The Trial of the Soulbound
A journey into the fractured mind of a god to reclaim one's own soul.
The Trial of the Soulbound is not a single quest but the central narrative engine driving the protagonist's journey through the First Pillar in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. It represents the Watcher's confrontation with the fragmented soul of the ancient god, the Void, and their own potential divinity. This arc weaves together the mysteries of the Soulbound—beings whose souls are trapped within physical objects—and the catastrophic consequences of the Void's return to the material plane.
- Protagonist
- The Watcher
- Primary Antagonist
- The Void (fragmented consciousness)
- Key Location
- The First Pillar / The Soulbound Realm
- Major Factions Involved
- The Deadfire Company, The Void's Cultists, The Soulbound
- Narrative Theme
- Identity, Divinity, and the Nature of Souls
Lore & Background
The arc culminates in a metaphysical confrontation within the First Pillar, a realm that exists between the material world and the void. Here, the Watcher must navigate illusions of their past, face the fractured remnants of the Void's consciousness, and make a choice that will define their relationship with divinity. This trial is not merely about defeating an enemy but understanding the cost of power and the nature of the soul itself. The resolution echoes through the rest of the game, influencing the fate of the archipelago and the Watcher's ultimate destiny.
In Their Own Story
The air in the First Pillar tasted of ozone and old memories. I stood before a door that wasn't there a moment ago, its surface shifting like liquid mercury. 'You are not ready,' whispered a voice that sounded like my own, yet carried the weight of a dying star. The floor beneath me dissolved into a sea of forgotten faces, each one a Soulbound screaming silently for release. I reached out, not to fight, but to remember who I was before the Void tried to make me something else.
Reader's Guide
The Trial begins when the Watcher enters the First Pillar, triggered by specific story progression or exploration. The primary objective is to navigate the shifting landscapes of the realm while solving puzzles that reflect the Watcher's past choices and companions' backstories. Critical decision points arise during encounters with the Void's avatars, where the player must choose between confronting them with force, reason, or empathy. These choices determine how much control the Watcher gains over their own soul versus succumbing to the Void's influence. Possible resolutions include destroying the Void's presence entirely, merging with it to gain godlike power, or striking a balance that preserves free will but leaves lingering consequences. The impact of these choices affects the ending of the game and the fate of key characters.
Did You Know?
- The concept of Soulbound beings draws inspiration from real-world folklore about objects holding spiritual essence.
- The Void's manipulation of the Soulbound is a recurring theme throughout the Deadfire expansion, influencing multiple side quests.
- Players can experience different versions of the Trial based on their previous actions in the main campaign.
More in Story Arcs & Quests
Elsewhere in the Pillars of Eternity universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record