The Raven Queen Goddess of Death

The Matriarch Raven Queen, the Final Dusk, the Thread Weaver, is the goddess of death symbolized by the profile of a raven head looking left. She represents death, passing, peace, and rest

Overview

The Raven Queen is one of the most misjudged of the gods. Often thought of as a deity that kills, wants sacrifice, and murder in her name. Because of this, she is seldom welcome in many holds or accepted by the general populace

In truth, her alignment could be described as Lawful Good. Once a mortal herself that rose to godhood, she has taken it upon herself to ensure the passing of each mortal being after their death. Simply put, she is a nonjudgmental reaper that cares about the souls of each individual mortal that passes through her

Her main adversary is any being that would seek to prolong their natural lifespan by any unnatural means such as Lichdom. It is suggested that she can see or sense a mortal's lifespan and that she knows how each are going to die and when. She will often deal to prolong death that was undeserved or not aligned with their appropriate time in exchange for service and aid in ending those that have cheated death

Followers

The seldom followers that she has are often mysterious, preferring not to be noticed, live in the dark, work in the shadows. There are many who take their devotion to another level by adorning emotionless, faceless except for two eye slits, ivory porcelain masks that will never be taken off accompanied by a vow of silence. These tenants are only broken when entering a temple of the Matron and even then, they speak in hushed whispers with short statements and take off their masks to only eat

Omen

When the Raven Reaper is absent from her crypt, there will be an omen of shadow and mystique. Her priestesses claim she has left the crypt as a shadow, so that she may travel as a mortal does once again. There will be a sign or omen as this occurs, ravens will gather in their respective regions and form a large silent flock. They will travel together across the region and seemingly disappear for a short span of days. Even after they return, they will remain silent until their queen returns as will the abnormal phenomenon that follows. Without the Thread Weaver present to cut the strings and bring peace to the dead, there will be a noticeably larger presence of the undead in the lands and curses more easily casted. This time period is known as "Grieving". Her followers will roam acting as silent exorcists, gathering information and seeking to snuff out any incursions they can find and acting as merciful executioners if requested

Additionally, it is common to experience one's lifespan extended after acts that would have cut it short. Such as someone in the process of bleeding out will experience it for far longer than normal before passing away. Someone with a deathly illness will wallow in anguish for a longer period before it claims them. It's not to say someone cleaved in half or torn from beasts won't die, they will just remain conscious for a few moments longer than they should need to. Armies that are about to face off may put their attacks on hold for the time if they are aware of the effect and can help it

Return

When the Raven Queen returns to her tomb and recovers her sheers, she will sooth the dying and snuff out the undead. During the day of her return, the twilight of that morning will be empowered and extended. Throughout that entire day, everything will seem more monochrome. The sun's light and warmth will be present, color is available, but everything will appear to be in a perpetual grayed out state. All of those sick and dying that were still suffering during the Grieving will be soothed, their pain relieved, and they will be allowed to pass on. It is often reported that individuals that pass in this way do so with a content smile. It is believed that the Raven Queen visits them and embraces them in her motherly presence

To celebrate the return of their Goddess, her followers are allowed a brief recompense for their dedications. Those with families will be allowed to leave their respective temples and return to them, to remove their masks and break their oaths of silence. It is a reminder of the believed origins of the Raven Queen and to cherish the life we have before death. Those that no longer have families will often gather amongst themselves and go on a pilgrimage of their own choosing. It is expected that anyone who left their coven to return on the next full moon. However, anyone who chooses to remain in their old/new life will not be frowned upon by the Raven Queen so long as their choice is of their making in order to cherish the life they have been given