Summary
It’s an expectation of pretty much every major fantasy RPG that there’s going to be at least a handful of unique races showcased throughout the game, many of which tend to be playable. But while the likes ofSkyrimandBaldur’s Gate 3allow players to be a wide variety of different races, all with their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, Obsidian’s highly-anticipated upcoming fantasy RPGAvowedwill restrict the player to just two.
Coming from the in-universe Aedyr Empire,Avowedwill let only let its players pick between a human or elf playable character. While this news has divided fans, it doesn’t mean thatAvowedisn’t going to explore a variety of different races and cultures, many of which long-time Obsidian fans will already be well aware of, withAvowedsharing the same world as thePillars of Eternityseries. One such race thatAvowedwill be highlighting is the Aumaua, a race of semiaquatic beings that have existed in Eora for over 20,000 years.
Avowed and Pillars of Eternity’s Aumaua Race Breakdown
The Differences Between Avowed’s Island and Coastal Aumaua Explained
Though they’ve spread across the entireplanet of Eoraand established many different colonies in different areas, most Aumaua belong to two distinct categories, with one being the Island Aumaua, and the other being the Coastal Aumaua. While both sub-races share the same general body types and defining physical features, such as semi-webbed toes and hands, pointed ears, and sharp teeth, the biggest difference between the two are their general color patterns. While the Island Aumaua tend to have dark green, yellow, or brown skin, the Coastal Aumaua often have bright blue or green skin.
As their names suggest, both sub-races also originate in different regions, with the Island Aumaua coming from the Deadfire Archipelago, while the Coastal Aumaua live in the towns, cities, and settlements across Northern Eora’s coasts. While the Aumaua have a good deal of personal agency, each sub-race does tend to find themselves working in the same occupations from generation to generation, with the Island Aumaua gravitating towards seafaring occupations like fishing or sailing, whilethe Coastal Aumauaoften end up becoming mercenaries or soldiers.
InPillars of Eternity, any Aumaua character is given an inherent +2 Might stat as well as a unique ability based on their sub-race. In the firstPillars of Eternity, Coastal Aumaua gain +20 defense against stun via the Towering Physique ability, while the Island Aumaua gain +1 weapon sets due to their Armed to the Teeth trait. InPillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, the Coastal Aumaua once again has the Towering Physique ability, though this time it adds resistance to Might status effects. The Island Aumaua, on the other hand, has the Among the Waves ability, giving them immunity from the Slog Zone status effect which affects movement.
Avowed’s Aumaua Companion Explained
While Obsidian has remained very quiet about just how many companions will be in the final game, the most prolific of the ones shown so far belongs to the Aumaua race. A member of the Coastal Aumaua, Kai seems like he’ll be one of the maincompanions inAvowed, with him narrating the very firstAvowedgameplay trailer back in June 2023. Much like many of his sub-race, Kai has a military background, which he’ll surely use to aidAvowed’s player character in their countless upcoming battles.
Avowed
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands - an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
