Al'Akbar

[Canarydice]

Not sure where to post this so here will have to do.
I'm after any information at all in this deity from Greyhawk

Al'Akbar [m]    Good, Healing Protection, LG

Having trouble digging up anything, so if someone out there happens to be familiar, let me know, I would really appreciate it.

[Ruxandra]

http://www.zeif.ca/page.php?page=about%5Ereligion%5Ealakbar

There's some more in the Living Greyhawk stuff, but this is pretty much it.

[DM Macabre]

There is information to be found here:

Module I9: Day of Al'Akbar (Adventure based around the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar)
Greyhawk Adventures (Mention of the Cup and Talisman)

Book of Artifacts (2nd edition verison of Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar)
Bastion of Faith (Mention of Al'Akbar, but just a mention)

Epic Level Handbook (3rd edition version of Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar)
Book of Exalted Deeds (Yet more about the cup and talisman)
Greyhawk Gazeteer (Brief description of Al'Akbar)
Living Greyhawk Gazeteer (Far more detailed description of Al'Akbar)
Living Greyhawk Journal #5 (Vague mention of the clergy of Al'Akbar)

I don't have access to any of them though.

[Doom]

Al Akbar - Demigod of Gaurdianship, Faithfulness, Duty. LG Alignment

Worshippers: Paladins, Guardians, Soldiers

Al'Akbar first came to prominence in the days following the Invoked Devastation, when he was called by the gods of the Paynims to restore the Baklunish people to the path of righteousness and dignity. In earnist of this mission, he was given the fabled cup and star shaped talisman that now bear his name. He taught that true religion must include proper devotion to the gods, protection of the community, and guidance of the faithful. Eventually, he caused his own mosque to be constructed and allowed his followers to call upon his name in their prayers, soon thereafter ascending to take his place among the gods, althought he remains a demigod out of respect for the rest of the pantheon. His symbold is an image of the Cup and Talisman artifacts.

Be as a vessel of kindness and emblem of devotion, for the righteous man is both steadfast and merciful. Be not as the untutored infidel, but rather heed your superiors, and submit to their wisdom and guidance. Let the faithful strive always to nurture the seed of Good in the Soil of Law, that by doing so they are recieved into the Garden of Al'Akbar.

The Faith of Al'Akbar dominates the Baklunish culutre with it's sense of community and propriety. They teach ancient Baklunish as the language of poetry and learning; they are generally well disposed to other faiths that use the classical languaged in their liturgy. Two historical branches of this faith exist. The followers of the Exalted Faith recognize the supremacy of the holy calipgh (the ruler of Ekbir); they are masters of rhetoric and diplomacy, with high regard for academic achievement. Followers of the True Faith defer to the authority of the grand mufti of the Yatils, taking a more fundamental approach to religion that emphasizes hard work, plain speech, and obedience. More obscured divisions exit among Paynim dervishes.

Clerics of the Exalted Faith usually bear the title of Qadi, and tend toward lawful good or neutral good. Clerics of the True Faith are called Mullahs, and trongly favor lawful neutral. Both types hold office as ministers, judges, scholars and teachers in civil government, while also serving as healers, advisers and guardians for the military. Adventuring clerics are tolerant of infidels, though they are still expected to uphold the ideals of the faith. The wandering clergy may travel to any land in search of the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar. Ritual Prayers may be made at Dawn and Dusk.

Domains: Good, Healing, Law, Protection

Favored Weapon: Falchion

Taken from the Living Greyhawk Gazeteer. More info on the Buklunish later, if you request it. Maybe.

[Doom]

I'm a completist.

The Baklunish

The Baklunish have skin of golden tones, and straight, fine textured hair that is universally dark, ranging from dusky brown to bluish blakc. Their eyes are usually green or gray-green; hazel and gray eyes are rare. They tend to be long of limb and facial feature, with high cheekbones.

The Baklunish once held a great empire on the western side of the Crystalmist and Barrier Peaks. The Invoked Devastation ruined their empire, for which the Baklunish retaliated with the Rain of Colorless Fire, burning the Suel Imperium to ash. Most surviving Baklunish moved north or west, to the borders of the old empire and beyond. The Inhabitants of Ekbir, Zeif, Ull, and the Tiger Nomads typify the straight Baklunish strain, while the tusmites and the paynims show mixed ancestry. The Wolf Nomads are often darker from intermarriage with the Rovers of the Barrens. The Ketites are the least typical Baklunish, having pale yellow, golden brown, or tan complexions as a result of Suloise and Oeridian ancestry.

The Baklunish, unlike the Suloise, retained much of their culture after the fall of their empire. Honor, family, generosity, and piety are fundamental virtues. Use of their classical languahe, ancient Baklunish, in religeous observances, higher learning, and the fine arts has preserved their ancestral traditions. The Baklunish have many customs and taboos derived from their great knowledge of astrology, and their dependence on horses adds many beliefs and traditions regarding their honored steeds, particularly among the Nomads. Singing and dancing are widespread in their culutre, and trade and exploration are major pursuits.

Settled Baklunish favor bright patterns and gaurdy colors in cloths, typically with gowns and robes or else long coats with short breeches. Lower classes used the same colors with a long one piece garment supplemented with other garb. Nomadic Baklunish prefer cloths with several pastel colors, enjoying gancy garments enhanced with puffs, slashes on sleeves to show contrasting colors underneath, and superfluous trim. When traveling or making war, the nomads instead wear rough items of leather, hide, or cloth, bearing shields or banners indicating clan allegiance.

Many skilled wizards are Baklunish, including experts in elemental magic, divination, and summoning and binding spells (used on extraplanar beings). Cooperative spellcasting is practiced by many of the clergy, particularly among the desert mystics.

[Canarydice]

Thanks so much.
Very helpful.
It's a character concept in the making- I hope at least

[Doom]

From what I can tell the clergy of Al'akbar and the Baklunish people are an obvious take off the islamic world, which have two major divisions in faith (in this case Al'Akbar is the prophet muhammed, and the divisions are The Exalted Faith and the True Faith rather then Suuni or Shia) and the priests are pretty much, the same (and Mullah is even a Real Life title for an islamic priest).

There also seems to be a touch of "grail quest" thrown in, with the followers of Al'Akbar hunting after the Cup and the Talisman, ancient relics of Al'Akbar, as sort of a way to prove their worth (for only the worthy shall find them).