Navigating the character creation suite in Bethesda's massive space RPG requires players to make several impactful decisions before ever stepping foot onto a starship. Among the most prominent choices are the religious traits, which grant unique mechanical rewards and fundamentally alter how certain NPCs interact with your explorer. Choosing between the secular philosophies of the Enlightened and the faith-based doctrine of the Sanctum Universum sets up an early ideological crossroads for your journey through the Settled Systems.
Understanding the Ideology of the Enlightened
Players who choose the Raised Enlightened trait align themselves with a humanitarian organization that rejects the concept of a divine creator. Instead, this faction focuses its efforts entirely on community outreach, scientific advancement, and mutual aid across colonized worlds. Selecting this background provides access to a specialized storage chest located deep within the House of the Enlightened facility in New Atlantis.
The contents of this container focus primarily on medical supplies and utility garments designed to assist early game exploration. Furthermore, players will unlock unique dialogue options when conversing with fellow members, allowing them to handle specific social encounters with a compassionate, secular approach. It represents the ideal choice for roleplayers who envision their character as a grounded pragmatist driven by human cooperation.
Exploring the Doctrines of the Sanctum Universum
Choosing the Raised Universal trait aligns your character with the Sanctum Universum, a rapidly growing religious movement centered around the mysteries of space flight. Members of this faith believe that God intentionally guided humanity out into the stars to discover a higher divine truth. This religious background provides access to a dedicated chest inside the prominent Sanctum Universum cathedral situated in the capital city.
The rewards found within the church container lean heavily toward restorative items, basic armor pieces, and historical literature detailing the origins of their theology. Players who walk this path will frequently notice specialized conversational choices when interacting with spiritual leaders like Keeper Aquilus. This choice adds a layer of philosophical wonder to your journey, framing your cosmic exploration as a grand spiritual quest.
Comparing the Mechanical Benefits and Chest Loot
While the choice heavily influences your roleplay experience, the immediate physical rewards offer distinct advantages for starting characters. The Enlightened chest provides plenty of medpacks alongside a unique outfit that boosts your baseline health metrics. On the other hand, the Universal container offers distinct consumables that provide long-term defensive enhancements during difficult early firefights.
It is important to note that selecting either trait automatically locks you out of accessing the opposing faction's special container. However, if you find yourself dissatisfied with your spiritual alignment later in the campaign, you can visit the respective faction leaders to permanently remove the trait. This flexibility ensures that your early character creation decisions will not permanently restrict your progression if your narrative goals shift over time.
Making the Final Decision for Your Character
Ultimately, the decision between these two competing philosophies relies heavily on the specific backstory you want to craft for your explorer. If you prefer to rely on concrete human effort and practical medical advantages, the secular path offers exceptional consistency. Conversely, players looking to immerse themselves in the deep cosmic mysteries of the universe will find the spiritual options highly rewarding.
Both choices provide excellent flavor text that enriches the overarching lore of the Settled Systems without breaking the game's balance. Weighing these options carefully during the initial setup allows you to build a cohesive identity that fits smoothly into the broader universe. Whichever path you choose, the unique rewards will give your space voyager a noticeable advantage during their first steps into the great unknown.
