How Magic Works in the World of Avowed

gamerant.com:

Avowed, the upcoming first-person RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, is set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. The two Pillars of Eternity titles are both isometric RPGs, and have often been praised for their rich lore and unique world. One of the most powerful weapons in the world of Eora, and therefore in Avowed, is magic, which can be wielded by anyone who masters its secrets.

All magic in the Avowed universe is derived from Soul Essence, a normally-invisible energy that flows through everything on Eora. It's this energy that allows the intelligent races to be reincarnated, as their Souls pass through the In-Between and the Beyond, then back into the physical world in a new form. Magic is a broad term for tapping into the power of Soul Essence, and using it to create supernatural effects. This magic can take many forms, with different methods used to both access and harness it.

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The first group of magic-users in the Avowed universe are those who have learned to harness the power of their own Soul. Wizards do this through meticulous study, mental strength, and the use of arcane grimoires. Using these methods, Wizards are among the most versatile magic-users on Eora, able to do anything from creating defensive shields and summoning tentacled monstrosities, to transforming enemies into beasts or calling down rains of meteors.

The other group that focuses exclusively on harnessing their own Soul Essence are the Monks, though their extraordinary abilities are often not considered magical. Monks have reached an enlightened level where their Soul can be used to empower their physical form, granting them strength, speed, and resilience beyond that of a normal