Rao (Greyhawk)
| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | The Mediator, the Calm God |
| Home plane | Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia |
| Power level | Greater |
| Alignment | Lawful Good |
| Portfolio | Peace, Reason, Serenity |
| Domains | Community, Good, Knowledge, Law, Purification |
| Superior | none |
| Design details | |
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Rao is the Flan god of Peace, Reason, and Serenity. His holy symbol is a heart-shaped mask with a calm expression, or a simple white heart crafted of metal or wood. His followers are called Raoans.
Rao was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), by Gary Gygax.
Rao was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.
Rao's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000). Rao's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine (2004).
Rao is often depicted as an old man with bushy white hair, dark skin, slender hands, and a peaceful smile. Any time an offering of peace is made, Rao grows a day younger. With a mere glance, he can cause any being to fall into agreeable calmness; even Nerull is not immune to this. Rao is rarely seen without his Serene Staff, an undersized shepherd's crook that he wields as a light mace.
Rao is an ally of Heironeous, Pelor, Zilchus, and Saint Cuthbert, and an enemy of Iuz and Incabulos. Rao is served by Zodal, lesser god of Mercy, Hope, and Benevolence. Allitur is said to be his younger brother. Rao treats Saint Cuthbert as a younger brother as well, and he may have originally brought the saint to Oerth from another world. Raoan priests gently chide priests of Zilchus for their worldliness, while clerics of Zilchus claim that Raoans are too idealistic, but there is genuine affection between the two groups.
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