Let me tell you, folks, stepping into the Living Lands of Avowed in 2026 is no walk in the park. It’s a dreary, hostile, and frankly, a bit of a downer of a place, plagued by the terrifying Dreamscourge. But hey, every dark cloud has a silver lining, and in my case, that lining came in the form of a short, furry, and absolutely fabulous orlan mage named Yatzli. From the moment I recruited her, my journey went from a grim slog to an absolute riot. She’s not just a companion; she’s the life of the party, a walking, talking (and flirting) bundle of chaotic good energy that this Envoy desperately needed. Playing alongside her felt less like saving the world and more like starring in the best buddy-cop comedy ever set in a fantasy apocalypse.
Portraying a Paradox: Youthful Energy Meets Ancient Wisdom
Voiced by the legendary Anjali Bhimani, Yatzli isn't your typical, stuffy, robe-wearing wizard. Oh no. Bhimani absolutely nailed it, creating a character she described as "saucy and sassy and brilliant." The genius of Yatzli lies in her beautiful contradiction. As Bhimani explained, she’s this ancient scholar who has seen centuries go by, yet she possesses the "spunky" energy of a teenager who just discovered magic. Trying to pin down her age by her voice alone is impossible—and that’s the point! She sounds vibrant and playful, but every so often, a line of dialogue drips with a wisdom that only comes from having watched empires rise and fall. It’s this juxtaposition that makes her so fascinating. She can be making a cheeky remark about the local flora one second, and in the next, she’s explaining the cosmological significance of a crumbling Godless artifact with the ease of someone reading a grocery list. She’s the brainiac you actually want to hang out with.
The Un-romanceable Flirt: A Masterclass in Double Entendre
Now, here’s the kicker, and it’s a big one. Avowed famously doesn’t allow romance with companions. It’s all platonic, baby. But did anyone tell Yatzli? Absolutely not! Bhimani spilled the tea, saying "everything she says is a double entendre." This mage is a flirtation machine gun, and the player character is her favorite target. From our very first "hello," it was on. She might mention she has a partner waiting somewhere, but that seems more like a fun fact than any kind of deterrent. Her mission, as Bhimani so perfectly put it, is clear: "Romance is not an option...[but] she's surely trying. At the very least, she's gonna make your player uncomfortable, and at the most, she's gonna make them fall in love with her." Let me tell you, mission accomplished. The constant, playful teasing was the highlight of my trek through the bleakest bogs. It added a layer of hilarious, personal tension that no other game companion has ever managed.
The Party Dynamic: Comic Relief in a Dreary World
Yatzli’s role in the squad is indispensable. Traveling with the noble Kai and the more serious Giatta and Marius could get, well, serious. Enter Yatzli, the designated agent of chaos and comic relief. Bhimani loved how Obsidian wrote all four companions as "fully-fledged characters," and the dynamics are pure gold. Yatzli’s lighthearted barbs and witty observations constantly bounce off the others' more stoic personalities, creating moments that feel genuinely organic and human (or orlan, as the case may be). She’s the friend who lightens the mood after a brutal fight, the scholar who finds joy in the dustiest of ruins, and the flirt who keeps everyone on their toes. Without her, the Living Lands would just be lands. With her, it’s an adventure.
A Blast to Create, a Dream for the Future
Hearing Bhimani talk about the recording sessions is infectious. She called every single one "a blast." That joy translates directly into the performance. You can hear how much fun she’s having being Yatzli, and that energy is 100% contagious for the player. And get this—Bhimani’s dream is to take Yatzli out of the digital world and into a tabletop RPG setting. Imagine it: Yatzli, Kai, Giatta, and Marius around a D&D table, embarking on a classic dungeon crawl. The sheer chaotic potential is off the charts! Bhimani is totally down for it, and after experiencing Yatzli in Avowed, so am I. No matter the format—video game, tabletop, or heck, a Broadway musical—Yatzli’s signature blend of humor, sass, and shameless flirtation is guaranteed to liven up any quest.
Why Yatzli is the GOAT Companion of 2026
In a gaming landscape full of brooding warriors and tragic heroes, Yatzli is a breath of fresh, sassy air. She’s not defined by trauma or a dark past; she’s defined by her brilliant mind, her youthful zest for life, and her commitment to making every interaction awkwardly delightful. She proves that a character doesn’t need a romanceable storyline to have intense chemistry with the player. Sometimes, the most memorable relationships are the playful, unrequited, hilariously uncomfortable ones. Anjali Bhimani didn't just voice a character; she brought a legend to life. Yatzli is the reason my playthrough of Avowed wasn't just an epic RPG journey—it was an absolute blast. She's the MVP, the secret weapon, and the heart of the party. Period.