Obsidian stuck to some fantasy conventions for Pillars of Eternity and Avowed because that's what people want: ''I didn't want to completely flip it and say, oh you want to play an elf? F**k you, this isn't your daddy's elf'

Pillars of Eternity might be Obsidian's baby, but the series that most recently spawned Avowed is still inextricably tied to established fantasy fare, particularly D&D and the Forgotten Realms. It's a setting that's closely linked with Obsidian—the studio was founded by Black Isle veterans, after all.

But the decision to include familiar elements, particularly classic fantasy races, wasn't just down to the team's connection to D&D through Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment...