Al'Akbar
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
roleplaying game, Al'Akbar (al-AK-bar) is the Baklunish
demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship. His symbol is a cup and eight-pointed star, images of the legendary Cup and Talisman
that now bear his name.
. ("Al'akbar" is a contraction of the Islamic salaah "Alla-hu Akbar". ["Allah is the greatest"])
In the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide the Cup and Talisman were described as venerated artifacts that had been given to Al'Akbar, the high priest of the in the Paynim gods. However, the Paynim pantheon was never subsequently developed, and in later editions, Al'Akbar became associated with the Baklunish pantheon.
The Cup and Talisman were the focus of the non-canonical 1986 adventure module Day of Al'Akbar, set not in the world of Greyhawk, but in a generic desert kingdom called Arir.
Second edition AD&D's Book of Artifacts
suggested that the god who granted the artifacts to Al'Akbar had been Pelor
.
In 1998, Wizard of the Coast's newly reminted Greyhawk campaign elevated Al'Akbar to the Baklunish pantheon as a demigod. The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000) subsequently linked Al'Akbar to the "True Faith" and "Exalted Faith" practised in several regions of the Baklunish Basin. Gary Holian
's 2003 "Paladins of Greyhawk" article introduced the name Al'Asran, "a being bathed in sunlight", as Al'Akbar's patron.
.
's fifth layer, Mertion, in Soqed Hezi, the City of Swords. The ruler of Soqed Hezi is the sword archon Bahram, known as the Conquering and Triumphant Fire, who answers only to the tome archon Raziel.
Ancient Baklunish is the language of Al'Akbar's faith.
, is led by Caliph Xargun, while the True Faith, based in the Yatil Mountains
and most popular in Ket
, is headed by the Grand Mufti of the Yatils. The two sects split after the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar was stolen from its traditional place in Ekbir
. The grand mufti was held responsible and exiled, where he started a rival faith, claiming the caliph was no longer the rightful spiritual leader.
The True Faith has a harsher, lawful neutral interpretation of Al'Akbar's dogma, emphasizing hard work, plain speech, and obedience, while the Exalted Faith is lawful good or neutral good, stressing rhetoric, diplomacy, and academic achievement.
, Ket
, the Plains of the Paynims, Tusmit
, and Zeif
.
The Mosque of Al'Akbar, in the city of Ekbir, is a popular destination for pilgrims of the Exalted Faith.
Ritual prayers may be made at dawn or dusk.
to help heal his people's ills and return them to the traditional Baklunish faith.
Al'Akbar founded the city of Ekbir and, for the last decade of his mortal life, ruled the nation of Ekbir as the first of its caliphs. Eventually he had a mosque to himself built and allowed his followers to call on his name in their prayers. Soon after, he ascended to the heavens to take his place among the gods.
campaign in 2008, Al'Akbar appeared between battling forces of the True Faith and Exalted Faith and declared that henceforth there would only be one "Faith", not two. Clerics who did not join the single Faith of Al'Akbar subsequently lost their divine powers.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
roleplaying game, Al'Akbar (al-AK-bar) is the Baklunish
Baklunish
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Baklunish are a race of humans inhabiting the Flanaess, as well as regions of Oerik further west....
demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship. His symbol is a cup and eight-pointed star, images of the legendary Cup and Talisman
Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar
The Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar are powerful artifacts, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They were gifted shortly after the Invoked Devastation by the Baklunish gods to their most exalted high priest, Al'Akbar, in what are now known as the Plains of the Paynims...
that now bear his name.
Publication history
The name "Al'Akbar" was first mentioned in Issue #7 of Strategic Review, when Ned Healey wrote a description of "the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar", and associated them with worship of AllahAllah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
. ("Al'akbar" is a contraction of the Islamic salaah "Alla-hu Akbar". ["Allah is the greatest"])
In the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide the Cup and Talisman were described as venerated artifacts that had been given to Al'Akbar, the high priest of the in the Paynim gods. However, the Paynim pantheon was never subsequently developed, and in later editions, Al'Akbar became associated with the Baklunish pantheon.
The Cup and Talisman were the focus of the non-canonical 1986 adventure module Day of Al'Akbar, set not in the world of Greyhawk, but in a generic desert kingdom called Arir.
Second edition AD&D's Book of Artifacts
Book of Artifacts
The Book of Artifacts is a supplemental sourcebook to the core rules of the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This book, published by TSR, Inc. in 1993, details 50 different artifacts, special magic items found within the game at the Dungeon Master's...
suggested that the god who granted the artifacts to Al'Akbar had been Pelor
Pelor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pelor is the god of the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Pelor is also a prominent member of the third edition of the game's default pantheon, and is a popular choice among player character clerics because he...
.
In 1998, Wizard of the Coast's newly reminted Greyhawk campaign elevated Al'Akbar to the Baklunish pantheon as a demigod. The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
(2000) subsequently linked Al'Akbar to the "True Faith" and "Exalted Faith" practised in several regions of the Baklunish Basin. Gary Holian
Gary Holian
Gary Holian is an American author of several products and articles for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, especially for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting...
's 2003 "Paladins of Greyhawk" article introduced the name Al'Asran, "a being bathed in sunlight", as Al'Akbar's patron.
Description
Al'Akbar is a golden-skinned Baklunish man. He is lawful good. His favored weapon is the falchion.Relationships
Al'Akbar is subordinate to the other Baklunish gods, remaining a mere demigod out of respect for them. His faithful oppose the sadistic elemental cults of Ull. Al'Akbar is allied with HeironeousHeironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
.
Realm
Al'Akbar has no realm of his own. He dwells in Mount CelestiaMount Celestia
In Dungeons & Dragons, the fantasy role-playing game, Mount Celestia or more fully, the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, or even the Seven Heavens is a lawful good-aligned plane of existence...
's fifth layer, Mertion, in Soqed Hezi, the City of Swords. The ruler of Soqed Hezi is the sword archon Bahram, known as the Conquering and Triumphant Fire, who answers only to the tome archon Raziel.
Dogma
Al'Akbar's priests use the Cup and Talisman as metaphors for the good life, urging their flocks to be vessels of kindness and emblems of devotion. They use Al'Akbar's relationship to his pantheon as a model for their own relationships to their superiors, urging obedience and respect for the wisdom of those of higher station. Followers of Al'Akbar are expected to be both steadfast and merciful. The priests of Al'Akbar are opposed to the slave trade.Ancient Baklunish is the language of Al'Akbar's faith.
Worshippers
Al'Akbar's faith is divided into two major sects, though smaller, more obscure sects exist among the Paynims. The Exalted Faith, based in EkbirEkbir
Ekbir, properly known as the Caliphate of Ekbir, is a political state of the Flanaess in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
, is led by Caliph Xargun, while the True Faith, based in the Yatil Mountains
Yatil Mountains
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Yatil Mountains are a mountain chain located in the western part of the Flanaess.-Ecology:...
and most popular in Ket
Ket (Greyhawk)
Ket is a political state in the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Because it lies in the only gap in the north-south spine of mountains that divides the eastern Flanaess from the western Baklunish Basin, Ket is a nexus of important trade...
, is headed by the Grand Mufti of the Yatils. The two sects split after the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar was stolen from its traditional place in Ekbir
Ekbir
Ekbir, properly known as the Caliphate of Ekbir, is a political state of the Flanaess in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
. The grand mufti was held responsible and exiled, where he started a rival faith, claiming the caliph was no longer the rightful spiritual leader.
The True Faith has a harsher, lawful neutral interpretation of Al'Akbar's dogma, emphasizing hard work, plain speech, and obedience, while the Exalted Faith is lawful good or neutral good, stressing rhetoric, diplomacy, and academic achievement.
Clergy
Clerics of the Exalted Faith are known as qadi. Clerics of the True Faith are called mullahs. Both act as judges, ministers, scholars, teachers, healers, advisers, and guardians in their respective societies. Some are intolerant of the "infidels" who belong to non-Baklunish faiths. Wandering clerics of Al'Akbar search for the lost Cup and Talisman.Paladins
Paladins of Al'Akbar, known as Exalted Ones, work to lead by example, demonstrating by their words and deeds that faithfulness to and guardianship of the old traditions are the only correct path to revelation. They wear billowing tunics that obscure their armor and conceal their faces. Their clothing is white or tan, often with gold or purple trim. Members of the True Faith wear only white, with no decoration. Males wear turbans, while females wear only simple white gold circlets. They oppose the forces of darkness, seek to defend Baklunish traditions and people, and search for the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar.Temples
Al'Akbar is revered primarily in EkbirEkbir
Ekbir, properly known as the Caliphate of Ekbir, is a political state of the Flanaess in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
, Ket
Ket (Greyhawk)
Ket is a political state in the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Because it lies in the only gap in the north-south spine of mountains that divides the eastern Flanaess from the western Baklunish Basin, Ket is a nexus of important trade...
, the Plains of the Paynims, Tusmit
Tusmit
Tusmit is a political state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is situated in the Baklunish Basin region of the Flanaess, between the Caliphate of Ekbir and Ket.-People:...
, and Zeif
Zeif
Zeif is a political state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is situated in the Baklunish Basin region of the Flanaess, on the southern shores of the Dramidj Ocean.-References:...
.
The Mosque of Al'Akbar, in the city of Ekbir, is a popular destination for pilgrims of the Exalted Faith.
Rituals
A ceremony known as the Procession of Blessing used to be performed using the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar, but this ended when the relics were stolen by elven raiders in 219 CY.Ritual prayers may be made at dawn or dusk.
History
Al'Akbar was the most exalted high priest in what are now the lands of the Paynims. After the Invoked Devastation, during that time of misery and suffering, he was given the Cup and Talisman by Al'AsranPelor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pelor is the god of the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Pelor is also a prominent member of the third edition of the game's default pantheon, and is a popular choice among player character clerics because he...
to help heal his people's ills and return them to the traditional Baklunish faith.
Al'Akbar founded the city of Ekbir and, for the last decade of his mortal life, ruled the nation of Ekbir as the first of its caliphs. Eventually he had a mosque to himself built and allowed his followers to call on his name in their prayers. Soon after, he ascended to the heavens to take his place among the gods.
Living Greyhawk
At the end of the non-canonical Living GreyhawkLiving Greyhawk
Living Greyhawk was a massively shared Dungeons and Dragons living campaign administered by RPGA that ran from 2000 to 2008. The campaign setting and storyline were based on Gary Gygax's World of Greyhawk setting, and used the Dungeons and Dragons Third Edition rules...
campaign in 2008, Al'Akbar appeared between battling forces of the True Faith and Exalted Faith and declared that henceforth there would only be one "Faith", not two. Clerics who did not join the single Faith of Al'Akbar subsequently lost their divine powers.
Additional reading
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Grohe, Allan T., and Erik MonaErik Mona-Career:Erik Mona served as the editor-in-chief of Dragon magazine since 2004 and Dungeon magazine from 2004 to 2006; at the time, both magazines were published by Paizo Publishing, until the license through Wizards of the Coast expired in September 2007...
. "All Oerth's Artifacts." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#299. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.
- McComb, Colin, and Wolfgang BaurWolfgang BaurWolfgang Baur is an American game designer, best known for his work with Dragon magazine. He designs role-playing games and also is known for his work at Wizards of the Coast.-Biography:...
. Planes of Law. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.
- Perkins, Christopher. Warriors of Heaven. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
- Wyatt, JamesJames Wyatt (game designer)James Wyatt is a game designer and a former United Methodist minister. He works for Wizards of the Coast, where he has designed several award-winning supplements and adventures for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
, Darrin Drader, and Christopher Perkins. Book of Exalted Deeds. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.