Nearly all gods have agents on the material plane--acolytes, clerics, paladins, soothsayers--who influence and intervene in mortal affairs on the behalf of their god. The Raven Queen has such agents, yet none invoke her enigmatic ways as much as her Conspirators.
You are one of those chosen few.
Whether you have been resurrected from the Shadowfell or branded by one of the Queen's ravens you have become intrinsically linked to the Raven Queen's web of fate. Whether you meant to or not you have interacted with the Queen and been embroiled in the enigma of her schemes and are now hounded by a raven that acts as the eyes, ears, and voice of the Raven Queen.
You have been branded by the Raven Queen, the effigy of a raven etched upon your skin. When dormant the brand appears to be a life-like tattoo of a raven, but when the Raven Queen calls the Raven takes flight, appearing before the Conspirator to guide you at the behest of the Raven Queen. The raven appears substantial, but is a being a shadow and exists only to act as a vessel for the Raven Queen's will, delivering cryptic messages or guiding the you to something of significance. Much like the Raven Queen, this raven exists outside of Mortal concerns and often appears at inopportune or unusual times--waking you in the middle of the night, interrupting a peaceful meal, in the middle of important negotiations, or even in the middle of a fight--just to deliver an enigmatic message or attempt to pull the Conspirator towards something that has caught the Raven Queen's interest.
The raven will almost always guide you to tragedy, be it the simple woes of a spurned lover or the grave catastrophes that could affect entire cities and nations. It seeks an item closely associated with the tragedy (such as a trinket or document), a memory from a victim, or in the case of those close to death....their very soul. Upon acquiring what the Raven Queen wishes the raven will take it to her, temporarily relieving you of the raven's attention for a time.
People will often eye you with curiosity as you go about your business, some perhaps even regarding you as crazed as you either follow the whims of your raven or attempt to ignore it's increasingly insistent demands. Yet those who know the truth will often steer clear, knowing that whatever has caught the Raven Queen's attention is likely a tragedy they want little part of. On rare occasions you might find those who purposefully seek you out, wishing to relieve themselves of the woes, believing that the Raven Queen might take from them the bitter memories that haunt them or provide at least some relief from the pain and anguish that stems their tragedies.
- Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, plus one of your choice from among Insight, Perception, Deception, and Religion.
- Tool Proficiencies: Any two tools of your choice, at least one of which must be either a disguise kit, forgery kit, or thieves' tools--You have learned to use these in order to get into places that hold an object of value to the Raven Queen.
- Equipment: One set of traveler’s clothes, any one tool you are proficient with, a journal containing the many cryptic messages your raven has given you, a bottle of black ink, a quill, a trinket from your past, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
A Conspirator may have found their way into the Raven Queen's service any number of ways, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. To determine why you have fallen into her service roll on the table below or choose from the options provided. The following section provides some suggestions for things that may have happened that might bring you into the service of the Raven Queen.
| d6 | Why Are You a Conspirator? |
|---|---|
| 1 | Resurrected by the Raven Queen -- One way or another your soul found it's way to the Shadowfell and the Raven Queen saw fit to return you to the material plane to serve out her will. |
| 2 | Bargained with the Queen -- You specifically sought out the Raven Queen, striking a deal with her that has resulted in your service to her. Perhaps she took from you memories that were too painful for you to bear, or you sought information on the nature of a tragedy that befell you. |
| 3 | The Death of a Conspirator -- You were there for the last moments of a Conspirator's life before their soul was returned to the Raven Queen's embrace. Perhaps they shared some secrets with you, or tasked you with finishing their mission before their raven branded itself to you. |
| 4 | Curse of the Raven Queen -- You came into possession of an object (cursed by the Raven Queen) that contained a consciousness that branded itself to you in the form of a raven, and you have been plagued by it ever since. |
| 5 | Marked by Tragedy -- You were struck by a tragedy that caught the Raven Queen's attention, yet when the Queen's raven appeared before you, you refused to give up the object or memory that the Raven Queen desired. Thus, to keep the object of your tragedy you agreed to help the Raven Queen collect others. |
| 6 | Shadar-Kai (racial) -- You are a Shadar-Kai, one of the Raven Queen's loyal subjects that were brought to the Shadowfell upon her ascension to godhood. In the Shadowfell your body is frail and weak, yet the Queen has given you a chance to regain your vitality and youth on the material plane so long as you serve her will. |
As a Conspirator of the Raven Queen one of the queen's ravens has been assigned to you. When dormant the raven appears on your flesh like a strikingly lifelike tattoo of a raven, yet when the Raven Queen calls the raven springs forth with little care for the time of day or your current activity, leaving behind the Raven Queen's Brand. When active the raven will hound you with cryptic messages or attempt to guide you to an 'object' of tragedy that has caught the Raven Queen's eye.
The raven acts outside of your control and may lead or guide you to sources of tragedy that you would otherwise not be aware of, while those who know of the Raven Queen and understand the nature of you and your raven may flock to you or outright flee from you depending on their own personal beliefs.
Note: This raven is controlled by the DM and does not act as a familiar or ally to the character. It will not assist in combat and its sole purpose is to seek out links to tragedies for the Raven Queen to collect. The raven can be ignored by the character, however the longer the character goes against the wishes of the Raven Queen the more insistent and aggressive the raven will become. How this is handled is up to the DM's discretion.
The raven is a being of shadow and is immune to physical attacks, though may be damaged by magical attacks. If damaged the raven will turn to shadow and return to your brand, able to return after a number of minutes equal to the damage it took. The raven may be banished to the Shadowfell by means of a Banishment spell but it will return after 1d20 days as it finds its way back to you.
Suggested Characteristics
These are the suggested characteristics for Conspirator of the Raven Queen.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am jaded from being exposed to so many tragedies and have become numb to much of the suffering of others. |
| 2 | I have been guided to so many tragedies that I worry the next might be my own and constantly jump or flinch whenever my raven appears or speaks. |
| 3 | Being exposed to so many tragedies has instilled a deep loathing within me for those who cause them, and I hold little sympathy for the fate that befalls those who would cause others suffering. |
| 4 | Knowing how life and happiness might be snatched away at a moment's notice I live in the moment and do all I can to enjoy life to the fullest. |
| 5 | Having been through or witnessed my own tragedies I am determined to live for those who have been lost. Often going out of my way to fulfill the final wishes of the departed even at great risk to myself. |
| 6 | Despite my bitter and cold exterior I care deeply for those around me and worry that any who get too close will have a tragedy of their own. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Freedom. One day I shall be free from the Raven Queen's plans, I tire of following her whims. (Any) |
| 2 | Respect. I understand that I am called to events of great pain and suffering, and take care in the actions I take for my Queen. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Devotion. I service to the Raven Queen is of the utmost importance, and I will do whatever it takes to serve her. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Profit. If the Raven Queen won't pay me for my services then I shall take advantage of the grieving and the dead. (Evil) |
| 5 | Closure. Those who have already suffered should not have to continue to do so. I do what I can to help those who are effected by the tragedies I find. (Good) |
| 6 | Acceptance. The Raven Queen works in mysterious ways and I do not question her methods. All that happens is for a reason. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep a memento of a loved one to remind myself why I carry on. |
| 2 | I firmly believe that I have an important part to play in the Raven Queen's plan and take solace in her guidance. |
| 3 | My raven has been with me through everything and it's presence helps to keep me grounded. |
| 4 | The tragedies of others reminds me that I am not alone in this world, and I shall ensure that they do not feel alone either. |
| 5 | My journal contains not only the words of the Raven Queen but also the stories behind every tragedy that I have come across. I use their tales to warn others against repeating their tragedies. |
| 6 | Following the whims of the raven have taken me far from home, and I hope to one day return to my friends and family. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I often act up the eccentricities of my raven to get out of situations I find uncomfortable or boring. |
| 2 | I overinflate my importance to the Raven Queen to make up for my lack of self esteem. |
| 3 | I am quick to drink, eager to forget the tragedies that I have seen. |
| 4 | I am incredibly superstitious and often perform small rituals or prayers to ward off ill omens. |
| 5 | I believe myself to be a harbinger of doom and woe, and believe that every slight is my fault. |
| 6 | I will do anything to help those who have been through tragedy, whether it is giving them financial and material support or performing acts of service to help bring them closer--even at great risk to myself. |
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