In the fantasy realm of Eora, where swords and sorcery often take center stage, a different kind of power is being meticulously studied in 2026. Avowed, the upcoming action RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, is putting the spotlight on 'fantasy science,' specifically the arcane discipline of animancy—the study of the soul. Players will navigate this complex field alongside a dedicated companion, the animancer Giatta, whose personal journey and scientific pursuits are deeply intertwined with the world's lore and the player's own role as the Envoy.
Animancy: Where Philosophy Meets the Soul
Forget sterile labs and peer-reviewed journals; animancy in Eora is more akin to natural philosophy. As narrative designer Paul Kirsch, Giatta's creator, explains, it's science in a world that hasn't quite nailed down the scientific method. "Animancers throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks, often to their peril," he says, highlighting the risky, experimental nature of the field. This isn't about balancing equations but exploring the messy collision of:
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Worldly Research: Practical observation and experimentation.
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Otherworldly Mysticism: Interaction with spiritual and metaphysical forces.
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Core Philosophy: Debating fundamental questions about existence.
The discipline seeks answers to profound questions: Do animals have souls? How does the physical brain interact with the intangible soul? The practical applications are as awe-inspiring as they are unsettling. Animancers can capture souls, reanimate the dead, and create artificial constructs. This power naturally breeds fear and suspicion across many societies in Eora.
Giatta: A Scientist Forged by Tragedy
Giatta isn't just a walking encyclopedia of soul lore; she's a character driven by profound personal loss. Her parents died in a lab accident, a tragedy that fuels both her dedication to animancy and her rebellious streak against its established limits. She's not in it just for academic glory; she's on a mission. When players encounter her during the 'Emerald Stair' quest, she's trying to corral a group of fellow animancers, a task made maddeningly difficult by bureaucracy and clashing personalities. Talk about herding cats!
Her motivations are a compelling mix:
| Personal Goal | Community Goal |
|---|---|
| Understanding the circumstances of her parents' death. | Keeping her animancer colleagues safe and productive. |
| Pushing the boundaries of what animancy can achieve. | Advocating for the acceptance of her life's work. |
| Proving the value of her family's legacy. | Navigating the political minefield surrounding her science. |
A Tense Alliance: The Envoy and the 'Forbidden' Scientist
This is where the player's role gets spicy. The player character, the Envoy, is a major figure from the empire of Aedyr—a society that has outright banned the practice of animancy. So, you've got this official from a place that outlawed Giatta's entire life's work, now teaming up with her. Awkward, much? Kirsch notes this creates rich narrative soil for dramatic role-playing moments. Players will face dialogue choices that probe this tension: Do they trust the science their homeland fears? Do they challenge Giatta's methods, or become her defender?
"One of my creative challenges," Kirsch shared, "was dealing with the multitude of characters who are justifiably distrustful–or outright antagonistic–toward animancy." Giatta won't just passively accept slander against her work; she'll be there to passionately defend it, trying to earn the player's sympathy and trust through debate and demonstration. Whether she succeeds... well, that's up to you.
Animancy's Place in a Fearful World
Giatta's story is a microcosm of the larger, fraught relationship between revolutionary science and a conservative society. In the world of Pillars of Eternity, animancy is often met with fear and hatred. Avowed, set in the untamed frontier of the Living Lands, provides a new canvas to explore this conflict. It's a place where the rules are less defined, and dangerous knowledge might flourish—or explode.
Through Giatta, players won't just learn about soul-constructs and metaphysical theory; they'll engage with the very human (or elven, or dwarven) cost of pursuing forbidden knowledge. Her journey asks: What risks are worth taking for understanding? How do you prove the value of something everyone is afraid of? In 2026, as Avowed invites players into the Living Lands, these questions won't have easy answers, making the partnership with the determined, tragic, and brilliant Giatta one of the game's most anticipated narrative threads. The soul of Eora has secrets, and she's determined to find them, no matter the cost.