The Raven Queen

The Raven Queen

The Queen of Ravens and Matron of Death is a deity old enough for her name to have long been forgotten. For as long as there have been mortal races, there has been an aspect of her. Her teachings tell to embrace and accept death as the inevitable and natural end that belongs as a conclusion to a mortal's life. These days the worship of her is widespread, but still subdued. Much like death itself, it is a part of reality that not many people like to think about until they absolutely have to. Her shrines are often found adjacent to cemeteries and close to those dedicated to Kelemvor, The Judge. To those that do follow her, she sets these commandments:

• Death is the natural end of life. There is no pity for those who have fallen.
• The path of Fate is sacrosanct. Those who pridefully attempt to cast off their destiny must be punished.
• Undeath is an atrocity. Those who would pervert the transition of the soul must be brought down.

The Moment

There is a common misconception that the Raven Queen harbors the souls of the dead. This is largely untrue, as she is the goddess of the moment of death; the silent watcher that follows a mortal's path in life, and is there to sever their life thread when the time comes. Some scriptures, specifically those originally penned by the shadar-kai, do make mention of her collecting memories from the dead. Memories which she keeps hidden away in her palace believed to be somewhere deep within the Shadowfell.

Classification: 

• Prime Deity

Titles:

• The Raven Queen
• Ravenmother
• Matron of Death
• The Pale Death

Pantheons:

• Haerasian Pantheon
• Elven Pantheon
• Shadar-kai Pantheon
• Dwarven Pantheon
• Drow Pantheon

Symbolism:

• The Raven Queen is depicted as a tall, slender figure shrouded in black, wearing a white mask of a woman's face.
• Her symbol is that of a raven's head.