The Lore of Berath’s Wheel in Avowed Explained

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Effective fantasy tales should meticulously maintain a delicate equilibrium between their background details and the main plot. They must present an elaborate, vibrant world teeming with diverse characters, yet avoid overwhelming the narrative with excessively intricate lore that isn’t essential for understanding the primary storyline. Avowed does a commendable job of achieving this balance.

Developing Avowed, given the established world of Eora from the Pillars of Eternity series, presented a unique challenge for Obsidian. On one hand, it was an advantage as the world was already richly detailed. However, since Avowed aimed to be a standalone adventure, it needed to summarize all that lore in a concise and digestible manner without diluting it too much for seasoned Pillars of Eternity fans. Consequently, Avowed offers a comprehensive introduction to the franchise’s key lore elements, but there are usually deeper layers, like the enigma of “Berath’s Wheel“, waiting to be discovered.

The Lore of Avowed’s Berath’s Wheel Explained

What is Berath’s Wheel?

In the universe of Eora as depicted in Avowed, when an individual passes away, their spirit departs from their corporeal form. This spirit then journeys to the closest pillar of Adra, a crystal-like edifice that functions like a living receptacle. The veins of Adra transport this spirit to The Beyond, an otherworldly dimension inhabited by the deities. There, the spirit remains in wait until a new mortal form is prepared within the realm of existence. Upon return to life, most reborn entities and beings tend to have no recollection of their previous lives.

When the fresh life meets its end, a recurring sequence unfolds. This perpetual motion is often referred to as “The Wheel,” a concept rooted in the belief that it’s governed by Berath, the deity of death and rebirth. Thus, it’s known as “Berath’s Wheel.

Watchers are able to view other people’s past lives.

There’s More to Berath’s Wheel Than Meets The Eye

Despite The Wheel appearing as a natural occurrence to the people of Eora, it’s actually been influenced by human hands for quite a while now. Approximately 2,000 years before the events in both Avowed and Pillars of Eternity, the ancient beings known as Engwithans mastered the art of manipulating soul energy, which is often called Essence.

As soul afflictions increased due to complications with The Wheel’s normal functioning, the resourceful Engwithans chose to apply their newly acquired knowledge to enhance the cycle of reincarnation. In collaboration with the Huana tribes, they constructed a potent device within the city of Ukaizo, capable of managing the transit of souls.

Through the invention of this device, the Engwithans elevated themselves to divine status. Eothas was appointed as the deity of renewal and illumination, responsible for leading spirits to and from The Beyond, while Berath took on the roles of death, life, and cyclical change, managing the operation of this combined Wheel mechanism. The gods discovered that the transit of souls through The Wheel produced Essence, which they utilized to nourish their existence.

Berath’s Wheel is Broken in Pillars of Eternity 2

In the finale of “Pillars of Eternity 2”, players find out that Berath’s Wheel isn’t entirely a natural phenomenon. The game offers various conclusions, but the one generally accepted as true depicts Eothas demolishing the Engwithan machinery, thereby returning The Wheel to its original, untouched form. However, it remains uncertain how this machine’s destruction will influence reincarnation; any potential consequences are thought not to manifest for several generations from now.

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2025-02-26 03:24