The Raven Queen

She is the Keeper of Lost Souls, the Shepherd of Dead Men, and the Matron of Blackbirds.
Most people, however, simply refer to Her as the Raven Queen.
Few powers are as controversial, or as poorly understood, as the Raven Queen's. While death itself is almost universally feared, this is in no small part helped by the fact that She Herself seems to prefer leaving her motives an enigma; not even Her name is known to mortals. As a result, the Goddess of Death is not known any better than death itself is.

Divine Domains

As Queen of the Dead, it falls on the Matron's mantle to ensure that the dead are brought into the afterlife, and to ensure that they stay there.
It is also her sacred duty to hunt down those that try to prevent natural death via the use of dark arts such as necromancy. For this reason its also believed that she is the one whom all that would resurrect the dead must bargain with.
Finally, since the fall of Tharizdun during the events leading up to the gods-war, it has been speculated that the Raven Queen has taken up his mantle as the God of Fate. This however, has never been confirmed and is only speculation.

Holy Books & Codes

All servants of the Raven Queen serve through her gospel, known as the still-rites. A series of teachings that detail the proper procedures for tending to the dead, and excising the dead. This work is fairly common, and one will be pressed to find an all-gods chapel that does not have a copy of this written work.
In addition, there is also talk about a darker work, the so-called silent communion, which contains knowledge on how to commune with the dead, and draw on necrotic powers in order to vanquish ones foes. The existence of this tome is by no means secret, and copies of it can be found, but it is considered somewhat taboo to the average layman.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The symbol most commonly associated with the Raven Queen is the head of a raven facing left, or a white corpse mask.
In addition, she is occasionally associated with the certainties, three aspects representing different parts of her mantle:
A pair of scales represents "the judge", a masked figure that is invoked when the deceased pass into the afterlife. The judge then confronts the dead with their sins, and judges wherever they are capable of passing into the afterlife.
A figure named as "the healer" is associated with a chalice. This veiled figure is invoked when comforting those left behind. It is a promise that in the end, all shall be united in death.
Finally, there is the hourglass wielded by "the executioner", a grim figure that represents that in the end, all things must end, and even undeath is only a temporary escape.

Tenets of Faith

• Hold no pity for those who suffer and die, for death is the natural end of life.
• Bring down the proud who try to cast off the chains of death.
• Provide the deceased with a proper funeral so that their soul may find its way to the afterlife.

Holidays

Summer's Height is held on the 28th of Forest Life and is, traditionally speaking, the longest day of the year. On this day, the turn towards winter and death begin, as the days only grow shorter and colder. So on this day, villages throughout the world dance and celebrate, while saying prayers to the Raven Queen that the coming dark may be fleeting and merciful.

Night of Spectres takes a place on the 4th of Rising Moons, where the veil to the Shadowfel is said to run thin. This day ends early with the locking of doors and windows, as the bravest men and women of the villages go into the streets with lanterns to chase spectres away.

Worshippers

The Raven Queen has a presence throughout the known world, being widely accepted as a necessity. All the same, however, Her worshippers are often poorly understood, and looked upon with a great amount of uncertainty.
Whether it comes from extended periods of being surrounded by the dead, or simply a matter of being seen as an outsider in one's own community, many servants of the Raven Queen find themselves gravitating towards solitary lifestyles, spend in quiet contemplation, tending to the humble work that is looking after the dead. That being said, a fair part of Her servants become highly adept at serving as comfort to the grieving, developing great insight and social acumen.
In addition She is served by the following sacred orders:

The Unspoken Vow

This highly elite order of warriors serve the Raven Queen by traversing the world, diving into the darkest places of the world to destroy the undead wherever it may be found. They show up where shadows amass in small bands of no more than ten knights, and then they vanquish the evils they find, or perish in the process, never for one moment fearing death.
They are in addition known for their monastic way of living, forsaking all indulgences and luxuries, so that they cannot grow attached to anything that may distract them from being prepared for their own demise.

The Corpselight Shepherds

A small order that is rarely seen, and hardly ever recognized. These divine servants act as investigators and pacifiers in one, seeking out the restless dead, and aid them in passing over.
Usually travelling alone, and only marked by their holy instrument, a lantern, these servants seek out the dead that cannot move on, and attempt guiding them over of their own volition, only resorting to force if all else fails.

Keeper of Lost Souls & Matron of Blackbirds

Divine Classification

Greater Deity

Religions

• The Divine Precept
• The Stonelords

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Realm

The Shadowfel

Domains:

• Grave
• Death
• Life