A group of related deities, the Ravens of Woe are very active within the world, frequently sending avatars and their corvid minions out to spread omens, call attention to the dead, and generally spread their bidding. Killing blackbirds and magpies is considered bad luck, killing an avatar of the Ravens of Woe will surely bring their retaliation.
Valravn The Scavenger is one of the older gods, and the mother of the other ravens of woe. As such, they serve as the principal deity.
Holy Symbol: A pouch of dried herbs, berries, and wolf teeth with black feathers tied to the outside
Domains: Arcana, Death, Knowledge, Nature, Order, Strength, (Prophecy), (Trickery)
Rites:
Burial Performed by followers of Valravn for the Unknown - The eyes of the dead must be opened and the body placed in an area that it may gaze up at the sky unobstructed. Their armor must be removed. One of the following incantation must be spoken:
Great winged father, shepherd of departed souls. Take this nameless one we offer unto you. May their soul forever remain with you, whole and unswallowed. Let their body feed new life as it rests eternal, and may this offering of nameless flesh keep your children strong.
Or:
Soul depart, ere the feast begins.
The left arm must be removed and hung from an elevated place for Valravn's children. If the left arm is not available, the other arm may work, or another limb. If no limbs are available then the words, the eyes, and their gaze to the sky will suffice.
Burial performed by an outsider for a slain follower - As above, except the words need not be spoken. The followers of the Ravens of Woe know what lies in store for their mortal vessels and should be prepared.
Natravne, Herald of Pestilence is the oldest of Valravn's children and a master of pestilence and disease, especially those that the bloated corpses littering a battlefield exude. Avatars of Natravne have a hole in their left wing and no eyes.
Holy Symbol: A shriveled zombie hand with a wreath of dried holly berries around the wrist
Domains: Death, Knowledge, Nature, Protection, Exorcism
Rites:
Burial - The eyes of the dead must be opened and the body placed in an area that it may gaze up at the sky unobstructed. Their armor must be removed.
The left arm must be removed and hung from an elevated place for Valravn's children. If the left arm is not available, the other arm may work, or another limb. If no limbs are available then the gaze to the sky will suffice.
In addition Natravne requests that the holy symbol is set on the corpse's chest.
Bav Catha, Herald of Carnage is not the oldest of Valravn's children, but is possibly one of the most powerful. She is also one of the most vocal of the Ravens of Woe, and her avatars can frequently be seen haunting battlefields. Avatars of Bav Catha always crow thrice, and can speak. Their beaks are always stained red. Those who hear one of Bav Catha's avatars report that they always speak in the listener's native tongue.
Holy Symbol: An eye sealed in amber with 3 black feathers
Domains: Chaos, Death, Knowledge, Strength, War, Tempest, Illusion
Rites:
Burial - The eyes of the dead must be opened and the body placed in an area that it may gaze up at the sky unobstructed. Their armor must be removed.
The left arm must be removed and hung from an elevated place for Valravn's children. If the left arm is not available, the other arm may work, or another limb. If no limbs are available then the gaze to the sky will suffice.
In addition, Bav Catha requests that an eye be removed from the corpse.
The youngest of Valravn's children, Yangvinr, Herald of Famine is the most magically inclined of his siblings. Avatars of Yangvinr shine red in the light and have three legs.
Holy Symbol: Three shriveled bird feet tied to a knuckle bone with sinew
Domains: Arcana, Death, Knowledge, Light, Nature, (Destruction), (Fire)
Rites:
Burial - The eyes of the dead must be opened and the body placed in an area that it may gaze up at the sky unobstructed. Their armor must be removed.
The left arm must be removed and hung from an elevated place for Valravn's children. If the left arm is not available, the other arm may work, or another limb. If no limbs are available then the gaze to the sky will suffice.
In addition, Yangvinr requests that his holy symbol is burned.