The Living Lands of Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed are teeming with things to do. Bounties, side missions, and general exploration all bring fun and entertainment to players and often build out a deeper experience. But some Avowed side quests are story points you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Whether they dig into the world, showcase a different side to a character, or reward players with perks for their work, there are some missions you don’t want to miss. That’s why I’m here to point you toward six side quests in Avowed you won’t want to miss. And don’t worry, I’ll be avoiding spoilers, so nothing is lost when you experience them for yourself. But still know, these Avowed side quests are must plays.
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Want more than just Avowed side quests? Read our full review here.
A Lady Never Tells
Region Located: Dawnshore
What Makes it Stand Out: One of the first side quests you receive, this one works the best if you take it on as soon as possible. This is because it helps to set up the friction between The Living Lands and the encroaching Aedryrians. The mission’s objective and why the client has had to take such circuitous measures to get it starts laying the groundwork for the escalating tensions.
The other thing that makes the mission shine is the client herself, Giuliana. The outspoken proprietress of the local bathhouse leaves a lasting impression, despite only being on screen for a couple of conversations. This is doubly true if you try to flaunt your intelligence to her, potentially endangering her and her employees.
Fires in the Mine
Region Located: Shatterscrap
What Makes it Stand Out: Fires in the Mine stands out due to the excellent structure of its consequences. The mine is of critical importance in dealing with the unfolding blight of the Dramscourge for the people of the Shatterscrap region. But while the mine poses a huge boon in the short term, what may come later bears thinking on. Excellently crafted, this mission brings with it a no-wrong or right-answer situation.
There are several of these moments throughout Avowed‘s story, but this is the most significant one that isn’t connected to the main path. Making it feel like core content, even though players could easily miss it.
Battle Scars
Region Located: Emerald Stair
What Makes it Stand Out: Kai’s (Bandon Keener, Mass Effect‘s Garrus) companion mission is a beautiful story of trauma, regret, and growth. Kai initially comes off as easygoing and likable, but something haunts him. As a former mercenary, it’s easy to assume he’s done things on battlefields he’s probably not proud of. But as Battle Scars’ story unfolds, it is revealed that something far more personal left the deepest scar on Kai.
This quest also stands out due to its multi-part structure. It begins in Emerald Stair but finishes later in the game when Kai once more approaches you for a favor. This gives more weight to the second request, as it helps create the feeling that Kai trusts The Envoy more deeply now and is willing to expose more of this past to them. This deepening trust, as well as Kai’s pain, is given amazing life thanks to Keener’s fantastic voice work. All making this a must-play among the Avowed side quests.
Dawntreader
Region Located: Dawnshore
What Makes it Stand Out: The thing that makes Dawntreader stand out is how it evolves as a story. Asked to save an Aedryrian expedition that is in trouble in an old temple, the mission slowly grows larger with each step The Envoy takes into the underground ruins. Filled with twists, surprises, and a couple of mildly terrifying turns, the story never reveals the final steps till the very last moment.
The voice acting in this story also stands out. The NPC The Envoy comes into contact with is a strikingly different kind of character, whose voice reflects the special nature they possess. As their mood shifts, the voice acting does a tremendous job of bringing the character to life, cementing it as a quest you shouldn’t miss.
Chorus of the Lost
Region Located: Galawain’s Tusks
What Makes it Stand Out: Marius’ (Scott Whyte, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time) companion quest has a unique setup. As the party approaches Galawain’s Tusks, Marius’ home region, the stalwart hunter becomes more and more distressed. While it is already known that the wilderness guide left his home on bad terms, nothing known suggests the kind of emotional and mental struggles Marius begins to show as the group heads for his home.
All the build-up pays off when the secrets to Marius’ childhood and the brutal trauma it contained are brought to light. Sorrow, anger, and bittersweet meetings all play out during the tale. Whyte does a great job of bringing the companion’s vulnerability to life, making the emotions hit with all they have.
Also building up the player’s investment in the mission is how well thought out The Envoy’s dialogue choices are. Players are allowed to approach Marius’ suffering with the perfect gentleness and respect, should they choose. This makes them feel more immersed in the moment as they help their friend through the story’s most painful revelations.
The Call of the Past
Region Located: Dawnshore
What Makes it Stand Out: The Call of The Past opens up a set of experiences that are separated from everything else in Avowed. This is due to how they play out. A narrated story is told, with The Envoy being asked to fill in critical elements of what happened and how people responded to the events.
The stories themselves are beautiful. Weaving tales of tragedy and triumph, they follow the choices made by The Envoy naturally. It often feels like the options selected were the only way the story could go. That’s how well thought out the scenarios are.
Told with a set of still art in the background and lovely, tone-setting music accompanying the narrator, and the presentation of these sequences is nothing short of gorgeous. Topping the experience off is the special rewards players get for completing each sequence, making these strong side quests equally interesting for players less interested in lore, and more interested in min/maxing their character.
These six side quests highlight some of the best storytelling and world-building in Avowed. While they all share a high level of quality, they each bring something unique, making them stand out among the plethora of stories waiting to be experienced in The Living Lands.
