Abadar

Titles and monickers: God of Walls and Ditches, The Gold-Fisted, Judge of the Gods, Founder of the First City, Wealthy Father, the Two-Headed Eagle
Areas of concern: Cities, wealth, merchants, law
Followers: Judges, merchants, lawyers, aristocrats
Domains: Order, Forge and Light
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
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 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. He also encourages cooperation among the various ancestries.
Abadar is depicted as a well-built humanoid with a golden armor and golden gauntlet. He is often portrayed holding many keys and coins with one hand or at his belt or his feet, while with one hand he keeps a golden scale. Sometimes he is portrayed holding a golden crossbow, which is his favorite weapon. His holy symbols are the golden scale and the golden key. Abadar's favored animals include monkeys, golden eagles, beavers, watchdogs, mounts, and beasts of burden.

Territories

The Church of Abadar is present in every major urban center, and His worship is allowed everywhere in Vespria. Abadar is an especially prominent deity for Neustria and for the Trade Company of Ultramoesia, since the Estrian powers from where their rulers derive (the Vernian Empire and the Marinhian Kingdom) are both especially devout to Abadar.

Mythology & Lore

Abadar, the God of Civilization, was the mythical founder of the First City. He ruled wisely and expanded civilization in those ancient and sevage times. He is said to have lived hundreds of years, and eventually ascended amongst the most powerful divine heralds of the Goddess of Law of those times. After she renounced her divinity, Abadar collected her divinity, and brought forth a new era for the advancement of civilization.
He was the one elected to be the Judge of the Gods, and as such he presided over many trials, such as the Trial of Asmodeus.
During the struggle against Tharizdun, Abadar was the one who produced the Key to the Molting Vault, where Tharizdun was to be imprisoned. The Key was so cunningly made that only Asmodeus could turn it.

Tenets of Faith

1. Bring civilization to the frontiers
2. Earn wealth through hard work and trade
3. Follow the rule of law

These actions and conducts are anathema to Abadar: to engage in banditry or piracy, to steal, to undermine a law-abiding court.

Worship

Abadar is primarily worshiped by judges, merchants, lawyers, and aristocrats, though many others turn to the worship of the Master of the First Vault in the hope of attaining wealth and happiness. He is also an object of veneration by the poor, or those who have suffered at the hands of others. These latter groups pray that their suffering is alleviated, and that justice is restored to them. Abadar's faithful believe structures represent the protection provided by society and always hold formal ceremonies indoors. Regular services are generally held in the morning and often involve songs which require the congregation to harmonize, which may symbolize the community working together. Lay worshipers will maintain the appearance of prosperity in manner and dress and, even in periods of hardship, a tidy appearance. The faithful of Abadar believe that sudden windfalls of financial good fortune are signs of the god's approval, while increases in expenses that lead to poverty are proof of his anger.

Priesthood

The clergy structure their orders like mercantile houses, with Bankers and Archbankers responsible for territories of increasing size with each church counting each coin in its vault as a blessing unto itself.
The priesthood sees their role as responsible for encouraging civilization, trade, and law by promoting co-operation and fairness and by providing loans and other banking services. They encourage thrift and neighborly behavior as a means to enhance each individual's self-interest. Their own service to the community may include pro-bono legal services but they do not donate healing services—except those that help overall community and public health.
Knowledge of the law and community news are important areas of concern and part of the daily routine to the priesthood. Younger members are expected to carry news and administer justice, typically carrying a golden bolt to compensate the family of any criminal executed.
The clergy never give money, regardless of the need, but will instead loan the required funds at a reasonable rate, recording the details in the books and records of the church. Conversely they themselves are expected to tithe to the church and often ensure the funds are available to tithe from income generated by their direct investments in the local community. Most Abadaran priests attired for formal services dress in robes of white silk trimmed with golden thread with a belt or necklace of gold holding a single, golden key. They also often wear half-cloaks of deep yellow or golden color.
Temples dedicated to Abadar are usually large, elaborately decorated buildings designed for multiple functions; in addition to being centers of worship, they often provide the surrounding community with banking and other services. Such sites are often built near courthouses, and led by a Banker or Archbanker. Most temples contain elaborate stained glass windows of predominantly yellow color that bathe the interior with a soft, golden light. These windows are generally high and narrow to discourage thieves.
The temples of Abadar are designed to function independently of one another, usually serving a single community or region. The individual clergy are usually aligned with the local government, but are forbidden to fight amongst themselves and often stand as a neutral faction during legitimate conflicts.