When players first step into the Living Lands of Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed, they quickly learn that the game's heart isn't just in its sprawling environments or its Dreamscourge mystery—it's in the four companions who walk beside them. Now, in 2026, with the game having been out for over a year, these characters have proven to be as memorable as any in Obsidian's storied catalog. Like a prism splitting a single beam of light into a spectrum of motivations, each companion refracts the player's journey in unexpected ways, pushing them toward choices they might never have considered alone.
Unlike the silent followers of some RPGs, Avowed's companions are active participants in the story. They argue, they joke, they question the player's decisions, and they each have a personal stake in the Dreamscourge pestilence that ravages the land. As in Obsidian's previous titles like The Outer Worlds, these characters are defined by distinct personalities that emerge through dialogue and behavior. The result is a party that feels less like a toolset and more like a group of flawed, fascinating individuals—each with their own agenda.
Here's a quick overview of the four confirmed companions:
| Companion | Race/Background | Role | Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giatta | Human animancer | Scholar of the Dreamscourge | Driven, haunted, curious |
| Kai | Coastal aumaua | Skilled fighter | Laid-back, pragmatic, calm |
| Yatzli | Orlan | Wizard and scholar of the godless | Feisty, flirtatious, brilliant |
| Marius | Pargrun dwarf | Hunter and survival expert | Mysterious, rugged, resourceful |
Giatta: The Animancer's Legacy
Giatta comes from a long line of animancers, and her story is one of tragedy transformed into purpose. Her parents died in a lab accident, leaving her scarred for life—but also fueling her determination to complete their research. In 2026, players who have spent time with Giatta know that she views the Dreamscourge not as a curse to be destroyed, but as a phenomenon to be embraced and understood. Her perspective is like a botanist studying a beautiful, deadly flower: she sees potential where others see only plague. This makes her a fascinating, if sometimes unsettling, voice in the party. She challenges players to reconsider their knee-jerk reactions to the pestilence, and her unique insights often lead to unexpected narrative branches.
Kai: The Beer-Sharing Warrior
Kai has been the face of Avowed's marketing since the beginning, and for good reason. This coastal aumaua is a laid-back, pragmatic fighter who wears light armor to maintain his speed in combat. He's described as the companion players are \"most likely to have a beer with,\" and that reputation has held up. Even in the face of danger, Kai remains calm and collected, a steadying presence when the Living Lands throw their worst at the party. He's not just a tank; he's a friend who knows when to crack a joke and when to draw his blade. In a world full of fanatics and schemers, Kai's grounded nature is a welcome anchor.
Yatzli: The Flirtatious Scholar
If there's one companion guaranteed to make players laugh, it's Yatzli. This orlan wizard is feisty, flirtatious, and fiercely intelligent. As a scholar of the godless, she has dedicated her life to studying ancient people who refused to align themselves with any of Eora's gods—a pursuit that frequently takes her into the ruins of the Living Lands. Her magical prowess, honed over a lifetime of practice, makes her a formidable ally in battle. But it's her personality that truly shines. She's the kind of character who will tease the player one moment and deliver a devastating spell the next. Think of her as a spark in a powder keg: unpredictable, brilliant, and impossible to ignore.
Marius: The Ghost of Galawain's Tusks
Of all the companions, Marius remains the most mysterious. A Pargrun dwarf from Solace, an isolated keep in the Galawain's Tusks region, he grew up in one of the harshest environments in the Living Lands. Survival was never a choice for him—it was a daily necessity. That hardscrabble upbringing turned him into a skilled hunter and survival expert, and his knowledge of the wilds is second to none. Marius moves through the wilderness like a ghost who forgot he was ever alive, his instincts honed to a razor's edge. He hasn't been featured as prominently in promotional material as the others, which only adds to his enigmatic appeal. Players who earn his trust will find a companion who values actions over words and who can track, hunt, and forage when the rest of the party is lost.
The Bigger Picture
As of 2026, Obsidian has not introduced any additional companions beyond these four, though the studio's history suggests that future DLC or updates could change that. Even if Giatta, Kai, Yatzli, and Marius remain the only ones, their distinct personalities have already proven to be more than enough. They don't just fill combat roles; they shape the narrative. Each has a personal take on the Dreamscourge, and that means players will find themselves making decisions not just for themselves, but for the relationships they've built.
In a genre crowded with forgettable sidekicks, Avowed's companions stand out. They are messy, opinionated, and deeply human (or aumauan, orlan, and dwarven). They argue with each other, they grow, and they make the Living Lands feel alive. For players who love rich character writing, these four are worth the journey. And as 2026 unfolds, they remain one of the best reasons to return to Eora—or to visit for the first time.