The Morrigana
(a.k.a. The Raven Queen)
The Goddess of magic, mystery, and darkness. She is an old and powerful goddess, with evidence of her worship having been found in ruins dating back thousands of years. Even the venerable elf tribes do not remember when she was first worshipped—she has simply always been there.
Divine Domains
Knowledge, Arcana.
Magic, winged beasts, and transformations all fall under her purview, though she is also closely associated with the Moon as well.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The Raven, The Moon Phases, Alchemical circles
Tenets of Faith
Pursue truth in the darkness, reveal secrets
Keep your own secrets close
The moon changes its shape and so may you, but remain true to the whole
Holidays
During every lunar phase small rituals are performed.
The Lunar New Year ritual is performed at midnight and involves fasting, sacrifices, and ancient invocations.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
The Raven Queen reveals little of her intentions to her worshippers. Though she is rarely idle, divine quests from her seem to be scattered and unconnected. She may send a single priest to find a long lost artifact, while also sending a small legion to perform a single simple spell repeatedly for a fortnight.
Looking from the outside, this may be proof that she is madness ridden. However, her worshippers acknowledge that her plans and machinations sprawl far wider than mortal minds can make sense of.
Some scholars believe she is attempting to change the people of the world into winged beasts. Others believe she plans on casting the world into permanent night—no one knows for sure.
Physical Description
Body Features
Witches tend to be slim and pale.
Facial Features
One common characteristic between witches is that they tend be either slim-eyed or unblinkingly owl-eyed. A common trick to identify a witch is to see if she is staring at something unflinchingly.
Apparel & Accessories
Witches tend to wear dark clothing. They also follow one of two extremes in style of dress. They either wear extremely conservative robes and hoods which cover most of their bodies, or wear very revealing clothing with bare chests and legs.
Specialized Equipment
If adventuring, priests prefer light armour that is covered in dark robes. They are also usually wielding a sickle or other small blade.
Within their covens, they cover themselves in temporary tattoos, paints and silver jewelry.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Prospective priests and followers of The Enchantress tell how The Morrigana revealed herself to them in dreams and compelled them to follow her wishes when they joined. The dream is told only to the high priest or priestess of the coven, at which point it was judged to be genuine or not. None faithful to the Raven Queen will ever willfully tell what the dream was to anyone else.
If the dream is deemed genuine, the new follower will begin their training into the coven.
Gender Identity
The Raven Queen tends to favour female priests (witches) to govern her covens but male priests and followers are welcome.
Sexuality
There are many rumours from the uneducated which speak of witches participating in blood orgies during moon-soaked nights in the woods. These are outlandishly exaggerated but not completely untrue. While it is true that covens do love each other more freely and that relationships between witches are not unheard of, bloody sacrifices are ludicrous...unless a spell calls for it.
Education
Witches are taught arcane theory, astronomy, astrology, and herbal medicine. Training takes a number of years but most entry training is formally concluded after 5 years. Afterwards, witches may either venture forth and study across landscapes and cities or stay in their covens. No judgement is rendered either way.
Employment
How priests are employed is widely dependant on where the priest is on the continent. In the Radiant Empire, they are shadowy detectives and reclusive countryside witches.
In Nevarra, where worship is more pronounced, they are scholars, researchers, and close confidants of the magocracy. Some also become information brokers for elite clients.
Therans view the witches of the Raven with some superstition and keep them at arms length. They are often employed as soothsayers and advisors.
The elves see her as the mother of magic in all its forms. Followers are held in high regard and serve as counsel to mediate between the clans
Taboos
Eating the meat of birds or flying creatures is considered taboo. However, the killing and utilizing of the beast's parts is not considered taboo.
To tell a secret given in trust is also considered a crime—though followers also hold competitions to see how long they can hold secrets from each other.
Social
Religious Views
In the Radiant Empire, The Morrigana is seen as a suspicious and vindictive temptress that lures men and women alike into darkness. Legends hold that she was once a second lesser Sun which followed the Great Light of Pelor, but grew jealous of his power and created his antithesis, the night. As such, she continues to perform dark magic to steal away the power of the Sun.
On the Sunset Isle, the aspect of The Morrigana as Selune holds sway over the moon, magic and transformative qualities. The bird aspects are downplayed while the moon aspects are played up. In some interpretations she is the wife of Pelor and his consort. The Var Elvhen belief she is the one who created the blessing of Lycanthrope, which they embrace.
To the Dwarvens, she takes on
Hobbies & Pets
She is very closely associated with ravens, crows, and owl, though she is also known for dominion for over flying creatures—the exception of this being dragons, as those are beings of far greater splendour.
Divine Classification
Greater God
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Mistress of Night, Lady of All Wings, Enchantress
Children
Eyes
Deep blue or violet
Hair
Long, silken, jet black or midnight blue
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Ivory white
Quotes & Catchphrases
Darkness reveals
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