Al'Akbar

High Cleric, Restorer of Righteousness

Al'Akbar is the Baklunish demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship
Al'Akbar, the demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship, holds a significant place in the pantheon of the Baklunish people, guiding them with his divine principles especially in the aftermath of cataclysmic events. This article delves into various aspects of Al'Akbar, including his lore, worship practices, and the impact he has on his followers.

Divine Essence of Al'Akbar

In the bleak aftermath of the Invoked Devastation, Al'Akbar emerged as a divine symbol of hope and restoration for the Baklunish people. Granted the Cup and Talisman by the Paynims' gods, he epitomized dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship, laying the foundation for a righteous path forward. His teachings underscored devotion to the gods, protection of the community, and the importance of guiding the faithful towards enlightenment.

• Historical Significance: Emerged as a beacon of hope post-Invoked Devastation.
• Divine Symbols: The Cup and Talisman, representing his guidance.
• Teachings: Advocates for devotion, community protection, and faithful guidance.

Manifestation

Al'Akbar is visualized as a resplendent Baklunish man, his golden skin symbolizing his divine nature. Wielding the falchion, he manifests the strength and protection he offers to his followers. Despite his power, he humbly remains a demigod, showcasing his deep respect for the Baklunish pantheon and the balance within.

• Appearance: Portrayed as a golden-skinned Baklunish man wielding a falchion.
• Divine Position: Chooses to remain a demigod, respecting the higher Baklunish deities.

Relationships and Allies

Al'Akbar's divine journey is marked by his harmonious subservience to the greater Baklunish gods, a testament to his humility. His opposition to malevolent elemental cults, especially in Ull, underscores his guardianship. The alliance with Heironeous further solidifies his stand for righteousness and valor.

• Divine Hierarchy: Respects and is subordinate to the Baklunish pantheon.
• Adversaries: Opposes the cruel elemental cults prevalent in regions like Ull.
• Alliances: Shares a bond with Heironeous, symbolizing valor and justice.

Celestial Abode

Al'Akbar resides in Soqed Hezi, the City of Swords, within Mount Celestia's Mertion. Governed by the sword archon Bahram, this celestial city mirrors Al'Akbar's martial and protective nature, serving as a divine bastion of order and dignity.

• Realm: Resides in Mertion, the fifth layer of Mount Celestia.
• City of Swords: Inhabits Soqed Hezi, governed by the sword archon Bahram.

Dogma and Teachings

Al'Akbar’s dogma champions the virtues of kindness, devotion, and respect for authority. His teachings serve as a moral compass for his followers, encouraging them to be vessels of benevolence and emblems of faithfulness, while also standing firm against the injustices of slavery.

• Philosophy: Preaches kindness, devotion, and obedience to higher wisdom.
• Ethics: Condemns slavery, urging followers to embody steadfastness and mercy.

Worshipers and Sects

Al'Akbar's followers are divided between the Exalted Faith and the True Faith, each interpreting his teachings distinctively post the schism caused by the theft of his sacred relics. Despite their differences, both sects fervently uphold the principles of hard work, obedience, and scholarly pursuit.

• Major Sects: The Exalted Faith (Ekbir) and the True Faith (Yatil Mountains).
• Divine Schism: Differences arose post-theft of the Cup and Talisman, leading to two distinct interpretations of Al'Akbar's teachings.
• Practices: Emphasize hard work, plain speech, obedience, and academic achievement.

Clerical Practices and Rituals

The clergy of Al'Akbar are guardians of his divine will, utilizing the Cup and Talisman in their rituals to symbolize life's virtues. Their duties extend into community service, teaching, and the vehement opposition to slavery, embodying Al'Akbar’s ethos of guardianship and righteousness.

• Worship Services: Utilize the Cup and Talisman as symbols in ceremonies.
• Clerical Duties: Guide the faithful, oppose slavery, and engage in community service.
• Holy Days: Celebrate Al'Akbar's ascension and the recovery of the Cup and Talisman.

Clergy: Guardians of Faith and Culture

• Roles and Responsibilities: Clerics of Al'Akbar, known as qadi in the Exalted Faith and mullahs in the True Faith, serve multifaceted roles within Baklunish society. They act as judges, ministers, scholars, teachers, healers, advisers, and guardians, upholding the tenets of their faith and guiding their communities.
• Linguistic Stewardship: These clerics champion Ancient Baklunish, the language of learning and poetry, fostering respect for faiths that incorporate this classical language into their rituals.
• Sectarian Divisions: The Exalted Faith reveres the Caliph of Ekbir, emphasizing rhetoric, diplomacy, and academia. The True Faith, led by the Grand Mufti of the Yatils, advocates for a fundamentalist approach marked by labor, plain speaking, and obedience.
• Adventuring Clerics: These wandering clerics, tolerant yet steadfast in their beliefs, traverse lands far and wide in search of the lost Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar, embodying the deity's principles of faithfulness and guardianship.

Paladins: The Exalted Ones

• Ethos and Attire: Paladins of Al'Akbar, embodying the deity's virtues, don billowing tunics over their armor, with colors reflecting their sect's ethos—white or tan with gold or purple trim for the Exalted Faith, and pure white for the True Faith.
• Mission and Beliefs: These holy warriors stand against darkness, safeguarding Baklunish traditions and seeking the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar. Their commitment to the old ways serves as a beacon of revelation and righteousness.

Other Orders: Farises

• The Farises: An esteemed order of Ekbiri knights devoted to Al'Akbar, upholding his values through martial prowess and knightly honor.

Temples: Sanctuaries of Worship

• Geographical Spread: Al'Akbar's worship is predominant in Ekbir, Ket, the Plains of the Paynims, Tusmit, and Zeif, reflecting his significant influence across the Baklunish west.
• The Mosque of Al'Akbar: Located in Ekbir, this mosque is a beacon for pilgrims of the Exalted Faith, standing as a testament to the deity's enduring legacy.

Rituals: Ceremonies of Devotion

Procession of Blessing: A historic ritual involving the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar, discontinued after the relics' theft. However, dawn and dusk prayers persist as daily affirmations of faith.

Artifacts: Divine Symbols

The Cup and Talisman: These sacred objects, directly linked to Al'Akbar, symbolize his divine authority and guardianship. Their recovery remains a paramount quest for his followers.

History: The Ascension of Al'Akbar

• Origins and Divine Gifts: In the aftermath of the catastrophic Invoked Devastation that ravaged the lands of the Paynims, Al'Akbar, then the most revered high priest, was chosen by Al'Asran, a divine entity, to lead his people out of despair. Bestowed with the sacred Cup and Talisman, Al'Akbar embarked on a divine mission to heal his people's wounds and rekindle their faith in the traditional Baklunish pantheon.
• Founding of Ekbir: Recognizing the need for a spiritual and administrative center to guide the Baklunish resurgence, Al'Akbar founded the city of Ekbir. This city would not only serve as the heart of his burgeoning faith but also as a beacon of hope and renewal for his people.
• Caliphate and Governance: Al'Akbar's wisdom and divine favor led him to become the first caliph of Ekbir, ruling justly and devoutly for the last decade of his mortal life. Under his leadership, Ekbir flourished, becoming a symbol of Baklunish resilience and piety.
• Mosque and Ascension: Cementing his legacy, Al'Akbar commissioned the construction of a grand mosque in Ekbir, dedicated in his honor. This sacred space allowed his followers to invoke his name in prayer, further solidifying his divine status. Shortly after the completion of the mosque, Al'Akbar ascended to the heavens, taking his rightful place among the gods, yet choosing to remain a demigod out of respect for the established pantheon.
• Eternal Guardian: Though ascended, Al'Akbar's spirit continues to watch over his people, guiding them through the Cup and Talisman and inspiring acts of dignity, duty, and guardianship. His legacy endures in Ekbir and beyond, a testament to the transformative power of faith and the enduring strength of the Baklunish spirit.

Baklunish Pantheon

Holy symbol: a cup and eight-pointed star
Realm: Seven Heavens
Domains: Community, Good, Healing, Law, Protection
Speciality Clerics

• no special abilities

Divine Classification

Demigod

Alignment

Lawful good

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Baklunish Bakluni

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Through the Cup's grace and the Talisman's light, we walk the path of righteousness."
"Duty above all, except honor to Al'Akbar."

Al'Akbar holy symbol by 3orcs