Avowed Dev Details Kai’s Complexity as an Anchor Companion

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In Obsidian Entertainment’s role-playing game named Avowed, four companions journey with you across the vibrant landscape known as the Living Lands: ex-soldier Kai, magical creature craftswoman Giatta, magic-wielding Yatzli, and explorer Marius. Among these, the first companion players encounter after starting the game is Kai, a towering coastal aumaua who once served in the Navy and later turned to mercenary work. According to the developers of Avowed, Kai serves as a “key companion” that helps introduce players to the world of the Living Lands.

In a chat with Game Rant, Avowed’s director Carrie Patel, who penned Kai as a character, underlined that his role as an anchor companion doesn’t equate to dullness or monotony. Just like the other companions, Kai is a multidimensional figure, brimming with his own convictions and perspectives. Patel depicted the process of crafting Kai as a delicate dance—he needed to be relatable yet not run-of-the-mill, agreeable without morphing into a player’s ‘yes man,’ and witty without undermining the gravity of our world.

Kai Becomes The Player’s Brother-In-Arms

In the Dawnshore region, you’ll come across Kai – one of the rare friendly characters in Avowed‘s treacherous Living Lands. For six years, he’s been residing in the bustling port town of Paradis and working as a mercenary. With his extensive knowledge of the Living Lands, Kai becomes an indispensable member of your party. He plays a crucial role in introducing the player to the world and its history. From the start of the game, Kai serves as a reliable guide for the player throughout their journey.

In a friendly and kind manner, the character Kai, often referred to as an “avowed” companion, rapidly develops a strong connection with the player in the game. According to Senior Narrative Designer Jay Turner, Kai transformed from just a battle tank into a figure whom the player might view as their fellow warrior or “brother-in-arms.” As the first designed and written companion for the game Avowed, Kai underwent significant changes during development and evolved into a more intricate character, surpassing the role of a mere big, friendly guy.

Kai Is The Kindly “Anchor Companion” – But He Has His Limits

In the towering world of Avowed, where the Living Lands are fraught with peril and mystery, I find solace in my role as a friendly ally, Kai. His warm presence is an essential beacon amidst the broken shrines and scourge-infected foes that lurk within. As I journey through this realm as the Envoy, battling the Dreamscourge, having Kai by my side feels indispensable – not only due to his fiery magic, but also because of his unwavering camaraderie.

However, Patel’s cautionary words echo in my mind: when dealing with Kai, players must tread carefully. Though he exudes friendliness and carefree charm, there are indeed boundaries to his character that should not be crossed.

Just as a well-designed RPG character, Kai can be gradually understood deeper. I particularly enjoy crafting scenes where players discover the boundaries of Kai’s friendliness and the inconsistencies in his perspective. It’s those instances when a character transcends their stereotype—when the laid-back comrade firmly sets a boundary, or when you touch a sensitive spot with the group’s jester—that they become far more complex than just their roles and types.

In the game “Avowed”, the character you play, the Envoy, enjoys a great deal of freedom in shaping their persona. They could be a straightforward hero, a witty antagonist, or a blend of both. If they nurture their bond with Kai and treat him kindly, he can transform into a priceless ally, providing comfort, humor, and support during the bleakest moments. As Patel cautioned, Kai is not just a jester for the party or an easy-going friend. He has his own thoughts, values, and convictions that players uncover as they delve deeper into this “anchor companion” by playing the game and understanding every facet of him.

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2025-02-17 20:10