Abadar

(a.k.a. Master of the First Vault)

Abadar is worshipped as the god of cities, law, merchants, and wealth. Abadar’s cathedral-banks are found in many cities and places where order thrives or is gaining a foothold. Aristocrats, city guards, merchants, and those working in legal practice or who have the well-being of their community on their mind are common worshippers of the god of cities, along with dwarves in general. Abadaran priests living in cities often serve as judges, lawyers, and clerks, while those who live on the frontier work as roving magistrates, acting as judge, jury, and executioners in the name of order.

Divine Domains

Cities, Earth, Travel, Wealth

Holy Books & Codes

With the clergy of Abadar often serving their communities as clerks, a given temple is likely to have extensive records within its vaults.[5] 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.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Tenets of Faith

Bring civilization to the frontiers, earn wealth through hard work and trade, follow the rule of law.

Anathema

Engage in banditry or piracy, steal, undermine a law-abiding court

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.

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

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.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

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

Social

Contacts & Relations

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 strong alliances with Iomedae, Irori, Shelyn, Asmodeus, 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. However, the relationship was sometimes strained, since Elion's followers often disapproved of the Abadarans' harsh methods of colonisation.

Religious Views

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.

Divine Classification

Deity

Religions

• Andoran
• Cheliax
• Katapesh

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Realm

First Vault

Church/Cult

The Brotherhood of Abadar

Honorary & Occupational Titles

God of Walls and Ditches, The Gold-Fisted, Judge of the Gods, Master of the First Vault, God of the First Vaullt, Wealthy Father & Two-Headed eagle.