Abadar

Abadar

(Deity)

Titles

God of Walls and Ditches
The Gold-Fisted
Judge of the Gods
Master of the First Vault
God of the First Vault
Wealthy Father
Two-Headed Eagle
Azlanti period: The Scales and Streets

Adjective

Abadaran, Abadarian

Realm

First Vault, Aktun, Axis

Alignment

Lawful neutral

Areas of Concern

Cities
Law
Merchants
Wealth

Worshipers

Architects, aristocrats, bankers, judges, lawmakers, lawyers, merchants

Edicts

Civilize frontiers, earn wealth through work and trade, obey laws

Anathema

Steal, undermine a law-abiding court

Follower Alignments (1E)

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Domains (1E)

Earth, Law, Nobility, Protection, Travel

Subdomains (1E)

Defense, Fortifications, Inevitable, Leadership, Legislation, Martyr, Metal, Trade

Follower Alignments (2E)

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Sanctification (2E)

Can choose holy or unholy

Domains (2E)

Cities, earth, travel, wealth
Alternate: Creation, duty, metal, toil

Favored Weapon

Crossbow

Symbol

Golden key

Sacred Animal

Varies by planet (usually monkey)

Sacred Colors

Gold, silver

Images of Abadar

Source: Inner Sea Gods, pg(s). 12–19 (1E)
Divine Mysteries, pg(s). 34 (2E)

Alignment details are sourced from Inner Sea Gods and Lost Omens Gods & Magic 12–13. In Pathfinder First Edition sources, Abadar's favored weapon is the light crossbow. Details about Abadar's sacred animal are sourced from The Reaper's Right Hand 66.

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Abadar (pronounced AH-bah-dar), the god of cities, law, merchants, and wealth, is known to be a patient deity. Maintaining a strong neutral stance in his actions, he sets forth to expand civilization and order among the peoples of Golarion.

Dogma

Abadar and his followers wish to bring the light of civilization to the wilderness, to help educate all in the benefits of law and properly regulated commerce. He expects his followers to obey all meaningful laws, but not those which are ridiculous, unenforceable, or self-contradictory. He is also a great proponent of peace, as war inevitably leads to the degradation of trade and the stifling of prosperity for the general public. He advocates cautious, careful consideration in all matters, and frowns on impulsiveness, believing that it leads to the encouragement of primitive needs. Abadar discourages dependence on government or any religious institution, believing that wealth and happiness should be achievable by anyone with keen judgement, discipline, and a healthy respect for all sensible, just laws.

History

Abadar was once one of two gods of commerce. The other was his brother, Llod, a forgotten god of avarice, hoarding, and unfair deals. Although almost all records claim Abadar as the only builder, the First Vault was, in reality, constructed by both of them.

During the Age of Creation, Abadar was among the original gods who battled the Rough Beast who sought to destroy Golarion. According to the Windsong Testaments, after Gorum and Torag forged the shell of the Dead Vault, Abadar provided the perfect key and lock for Rovagug's prison, a key so cunningly made that only Asmodeus could turn it. During the battle and containment of Rovagug, Abadar made the mistake of trusting his brother with protecting the First Vault. Abadar returned to find the earliest wonders of mortal creation missing from the vault. The theft became known as the Heist Primeval.

Enraged and embarrassed by his brother's treachery, Abadar implanted in mortals the belief that Llod was never real. This initiated the strange disappearance of Llod, a slow dissolution or unraveling that ended in his total unmaking. This also removed everything Llod was closely associated with, including essential keystones in Abadaran temples, some currency used by mortals, and the lock on the First Vault. The flow of commerce was disrupted, Abadaran temples physically collapsed, and the First Vault was left unsecured. Abadar spent decades dealing with the fallout, taking on the domains of Llod in the process. Llod's legacy therefore became an inseparable part of trade and commerce.

The truth of Llod was only recently uncovered through the research of the nosoi Yivali. The stolen items of the Heist Primeval have still never been recovered, including the perfect spell, the perfect death, and the perfect plague.

Abadar is credited with guiding the advancement of humanoid races towards the point where they could establish civilized societies of their own.

Home

Abadar's divine realm is Aktun, the central and largest district in the city of Axis, and ensures that the district is friendly to mortal architects, who can safely travel there to seek inspiration. He does not claim the entire city, but his aeons-long association with Axis and his role as god of cities have turned him into the closest thing to the Eternal City's ruler. Abadar has long served as the guardian and protector of the First Vault, his personal palace and a repository said to be crafted by his own hand that contains perfect versions of everything ever created or seen by civilized peoples.

Appearance

A depiction of Abadar.

Abadar is often described as a clean, refined and cultured Taldan human, with dark hair and wearing a golden breastplate. Dressed in an embroidered cloak and fine clothes, Abadar is often depicted possessing a number of keys.

Humans, dwarves and gnomes depict Abadar with a beard, whereas elves show him beardless, with braids tied in gold thread. In a common myth, Abadar assumes the form of a two-headed (to represent his balanced viewpoint) eagle for a single day each year and grants favor to those faithful that recognize him as he soars overhead.

In Tian Xia, Abadar is generally portrayed in painting and sculpture as a good-looking and handsome Tian-Shu man who wields a golden crossbow and is dressed in golden robes which are muddy on the bottom.

Relationships

Abadar strives to maintain agreeable relationships with the other deities, recognizing their influence is conducive to the further advancement of civilized life. In particular, he cultivates alliances with Iomedae, Irori, Shelyn, Asmodeus, Brigh, Shizuru, Torag, and Erastil, though differences in opinion often result in conflicts between Abadar and Old Deadeye. Gozreh often opposes Abadar's actions, though the Judge of the Gods only recognizes Rovagug and Lamashtu as true enemies. Abadar is sometimes seen as a paternal authority figure, especially to others possessing origins in Taldor. Because he is the patron god of merchants, Abadar is often associated with the philosophy known as the Prophecies of Kalistrade. The god Aroden respected Abadar and consulted Abadar's The Manual of City-Building to aid in his establishment of the country of Taldor and of the city-state of Absalom. Abadar once opened channels to the archdevil Mephistopheles to cement an alliance based on the archdevil's interest in contracts but these negotiations failed.

In the Age of Legend, Abadar's faithful often followed those of Elion, establishing trade posts and settlements in habitable places discovered by Elion's worshippers. Since Elion's followers often disapproved of the Abadarans' harsh methods of colonisation, the relationship was sometimes strained.

The Master of the First Vault does not actively oppose all evil gods, reserving his special enmity for those who seek to tear down civilization. These include Besmara, Lamashtu, Norgorber, and of course, Rovagug, whom he has opposed since the Age of Creation.

Providence

The faithful of Abadar believe that sudden windfalls of financial good fortune are signs of the god's approval, while increases in expenses that lead to poverty are proof of his anger.

Servants

Abadar and his faithful hold creatures that symbolize law and perfection in high regard. Of particular favor are eagles, hippogriffs, griffons, and his divine servitors, the horse-like orshevals. On the plane of Axis (and sometimes beyond), he is also served by races that share his philosophy, including archons, axiomites, and inevitables.

Unique servants

Cobblehoof

This highly intelligent celestial hippogriff usually appears in full barding, ready to bear a rider into battle.

The Ghost of Malthus

Believed to have once been a priest of Abadar, this spirit is known to appear as a sign of impending plague or suffering.

The Lawgiver

Appearing as a massive statue of gold and steel, this construct is the herald of Abadar. It wields the Gavel of Abadar in battle, and arrives in order to thwart the spread of chaos. Alternatively, the Lawgiver has been known to take the form of a two-headed eagle.

Church

A balanced scale of Abadar, a Katapeshi adherent of the god.

Abadar was worshiped by the ancient Azlanti before Earthfall, who focused more on his aspects as a god of cities and gold, rather than of law. As the Azlanti built their first towns and sought others to trade with, he saw his cult spread and taught them to establish cities and seek more wealth. When the Azlanti became an empire, Abadar's faith became popular among merchants and politicians.

Abadar's church turned economy and finances into an academic school. Many temples served as vaults where the church's and the empire's wealth resided, and the government provided significant military and security support to the church. As the empire expanded, Abadar's church founded hundreds of cities and established trade across all colonies, and turned the formation of a stable economy and a network of merchants who could carry goods and currency across the entire empire into an art.

The temples of Abadar are designed to function independently of one another, usually serving a single community or region. The individual clergy are usually aligned with the local government, but are forbidden to fight amongst themselves and often stand as a neutral faction during legitimate conflicts. Worship of the Master of the First Vault in the Inner Sea region is commonplace in the nations of Absalom, Andoran, Brevoy, Cheliax, Druma, Katapesh, the Mana Wastes, Molthune, Nex, Osirion, Vidrian, Taldor, and Varisia, and among Chelaxians, dwarves, halflings, Keleshites, Taldans, Tian, and Varisians in all parts of the Inner Sea region. The leader of each Abadaran temple and their deputy are respectively called archbanker and senior banker.

Worshipers

Abadar is primarily worshiped by judges, merchants, lawyers, and aristocrats, though many others turn to the worship of the Master of the First Vault in the hope of attaining wealth and happiness. He is also an object of veneration by the poor, or those who have suffered at the hands of others. These latter groups pray that their suffering is alleviated and that justice is restored to them.

Abadar's faithful believe structures represent the protection provided by society and always hold formal ceremonies indoors. Regular services are generally held in the morning and often involve songs which require the congregation to harmonize, which may symbolize the community working together. Lay worshipers will maintain the appearance of prosperity in manner and dress and, even in periods of hardship, a tidy appearance.

Obedience

Certain dedicated worshipers of Abadar perform daily obediences in order to receive divine blessings known as a boons from their god. Abadar's obedience is a ritual in which the worshiper places a collection of keys, gems, and coins on a scale, and moves them back and forth until both sides are balanced, all the while meditating on passages from The Order of Numbers, one of Abadar's religious texts.

Non-human worshipers

Abadar's association with cities and trade means he is worshipped by many halflings who congregate in Golarion's larger settlements. Abadar is also venerated by dwarven engineers and architects.

Worship in Tian Xia

Abadar is also a popular deity on the continent of Tian Xia on the other side of Golarion from the Inner Sea region. There he is known as the god of walls and ditches, and closely associated with the building of earthworks, both for defense and the expansion of land. A temple of Abadar exists in almost every major city on the continent, and the independent city of Goka is said to contain the greatest church in all the Dragon Empires, if not the entire world.

Clergy

The clergy of Abadar is primarily composed of clerics, but inquisitors and occasionally paladins are called into his service as well. Clerics and paladins of Abadar are granted special favor with the preparation of the spell word of recall, provided it is used to return them to the designated sanctuary of the temple of their home city.

Knights of Abadar fight against corruption and anarchy. They understand both the letter and spirit of the law. They often serve as judges in places where the application of law is starting to dissolve.

Clerical orders include Taxmasters, Justiciars, and the Balanced Scales, primarily based in Katapesh. Taxmasters are primarily inquisitors and include both the less intimidating, desk-bound investigators and the enforcers in the field, which may be charged to mete out justice directly.

Justiciars are a prestigious order of devout clergy, dedicated to spreading their deity's ideals of civilization and order, at the point of a crossbow bolt, if necessary. Balanced Scales of Katapesh fill a unique role searching out hidden, misplaced or ill-gotten wealth for the benefit of the church and in return gain access to the First Vault

The clergy structure their orders like mercantile houses, with Bankers and Archbankers responsible for territories of increasing size with each church counting each coin in its vault as a blessing unto itself.

The priesthood sees their role as responsible for encouraging civilization, trade, and law by promoting co-operation and fairness and by providing loans and other banking services. They encourage thrift and neighborly behavior as a means to enhance each individual's self-interest. Their own service to the community may include pro-bono legal services but they do not donate healing services—except those that help overall community and public health.

Knowledge of the law and community news are important areas of concern and part of the daily routine to the priesthood. Younger members are expected to carry news and administer justice, typically carrying a golden bolt to compensate the family of any criminal executed.

The clergy never give money, regardless of the need, but will instead loan the required funds at a reasonable rate, recording the details in the books and records of the church. Conversely they themselves are expected to tithe to the church and often ensure the funds are available to tithe from income generated by their direct investments in the local community.

Most Abadaran priests attired for formal services dress in robes of white silk trimmed with golden thread with a belt or necklace of gold holding a single, golden key. They also often wear half-cloaks of deep yellow or golden color.

Temples and shrines

Temples dedicated to Abadar are usually large, elaborately decorated buildings designed for multiple functions. In addition to being centers of worship, they often provide the surrounding community with banking and other services. Such sites are often built near courthouses (or serve as courthouses themselves), and are led by a cleric with the title of Banker or Archbanker. Most temples contain elaborate stained glass windows of predominantly yellow color that bathe the interior with a soft, golden light. These windows are generally high and narrow to discourage thieves.

Religious texts

With the clergy of Abadar often serving their communities as clerks, a given temple is likely to have extensive records within its vaults. Among these many documents, the following texts have primary importance among the god of cities' faithful.

The Order of Numbers

Usually bearing elaborate decoration, writing, and binding, this book serves as the core text of the Church of Abadar.

The Manual of City-Building

Often stored prominently in a place of honor, this text contains advice on the topic of founding and running a community.

Holidays

The first month of the year, Abadius, is named in honor of the Master of the First Vault, and in conjunction with spreading Abadar's ideals, the Church celebrates festivals associated with his goals.

Market's Door

This day, which varies from year to year, marks the arrival of the first shipment of goods from the fall harvest.

Taxfest

After taxes have been collected, the clergy of Abadar celebrates with a feast open to the community and its leaders.

Favored animals

Gods are often associated with certain animals, either because they possess a quality that the god favors, or because the god's faithful feel a special kinship to it. Abadar's favored animals include monkeys, golden eagles, beavers, watchdogs and house cats, mounts, and beasts of burden.

Organizations

Symbol of the Korvosan Guard, which works with the church of Abadar.

The following organizations are not part of the official church of Abadar but are nevertheless associated with the Judge of the Gods.

The Brotherhood of Abadar

Enforcers of the Ivy District and Vault of Abadar in Absalom.

The Korvosan Guard

The primary law enforcers for Korvosa, which works closely with the church.

The Order of the Godclaw

This religious Hellknight order venerates the lawful aspects of Abadar, along with those of a number of other like-minded deities, but is not affiliated with his church.

The Sea Dragons

An independent fleet, available for hire, which provides protection, escort, or carriage services to merchants at the right price.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.