As a fan who's been following the world of Eora since the first Pillars of Eternity game, I can't help but feel a renewed sense of hope in 2026. 🎮 The success of Avowed, Obsidian's action RPG set in the same universe, has created a wave of positive momentum. It's got me thinking—could this be the moment that finally revives a project many of us thought was lost to the archives? I'm talking, of course, about the long-dormant Pillars of Eternity tabletop RPG. Remember that? It feels like a lifetime ago that it was first announced as a backer reward.

Let's rewind a bit. Avowed is a spin-off from the classic CRPG series, Pillars of Eternity. While the Pillars games have a fiercely dedicated community, they never quite broke into the mainstream spotlight like, say, Baldur's Gate 3. In fact, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire had to be crowdfunded, which often signals that a studio sees a project as a financial risk. So, when Avowed launched in 2025 and was met with strong sales and positive word-of-mouth, it felt like a turning point. Forbes reported Microsoft was pleased, and suddenly, the entire Pillars IP was back in the conversation. This isn't just good news for Avowed DLC or a potential sequel—it's a lifeline for every related project, including that forgotten TTRPG.

The Ghost of a TTRPG Project

What exactly is this TTRPG I keep mentioning? Well, it was promised as a backer reward for Pillars of Eternity 2's crowdfunding campaign—a full tabletop role-playing system set in the rich world of Eora. Things started promisingly enough with a short 30-page guide and even an alpha version of the rulebook. But then... silence. That alpha, released in 2019, was the last official word. For years, it seemed like the project was dead in the water. The director of the Pillars games, Josh Sawyer, would occasionally tweet about it, teasing his work, but a finished product never materialized. It became one of those 'what could have been' stories for the fandom.

But here's where the story gets interesting in our current timeline. In early 2025, Sawyer posted on Bluesky, sharing screenshots of revised rules and confirming he was still actively redesigning the game's core mechanics. He literally said, "still goin off." So, the project wasn't dead; it was in hibernation, waiting for the right conditions. And what better condition than the commercial and critical success of a major AAA title set in the same world? The energy and attention surrounding Avowed create the perfect storm of opportunity.

Why Now is the Perfect Time for a Comeback

You might be wondering, why would a video game's success matter for a pen-and-paper RPG? 🤔 The connection is stronger than you'd think. First, there's the simple factor of momentum and visibility. More people are talking about Eora, its lore, its gods, and its conflicts than ever before. A TTRPG is the ultimate tool for fans who want to explore that world themselves, beyond the scripted stories of the video games. It's a natural next step to capitalize on renewed interest.

Second, and more crucially, key developers at Obsidian have been openly discussing the future of the IP. According to GamesRadar, Josh Sawyer himself mentioned there's interest within the studio in creating a Pillars of Eternity tactics game. Now, think about that. The design logic between a turn-based tactics video game and a tabletop RPG combat system shares a huge amount of DNA. If the studio is already brainstorming deep, tactical, turn-based mechanics, that creative energy could absolutely flow directly into finalizing the TTRPG ruleset, especially if the bigger-budget tactics game remains a distant dream.

Furthermore, Avowed's Game Director, Carrie Patel, has expressed her desire to continue working in this universe. While she's likely focused on expansions for Avowed or a sequel, her enthusiasm is part of a larger, encouraging trend: the Pillars IP is hot again at Obsidian. This overall environment makes it far more plausible that resources and attention could be spared to polish and release the TTRPG.

The TTRPG as a Creative Testing Ground

Here's a fascinating angle I've been considering. In an interview with TouchArcade, Josh Sawyer laid out his vision for a potential Pillars of Eternity 3. His conditions? A larger budget and a turn-based combat system. A publicly released TTRPG could serve as an incredible testing ground for those very turn-based mechanics. It allows Sawyer and the team to experiment with balance, class design, and encounter building in a relatively low-cost, flexible environment. Players running campaigns would provide invaluable feedback that could shape a future video game. It's a brilliant way to refine ideas while simultaneously giving the community a fantastic new way to engage with the world.

Let's break down the potential benefits of finally releasing the Pillars TTRPG:

Benefit	Explanation
Capitalizes on Avowed's Momentum	Harnesses the current buzz to reach a wider audience immediately.
Fulfills a Backer Promise	Delivers on a long-standing commitment to the most dedicated fans.
Expands the World of Eora	Allows for stories and adventures beyond the scope of the video games.
Serves as a Design Lab	Provides a platform to test turn-based systems for future Pillars projects.
Strengthens the Community	Gives fans a shared, creative activity to deepen their connection to the IP.

A Future with Multiple Paths

Don't get me wrong, I love what Avowed has done. It's a fantastic action RPG that has introduced Eora to a whole new generation of players. If the franchise continues down that path, I'll be first in line to play. But as a fan who loves the deep lore and strategic combat of the original CRPGs, the idea of a TTRPG is incredibly exciting. It represents a different, more personal way to experience this world.

The beauty of Avowed's success is that it doesn't force a single path. It can support multiple futures for the Pillars of Eternity franchise:

• More Avowed: Expansions, sequels, and related action RPGs.

• New CRPGs: A potential Pillars 3 with a turn-based system.

• The TTRPG: A finalized, official tabletop game for fans to run their own campaigns.

So, here I am in 2026, looking at the landscape. Josh Sawyer is still tinkering with the rules on social media. Obsidian developers are openly passionate about the IP's future. Avowed has proven the world has mainstream appeal. All the pieces are on the board. The momentum is there. It feels like we're on the precipice of something. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year we finally get to roll dice in the Living Lands or craft a story in the Deadfire Archipelago ourselves. The success of Avowed has opened a door; I'm hopeful the Pillars of Eternity tabletop RPG will be the next wonderful thing to walk through it. After all, what better time to revive a forgotten project than when the entire world it's based in is shining brighter than ever? ✨