins carry the soul to The Beyond, an ethereal realm inhabited by deities. The soul remains there until a new body becomes available for reincarnation. Upon their return, individuals typically lack memories of their past lives.
This process is cyclical—the death of one body leads to the birth of another—creating what is known as “The Wheel.”Berath, the deity who governs death and life, is believed to oversee this cycle, hence its designation as “Berath’s Wheel.”
Unveiling the Complexity of Berath’s Wheel
While The Wheel is perceived as a natural phenomenon by the inhabitants of Eora, this was not always the case. Approximately 2, 000 years prior to the events in Avowed and Pillars of Eternity, a group of ancient beings known as the Engwithans discovered methods to manipulate soul energy, referred to as Essence. To address the increasing occurrences of soul plagues—disturbances in the natural cycle of energy flow—the Engwithans, in collaboration with the Huana tribes, designed a powerful machine in the fabled city of Ukaizo to regulate the reincarnation process.
Through this innovation, the Engwithans inadvertently ascended to the status of gods. Eothas emerged as the deity of renewal and light, tasked with escorting souls between the realms. Meanwhile, Berath remained as the god of death and life, now responsible for maintaining this transformed Wheel process. The movement of souls through The Wheel also generated Essence, which these new gods consumed to sustain their divine existence.
The Fate of Berath’s Wheel in Pillars of Eternity 2
The conclusion of Pillars of Eternity 2 reveals that Berath’s Wheel is no longer a purely natural cycle. Depending on player choices, various endings unfold, but the accepted canon depicts Eothas destroying the Engwithan machine, reverting the Wheel to its intended natural state. The implications of this restoration remain ambiguous; while it promises a return to purity, the effects on the reincarnation process may not manifest for generations.
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