Rao
| Rao | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Portfolio: | Peace, Reason, Serenity |
| Home: | Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia |
| Alignment: | Lawful Good |
| Superior: | none |
| Rules items | |
| Domains: | Good, Knowledge, Law |
Rao is the Flan god of Peace, Reason, and Serenity. His holy symbol is a heart-shaped mask with a calm expression.
Relations
Rao is associated with the artifact that bears his name, the Crook of Rao. He is an ally of Zilchus and the enemy of Iuz. Rao is served by Zodal, lesser god of Mercy, Hope, and Benevolence. Allitur is said to be his younger brother. He is allied with Saint Cuthbert, who he treats as a younger brother, and he may have originally brought him to Oerth from another world.
Description
Rao is often depicted as an old man with white hair, dark skin, slender hands, and a peaceful smile.
Clergy and Temples
The Word of Incarum is regarded as the primary religious text of the faith.
Rao is most popular in Veluna, where Raoism is the official state religion. His priesthood seeks knowledge, and prefers peaceful solutions, though they are not above using violence when the situation calls for it.
Paladins
Artifacts
It has been long since Rao has interfered directly with the affairs of the Oerth, but he left behind the Crook of Rao.
History
Rao was historically worshiped by the Flan of the Vale of Luna as a god of the moons, and his worshipers welcomed the lost and wandering Velondi Oeridians who came to settle there.
References
- Gygax, Gary. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).
- Lai, Gary. "Hopeful Dawn." Dungeon #41 (TSR, 1999).
- Moore, Roger E. Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins (TSR, 1998).
- Noonan, David. "Beings of Power: Four Gods of Greyhawk." Dragon #294 (Paizo Publishing, 2002).
- Noonan, David. Complete Divine (Wizards of the Coast, 2004).
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes (TSR, 1992).