Raven Queen, Goddess of Death, Crows and Winter - The Matron of Death (LN)
“All things, great and small, must meet death’s embrace. Not as an end, but as the transition to what lies beyond. There is much to fear, but not death.” - Inscription on a shield blessed by the Raven Queen
Culture Names
| Culture | Name | Title | Pronouns | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alonian (Tallman) Generic | Raven Queen | The Matron of Death | She/Her | The Harmonious Gods |
| Asteni (Tallman) Italian | Sepulcri | The Peaceful End | She/They | Gli Dei Armoniosi (The harmonious gods) |
| Dal (Tallman) Hispanic | Reina Oscura | The Mourning Lady | She/Her | Los Armoniosos (The harmonious ones) |
| Duir (Dwarven) German | Schäferinwolf | The Wolf and The Shepherd | She/They/Him | Die Eintrachtigen (The harmonious ones) |
| Dwelmer (Dwarven) Nordic | Helga | The Dark Valkyrie | She/Her | Ástin Gudar (Loving gods) |
| Eldar (Elven) Elven | Nimrodel | The Eternal Guide | She/Her | Maiar (Brotherhood) |
| Eldarin (Elven) Japanese | Shinigami | The Guide to the Afterlife | She/Her | Waigami(Harmonious deities) |
| Mularir (Tallman) Greek | Thanatos | The Keeper of Souls | He/Him | Armonía theoí (Harmony gods) |
| Yotunn (Dwarven) Giant | Hela | The Gatekeeper of the Afterlife | She/Her | Samraddar Guir (United gods) |
Extra Titles
The Winter Queen: Raven Queen, Goddess of Winter The Guardian of the Veil: Raven Queen, Goddess of the Afterlife The Matron of Crows: Raven Queen, Goddess of Birds The Lady of Grief: Raven Queen, Goddess of Sorrow
Commandments
- Death is the natural end of life. Grieve the fallen, but do not pity them. Exult in the time that they were granted.
- The path of life and its closure in death are sacrosanct. Those who pridefully stray from this path must be punished.
- Undeath is an atrocity. Death is too good a punishment for those who pervert the rightful transition of the soul.
Portfolio
- Death: The Raven Queen rules over the domain of death, guiding souls to their final rest and maintaining the balance between life and afterlife.
- Grief: She embodies the sorrow and mourning felt by those who have lost loved ones, offering solace and understanding to those who grieve.
- Sorrow: The Raven Queen understands the depths of sorrow and emotional pain, comforting those who are burdened by loss and tragedy.
- Omens: She controls the realm of omens and signs, where ravens and crows deliver messages and warnings from the beyond.
- Cemeteries: The Raven Queen watches over cemeteries and burial grounds, where the departed find peace in their eternal slumber.
- Funerals: She presides over funerary rites and rituals, ensuring that the souls of the deceased are honored and remembered with dignity.
- Masks: The Raven Queen is associated with masks and porcelain faces, symbolizing the faceless nature of death and the transition to the afterlife.
- Ravens/Crows: These birds are her messengers and agents, serving as harbingers of death and guides for lost souls seeking the afterlife.
- Loss: The Raven Queen understands the pain of loss in all its forms, teaching mortals to accept the inevitability of death and find strength in their memories.
- Winter: She governs the season of winter, where life retreats and the world rests under a blanket of snow, symbolizing both the end of life and the promise of rebirth.
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Symbols
White, humanoid mask framed in black feathers
Raven’s head, in profile, facing left
Avatars
Alonian (Tallman) Generic
She is described as a tall and slender woman, with flowing black hair and pale, porcelain skin. She almost always wears a blank, porcelain mask
Cleric Domains
| Domains |
|---|
| Death |
| Grave |
| Twilight |
Religious Practices
The followers of the Raven Queen engage in a variety of religious practices to honor their goddess and ensure the proper transition of souls to the afterlife. These practices reflect the deity’s domains of death and winter, emphasizing the natural cycle of life and the importance of accepting mortality.
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Funeral Rites and Last Rites: Followers of the Raven Queen are meticulous in ensuring proper rites for the deceased. Funerals involve ceremonies where prayers are offered to guide the soul to the afterlife. Last rites include the symbolic placing of a black feather on the body to signify the Raven Queen’s presence and acceptance of the departed soul.
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Offerings of Black Feathers and White Masks: Devotees offer black feathers (symbolizing crows and the Raven Queen’s connection to birds) and small, blank white masks (representing the faceless nature of death and transition) at altars or sacred places.
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Communion with Crows: Followers believe that crows are messengers of the Raven Queen. They often leave offerings of food for crows and interpret their movements and calls as signs from the goddess.
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Veilwatching: On nights when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest, followers gather to meditate or keep vigil. They seek visions or messages from departed loved ones and prepare themselves for insights from the afterlife.
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Prayers for Guidance in the Transition: Before major life transitions or when faced with death, followers recite prayers seeking the Raven Queen’s guidance and blessing. These prayers emphasize acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death.
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Harvest of Souls Festival: During this festival, held at the end of the harvest season, followers celebrate the gathering of souls by the Raven Queen. Offerings of harvested crops are made alongside prayers for a bountiful afterlife for the departed.
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Cleansing Rituals: Cleansing rituals involve purification by cold water or snow, symbolizing the cleansing of the soul before death and its passage into the Raven Queen’s domain.
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Veilreaching: This extreme ritual is performed by the most devout followers of the Raven Queen. It involves a near-death experience or journey to the brink of death, this rituals can be perfomed in many different ways, from fasting to meditation to bloodletting. The goal is to experience a glimpse of the afterlife and return with insights or messages from the goddess.
Cultural Norms
The followers of the Raven Queen adhere to a set of cultural norms and traditions that reflect their beliefs in death, winter, and the afterlife. These norms shape their daily lives, social interactions, and spiritual practices, fostering a deep connection to the natural cycle of life and the goddess herself.
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Reverence for the Elderly and the Dead: Elders and ancestors are cared for and respected, their wisdom and experiences are seen as valuable guides for the living. The dead are honored through regular commemorations, and their graves are meticulously maintained.
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Acceptance of Mortality: Death is viewed as a natural and necessary part of life. People openly discuss mortality and the afterlife, teaching children from a young age to understand and accept death without fear.
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Black and White as Sacred Colors: The colors black and white are considered sacred, symbolizing the transition from life to death. Black feathers and white masks are often used in clothing, decorations, and religious symbols.
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Seasonal Preparations for Winter: Communities prepare extensively for winter, both physically and spiritually. Winter is seen as a time of reflection and remembrance, with communal gatherings to share stories and honor the deceased.
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Crows as Omens and Protectors: Crows are treated with respect and are often seen as omens or protectors. It is common to feed crows, and harming them is considered a serious taboo.
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Ritualized Mourning Periods: After the death of a loved one, families observe specific mourning periods, wearing particular symbols to signify their loss. This period allows the community to support the grieving family.
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Graveyards as Sacred Spaces: Graveyards and burial sites are considered sacred and are often places of pilgrimage. People visit these sites regularly to pay respects and seek guidance from their ancestors.
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Death as the Final Destination: Comunities consider death as the ultimate destination of all living beings. This belief shapes their attitudes toward life, emphasizing the importance of living with purpose and preparing for the afterlife.
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Communal Responsibility for the Dying: The community takes collective responsibility for caring for the dying. This includes providing comfort, performing last rites, and ensuring a dignified passage into the afterlife.
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Symbolic Use of Cold and Darkness: Cold and darkness are not feared but are seen as symbolic and purifying. Rituals often involve elements like snow, ice, or darkness to signify purity and the presence of the Raven Queen.
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Silent Reflection and Meditation: Silence and solitude are valued for personal reflection and meditation. People regularly engage in quiet time to connect with their inner selves and honor the dead.
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Art and Literature Reflecting Mortality: Artistic expressions often explore themes of life, death, and the afterlife. Poetry, music, and visual arts frequently depict the journey of the soul and the balance between life and death.
Political Structures
The societies that worship the Raven Queen often have unique political structures that reflect their beliefs in death, winter, and the afterlife. These structures are designed to ensure the proper transition of souls, maintain the natural order of life and death, and uphold the goddess’s commandments.
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Thanatocracy - Rule by the Death-Priests: Societies worshiping the Raven Queen often have a ruling class composed of death-priests or clerics who are believed to have a special connection with the goddess. These leaders are responsible for interpreting omens, performing rituals, and ensuring the community’s adherence to the Raven Queen’s commandments.
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Gravekeepers’ Guild - Protectors of the Sacred: A powerful guild of gravekeepers oversees the maintenance and sanctity of burial sites. This guild not only ensures the proper care of the dead but also holds sway in political decisions, especially those concerning community rituals and festivals.
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The Veilwatchers - Guardians of the Afterlife: An elite group known as the Veilwatchers is dedicated to protecting the veil between the living and the dead. They serve as both spiritual guides and law enforcers, ensuring that the natural order of life and death is respected. Their influence extends to political matters, particularly those involving law and death.
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Necropolitan Magistrates - Judges of the Dead: A cadre of judges known as Necropolitan Magistrates presides over legal matters, particularly those involving disputes over inheritance, burial rites, and crimes against the sanctity of death. Their rulings are influenced by the Raven Queen’s commandments and principles.
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The Silent Conclave - Secretive Advisors: An inner circle of trusted advisors, known as the Silent Conclave, counsels the primary rulers. They are characterized by their deep commitment to meditation and silent reflection, believed to receive direct insights from the Raven Queen during their solitary vigils.
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Community Assemblies - Democratic Participation: Local communities hold regular assemblies where all members can voice their concerns and participate in decision-making. These assemblies are guided by the principles of the Raven Queen, fostering a communal approach to governance and ensuring that all voices are heard, especially in matters related to death and the afterlife.
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Hierophants of Winter - Seasonal Leaders: During the harsh winter months, specially appointed leaders known as Hierophants of Winter take charge. These individuals are chosen for their spiritual strength and knowledge of winter survival, guiding the community through the most challenging season with rituals and practical leadership.
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Pilgrimage Officials - Organizers of Sacred Journeys: A group of officials is responsible for organizing and overseeing pilgrimages to sacred sites, particularly graveyards and places of historical significance. These officials ensure that such journeys are conducted with the utmost respect and in accordance with religious traditions.
Elemental Affinities
| Elements |
|---|
| Air |
| Metal |
| Cold |
| Necromancy |
| Gravity |
| Void |
| Darkness |
Home Plane
Champions
Holidays
| Holidays |
|---|
Blessings
A follower of the Raven Queen can gain favor with their deity by performing funeral rites, guiding souls to the afterlife, and honoring the natural cycle of life and death. As they embody the principles of death, acceptance of mortality, and reverence for the deceased, the Raven Queen may bestow the following blessings upon them:
Any spell-like abilities granted by these blessings use the character’s spellcasting ability, if the character does not have a spellcasting ability, they can use their highest ability score.
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Blessing of the Shroud: The follower gains the ability to cast Pass Without Trace once per day without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration, lasting 10 minutes. This reflects the Raven Queen’s ability to move unseen through the shadows of death.
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Eyes of the Crow: The follower gains darkvision up to 60 feet. If they already have darkvision, its range extends by an additional 30 feet. This blessing allows them to see through darkness as crows do.
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Veil of Winter: The follower can cast Investiture of Ice once per long rest without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration, lasting the full 10 minutes. This blessing grants them the power of winter to protect themselves.
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Grave’s Call: The follower can cast Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting once per long rest without expending a spell slot. This blessing channels the power of death to wither their enemies.
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Grave’s Resilience: The follower gains immunity to necrotic damage. This blessing offers protection from the forces that pervert the natural order of life and death.
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Cloak of Feathers: The follower can use their reaction to cast Feather Fall at will on themselves and fly once per long rest without expending a spell slot. This blessing symbolizes the protection of the Raven Queen’s crows.
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Soul’s Passage: The follower can cast Gentle Repose at will without using a spell slot. This ensures that the dead are preserved properly until they can be given their final rites.
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Winter’s Embrace: The follower can cast Finger of Death or Otiluke’s Freezing Sphere once per long rest without expending a spell slot. These spell is cast at a level equal to the highest level spell slot they can cast. This blessing embodies the chilling power of winter bestowed by the Raven Queen.
Curses
Raven Queen’s followers can invoke their deity’s wrath upon their enemies by cursing them with afflictions that reflect the deity’s domains. As the followers gain favor with Raven Queen, they may gain access to the following curses to unleash upon their foes:
The follower must cast Bestow Curse to invoke their available curses:
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Curse of the Eternal Night: The target is blinded and deafened for the duration of the curse, any other sense they have is also impaired revealing only darkness. This curse plunges them into a never-ending night, where they are forever lost in darkness.
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Curse of Withering: The target’s Strength and Constitution score is reduced by 4 (to a minimum of 1) for the duration of the curse. This curse saps the target’s physical vitality, leaving them weak and frail.
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Curse of the Frigid Heart: The target takes an additional 2d8 cold damage whenever they take damage from any source for the duration of the curse. The chilling touch of the Raven Queen lingers on them, sapping their warmth and vitality.
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Curse of the Fading Breath: The target takes double damage from necrotic damage and any damage caused by the follower of the Raven Queen for the duration of the curse. This curse weakens their life force and hastens their demise.
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Curse of the Doomed: The target automatically fails their first two death saving throws each time they are reduced to 0 hit points for the duration of the curse. This curse marks them for a swift passage to the afterlife.
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Curse of the Haunted: The target is constantly haunted by illusory visions and whispers from the dead, giving them disadvantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma checks and saving throws for the duration of the curse.
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Curse of the Frozen Veins: The target’s speed is reduced by half, and they have disadvantage on Strenght, Dexterity and Constituition checks, attacks and saving throws for the duration of the curse. This curse fills their veins with a freezing cold, making movement difficult and sluggish.
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Curse of the Grave: The target is unable to regain hit points from any source for the duration of the curse. Any time they try to regain by magical means, they take the same amount as necrotic damage. This curse prevents them from finding solace or healing, ensuring their suffering continues.
Myths
The Reason For Winter
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Ascension into Godhood
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The Ascension and the Snuffing of Nerull’s Spark
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Causing The Reform
Divine Reflection
Witnessing the celestial dance of new gods ascending and mortals claiming divine status, Aena and Kryela, the Twin Goddesses, gazed upon the unfolding events with a profound cosmic wisdom. In the heart of the Eternal Workshop, they convened the divine assembly, their eyes reflecting both admiration and concern for their divine children.
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The Raven Queen’s Duty to the Departed
After Death Encounter
Encounter with the Raven Queen
Upon the death of a character or NPC in Aeloria, their soul is guided by the enigmatic Raven Queen before they pass into the afterlife. This encounter offers clarity and closure, ensuring a smooth transition between the realms of the living and the dead.
The Raven Queen’s encounters with the deceased are designed to offer comfort and clarity as they transition from life to death. The following tables provide a structured yet flexible way to determine various aspects of these encounters.
The text below is a template for creating a unique encounter with The Raven Queen. The tables provide a series of prompts to help you generate a detailed and engaging scene. You can use these tables to create a memorable and meaningful encounter for your players or NPCs.
For more information on the myth and lore of why this happens you can read the myth: The Raven Queen’s Duty to the Departed
“You (how the dead person arrived) in (location of the encounter). You are (what the dead person is doing when they meet The Raven Queen). As you look around, you see (how The Raven Queen presents herself). She appears as (The Raven Queen’s appearance). She (The Raven Queen’s demeanor). You feel (the dead person’s feelings) as you see her. The conversation proceeds (how the conversation proceeds). She asks you (what The Raven Queen asks), you also (additional details).”
1. How the Dead Person Arrived
Roll (d6) Method of Arrival 1 They simply awake in the new location. 2 They fall gently through the ground and land softly. 3 They walk towards a warm, inviting light. 4 They follow the song of a raven. 5 They feel a gentle pull guiding them to the location. 6 They float upwards as if rising from their body. 2. Location of the Encounter
Roll (d6) Location 1 A familiar room or location from the deceased’s life. 2 An unfamiliar but serene and comforting place. 3 The location of their death, with time frozen. 4 The location of their death, with time moving as they watch as spectators. 5 A beautiful and timeless landscape, like a meadow or a peaceful forest glade. 6 A reflective, mirror-like realm where memories and moments from their life are visible around them. 3. What the Dead Person is Doing When They Meet The Raven Queen
Roll (d6) Activity 1 Standing quietly, taking in their surroundings. 2 Sitting calmly, deep in a memory of their life. 3 Engaged in an activity they enjoyed during their life (e.g., painting, reading, playing an instrument). 4 Doing something they always wanted to do (e.g., flying, swimming, kissing someone). 5 Simply lost in thought, distracted by something familiar or comforting (e.g., a pet, a meaningful object). 6 Reenacting a cherished memory from their life. 4. How The Raven Queen Presents Herself
Roll (d6) Presentation 1 The sound of crows cawing announces her presence before she materializes. 2 She appears silently, waiting for the deceased to notice her. 3 A soft, comforting whisper precedes her arrival. 4 A gentle, glowing light surrounds her as she fades into view. 5 She steps out of the shadows, her appearance gradual and calming. 6 A subtle shift in the atmosphere marks her presence before she becomes visible. 5. The Raven Queen’s Appearance
Roll (d6) Appearance 1 A masked humanoid figure in dark, elegant robes with feathers. 2 A masked humanoid, with shepherding staff and a cloak of raven feathers followed by a dark wolf. 3 She looks like the deceased but wears a mask. 4 She appears as a loved one of the deceased. 5 A simple but beautiful human with gentle features, yet within their beauty their eyes show an incredible sadness beneath it. So young yet somehow so very old. 6 Another person of the same race as the deceased, exuding calm and grace. 6. The Raven Queen’s Demeanor
Roll (d6) Demeanor 1 She acts like a long-lost friend. 2 She behaves like a nurturing mother. 3 She interacts as if they have always known each other. 4 She behaves like a gentle, wise stranger. 5 She acts like a guide or mentor. 6 She remains neutral and calm. 7. The Dead Person’s Feelings
Roll (d6) Feeling 1 They feel immense relief. 2 They feel a deep sense of peace. 3 They feel a mix of sadness and acceptance. 4 They feel happiness and gratitude. 5 They feel no specific emotion, only clarity. 6 They feel a brief moment of fear that quickly dissipates. 8. How the Conversation Proceeds
Roll (d6) Conversation Style 1 She tells them directly what is happening. 2 She asks them questions to help them understand. 3 She shows them images from their life and lets them figure it out. 4 She explains gently and answers any questions they have. 5 She tells a story that parallels their own, making the truth clear. 6 She allows them to remember their life’s highlights naturally. 9. What The Raven Queen Asks
Roll (d6) Question/Request 1 She asks if they have any final wishes. 2 She inquires if they enjoyed their life or have any regrets. 3 She asks if they want to do anything before moving to the afterlife, such as a prayer or a question they want to ask her. 4 She asks about their happiest memory. 5 She asks if there’s anyone they need to forgive or be forgiven by. 6 She does not ask anything but listens if they wish to speak. 10. Additional Details
Roll (d6) Additional Detail 1 The deceased remembers vividly how they died. 2 They recall meeting the goddess at their birth. 3 They immediately understand who she is upon seeing her. 4 They remember key moments of their life with new clarity. 5 They feel a sense of completeness and understanding about their life’s purpose. 6 They experience a brief, poignant memory of a loved one just before the encounter. This table helps to further personalize the encounter, grounding the experience in the deceased’s memories and personality.
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The Myth:
In Aeloria, it is said that those who die are met by the enigmatic Raven Queen, who diligently guides their souls to the afterlife. This divine duty ensures that each soul transitions smoothly from the realm of the living to its final rest, accompanied personally by the Matron of Ravens.
Long ago, before the sorceress who would become the Raven Queen ascended to godhood, the souls of the dead wandered aimlessly in the astral plane. These restless spirits were left to their fate, waiting to be claimed by a deity or drifting into the ethereal plane to become ghosts. Some even found their way back to the material plane, becoming undead, ressucitated or reincarnated beings.
The future Raven Queen, a powerful sorceress whose true name has been lost to time, lived a life overshadowed by death. All whom she loved were taken by the cold grasp of oblivion, their spirits transforming into undead horrors or restless ghosts that could never find peace. Marked by a grief she could not escape, the sorceress would change the fate of the dead forever.
Her reasons for ascending to godhood vary with each telling, along with the details of her apotheosis such as how she learned of the ritual, how the ritual was performed, and what sacrifices were made. But these details return to converge on one point: the sorceress performed the highest spell ritual a mortal could ever dream of and she stole the divine spark of Nerull, the god of winter, as she ascended to godhood.
In this pivotal moment, she vowed to care for the souls of the dead, ensuring they would never again be left to wander aimlessly. Thus, she became the Raven Queen, the matron of ravens, and guardian of the afterlife and winter. Her unwavering commitment stems from a past steeped in loss and a promise made in the shadow of ascension. Now, as a goddess, she fulfills her vow, providing solace and guidance to every soul she meets, forever watching over the realm between life and death.
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