Rao
Title(s)
The Calm One, The Serene, Keeper of Reason, The Peaceful
Alignment
Lawful Good
Symbol
A white heart or serene face surrounded by a circular border, representing peace, wisdom, and calmness. Rao's followers often wear this symbol as a brooch, necklace, or embroidered emblem on their robes, symbolizing the constant pursuit of serenity and understanding.
Domains
Peace, Knowledge, Law, Healing
Followers and Clergy
Rao’s followers primarily include rulers, diplomats, sages, scholars, and monks who seek peace through reason and mediation. His faithful are often found in positions of influence, using their wisdom to settle disputes and promote harmony. The priesthood is predominantly male, composed of calm and studious individuals who act as mediators, negotiators, and seekers of knowledge. They wear robes in gray or blue-gray, often trimmed with white and gold to symbolize clarity and wisdom. The order of Rao is divided into three groups: the general worshippers, the priesthood, and the Temple Militant, which includes the paladins known as Envoys or Heralds. The Temple Militant consists of paladins and fighters who support the church’s efforts to promote peace and defend against threats. Rao’s clerics prefer non-violent solutions, though they will resort to force when absolutely necessary.
Worship Practices
Worship of Rao involves long services featuring quiet prayer, meditation, and philosophical discussions. These services are often held in the mornings or evenings, times associated with serenity. The faithful spend time lamenting the evils of the world and seeking wisdom through silent reflection. Temples to Rao are open-air structures filled with incense, soft chanting, and spaces for contemplation. His followers practice rituals that focus on calming the mind, such as reciting peaceful mantras or using objects like the Cap of Reason to assist in diplomatic efforts. Festivals celebrating peace and the sharing of wisdom are also part of Raoan worship, including communal gatherings where philosophical debates and the sharing of knowledge take place.
Character and Doctrine
Rao represents peace, reason, and the triumph of wisdom over chaos and conflict. His doctrine teaches that reason is the greatest gift and that it leads to discourse, peace, and ultimately, serenity. The followers of Rao are taught to avoid strong emotions and cultivate inner calmness. Rao’s teachings emphasize that violence should only be used as a last resort when reason fails, and even then, it should be applied with restraint and wisdom. The faith promotes the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, believing that these qualities will help bring about a better world. Raoans believe that true peace will one day come to the world, signaled by a night when the sun burns blue.
Manifestations and Interventions
Rao is depicted as an old man with bushy white hair, dark skin, slender hands, and a peaceful smile. He wields the Serene Staff, an undersized shepherd’s crook that serves as a light mace. Rao's interventions often involve instilling calmness in those affected, soothing anger or despair with a mere glance. Even powerful beings, such as Nerull, are said to be unable to resist the peaceful aura of the Calm One. His presence can be felt in moments of unexpected tranquility or in the stillness after a conflict is resolved. He often guides his followers through visions or dreams that evoke a sense of peace or provide clarity in complex matters. Whenever an offering of peace is made, Rao is said to grow a day younger, symbolizing the power of harmony to renew even the oldest and most weary.
Divine Relationships and Stories
Rao is a close ally of Heironeous, Pelor, and St. Cuthbert, sharing their dedication to law, goodness, and justice. He often acts as a mediator between these gods, especially in disputes involving St. Cuthbert. Rao is a staunch enemy of Iuz, the god of tyranny, and Incabulous, the god of suffering, opposing their goals with the strength of peace and reason. The Book of Incarum, a sacred text of the faith, tells of how Rao took the light of his soul away from a world that turned to evil due to Tharizdun's influence. He later gifted the various moons to the peoples of Primea to guide them out of darkness and sent the deva Incarum with the Crook of Rao to drive away Tharizdun's fiends. Despite his conflicts, Rao maintains a calm detachment from other divine disputes, always seeking to promote peace.
Sacred Items and Symbols
Rao’s sacred items include artifacts that embody peace and reason, such as the Crook of Rao, a powerful relic used to banish fiends and quell malevolence. The Cap of Reason is another sacred object, created to help its wearer promote diplomacy and resist physical and magical attacks. These artifacts are cherished for their association with Rao’s ideals of harmony and protection. The Serene Staff is also considered sacred, symbolizing his role as a shepherd of peace. Other items associated with Rao may include books of wisdom, relics from renowned mediators, or objects used in rituals to promote calmness.
Temples and Shrines
Temples dedicated to Rao are often open-air structures or designed with large windows to let in natural light, creating an atmosphere of serenity. These temples are filled with incense, quiet spaces for meditation, and areas for philosophical discussion. Many temples include extensive libraries or archives where scholars and sages study in pursuit of knowledge. The architecture of Rao’s temples is typically minimalistic yet elegant, with some temples featuring four-sided structures with tall spires at each corner and one at the center. Shrines to Rao can be found in peaceful settings like gardens or beside rivers, where followers can meditate on the virtues of calmness and wisdom. Raoan worship sites serve as places of refuge for those seeking solace from the chaos of the world.
Comments