Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Update #28

The 28th Fig update for Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, apart from a bit of fluff and cross-promotion, contains some information about two of the four main factions in the game: Principi and Huana. This is all work in progress and subject to change, but here are the basics of these two factions:

Principi

The Principi are largely descended from a group of refugees who fled the decline of Old Vailia (shortly before the Republics declared independence). They sailed around the Eastern Reach until they reached Deadfire, where instead of settling the islands, they continued their shipboard life. Seizing opportunities where they could, they gradually became pirates, smugglers, mercenaries, and merchants of ill repute. Over time, their ranks have swelled to include Deadfire’s indigenous peoples (Huana) as well as enterprising or desperate individuals from other countries and cultures not aligned with the Republics or Rauatai (Dyrwood, Aedyr, Readceras, Ixamtl, etc.)

Religion – Religion among the Principi is as varied as membership. As sailors, many of them worship Ondra (as goddess of the oceans) and Hylea (for her influence over wind and weather) but others worship gods and goddesses that were more prominent in their homelands. Worship of Ondra, Woedica, and Hylea is especially common among descendants of Vailians.

Relationship with Other Factions

• The Principi have fluid relationships with most other factions, as they are in a position to plunder (or sell to) just about anybody.
• The Principi frequently target Vailian Trading Company ships. Remembering that the first families could not find shelter in the Republics during their voyage, the Principi subject even surrendering crews to (painless) humiliations, such as leaving them all stranded in their smallclothes.
• Additionally, the Principi have been raiding Huana villages almost as long as they’ve been in the Deadfire. Pirates may have a better relationship with larger towns, however, particularly when they’re frequented by merchants who will buy stolen goods.

Geography and Location – The first families initially landed toward the warm, northern portion of the archipelago, but the Principi have expanded their reach since then, and their ships can be found anywhere in Deadfire. They tend to lurk near trade routes and settled areas, though their havens are necessarily more remote. While the Principi do not found formal cities, they have semi-permanent colonies all around the archipelago where members may safely land for repairs, R&R, or to purchase new supplies. The locations of these havens are typically known only members (or extremely close associates) of the Principi.

Huana

The Huana are the primary indigenous people of the Deadfire Archipelago. The term “Huana” is a loose association that describes a decentralized population of aumaua, and Huana culture has evolved into a pastiche of local variations with a common root. Yet this is not to say that the Huana are entirely without structure or leadership. In time, they were able to establish a central government, although its influence tends to diminish the farther one sails from the seat of power.

Religion – Favored deities of the Huana include Ondra (who controls the seas) and Hylea (who controls the winds), as well as Woedica (who ensures peace by way of justice). Galawain also has a scattered following among the more conquest-oriented Huana tribes such as the Wahaki and Kahanga, who tend to use the god’s endorsement of survival of the fittest as an argument for their positions of power. Huana in search of revenge against their enemies readily pray to Skaen, though he is not widely worshipped in other circumstances.

Relationship with Other Factions

• The Huana are difficult to generalize because different tribes have different stances on the various influential groups in the region.
• The most visible of the tribes, the Kahanga, has made deals with trading companies from both Rauatai and the Vailian Republics, who both have outposts in their largest city, hoping that they will keep each other in check and that their mutual competition will both enrich the Kahanga and ensure their safety.
• The Principi have historically raided the Huana, and many Huana consider them sworn enemies. However, the increased presence of the trading companies in recent years has diverted much of the pirates’ attention, and it is not unheard of nowadays for the Huana to strike up alliances with the Principi in hopes of staving off the companies’ advances.

Geography and Location – The Huana are spread across most all populated islands in the archipelago. Deadfire spans the length of the entire southern hemisphere, thus climate ranges from tropical in the north to temperate and polar in the south. Its largest population centers are in the subtropical band of islands.