Maat

From PathfinderWiki
Maat
(Deity)

Titles
The Feather of Truth
Alignment
Areas of Concern
Justice, law, order, truth
Edicts
Defend civilization from chaos, embody justice and honesty, be truthful and impartial in judgement
Anathema
Treat family or community unfairly, lie, destroy the natural world
Cleric Alignments (1E)
Domains (1E)
Knowledge, Law, Protection, Void, Weather
Subdomains (1E)
Inevitable, Judgment, Purity, Seasons, Stars, Thought
Cleric Alignments (2E)
Domains (2E)
Knowledge, protection, star, truth
Favored Weapon
Symbol
Blue ostrich feather
Sacred Animal
Source: Empty Graves, pg(s). 70 (1E)
Gods & Magic, pg(s). 124–125 (2E)

Maat (or Ma'at as it is sometimes spelled)1 is the Ancient Osirian goddess of balance, justice, and truth, guardian of cosmic order. She embodies the concepts that a pharaoh must uphold for a legitimate, efficient reign, lest everything dissolve into chaos. She is also responsible for the movement of celestial bodies across the sky, and the procession of the seasons.2

Dogma

Maat commands her followers to a bulwark against the corrupting forces of chaos, and to embody fairness and justice. She forbids her followers from lying, treating those close to them unfairly, and desecrating the natural world.1

History

Since the Age of Destiny and the founding of Osirion civilization, the people of Osirion have worshiped their own local gods, including Maat, in addition to those deities venerated more commonly throughout the Inner Sea region. Their worship was most popular during the early millennia and waned as the Osirian people gradually turned to foreign deities. During the Age of Enthronement, the Osirian gods, while continuing to guide Osirion from afar, retreated from Golarion and turned their attention towards the distant land of Kemet. When Osirion was under Keleshite rule, the foreign overlords sought to eradicate the faith of the indigenous gods, but they remain a part of the history of Osirion's land and people. Since the restoration of native Osirian rule in 4609 AR,3 interest in these ancient divinities has been rekindled.45

Appearance

Maat appears as a woman with a blue ostrich feather on her head and winged arms, carrying an ankh and a was scepter representing life and power.2

Relationships

A Family Tree of the Osirian Pantheon.

Maat is the daughter of Ra, sister of Bastet, Hathor and Sekhmet, and wife of Thoth. She presides over the councils of the gods due to her impartiality and honesty, assists Pharasma in the judgement of souls, and opposes Set and Apep for their attempts to sow chaos.2

Worshippers

Maat is worshipped by paladins as the embodiment of justice, and monks and oracles for the cosmic truth she embodies.2

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Paizo Inc., et al. “Appendix” in Gods & Magic, 124–125. Paizo Inc., 2020
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Robert G. McCreary. “Gods of Ancient Osirion” in Empty Graves, 70. Paizo Inc., 2014
  3. Erik Mona, et al. Golden Road” in World Guide, 51. Paizo Inc., 2019
  4. Rob McCreary. (March 13, 2014). The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Osirion, Paizo Blog.
  5. Robert G. McCreary. “Gods of Ancient Osirion” in Empty Graves, 65. Paizo Inc., 2014