Obsidian stuck to some fantasy conventions for Pillars of Eternity and Avowed because that’s what people want: ”I didn’t want to completely flip it and say, oh you want to play an elf? F**k you, this isn’t your daddy’s elf’
However, the choice to incorporate well-known elements such as traditional fantasy races wasn’t solely due to the team’s affinity for Dungeons & Dragons through Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape Torment; Obsidian was also catering to the preferences of their audience.