Abadar
Unto each thing is given a role to play in the world that fits perfectly with all others. With each turn of every tiny wheel, civilization spreads to cover the world, and order and prosperity flow forth. —The Order of Numbers
Master of the First Vault, Judge of the Gods, the Gold-Fisted
Abadar is a patient, calculating, and far-seeing deity who wishes to bring civilization to the frontiers, order to the wilds, and wealth to all who support the rule of law. His primary desire is to see the purifying spread of civilization, enlightening the dark corners of the world and revealing the clockwork perfection of the cosmos. His nature is not hasty, for the pace of society’s reach is slow but relentless. He strikes a careful balance between good and evil, seeing benefits on both sides and refusing to endorse one or the other. His followers believe he is responsible for elevating the various humanoid races from simple tribes to beings capable of creating huge cities. He puts words of diplomacy in the mouths of leaders, guides the pens of those who write laws, and steers coins into the hands of those who practice fair commerce.
The god of cities is stern, but rewards those who work hard and whose actions benefit others as well as themselves, though he is morally ambiguous enough to recognize that not every person can benefit from every decision. He frowns on the misuse of slaves or beasts of burden, considering it a waste of resources and detrimental to the profitability of civilization as a whole; he views using cheap laborers rather than slaves as a better option, as then the workers can use their funds to participate in commerce and rise above their low station through established economic channels. Abadar understands, however, that the world changes in small increments, and that the most advantageous option for society is not always the most workable in the present. He respects cautious thought and rejects impulsiveness, seeing it as a base and destructive whim. He teaches that discipline, keen judgment, and following the law eventually lead to wealth, comfort, and happiness. He does not believe in free handouts, and because of this his temples sell potions and healing spells or scrolls rather than giving them to those in need. Any who protest are directed to the temple of Sarenrae.
Abadar is the master and guardian of the First Vault, a magical trove in his realm where a perfect version of every type of creature and object exists—a perfect sword, a perfect deer, a perfect wheel, and even a perfect law. His mortal artists and artisans attempt to emulate these perfect forms, inspired by Abadar’s mentoring. Likewise, his arbiters and judges keep these idealized laws in mind when crafting new laws or ruling on existing ones. It is said that centuries ago Abadar allowed mortals to visit the First Vault in dreams, the better to inspire them. There has been no record of such coveted visions occurring in a long time, however, perhaps because he has not found someone worthy, because he fears his enemies might steal the perfect forms, or because he is carefully pacing the advance of current civilizations to prevent them from growing too quickly and dissolving before they reach their peak.
His primary worshippers are aristocrats, artisans, judges, lawyers, merchants, and politicians, all of whom benefit from established laws and commerce. Those who are poor or who have been wronged also worship him, praying he might help reverse their ill fortune, for most mortals seek wealth and the happiness it brings. He expects his followers to abide by local laws (though not foolish, contradictory, toothless, or purposeless mandates) and to work to promote order and peace. He has no tolerance for gambling or excessive drinking or drug use, as despite the lucrative nature of these industries, such vices inevitably weaken society rather than strengthen it.
Abadar is depicted as a handsome man with black hair dressed in fine garments, often with a gold cloak over a golden breastplate and bearing many keys. Humans, dwarves, and gnomes show him with a beard, whereas elves show him beardless and with long braids tied with golden thread. His voice is pleasant and even, his words firm but not harsh.
He is friendly with Erastil (god of farming, necessary for transitioning people from a nomadic lifestyle), though the two often end up at loggerheads over Erastil’s desire to keep communities small and pastoral as opposed to Abadar’s sprawling urban utopia. Other deities frequently in his good graces include Iomedae (goddess of justice and rulership, necessary to preserve peace in a society), Irori (god of history and knowledge, critical for maintaining a stable civilization), Shelyn (goddess of art and music, excellent for bolstering civic spirit), and even Asmodeus (although only for the archdevil’s belief in upholding laws and contracts). Abadar knows that his pursuits frequently anger Gozreh (god of nature), who would like to see the natural parts of the world remain unspoiled, but he believes the two of them can eventually reach a compromise. Few deities call the even-handed god a friend, but many—especially Iomedae, who likes his attention to detail and planning, and Torag, who appreciates his devotion to law and commerce—consider him a valuable and pragmatic ally. He is on good terms with most empyreal lords as well, especially Arqueros (patron of bodyguards) and Eldas (patron of architecture and planning).
Like Abadar himself, his followers try to maintain positive but reserved relations with followers of other gods. They understand that it takes many different cultures to keep society advancing, and so are extraordinarily tolerant of other viewpoints—or at least, they strive to be so. Still, their dealings with the followers of the Green Faith and Gozreh are difficult, for those faiths do not recognize the obvious virtues of civilization. Abadar’s faithful remain confident that they can turn them to the church’s view at some point, though. Their primary enmity is with the monsters of Rovagug, Lamashtu, and the demon lords; while the children of the chaotic good gods can be obnoxious and immoderate, at least they mean well, and tend not to damage society as grievously. Gorum’s followers can be dangerous, for they worship only battle and rarely care for the results of their wars, yet Abadar also understands that war is simply an extension of politics, which is in turn an extension of commerce, and thus is sometimes necessary for the advancement of civilization. Despite the church’s strong opposition to corruption, many of those who proclaim the merits of Abadar’s worship most enthusiastically are prominent citizens in positions of power and wealth and thus vulnerable to this failing. The church prefers to handle its own problems quietly, though the leadership must balance the church’s desire for discretion against the need to demonstrate to members of faiths that their condemnation of corruption is sincere.
Cobblehoof: This celestial hippogriff is tawny with a white head, and normally appears wearing a set of mithral breastplate barding (which is light enough that he can fly when wearing it). He is battle-trained and accepts a rider without question. “Old Cob” rarely speaks, but understands Common, Celestial, and several other languages. He loves eating deer and cattle, and presenting him with such a gift is a sure way to get on his good side. He has grown feisty in his old age and doesn’t appreciate “youngsters” talking down to him or treating him like a mere beast.
The Ghost of Merema: In life, Merema was a wealthy priest of Abadar who warned against overcrowding in cities and encouraged the faithful to found new settlements rather than cramming together like rats. She now serves her god in death, sometimes appearing in the mortal world as a harbinger of coming plagues and warning residents to improve living conditions or move away.
Lawgiver: Abadar’s herald is the Lawgiver, a golem-like creature of gold and consecrated steel. Massive and powerful, the divine emissary appears as a giant in elaborate golden armor bearing a titanic warhammer. Standing still, the Lawgiver seems to be a fantastic statue crafted in honor of the god of law. When it’s active, its steps shake the earth and the blows of its legendary hammer—the god-forged Gavel of Abadar—can shatter castle walls. Stoic, infinitely patient, and entirely dedicated to the Keeper of the First Vault, the Lawgiver is righteous, relentless in its cause, and capable of exacting incredible destruction. This sentinel of civilization appears where the forces of chaos threaten to undo the works of lawful communities and hinder the inexorable march of progress.
Although it knows several languages, the herald of Abadar restricts its communication to an unusual degree. It has only ever been heard speaking in numbers, measurements, and—most frequently—direct quotes from Abadar’s holy writings, the Order of Numbers and the Manual of City Building.
Over the past century, followers of Abadar have reported seeing the Lawgiver wandering in remote places, from ancient caves to underwater trenches, seemingly searching for something. These travels have lead to widespread conjecture and debate among the faithful.
The god of cities is stern, but rewards those who work hard and whose actions benefit others as well as themselves, though he is morally ambiguous enough to recognize that not every person can benefit from every decision. He frowns on the misuse of slaves or beasts of burden, considering it a waste of resources and detrimental to the profitability of civilization as a whole; he views using cheap laborers rather than slaves as a better option, as then the workers can use their funds to participate in commerce and rise above their low station through established economic channels. Abadar understands, however, that the world changes in small increments, and that the most advantageous option for society is not always the most workable in the present. He respects cautious thought and rejects impulsiveness, seeing it as a base and destructive whim. He teaches that discipline, keen judgment, and following the law eventually lead to wealth, comfort, and happiness. He does not believe in free handouts, and because of this his temples sell potions and healing spells or scrolls rather than giving them to those in need. Any who protest are directed to the temple of Sarenrae.
Abadar is the master and guardian of the First Vault, a magical trove in his realm where a perfect version of every type of creature and object exists—a perfect sword, a perfect deer, a perfect wheel, and even a perfect law. His mortal artists and artisans attempt to emulate these perfect forms, inspired by Abadar’s mentoring. Likewise, his arbiters and judges keep these idealized laws in mind when crafting new laws or ruling on existing ones. It is said that centuries ago Abadar allowed mortals to visit the First Vault in dreams, the better to inspire them. There has been no record of such coveted visions occurring in a long time, however, perhaps because he has not found someone worthy, because he fears his enemies might steal the perfect forms, or because he is carefully pacing the advance of current civilizations to prevent them from growing too quickly and dissolving before they reach their peak.
His primary worshippers are aristocrats, artisans, judges, lawyers, merchants, and politicians, all of whom benefit from established laws and commerce. Those who are poor or who have been wronged also worship him, praying he might help reverse their ill fortune, for most mortals seek wealth and the happiness it brings. He expects his followers to abide by local laws (though not foolish, contradictory, toothless, or purposeless mandates) and to work to promote order and peace. He has no tolerance for gambling or excessive drinking or drug use, as despite the lucrative nature of these industries, such vices inevitably weaken society rather than strengthen it.
Abadar is depicted as a handsome man with black hair dressed in fine garments, often with a gold cloak over a golden breastplate and bearing many keys. Humans, dwarves, and gnomes show him with a beard, whereas elves show him beardless and with long braids tied with golden thread. His voice is pleasant and even, his words firm but not harsh.
Relations with Other Religions
Abadar understands that an advanced civilization has spiritual needs met by many different gods, and thus maintains an approachable coolness where other deities are concerned. Only those who directly oppose his beliefs and purpose—notably Rovagug, and to a lesser extent Lamashtu—are his declared enemies, and even then he might be open to negotiation, though these opponents rarely are. He despises Norgorber for sanctioning theft and corrupting potential Abadaran worshipers like honest politicians and alchemists with the promise of illegitimate power.He is friendly with Erastil (god of farming, necessary for transitioning people from a nomadic lifestyle), though the two often end up at loggerheads over Erastil’s desire to keep communities small and pastoral as opposed to Abadar’s sprawling urban utopia. Other deities frequently in his good graces include Iomedae (goddess of justice and rulership, necessary to preserve peace in a society), Irori (god of history and knowledge, critical for maintaining a stable civilization), Shelyn (goddess of art and music, excellent for bolstering civic spirit), and even Asmodeus (although only for the archdevil’s belief in upholding laws and contracts). Abadar knows that his pursuits frequently anger Gozreh (god of nature), who would like to see the natural parts of the world remain unspoiled, but he believes the two of them can eventually reach a compromise. Few deities call the even-handed god a friend, but many—especially Iomedae, who likes his attention to detail and planning, and Torag, who appreciates his devotion to law and commerce—consider him a valuable and pragmatic ally. He is on good terms with most empyreal lords as well, especially Arqueros (patron of bodyguards) and Eldas (patron of architecture and planning).
Like Abadar himself, his followers try to maintain positive but reserved relations with followers of other gods. They understand that it takes many different cultures to keep society advancing, and so are extraordinarily tolerant of other viewpoints—or at least, they strive to be so. Still, their dealings with the followers of the Green Faith and Gozreh are difficult, for those faiths do not recognize the obvious virtues of civilization. Abadar’s faithful remain confident that they can turn them to the church’s view at some point, though. Their primary enmity is with the monsters of Rovagug, Lamashtu, and the demon lords; while the children of the chaotic good gods can be obnoxious and immoderate, at least they mean well, and tend not to damage society as grievously. Gorum’s followers can be dangerous, for they worship only battle and rarely care for the results of their wars, yet Abadar also understands that war is simply an extension of politics, which is in turn an extension of commerce, and thus is sometimes necessary for the advancement of civilization. Despite the church’s strong opposition to corruption, many of those who proclaim the merits of Abadar’s worship most enthusiastically are prominent citizens in positions of power and wealth and thus vulnerable to this failing. The church prefers to handle its own problems quietly, though the leadership must balance the church’s desire for discretion against the need to demonstrate to members of faiths that their condemnation of corruption is sincere.
Planar Allies
While most creatures and planar powers are at least neutral toward even-tempered Abadar, a few individuals have particularly distinguished themselves as friends of Abadar’s faith. In addition to his servitor race, the horselike orshevals, the following are some of his best-known servants.Cobblehoof: This celestial hippogriff is tawny with a white head, and normally appears wearing a set of mithral breastplate barding (which is light enough that he can fly when wearing it). He is battle-trained and accepts a rider without question. “Old Cob” rarely speaks, but understands Common, Celestial, and several other languages. He loves eating deer and cattle, and presenting him with such a gift is a sure way to get on his good side. He has grown feisty in his old age and doesn’t appreciate “youngsters” talking down to him or treating him like a mere beast.
The Ghost of Merema: In life, Merema was a wealthy priest of Abadar who warned against overcrowding in cities and encouraged the faithful to found new settlements rather than cramming together like rats. She now serves her god in death, sometimes appearing in the mortal world as a harbinger of coming plagues and warning residents to improve living conditions or move away.
Lawgiver: Abadar’s herald is the Lawgiver, a golem-like creature of gold and consecrated steel. Massive and powerful, the divine emissary appears as a giant in elaborate golden armor bearing a titanic warhammer. Standing still, the Lawgiver seems to be a fantastic statue crafted in honor of the god of law. When it’s active, its steps shake the earth and the blows of its legendary hammer—the god-forged Gavel of Abadar—can shatter castle walls. Stoic, infinitely patient, and entirely dedicated to the Keeper of the First Vault, the Lawgiver is righteous, relentless in its cause, and capable of exacting incredible destruction. This sentinel of civilization appears where the forces of chaos threaten to undo the works of lawful communities and hinder the inexorable march of progress.
Although it knows several languages, the herald of Abadar restricts its communication to an unusual degree. It has only ever been heard speaking in numbers, measurements, and—most frequently—direct quotes from Abadar’s holy writings, the Order of Numbers and the Manual of City Building.
Over the past century, followers of Abadar have reported seeing the Lawgiver wandering in remote places, from ancient caves to underwater trenches, seemingly searching for something. These travels have lead to widespread conjecture and debate among the faithful.
Holy Books & Codes
The average cleric of Abadar is rarely without numerous documents related to the internal processes of the church, but their holiest texts have a more educational focus.
The Order of Numbers: The faith’s core text reads more like a city charter or legal treatise than a religious text, and priests commission elaborately decorated copies to generate business in the community. More than two dozen carefully indexed chapters detail the beliefs and taboos of the church, and each copy has space for notes on local laws, all the ways such laws interact with church doctrine, names of key figures in the city, and so on. The inside cover bears the name of the book’s owner, and possessing a copy that once belonging to a prestigious family or was passed down from a respected church official is a great honor.
The Manual of City-Building: Bound in heavy leather with bronze clasps and corners to protect it from being damaged by the heavy use it sees, this manual contains comprehensive advice on founding a town and building it into a city, including planning for roads, trade, defenses, utilities, expansion, and so on. The church updates the text every few years, and most older copies have a substantial appendix of revisions and footnotes. The oldest church in a city usually keeps its copy of this book on a special consecrated table, especially if the church was responsible for the city’s founding.
The Order of Numbers: The faith’s core text reads more like a city charter or legal treatise than a religious text, and priests commission elaborately decorated copies to generate business in the community. More than two dozen carefully indexed chapters detail the beliefs and taboos of the church, and each copy has space for notes on local laws, all the ways such laws interact with church doctrine, names of key figures in the city, and so on. The inside cover bears the name of the book’s owner, and possessing a copy that once belonging to a prestigious family or was passed down from a respected church official is a great honor.
The Manual of City-Building: Bound in heavy leather with bronze clasps and corners to protect it from being damaged by the heavy use it sees, this manual contains comprehensive advice on founding a town and building it into a city, including planning for roads, trade, defenses, utilities, expansion, and so on. The church updates the text every few years, and most older copies have a substantial appendix of revisions and footnotes. The oldest church in a city usually keeps its copy of this book on a special consecrated table, especially if the church was responsible for the city’s founding.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Abadar’s holy symbol is a golden key, often with a city image on the head. He is called the Master of the First Vault, Judge of the Gods, and the Gold-Fisted.
Tenets of Faith
The holy book of Abadar’s worshippers, The Order of Numbers, commands his followers to build cities and settlements where there are none, to work hard and trade in pursuit of wealth, and to follow the law while doing so. If a profession is a lawful part of society, it is ordained by Abadar. As such, those who work at the behest of government often pay homage to Abadar, as do others who directly benefit from the rule of law and trade. Naturally, those who oppose the law or actively work against it—such as thieves, criminals, bandits, and pirates—are enemies of the church and society as Abadar sees it. Despite this, some heretical factions of Abadar’s worshippers twist the words of The Order of Numbers for their own purposes to pursue wealth over all. They justify their criminal behavior with the holy words of order and wealth while subverting the rule of law on technicalities, undermining law-abiding institutions.
As the god of cities and laws, Abadar is a stern but just master. He rewards those who work hard and looks down on those who would cheat the system for their own gains. Abadar understands that not everyone gets a fair deal in the world of mortals, but he encourages his clergy to support laws that are as equitable as possible, enabling those of lower status to rise. The church frowns on slavery, believing that trade should always be fair and that no price offered can ever compensate the entirety of a creature’s life and labor. Clerics of Abadar labor to help their communities grow and flourish. They seek to aid in the passage of effective laws and encourage bringing order to places where it is absent. When ministering to their congregants, clerics wear robes of white silk with accents of gold that show the wealth of their church. Temples dedicated to Abadar are fortified, as they often serve double duty as banks, moneylenders, and currency exchanges. Despite this practical purpose, these temples tend to be highly decorated, commonly featuring elegant architecture adorned with gold and stained-glass windows. The church of Abadar in Avistan feels it must charge for its divine services in tribute to the god of merchants, but his servants seek to handle matters of public health and safety quickly, and without requiring payment. Priests are also encouraged to strike out on business ventures as a holy duty to enrich the church. These holy ventures often put members of an individual church and those of neighboring churches in competition. Such competition is seen as healthy and often encouraged; however, church law forbids clergy from harming one another, including during warfare on behalf of opposed nations or kingdoms. As a result, Abadarans often act as a neutral negotiators between warring nations—for a fee, of course.
Through The Order of Numbers, Abadar teaches his clergy that following the law leads to wealth and comfort, and thus happiness. He teaches that discipline leads to keen judgment, which in turn leads to favorable deals, whether they relate to commerce, law, or other types of negotiations. While Abadar encourages the expansion of ordered society, he rejects hasty action and advises caution in all things. Abadaran clergy pass these tenets on to their congregations, teaching the layfolk about trade and commerce as a system for happiness. These teachings also impart the ideals of fairness and following the spirit of the law, while still respecting the letter thereof. One of the church’s most important lessons is the value of cooperation between citizens, as community is paramount to the health of a town and kingdom. However, they also recognize that self-interest is most individuals’ strongest motivation to increase their own standing and wealth.
Worshippers who lose Abadar’s favor might find themselves short on money at a crucial time, tongue-tied in the middle of an important deal, or stymied in their craft or art. When he is pleased, deals are more profitable than expected, projects are completed early, and journeys to or within a city take less time than normal. His intervention in the mortal world is subtle, for he expects worshippers to do their own work; it usually takes the form of hints or opportunities rather than direct gifts.
As the god of cities and laws, Abadar is a stern but just master. He rewards those who work hard and looks down on those who would cheat the system for their own gains. Abadar understands that not everyone gets a fair deal in the world of mortals, but he encourages his clergy to support laws that are as equitable as possible, enabling those of lower status to rise. The church frowns on slavery, believing that trade should always be fair and that no price offered can ever compensate the entirety of a creature’s life and labor. Clerics of Abadar labor to help their communities grow and flourish. They seek to aid in the passage of effective laws and encourage bringing order to places where it is absent. When ministering to their congregants, clerics wear robes of white silk with accents of gold that show the wealth of their church. Temples dedicated to Abadar are fortified, as they often serve double duty as banks, moneylenders, and currency exchanges. Despite this practical purpose, these temples tend to be highly decorated, commonly featuring elegant architecture adorned with gold and stained-glass windows. The church of Abadar in Avistan feels it must charge for its divine services in tribute to the god of merchants, but his servants seek to handle matters of public health and safety quickly, and without requiring payment. Priests are also encouraged to strike out on business ventures as a holy duty to enrich the church. These holy ventures often put members of an individual church and those of neighboring churches in competition. Such competition is seen as healthy and often encouraged; however, church law forbids clergy from harming one another, including during warfare on behalf of opposed nations or kingdoms. As a result, Abadarans often act as a neutral negotiators between warring nations—for a fee, of course.
Through The Order of Numbers, Abadar teaches his clergy that following the law leads to wealth and comfort, and thus happiness. He teaches that discipline leads to keen judgment, which in turn leads to favorable deals, whether they relate to commerce, law, or other types of negotiations. While Abadar encourages the expansion of ordered society, he rejects hasty action and advises caution in all things. Abadaran clergy pass these tenets on to their congregations, teaching the layfolk about trade and commerce as a system for happiness. These teachings also impart the ideals of fairness and following the spirit of the law, while still respecting the letter thereof. One of the church’s most important lessons is the value of cooperation between citizens, as community is paramount to the health of a town and kingdom. However, they also recognize that self-interest is most individuals’ strongest motivation to increase their own standing and wealth.
Worshippers who lose Abadar’s favor might find themselves short on money at a crucial time, tongue-tied in the middle of an important deal, or stymied in their craft or art. When he is pleased, deals are more profitable than expected, projects are completed early, and journeys to or within a city take less time than normal. His intervention in the mortal world is subtle, for he expects worshippers to do their own work; it usually takes the form of hints or opportunities rather than direct gifts.
Holidays
All of the Church of Abadar’s observed holidays have to do with trade or civilization.
Market’s Door: This holiday marks the first day the markets receive goods from the fall harvest. The actual date varies from year to year, but using historical trends and divination, the church determines the exact date and announces it a month in advance. Before the market opens, a priest blesses the market area and leads a group prayer for all present, thanking Abadar and asking him to look favorably upon the season’s business. In cities where vendors must pay a fee in order to use the market, the church usually subsidizes a portion of the fee on this day.
Taxfest: The church views the annual collecting of taxes as a cause for celebration, seeing fair taxation as a necessary part of the building and maintenance of civilization. Whenever possible, the church sends a priest with each tax collector to ensure that the process is respectful and to make sure the taxpayer knows the collection is being monitored. Once all monies have been collected, the church opens up its doors and invites the townsfolk to participate in an enormous feast with their civic leaders, both to help the experience remain positive and to give the commoners a chance to express their opinions on how the newly collected funds ought to be spent.
Market’s Door: This holiday marks the first day the markets receive goods from the fall harvest. The actual date varies from year to year, but using historical trends and divination, the church determines the exact date and announces it a month in advance. Before the market opens, a priest blesses the market area and leads a group prayer for all present, thanking Abadar and asking him to look favorably upon the season’s business. In cities where vendors must pay a fee in order to use the market, the church usually subsidizes a portion of the fee on this day.
Taxfest: The church views the annual collecting of taxes as a cause for celebration, seeing fair taxation as a necessary part of the building and maintenance of civilization. Whenever possible, the church sends a priest with each tax collector to ensure that the process is respectful and to make sure the taxpayer knows the collection is being monitored. Once all monies have been collected, the church opens up its doors and invites the townsfolk to participate in an enormous feast with their civic leaders, both to help the experience remain positive and to give the commoners a chance to express their opinions on how the newly collected funds ought to be spent.
Symbol
Edicts
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
Areas of Concern
cities, law, merchants, and wealth
Centers of Worship
Absalom, Andoran, Brevoy, Cheliax, Katapesh, Mana Wastes, Molthune, Nex, Osirion, Taldor, Varisia
Temples
banks, cathedrals, courthouses
Worshippers
architects, bankers, lawmakers
Sacred Animal
monkey
Domains
cities, earth, travel, wealth
Alternate Domains
duty
Divine Ability
Constitution or Intelligence
Divine Font
harm or heal
Divine Skill
Society
Divine Classification
God
Religions
Church/Cult
Children
Ruled Locations
Aphorisms
Abadar is the god of cities, and the sayings of his followers are commonplace in urban areas.So it is judged: Abadar’s approval of any legal verdict is invoked with this phrase. It also traditionally follows Abadaran prayers or blessings, weddings (a legal and religious matter), and funerals. Superstitious folk whisper it whenever an act in the natural world supports their idea of law and justice, and many gamblers say it when chance goes in their favor (a mildly sacrilegious jest).
This can help us all: Abadar’s church doesn’t believe in giving handouts, so most adherents choose to celebrate holidays by giving practical gifts such as tools, musical instruments, or even simple services like chopping a cord of wood or watching children. These gifts strengthen community bonds and demonstrate the advantages of civilization, and this phrase expresses thanks on behalf of both the individual and the community as a whole.
By Abadar’s gaze, the deal is sealed: When a negotiation is agreed upon and finalized, the initiating party often utters this phrase to indicate negations are over. This is often shortened to just “By Abadar’s gaze” or “The deal is sealed.” Attempts to alter the deal after the phrase is spoken are generally frowned upon.
From Abadar’s Vault: This phrase describes a product of high quality, but it’s usually considered hyperbole. Conversely, saying something is not worthy of Abadar’s Vault usually implies functional but mediocre crafting.
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