The Path of the Ravens
Very little in known of the Seven Raven's Clan of the Crane Basin. All that is well known, to the point of knowing it exists is their trials leading to their dwelling upon the mountain. A series of tests for any would-be member of the clan, hoping to gain entry. Not very many attempt the journey up the mountain and even fewer return triumphant in their quest.
History
For as long as the Seven Raven's Clan has existed, so to has their path of the Seven Ravens trials that adorn the mountain path that steers and winds its way to their reclusive dwelling. These trials and path have been passed down since their founding, most claiming it is the means at which the ckan tests their new recruits to know they are worthy of joining the clan.
Execution
Anyone seeking to join the Seven Raven's Clan must first travel to the Crane Basin and search for the Tori gate before the winding path that would carry them up into the mountains. They will recognize the gate by it's lanterns bearing the message "He who walks the path of the ravens will be judged by them." The last identifying marker would be the raven carved into the top rail of the gate.
Passing under the gate begins the first trial, known as the Journey. The traveler will spend an entire day traversing the mountain path to show their dedication to the life they wish to adhere to once a member of the clan.
The second trial comes at the second gate, identical to the first in make and lanterns, however, two ravens at now carved into the top rail. The second trial is called the Old Raven. a disheveled elder looking person will be found near death under the gate, shrouded in ratty garments and abismal trappings. Secretly a member of the clan in disguise, the elderly person will beg the traveler for help in any way they can lend in getting them up the mountain. If shown kindness, the elder will show kindness in return and help to inform the traveler to the means of their journey. If ignored, the elder will insist on being taken up the mountain, pleading until they are out of sight, unless the traveler relents and carries them along.
The third gate will be not a great distance farther up the path. The third gate bares three ravens carved into the top rail, the gate letting out onto a flat clubface of moderate size, there, they will encounter a fully regaled member of the clan, who insists on their abandoning of the elder on their quest or challenging them to a duel to prove their worth. The duel is not in the traveler's favor, but if they prove themselves honorable in victory or humble in defeat, they will be permitted to pass, having completed the trial Honor and Humility.
The Fourth gate, called the Father and the Daughter is marked by yet another gate with a fourth raven carved into the top rail. There, the traveler will encounter a small girl and a middle-aged man, presumably her father quarreling on the mountainside, their dwelling cut out of the very rock. Here, the traveler will be given a choice, the path itself will diverge. The daughter worries for her brothers who went to find medical herb on the mountainside following one path, the father claims they will be returning soon enough and she shouldn't worry. The traveler must choose whether to assist the daughter in searching for her lost brothers, or journey forward, siding with the father. If they choose to help, the daughter will accompany them forward.
The fifth gate, called the Riddle will appear the same no matter which path is chosen, but neither path seem to visibly intersect upon investigation. The fifth gate bears a fifth raven carved into the top rail and a large boulder that blocks the path. enscribed on the boulder is a riddle that must be answered in order to pass.:
"I am bound to the living,
I have no use for the dead,
yet I may linger for the ringing
of bells to sound the dread.
I claim many in my wake,
there are few who can resist me,
fewer still know of my weakness,
though not for lack of controversy.
I care not whom I may ensnare
nobles, peasants, you are all the same
to speak my true name would be done so with care
for scholars know I shall never truly be tame.
What Am I?"
At the correct answering of the riddle, the boulder will move inward into the mountain and clear the path for the traveler.
The sixth gate will be further down the path, marked by another gate, this time with a sixth raven along the top rail. Closer now to the finish, the traveler will come upon a snow covered path, too dangerous to trudge through without clearing some of the frozen debris. Upon clearing the snow, they will find a cage burred under the snow. Inside of the cage there seems to be seven ravens trapped inside and trying to get out. The traveler will have to be resourceful in order to clear the debris and open the cage, thus freeing the ravens. If the daughter accompanied them this far, they will assist in whatever way they can and insist that the traveler must help free the birds. Once the ravens are free, they will perch themselves on the daughter or fly away if she is absent after thanking the traveler.
The final gate bears all seven ravens along the top rail. Dubbed the Will of the Raven, the traveler will be assailed by the Old Raven they met by the second gate, who will dead a grievous wound and throw themselves off the mountainside, only to transform into a raven a fly out of sight. Wounded, the traveler will now be required to manage how they can and endure the remaining journey to the dwelling of the Seven Raven clan to be given their final judgement and hopefully welcomed into the clan.
Before the steps of the clan home, the traveler will be met by the people they encountered upon the path, including reigning members of the clan. They will review the traveler's journey in line with the tenants of the clan. If the traveler is seen to be worthy and meets a majority of the requirements, they will be given aid and nursed back to health as a member of the clan. If they are not deamed worthy, they will be thrown from the cliffside to plummet into the rocks and river below, only to be carried back to the start of the path to potentially try again.
Components and tools
The traveler is not required to bring any specific tools, items, or components upon this journey, just those that they believe would suit them well in its undertaking. A set of warm clothes, a heavy cloak, and some travel rations would not go amiss.
Participants
The traveler, who is taking on the path to become a member of the clan will encounter each trial and be observed on how they resolve each and every challenge. As the lanterns forbode, the ravens watch and judge the would-be clansmen.
Members of the clan will take on the roles of the various guardians and obstacles the traveler will encounter, from the Old Raven, to the duelist, to the father and daughter pairing. These members are often selected for their veteran status within the clan and their ability to objectively test the traveler's commitment to the tenants of the clan.
Observance
Only when a traveler passes under the first gate does the trial begin. For as long as it takes for them to complete or fail the journey up the path, the clan will observe and judge.
Primary Related Location
Related Organizations
