Unlocking the Enigma: Avowed's Narrator Exposed - Prepare to Be Astonished!

Obsidian's highly anticipated game, Avowed, took the spotlight at the recent Xbox Showcase, alongside other exciting RPG titles like Fable and Starfield. Fans were treated to a tantalizing glimpse of Avowed's combat, story, and world in the trailer. While the focus was primarily on showcasing the game's combat mechanics and creature designs, one character stood out as the narrator, piquing the curiosity of viewers.

Revealed as Kai by Obsidian, this scaly humanoid plays a significant role in Avowed's narrative. Players will encounter Kai early on during their adventure in the frontier island of The Living Lands, where he becomes one of the first companion characters they can unlock. Given his prominent presence in the trailer, it's safe to assume that Kai's story intertwines deeply with the game's overarching plot. However, many viewers are still left wondering about the true nature of Kai's identity.

Deciphering Kai's Race in Avowed

Even seasoned Pillars of Eternity players may initially struggle to determine Kai's race. While his race appeared in the original games, Obsidian seems to have given them a substantial redesign for Avowed. Either Kai belongs to a group that deviates significantly from the typical appearance of his people, or he represents a newly introduced sub-race altogether.

Kai belongs to the Aumaua race, which players encountered and could play as in Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity 2. Physically, they are the largest humanoid race in the world of Eora, with their distinctive semiaquatic features such as webbed hands and feet. Although the Aumaua are not water-dwellers, they thrive in tropical coastal climates and possess natural seafaring abilities. Notably, the Island Aumaua sub-race in Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire even gained a perk that allowed them to move through mud and water without incurring movement penalties.

However, Kai's appearance deviates from the typical Aumaua encountered in the previous Pillars of Eternity games. The Island and Coastal varieties traditionally had sharp teeth and pointed ears, with the former exhibiting brown or yellow skin tones and the latter characterized by shades of blue, gray, or green. While fish-like attributes were always present in their appearance, Kai is the first Aumaua to showcase actual scales.

Unraveling the Mystery of Kai's Unconventional Look

Two plausible explanations arise for Kai's unique appearance. Firstly, he could belong to a new sub-race previously unexplored by players in the previous games. Avowed's setting in The Living Lands, a distant island north of Dyrwood and Deadfire, presents an opportunity for introducing native Aumaua sub-races beyond the existing two.

Alternatively, Kai might represent a standard Coastal Aumaua, with Obsidian opting for a new artistic interpretation. This shift in appearance could be attributed to a change in art style rather than a retcon. Notably, the isometric perspective of the Pillars of Eternity games limited the level of detail visible, making scales inconspicuous.

Insights into Kai's Character

During the Xbox Showcase Extended event, Avowed's game director Carrie Patel shed some light on Kai's backstory. As a former soldier and mercenary, Kai possesses extensive battlefield experience that shapes his personality. However, he also exhibits a sense of humor, showcasing a multifaceted nature that extends beyond a purely serious demeanor. Concept art suggests that Kai favors the sword and pistol as his weapons of choice in combat.According to Obsidian's studio head Feargus Urquhart, Kai is somewhat of an idealist, although his idealism is tempered by a pragmatic side. Additionally, Obsidian has revealed that Kai will be one of the few friendly faces that players will encounter during their perilous adventures in the untamed frontier of Avowed's Living Lands. With his intriguing backstory and complex personality, Kai is poised to become a memorable character in the game.

Fans eagerly anticipate the release of Avowed in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. As the launch date draws closer, players can look forward to unraveling the mysteries surrounding Kai and immersing themselves in the epic world crafted by Obsidian.