Nabu, “God of writing and wisdom”

Nabu is a god of wisdom and writing in Mesopotamian mythology, often depicted as a scribe with a writing stylus and clay tablet.

• Pantheon: Babylonian
• Deity Title: Nabu, god of writing and wisdom
• Deity Symbol: stylus and tablet
• Home Plane: Olympian Glades of Arborea
• Deity Level: Intermediate
• Alignment: Lawful neutral
• Aliases: Nebo, Nabu-rimanni
• Superior: Marduk
• Traditional Allies: Nusku, Nergal, Tashmetu, Anu
• Traditional Foes: Azathoth, Cthugha, Dagon
• Divine Artifact: The Book of Nabu
• Servants: Scribes and scholars
• Servitor Creatures: Lamassu, Utukku
• Sacred Animal: Ram
• Manifestations: Appears as a scribe or scholar, speaks through books or writing
• Signs of Favor: Increased ability in writing and scholarship, good fortune in learning and knowledge pursuits
• Worshipers: Scribes, scholars, students, librarians, intellectuals
• Cleric Alignments: Lawful neutral, lawful good, lawful evil
• Specialty Priests: Scribes, scholars, and those who seek knowledge
• Holy Days: The 1st and 15th days of each month
• Portfolio: Writing, wisdom, knowledge, scholarship, divination
• Domains: Knowledge, Law, Magic, Rune, Travel
• Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
• Favored Class: Wizard
• Favored Race: Human
• Duties of the Priesthood: The priesthood of Nabu is responsible for maintaining libraries and schools, teaching writing and scholarship, and performing divinations and oracles.
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Temple of Nabu in Borsippa, the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh
• Benefits: Worshipers of Nabu gain increased knowledge and wisdom, improved writing abilities, and protection from evil forces. Priests of Nabu have access to spells and magical abilities related to writing, divination, and knowledge.

Nabu is a deity in Mesopotamian mythology, known as the god of wisdom, writing, and the scribe of the gods. He is often depicted as a young man with a stylus and a clay tablet, representing his role as the patron of the scribal arts.

Nabu is a calm and collected deity, with a keen mind for strategy and problem-solving. He spends much of his time in quiet contemplation, thinking deeply about the workings of the universe and the fates of mortals. As the god of writing, Nabu takes his responsibility to record the deeds of the gods and the affairs of mortals very seriously. He believes that the written word is one of the most powerful tools for communication and preservation of knowledge.

Nabu is also a patron of scholarship and learning, and he takes great pleasure in watching mortals strive to gain knowledge and wisdom. He often aids those who seek his guidance, providing them with the inspiration and insight needed to solve difficult problems. However, he can be unforgiving to those who seek knowledge for selfish or destructive purposes, believing that the pursuit of knowledge should always be tempered by a sense of responsibility and morality.

Above all, Nabu seeks to bring order and stability to the universe through the power of the written word. He believes that the preservation and dissemination of knowledge is key to building a better world, and he will go to great lengths to protect and promote those who share his goals. While he is not a god of war or conquest, Nabu wields considerable influence over the affairs of mortals and gods alike, using his powers of persuasion and diplomacy to bring about positive change in the world.

Nabu, God of Wisdom and Writing

Large celestial, lawful neutral

Armor Class 22 (natural armor)

Hit Points 615 (30d20 + 300)

Speed 50 ft., fly 120 ft.

Ability	Score	Modifier
STR	30 (+10)	+10
DEX	24 (+7)	+7
CON	28 (+9)	+9
INT	30 (+10)	+10
WIS	30 (+10)	+10
CHA	30 (+10)	+10

Skills History +25, Insight +25, Perception +25

Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 35

Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

Divine Spellcasting. Nabu is a 30th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 25, +17 to hit with spell attacks). Nabu has the following spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): light, mending, message, resistance
• 1st level (8 slots): comprehend languages, detect evil and good, identify, sanctuary
• 2nd level (7 slots): augury, lesser restoration, see invisibility, zone of truth
• 3rd level (7 slots): clairvoyance, dispel magic, magic circle, speak with dead
• 4th level (7 slots): banishment, divination, locate creature, stoneskin
• 5th level (7 slots): commune, geas, legend lore, raise dead
• 6th level (7 slots): find the path, heal, true seeing, word of recall
• 7th level (7 slots): etherealness, symbol, teleport, vision
• 8th level (7 slots): mind blank, power word stun, sunburst, teleportation circle
• 9th level (7 slots): foresight, power word heal, prismatic wall, true resurrection

Divine Aura. Nabu emits an aura of knowledge and wisdom within a 120-foot radius, granting advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks to friendly creatures.

Legendary Resistance (3/day). If Nabu fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Weapons. Nabu’s weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

Multiattack. Nabu can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes four attacks: two with its staff and two with its fists.

Staff. Melee Weapon Attack: +20 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage plus 22 (6d6) radiant damage.

Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +20 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage plus 22 (6d6) radiant damage.

Frightful Presence. Each creature of Nabu’s choice within 120 feet of it and aware of it must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or

the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to Nabu’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Divine Magic Items. Nabu possesses a magical staff that acts as a focus for its spellcasting, and a book containing the history and knowledge of all mortal races.

Legendary Actions

Nabu can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Nabu regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Cantrip. Nabu casts a cantrip.

Divine Strike. Nabu makes a staff or fist attack.

Divine Knowledge (Costs 2 Actions). Nabu imparts a piece of divine knowledge to a creature within 60 feet of it. The creature gains proficiency in one skill or tool of its choice for 1 hour.

Challenge Rating: 30 (155,000 XP)

Regional Effects

The region containing Nabu’s temple or holy site is blessed with an aura of knowledge and wisdom. The following effects occur within a 6-mile radius of the temple or holy site:

• Friendly creatures have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks.
• Hostile creatures have disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks.
• The region is difficult terrain for creatures of chaotic alignment.
• Writing implements and supplies are always in abundant supply and are of the highest quality.
• Books and scrolls within the region are more durable and resistant to damage.

Name: The Book of Nabu

Type: Divine Artifact

Rarity: Legendary

Description: The Book of Nabu is a thick tome bound in gold and covered with precious gems. It is said to contain all the knowledge of the universe, past, present, and future, and can grant its user immense power and wisdom.

Abilities:

• Knowledge: The user gains proficiency in all Intelligence-based skills and can add double their proficiency bonus to Intelligence checks.
• Magic: The user can cast any spell from any class or domain without preparation, using the book as a spellcasting focus. The user’s spellcasting ability is Intelligence, and the save DC for spells cast through the book is 25.
• Prophecy: The user can ask the book one question per day, and it will provide a truthful answer to the best of its knowledge.
• Control: The user gains complete control over any creature that reads the book, compelling them to follow their commands without question.

History: The Book of Nabu was created by the god himself as a repository of knowledge and a tool for those who seek wisdom and power. It was entrusted to the care of his priests and passed down through the ages to those deemed worthy of its power. It has been lost and rediscovered many times over the centuries, with many tales of those who have sought it and been corrupted by its power.

Notes: The Book of Nabu is an incredibly powerful artifact, and its use should be closely monitored by the DM. Its abilities should not be abused or overused, and it should only be granted to a player character under exceptional circumstances.