Talbar

Once a deal is struck, especially if sealed through the Ritual of the Sacred Seal, breaking it is considered a grave sin in the eyes of Talbar. Such actions can result in the offender being ostracized or even cursed.

While cunning is valued, outright dishonesty or fraud is frowned upon. Talbar values the art of the deal, which requires both parties to have a clear understanding of the terms.

Charging exorbitant interest rates or exploiting someone's desperation for personal gain is considered against the principles of fair trade that Talbar embodies.

A portion of the profits from any deal made under Talbar's patronage is expected to be offered to the temple. This tithe is seen as a form of thanks and ensures continued blessings.

Followers are obligated to settle disputes through negotiation or arbitration rather than conflict. Temples of Talbar often provide mediators for this purpose.

Experienced merchants and traders are expected to mentor the next generation, passing down the skills and wisdom they've acquired.

A finely tailored robe, often embroidered with gold and silver threads, is worn during significant rituals and ceremonies.

A pendant bearing Talbar's emblem is commonly worn by followers. During rituals, a larger, more ornate version is often used.

A ring engraved with symbols of trade and negotiation, worn during significant deals to symbolize the wearer's commitment to fair and honorable trade.

Every agreement is considered sacred, and breaking it is not just a legal offense but a moral one.

The ability to negotiate effectively is considered a divine gift and should be honed and respected.

Deals should aim for a win-win situation. Exploitative agreements are frowned upon as they are not sustainable in the long run.

Talbar encourages trade not just within communities but across borders. The exchange of goods, services, and culture is seen as enriching for all parties involved.

• Background: Born into a family of modest traders, Seraphel quickly displayed an uncanny ability to strike deals that seemed impossible. With a charm that could sway even the most stubborn of merchants and a keen understanding of the value of goods, she transformed her family's small trading business into one of the largest trading empires of her time.
• Achievements: Seraphel was the first to establish trade routes across the treacherous The Great Ennedi Desert, connecting two major kingdoms and facilitating the exchange of exotic goods. She also penned "The Codex of Commerce," a revered text that details the art of negotiation and is still studied by merchants today.
• Legacy: Seraphel's trade routes are still in use, and her family's emblem—a pair of scales intertwined with a serpent—has become a symbol for shrewd and successful trading.

• Background: A noble by birth, Lord Varian was more interested in the bustling markets than the politics of the court. He was known for his ruthless trading tactics and his ability to exploit the letter of the law to his advantage, always ensuring he emerged on top.
• Achievements: Varian was responsible for introducing a system of tariffs and trade regulations that, while controversial, tripled the wealth of his kingdom. He also founded the Blackgold Trading Company, which monopolized certain trade goods, ensuring his continued prosperity.
• Legacy: While many view him as a symbol of greed and exploitation, there's no denying Lord Varian's impact on the world of trade. His trading company still exists, and his descendants continue to be influential figures in commerce.

• Background: Elia, a mysterious figure, was neither a noble nor a common trader. She was a mediator, a neutral party who would be called upon to settle disputes between trading parties. With an innate sense of fairness and an unparalleled knowledge of trade laws, she was respected by all.
• Achievements: Elia was instrumental in resolving the Great Trade War, a conflict between two powerful merchant guilds that threatened to disrupt trade across the continent. Through her mediation, a peaceful resolution was achieved, and the Whisperwind Accords were established, setting guidelines for future trade disputes.
• Legacy: The Whisperwind Accords are still referenced in trade disputes, and Elia's name is synonymous with fairness and justice in trade. Many mediators and negotiators pray to Talbar and invoke Elia's name for guidance and wisdom.

• Beliefs: Members of this sect believe that every deal, no matter how small, is a sacred act that brings one closer to Talbar. They maintain that meticulous record-keeping is a form of worship, and they venerate the act of documenting every transaction, ensuring that no detail is ever overlooked.
• Practices: The Brotherhood operates vast libraries filled with ledgers and contracts from throughout history. They offer their services as neutral record-keepers, ensuring that all deals are documented with precision. Every year, on the Day of Reckoning, members gather to review and celebrate the most significant deals of the year, offering prayers to Talbar for continued prosperity.
• Symbols: A golden quill crossed over an ornate ledger book.

• Beliefs: This sect focuses on the balance and fairness in trade. They believe that for commerce to thrive, all parties involved must benefit equally. Exploitative or one-sided deals are seen as an affront to Talbar.
• Practices: Members of the Scales act as mediators and arbitrators in trade disputes, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly. They also run schools where they teach the principles of equitable trade, emphasizing ethics and mutual benefit. On the Festival of Balanced Scales, they organize grand markets where traders are encouraged to strike fair deals, and any profits made by the sect are redistributed among the needy.
• Symbols: A perfectly balanced scale with a gemstone on one side and a coin on the other, symbolizing the value of goods and the importance of equitable exchange.

Overview:
While The Scales of Equilibrium seek balance and fairness in trade, The Gilded Opportunists believe in maximizing profit and leveraging every advantage. They view commerce as a game, and the best players are those who can extract the most value from every transaction. To them, the art of the deal is in finding the edge, the loophole, or the hidden information that tilts the scales in their favor.

Beliefs:

1. Every Advantage Counts: Whether it's insider knowledge, a keen understanding of market trends, or a knack for reading people, every edge should be used to its fullest.
2. The Deal is Sacred: While they seek to maximize their gains, they never force or coerce. Every deal is entered into willingly by both parties.
3. Information is Power: Knowledge of markets, resources, and even personal secrets can be leveraged in negotiations.
4. Adapt and Overcome: Markets change, and so should strategies. Always be on the lookout for new opportunities and be ready to pivot when needed.

Practices:

• Strategic Gatherings: Members regularly meet to share information, discuss market trends, and strategize. These gatherings are a mix of networking events and high-level strategy sessions.
• Training in Persuasion: The sect offers courses and workshops on negotiation tactics, reading body language, and other skills that can give a trader an edge.
• Ritual of the Golden Tongue: An initiation rite for new members, where they swear to uphold the sect's beliefs and are blessed with enhanced persuasive abilities.
• Market Divinations: Clerics of the sect perform rituals to predict market fluctuations, identify emerging opportunities, and guide their trading decisions.

Symbols:
A golden scale, tipped slightly, with a bag of coins on the lower side, representing the advantage they always seek in trade.

Relationship with Talbar:
The Gilded Opportunists believe they are upholding Talbar's ideals by pushing the boundaries of trade and negotiation. They argue that by seeking every advantage, they are truly embracing the art of the deal. However, their aggressive tactics and focus on personal gain often put them at odds with The Scales of Equilibrium and other more balanced followers of Talbar.

Description: A worn, ancient leather-bound book, its pages yellowed with age. The cover, though faded, still shows the faint imprint of Talbar's symbol.

History: Believed to be the very first ledger used by a merchant blessed by Talbar. It has been preserved and passed down through the highest echelons of the church. Many believe that the first deals overseen by Talbar himself are recorded within its pages.

Significance: The ledger reminds followers the importance of keeping one's word and honoring agreements. It's often displayed during major religious ceremonies and is a symbol of the sanctity of trade.

Description: An ancient gold coin, worn smooth from handling, with barely discernible markings.

History: Legend tells that this was the first coin ever used in a trade overseen by Talbar. It symbolizes the beginning of commerce under his watchful gaze.

Significance: The coin is a reminder of the humble beginnings of trade and the importance of fairness in all transactions. It's often used in religious ceremonies, especially those blessing new ventures or marketplaces.

Description: A simple silver band, unadorned except for an engraving of two hands shaking – a universal symbol of agreement.

History: Said to have been worn by the first merchant priest of Talbar, this ring has been passed down through generations as a symbol of the bond between commerce and faith.

Significance: The ring is a powerful symbol of the church's teachings about honest trade and the sacredness of agreements. It's worn by the highest-ranking members of the clergy during important religious ceremonies and is seen as a direct link to Talbar's teachings.

This heresy argues that Talbar's teachings on fair trade and mutual benefit are limitations rather than guidelines. Followers believe that any deal, no matter how exploitative, is sacred if both parties agree to it. They argue that the strong should not be held back by the weak and that the market itself is the ultimate arbiter of fairness.

This heresy posits that Talbar's focus on mutual benefit and community is misguided. Followers of this path believe that individual success in trade is the highest form of worship, even if it comes at the expense of community well-being. They often engage in practices that are considered unethical by mainstream followers, such as hoarding essential goods for personal gain.

Followers of this heresy believe that accumulating wealth is the ultimate goal and the truest form of worship. They argue that Talbar's teachings on the art of negotiation and mutual benefit are secondary to the accumulation of tangible wealth. To them, the gold coin on Talbar's scales outweighs the silver key of opportunity.

Founder: Magister Lysius
This cult claims that the silver key in Talbar's emblem represents a hidden knowledge that can unlock untold wealth and power. They engage in secretive rituals and are known to hoard ancient texts that they claim hold the secrets to ultimate negotiation skills. They deny the importance of the gold coin, focusing solely on the silver key as the true path to enlightenment.

Founder: Lady Elara Darkveil
This cult believes that Talbar himself was a trickster who never played by the rules. They argue that breaking deals and outsmarting your trading partners is not a sin but a form of worship. They often engage in fraudulent activities and consider getting away with it a sign of Talbar's favor.

Founder: Master Thren Felcoin
Members of this cult claim that Talbar is not just the god of honest merchants but also the patron deity of thieves and smugglers. They believe that theft and smuggling are just another form of trade, one that involves exchanging risk for reward. They often engage in illegal activities but are meticulous in honoring deals within their own community.

Founder: Sirus the Wise
This cult teaches that every deal has a hidden cost, often spiritual or ethical, that is not immediately apparent. They believe that Talbar tests his followers by presenting them with morally ambiguous choices and that the true worshippers are those who can navigate these ethical mazes. They are known for their complex and often confusing contracts that test the moral and ethical boundaries of those who engage with them.