Avowed Backgrounds: How Your Past Shapes Your Adventure

In Obsidian’s latest RPG Avowed, the journey begins long before the first sword is drawn or the first spell is cast. The character creator offers a powerful role-playing tool that many players might overlook in their haste to dive into the Living Lands: the choice of character background. This early decision weaves a subtle but enduring thread through the entire experience, shaping dialogue, abilities, and even the first weapon you find. With five distinct origins to pick from, each tells a story of its own. This guide will walk you through every option, breaking down their lore, starting attributes, and the kind of hero they’re built to become.

What Is a Character Background?

Your character background works as a way to establish your hero’s earlier years and, more importantly, to unlock unique dialogue options in numerous situations throughout the game. Whenever a conversation allows a background‑specific response, the option is marked with the name of that origin—giving you a clear signal that your past is about to open a new door.

Each background also distributes your starting Attribute Points in a predetermined way and decides which weapon you’ll first lay hands on. However, you’re never locked in; during character creation you can freely tweak the attribute allocation to suit your vision, and from then on every level‑up point is yours to spend as you like.

Here’s a quick look at the five backgrounds:

• Arcane Scholar – a graduate with a controversial thesis and a sharp mind

• Court Augur – a seer who thrives in whispers and shadows

• Noble Scion – born into faded glory, now clawing back influence

• Vanguard Scout – a survivor of harsh wilds, saved from execution by the Emperor

• War Hero – a battle‑proven champion whose name inspires awe (and a little fear)

Arcane Scholar

The Arcane Scholar is, frankly, a bit of a nerd—but a dangerous one. This is a character who graduated from a prestigious Academy, published a paper that openly challenged a lord’s legitimacy, and was scooped up by the Imperial Court for their audacity. If you love the idea of arguing your way out of trouble with cold logic and dusty tomes, this background is a page‑turner.

Starting Attributes

Attribute	Value	Statistical Bonus
Might	2	+6% Damage, +20% Carrying Capacity
Constitution	0	+0% Max Health, +0% Poison/Bleed Resist
Dexterity	2	+7% Attack Speed, +13% Action Speed
Perception	2	+6% Critical Hit Chance, +10% Max Range
Intellect	3	+15 Max Essence, +18% Elemental Resist
Resolve	1	+5 Max Stamina, +12% Second Wind Efficiency

The Scholar’s stat spread gives a small boost almost everywhere, but completely ignores Constitution. That means no extra starting health, so trying to facetank a xaurip is not the brightest idea. Instead, lean into the high Intellect—those extra Essence points let you sling spells more often, and the elemental resistance helps you weather magical duels.

Court Augur

A Court Augur sees what others can’t. Raised to read omens and whisper truths behind closed doors, this background is for players who prefer power that moves unseen. The game’s dialogue often reflects an almost supernatural insight, letting the Augur speak with an eerie confidence. Talk about having a sixth sense.

Starting Attributes

Attribute	Value	Statistical Bonus
Might	0	+0% Damage, +0% Carry Capacity
Constitution	0	+0% Max Health, +0% Poison/Bleed Resist
Dexterity	2	+7% Attack Speed, +13% Action Speed
Perception	3	+9% Critical Hit Chance, +15% Max Range
Intellect	3	+15 Max Essence, +18% Elemental Resist
Resolve	2	+10 Max Stamina, +23% Second Wind Efficiency

Augurs trade raw muscle and staying power for agility and mental prowess. With zero Might and Constitution, you’re about as durable as parchment, but the generous Perception and Intellect encourage a hit‑and‑run style. High Resolve stamina and that incredible Second Wind efficiency mean you can dodge endlessly and recover from near‑death with flair.

Noble Scion

A Noble Scion walks into a party and everyone knows their name—for better or worse. This background is steeped in fallen grace: your family lost favour, and you personally begged the Emperor for mercy. Now you’re rising through the ranks by sheer determination. It’s a story of silver‑spoon tragedy turned into personal grit.

Starting Attributes

Attribute	Value	Statistical Bonus
Might	2	+6% Damage, +20% Carry Capacity
Constitution	1	+5% Max Health, +6% Poison/Bleed Resist
Dexterity	2	+7% Attack Speed, +13% Action Speed
Perception	2	+6% Critical Hit Chance, +10% Elemental Resist
Intellect	2	+10 Max Essence, +12% Elemental Resist
Resolve	1	+5 Max Stamina, +12% Second Wind Efficiency

Noble Scions start as one of the most well‑rounded characters, with points sprinkled across every attribute. The only real dips are in Constitution and Resolve, hinting at a glass‑cannon nature. You’ll deal solid damage and can wield almost any weapon competently, but don’t expect to absorb many hits. Perfect for players who like to master two or three weapon sets and keep the pressure on.

Vanguard Scout

Some heroes are forged in grand halls; Vanguard Scouts are forged in the wild. Coming from a family with next to nothing, your character learned survival the hard way, even staring down an execution before the Emperor intervened. This background excels when the path leaves civilisation behind—nature feels like home.

Starting Attributes

Attribute	Value	Statistical Bonus
Might	1	+3% Damage, +10% Carry Capacity
Constitution	2	+10% Max Health, +12% Poison/Bleed Resist
Dexterity	2	+7% Attack Speed, +13% Action Speed
Perception	3	+9% Critical Hit Chance, +15% Max Range
Intellect	1	+5 Max Essence, +6% Elemental Resist
Resolve	1	+5 Max Stamina, +12% Second Wind Efficiency

While no one stat is sky‑high, the Scout has no glaring holes either. The standout is 10% bonus max health from the start—nothing to scoff at—and a fantastic critical hit chance from Perception. This makes Scouts a super choice for hybrid builds that want a little bit of everything. Dodge, shoot, crit, repeat. If you’re the type of player who likes to adapt on the fly, this background is your best friend.

War Hero

If you like your character tough as nails and twice as stubborn, the War Hero has you covered. Publicly proven on the battlefield, this veteran carries the scars of war but has learned to pay that toll with interest. They’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer—more like a sledgehammer—but when one solid blow ends a fight, who needs intellect?

Starting Attributes

Attribute	Value	Statistical Bonus
Might	3	+9% Damage, +30% Carry Capacity
Constitution	2	+10% Max Health, +12% Poison/Bleed Resist
Dexterity	1	+4% Attack Speed, +7% Action Speed
Perception	1	+3% Critical Hit Chance, +5% Max Range
Intellect	0	+0 Max Essence, +0% Elemental Resist
Resolve	3	+15 Max Stamina, +35% Second Wind Efficiency

War Heroes boast the highest possible starting Might and Resolve, delivering thunderous attacks and attacking with depressing regularity. Their Constitution is also respectable, making them excellent front‑line brawlers. The trade‑off—zero Intellect, weak Perception—means magic is off the table and you won’t be spotting secrets from afar. But who cares when you can flatten a bear before it finishes roaring? This background is ideal for anyone who wants a punishing, in‑your‑face fighter that feels downright heroic in its bluntness.

Which Background Should You Choose?

The beauty of Avowed is that no background is a trap. Even the frailest Augur can become a death‑dealing mage, and the most brainless War Hero can eventually learn a few spells. Your choice flavours the story—Arcane Scholars get to throw their academic weight around in conversation, Noble Scions navigate political intrigue with practised charm, and Vanguard Scouts often find hidden paths in the wilderness. The starting weapon and attribute skew are merely gentle nudges toward a playstyle, not handcuffs.

Take a moment to consider not just the numbers, but the personality you want to inhabit. Do you want your character to be respected, feared, or underestimated? Do you crave extra Essence to sling spells, or titanic stamina to swing a greatsword without pause? The answers will point you straight to the perfect origin. Once you’ve chosen, the Living Lands will remember—and so will everyone you meet.