Bala (Forgotten Realms)

Bala is a fictional god in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. She is part of the Al-Qadim campaign setting that is set within the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.

Publication history

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

Bala was introduced in the Al-Qadim: Land of Fate set (1992).^[1]

Description

Bala is a goddess of music of Zakhara and emphasizes the importance of music to lift the spirit and mitigate suffering. She is a local goddess who was worshipped in the city of Mahabba, but her faith was outlawed and driven underground by the Pantheists. In this persecution her followers have spread to other cities. Their sometimes violent resistance against their oppressors has brought the goddess the epithet "of Ill Tidings".^{[1]:Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara, 53}

Bala's symbol is a zither.^{[1]:Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara, 49, 53}

The goddess has been described as colorfully but modestly dressed, middle-aged woman who plays her zither in a way that enchants gods and genies.^{[1]:Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara, 53}

References