[Spoilers] Story: Does it assume certain choices were made in PoE2?

[omgFIREBALLS]

I had the impression that the Living Lands were so disconnected from the events of the Deadfire that we could pretend any set of choices were made by the player in PoE2 with regards to the setting for Avowed, that a developer had outright said something to this effect. I know we don't import our PoE2 save or anything, but it sounded to me like those events would only be referenced in vague and diffuse ways that could be interpreted as whatever Deadfire story you want to be canon can be canon.

Now, this isn't something I like. I want there to be a definite canon, exactly because I don't want major world events to be talked about as if they are mired in mystery or there is some tacit agreement to not ever go into details and no one knows the Watcher's name and just keeps referring to them by that title.

So anyway, looking at recent footage I see the name Lödwyn mentioned from time to time, in connection to the Steel Garrote no less. That's someone we could have killed in PoE2. Can I interpret her being alive as Obsidian actually deciding yes, she wasn't killed in Pillars 2? As we all might remember, resurrection isn't a thing on Eora. Does this mean that more significant parts of the Pillars 2 story are also set in stone, like say, which faction did the Watcher help gain Ukaizo?

[Wormerine]

Obsidian has quite deliberately avoided allowing players to make too earth shattering decisions - those are made by characters who influence our decision (Thaos, Eothas). While allowing player's to make BIG CHOICES can be rewarding in RPGs, in always results in problems in sequels. So far, impact we had as Watcher was mostly localised, so as we move from location to location, in the world full of misinformation, and without printing press, they can write around the little influence that we had. Not that Obsidian already hasn't struggled with reactivity when it comes to returning companions....

Anyway. Lödwyn's presence was known since story trailer - it was confirmed it was her in interviews at the time. If she plays major role, I would assume no reactivity to Deadfire - or maybe Obs will still write around it. Somehow. Woedica likes upholding rules, and breaking them herself. Still, she was such a minor character in Deadfire, I would find it odd if Obs would bring her back, just to break continuity. One would think any other representative of the Steel Garotte would do. Assuming of course, she is present during main events of Avowed, and not some kind of prologue that take place before her departure (and potential demise) to Deadfire.

You say, you know there is no save import. Are we sure there won't be one? It would be counterintuitive for a fresh start, but if done discretly, some minor reactivity might be a nice bonus for returning players. In the ending of Valian Faction quest one of the potential leaders end up being exiled to the Living Lands. I doubt that's a coinsidence. I don't expect a save import, mind you, but I also wouldn't be that shocked if there was one.

Edited 21 hours ago by Wormerine