Rao (RAH-oh) is the serene, detached Power of reason, intellect, and peace. The Power does not act on the Prime Material Plane directly, but he is known to have created several powerful magical artifacts, which are highly potent against evil (notable the Crook of Rao), possibly with the aid of Boccob. It is said that anytime an offering of peace is made, Rao grows a day younger. He is a dedicated foe of Iuz, an ally of Zilchus, and is otherwise friendly to all other beings.

Reason is the greatest gift. It leads to discourse, which leads to peace, which leads to serenity. If all could be convinced to reason with each other, the world would enjoy the harmony of benigh order. Some refuse to use reason and instead resort to violence, at which time action - goverened by reason and wisdom - is required to counteract their deeds and restore peace.

Rao is always depicted as a dark-skinned, white-haired old man with bright, dark brown eyes and long, slender hands; he is smiling and serene. Rao’s faith is one that does not appeal much to common folk; he has always had more followers among rulers, diplomats, sages, scholars, and philosophers. Clearly, his church is not exactly overpopulated at present. Those who seek to find powerful magic to aid the cause of good make him valuable offerings and meditate on Rao’s sacred texts. Services to Rao involve discussions of theology and group meditations.

Rao’s clerics are mediators and negotiators – wise and quiet people. Most are male. The church is very studious, but one motto is "there is a time to think, and more rarely to act; but in that time, action is wisdom". These clerics are not wholly pacifistic.