First introduced in 2015’sPillars of Eternity, the world of Eora is home to some incredibly rich, complex lore, andAvowedsomewhat throws newcomers in at the deep end. After a brief but dense introductory cinematic that talks of gods, Godlikes, and grand empires,Avoweddrops players onto a classic fantasy RPG tutorial island. And once off that island, players take their first steps on the continent of the Living Lands, where they’re quickly bombarded with exposition, story set-up, and a ton of otherworldly phrases.
With that onslaught of information now at the forefront of the player’s mind, the player is then tasked with entering the large walled city of Paradis. Much like everything else inAvowed’s world of Eora, Paradis has a rich and storied history, though players need to do a bit of digging to piece it all together.
The Lore of Avowed’s City of Paradis Explained
The Idyllic Promise of Paradis
On the southwestern coast ofthe Living Lands, in a region known as Dawnshore, there’s a city named Paradis. To those in faraway lands, Paradis is rumored to be exactly its namesake; a paradise for anyone and everyone. It’s believed that Paradis is a safe haven where past mistakes are forgotten and one can build a new life, free from oppression, and free from judgment.
The promise of a new life in Paradis became a dream for many who lived under the rule ofthe Aedyr Empire. While not strictly oppressive or tyrannical, the Aedyr Empire has some strict values and expectations for its citizens, and anyone who doesn’t follow the status quo is quickly made to feel as though they don’t belong. As such, some Aedyrans choose to abandon their homeland, and seek a fresh start in the warm embrace of Paradis' walls.
Paradis is just one ofAvowed’s key locations, but it plays an important role throughout the game’s main story, including its ending.
Paradis' Dark Reality
But for many, the promised dream of Paradis was exactly that: a dream. Though many early settlers of Paradis managed to forge an idyllic new life for themselves, those who arrived later have a much different story to tell. Theshantytown just outside Paradis' wallsis packed to the brim with refugees who haven’t been granted a spot inside the city, and while many are trying to make the most of their situation, it’s hard to live under those conditions.
Naturally, many of these refugees were once criminals in their homelands who now seek a fresh start. But due to their current living conditions and inability to earn money honestly, many have been forced to return to the only occupation they’ve ever known. This has resulted in a rise in crime in the area surrounding Paradis, with the beaches andforests of Dawnshorenow being home to a wealth of smugglers, thieves, and bandits.
But life inside Paradis' walls isn’t much better. Though Paradis has its fair share of affluent areas, it’s also home to its own set of criminals. Gangs like the Sparrowhawks roam freely around Paradis' city streets, smuggling cargo, robbing passersby, and even murdering a citizen or two.
