So, Obsidian is finally taking us back to Eora. But it’s not the Dyrwood anymore, and it’s definitely not the Deadfire Archipelago. If you’ve been keeping up with the trailers and the lore drops for Avowed, you know there’s one specific thing that keeps popping up: that glowing, jagged, slightly terrifying shard sticking out of your character’s arm. People call it the Splinter of Eothas, and honestly, it’s the most lore-heavy piece of a protagonist we’ve seen in an RPG in years. It’s not just a fancy power-up. It is a direct link to the most controversial god in the Pillars of Eternity universe.
If you played Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, you saw Eothas—the god of light and rebirth—possess a giant adra statue and literally march across the world to break the Wheel of reincarnation. He wanted to end the gods' control over mortal souls. He succeeded. He also died. Or at least, his physical manifestation was obliterated. So why is there a piece of him stuck in your wrist in the Living Lands?
Basically, you’re an envoy of the Aedyr Empire sent to investigate a soul-plague called the Dreamscour. But you aren’t just a diplomat; you’re "godlike" in a way that feels different from the sub-races we saw in previous games. That shard is the key. It’s a fragment of a dead (or sleeping) god’s essence, and in the Living Lands, where the environment itself is wild and unpredictable, that kind of power is basically a lightning rod for trouble.
The Messy History of Eothas and Why the Splinter Matters
To understand the Splinter of Eothas, you have to remember the Saint's War. Eothas isn't exactly a "safe" god to be associated with. He previously inhabited the body of a farmer named Waidwen and led a crusade that ended with him being blown up by a massive magical bomb called the Godhammer. The people of Eora have a very complicated relationship with him. Some see him as a savior who wanted to free humanity from the tyranny of the gods. Others see him as a chaotic force that broke the natural cycle of life and death.
When Eothas shattered the Wheel at the end of the second game, he left the world in a state of "Hollowborn" uncertainty. Without the Wheel to process souls, the future of every living being in Eora is at risk. This is where Avowed picks up. The Living Lands is a frontier. It’s lawless, strange, and filled with "animancy"—the study of souls—that hasn't been regulated by the big empires.
Your character having a Splinter of Eothas suggests that even though the god’s main manifestation is gone, his essence is still scattered. It’s volatile. Think of it like radioactive fallout, but for souls. The Dreamscour plague that's rotting the Living Lands? There’s a very high chance it’s linked to the breaking of the Wheel and these lingering fragments of Eothas. You’re essentially carrying a piece of the problem—and potentially the only solution—inside your own body.
How the Splinter Changes Combat and Magic
Obsidian hasn't just put this in for the story. It’s a mechanical engine. In the gameplay reveals, we see the protagonist using dual-wielding combos, swapping between a sword and a wand, and then suddenly unleashing these massive, ethereal bursts of energy. That’s the shard talking.
- It allows for "soul-tethering" abilities that look way more visceral than standard wizard spells.
- The shard seems to react to the environment, especially when you encounter adra formations.
- You aren't just casting Fireball; you're channeling the raw, unfiltered essence of a deity who presided over light and renewal.
It’s a bit of a gamble, honestly. In the Pillars games, magic was very structured. You had Grimoires, or you had Chanters with their phrases. Here, the Splinter of Eothas makes magic feel more innate and dangerous. It’s like being a Sorcerer instead of a Wizard in D&D terms. You didn't study for this. You're just a vessel for something that shouldn't be there.
The Dreamscour Connection
The Dreamscour is weird. It turns people into fungal-like husks, and it seems to be spreading through the soul-flow of the region. If the Splinter of Eothas is a piece of the god who broke the cycle of souls, then your character might be the only one who can "speak" the language of the plague.
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There's a lot of debate among lore fans about whether the shard is actually "Eothas" or just a memory of him. Remember, in Eora, souls have memory. They have weight. If you're carrying a piece of a god's soul, you're likely carrying his burdens, his memories, and maybe even a bit of his personality. This isn't just a quest item you can drop. It's part of your identity.
Politics of the Living Lands
You’re an envoy of the Aedyr Empire. Aedyr is huge, conservative, and generally hates anything that smells like soul-heresy. If the Inquisitors back home found out you were walking around with a Splinter of Eothas in your arm, they’d probably have you executed on the spot.
This creates a massive tension in the narrative. You’re sent by an Emperor to fix a problem, but the very thing that gives you the power to fix it makes you a pariah. The companions you meet, like Kai (the Coastal Aumaua) and Giatta (the Animancer), have their own opinions on the gods. Giatta, specifically, is fascinated by soul energy. To her, you’re not a freak; you’re a scientific breakthrough. But to the locals in the Living Lands who are watching their families turn into mushroom-monsters, you might just look like another manifestation of the god who ruined the world.
Why This Isn't Just "Skyrim with Pillars Lore"
A lot of people looked at the first Avowed trailers and said, "Oh, it's just Obsidian's Elder Scrolls." But the presence of the Splinter of Eothas proves otherwise. The Elder Scrolls is about being a "Chosen One" in a very traditional, heroic sense. You're the Dragonborn. You're destined to save the world.
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In Avowed, having the shard feels more like a burden or a curse. It’s a political liability. It’s a theological nightmare. Obsidian excels at writing "shades of gray," and the legacy of Eothas is the grayest thing in their entire portfolio. You’re going to have to decide if you want to use that power to try and fix the Wheel, or if you’re going to double down on Eothas’s original plan to let mortals figure it out for themselves—even if that means the world ends in a fungal explosion.
The Living Lands are diverse. You’ve got volcanic regions, lush jungles, and icy peaks all crammed together. The game uses this "bioluminescent" aesthetic that ties directly back to the visual language of Eothas’s light. Everything is connected. The shard isn't just a HUD element; it's the lens through which you see this dying world.
What You Should Do Before Launch
If you want to actually understand the weight of the Splinter of Eothas when you finally boot up the game, you should probably do a quick refresher. You don't need to spend 200 hours replaying both Pillars games, but knowing the basics helps.
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- Read up on the Saint's War. Understanding why people fear Eothas explains why NPCs will react to you with terror or suspicion.
- Look into the concept of "Godlike." In Eora, being touched by a god is usually a physical mutation. Your shard is a variation of this, but much more aggressive.
- Pay attention to the Aedyr Empire's motives. They aren't the "good guys." They’re an empire. They want the Living Lands for resources. The shard is just a tool to them.
Honestly, the best way to prep is to keep an eye on the "Soulbound" weapon mechanics Obsidian has teased. It seems like the shard might interact with your gear, allowing you to "invest" your soul essence into your items. This is a classic Pillars mechanic brought into a first-person space, and it’s where the real depth of the gameplay will likely live.
Practical Steps for Your Playthrough
When you start Avowed, don't just rush the main quest. The Living Lands are built for exploration. Because your character has the Splinter of Eothas, you'll likely find hidden interactions with adra pillars and ancient ruins that other "normal" people can't see.
- Check every large adra formation you find. They usually act as batteries for soul energy, and the shard will likely react to them.
- Listen to your companions' dialogue regarding the gods. They will give you the "ground-level" view of how your powers are perceived.
- Be careful with how you use your "God-Mode" abilities in front of Aedyr officials. Your choices will likely impact your standing with the Empire.
The Splinter of Eothas is more than a plot point. It's a bridge between the classic CRPG roots of the franchise and this new, action-oriented direction. It keeps the "weirdness" of Eora alive in a format that's accessible but still deeply nerdy. Whether you choose to embrace the light or hide the shard under a heavy sleeve, it's going to define your journey through the Living Lands.