Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar
Encyclopedia
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. The Cup and Talisman have great powers of healing.
.
.
(2003).
, described as "a being bathed in light," shortly after the Invoked Devastation in order to help heal the suffering of the Baklunish
people. Al'Akbar brought the artifacts with him to Ekbir
, where they remained in an honored place in the Mosque of Al'Akbar in Ekbir City until 2878 BH (219 CY), when the Procession of Blessing was attacked by a group of "strange elves who were as tall as men" (probably valley elves
), who escaped pursuit astride giant eagles
, heading toward the Barrier Peaks (where the Valley of the Mage lies). The grand mufti was held responsible for this loss and exiled from Ekbir forever. In response, he formed the rival True Faith of Al'Akbar in the Yatil Mountains
, claiming that without the authority of the Cup and Talisman, the caliph was no longer Al'Akbar's true spiritual heir.
The present location of the Cup and Talisman is unknown, although they have been reported in the southeastern Bandit Kingdoms, although some rumors insist they have been brought to the Pinnacles of Azor'alq.
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...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. They were gifted shortly after the Invoked Devastation by 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....
gods to their most exalted high priest, Al'Akbar
Al'Akbar
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Al'Akbar is the Baklunish demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship...
, in what are now known as the Plains of the Paynims. The Cup and Talisman have great powers of healing.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar were created by Neal Healey for The Strategic Review #7 (1976), where they were associated with Allah.Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar were also mentioned in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's GuideDungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar were further developed in 1993's Book of ArtifactsBook 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...
.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar appeared in the Book of Exalted DeedsBook of Exalted Deeds
The Book of Exalted Deeds is an optional sourcebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material for campaigns involving characters of good alignment...
(2003).
History
The Cup and Talisman were granted to Al'Akbar 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...
, described as "a being bathed in light," shortly after the Invoked Devastation in order to help heal the suffering of 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....
people. Al'Akbar brought the artifacts with him to 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...
, where they remained in an honored place in the Mosque of Al'Akbar in Ekbir City until 2878 BH (219 CY), when the Procession of Blessing was attacked by a group of "strange elves who were as tall as men" (probably valley elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
), who escaped pursuit astride giant eagles
Giant eagle (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the giant eagle is a magical beast. As its name fairly obviously implies, it is a giant version of a regular eagle. It is also a lot more intelligent...
, heading toward the Barrier Peaks (where the Valley of the Mage lies). The grand mufti was held responsible for this loss and exiled from Ekbir forever. In response, he formed the rival True Faith of Al'Akbar 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:...
, claiming that without the authority of the Cup and Talisman, the caliph was no longer Al'Akbar's true spiritual heir.
The present location of the Cup and Talisman is unknown, although they have been reported in the southeastern Bandit Kingdoms, although some rumors insist they have been brought to the Pinnacles of Azor'alq.
Additional reading
- 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.
- Hammack, Allen. Day of Al'AkbarAl'AkbarIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Al'Akbar is the Baklunish demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.
- Holian, GaryGary HolianGary Holian is an American author of several products and articles for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, especially for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting...
, 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...
, Sean K. ReynoldsSean K. ReynoldsSean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...
, and Frederick WeiningFrederick WeiningFrederick Weining is among those credited for design of the Dungeons & Dragons Gazetteer and the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, both published by Wizards of the Coast. He has also authored or co-authored a number of Greyhawk articles for the Living Greyhawk Journal, the Oerth Journal, and...
. Living Greyhawk GazetteerLiving Greyhawk GazetteerThe 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...
. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Ward, JamesJim Ward (game designer)James M. Ward , is an American game designer and fantasy author. He is most famous for his game development and writing work for TSR, Inc., where he worked for more than 20 years. In 1989 he was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame...
. Greyhawk AdventuresGreyhawk AdventuresGreyhawk Adventures is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting.-Contents:Greyhawk Adventures contains information about Greyhawk deities and clerics, major non-player characters, monsters, geography, spells of the setting's famous magic-users , magic items of the...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.