Every Avowed Background and What They Do

Avowed offers a deep and immersive character creation system that goes beyond just looks—you can choose from five unique Backgrounds, each adding depth to your character’s story and influencing early dialogue options. While all Backgrounds grant access to the same weapons and abilities, your choice shapes your character’s origin, personality, and how NPCs interact with you. Whether you're drawn to scholarly intrigue, noble politics, or warrior valor, there's a Background that fits your ideal playstyle.

Every Avowed Background, Explained

There are five distinct Backgrounds in Avowed, each offering narrative flavor, unique dialogue opportunities, and a starting weapon. Here's what each one brings to your journey through the Living Lands:

Arcane Scholar:
Begin your adventure as a learned graduate of Bragganhyl Academy, where your controversial treatise on soul lineages angered a powerful lord—earning you imprisonment. Fortunately, the emperor saw value in your mind and recruited you to serve in the imperial archives. This Background suits players who enjoy intellectual dialogue, historical references, and subtle wit. Expect interactions that reflect your knowledge of the occult, law, poetry, and history.

Court Augur:
Born with visions others feared, your gift made you an outcast when your village blamed you for crop failures. Fleeing persecution, you found refuge in Highcrown, where the emperor embraced your mystical talents. As a Court Augur, you’ll have dialogue options rooted in spiritual insight and divine intuition—perfect for players who want to roleplay a magic-attuned character. You’ll also find strong thematic ties to companion Giatta.

Noble Scion:
Once part of a wealthy, morally corrupt noble family, you survived the fallout of scandal and betrayal by seeking mercy from the emperor. Now, you stand as a loyal ally to the imperial cause—a fitting choice for players who wish to support the empire’s mission throughout the Living Lands. This Background emphasizes duty, legacy, and political awareness.

Vanguard Scout:
Spared execution by the empire, you grew up far from courtly life, mastering survival in the wilds. Your tracking and stealth skills make you invaluable to the emperor’s cause. Choose this Background if you prefer a hunter-style playthrough, with dialogue reflecting your distrust of politics and comfort in nature. Vanguard Scouts often resonate most with companion Marius.

War Hero:
After quelling a violent Skaenite uprising, you earned a place among the emperor’s elite warriors. Known for grit, courage, and unwavering loyalty, War Heroes are natural leaders in battle. This Background is ideal for players who want to embody a classic warrior archetype—and may feel a special connection to companion Kai.

Starting Weapons by Background in Avowed

Each Background comes with a one-handed melee weapon of Common Quality, found leaning against crates during the “On Strange Shores” quest early in the game. These starting weapons are temporary—they’ll need upgrading or replacing soon—but they offer a thematic touch to your origin story.

Here’s the full list:

• Arcane Scholar – Common Dagger
• Court Augur – Common Mace
• Noble Scion – Common Sword
• Vanguard Scout – Common Axe
• War Hero – Common Spear

Since these weapons are easily replaced and can be found again in the Living Lands shortly after the tutorial, your decision should be based on narrative preference—not gear. Pick the Background that aligns with how you want to experience the world of Avowed.

Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.