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The Raven Queen's symbol
The Raven Queen, The Matron of Ravens is the ancient goddess of death. She is so old and mysterious that her true name has long been lost. Her patrons seek her favor to guide them in death and prevent the curse of undeath from falling on them.
Because of her hatred of undeath, she and the demon lord Orcus are fierce enemies. The Duskmeadow District of Vasselheim is devoted to worshiping her and is also where her temple, Raven's Crest, is located.[2]
As an NPC, the Raven Queen is played by Matthew Mercer.
Description
Fan art of the Raven Queen, by NLN4.[art 1]
Appearance
The Raven Queen is described as a tall and slender woman, with flowing black hair and pale, porcelain skin. She almost always wears a blank, porcelain mask. On the rare occasions she removes it, she is described as a beautiful woman with red irises.
Personality
Biography
Background
4x06
The Raven Queen first appeared as a spectre during the revivification spell of Vex'ahlia, summoned by the opening of her late champion's casket. At first, the party mistook her for Vesh (due to Kashaw's part in the ritual), but she was revealed during Vax'ildan's contribution to be, in fact, the Raven Queen. Vax offered his life to her in place of his sister's. The Raven Queen reached her hand out to Vax and nodded, agreeing to the offer. At that point Vax unwittingly became her new champion.
4x07
While Vax'ildan and Keyleth had a discussion about the Raven Queen, a raven appeared at Keyleth's window, cawed at the two, then disappeared. It was insinuated to be sent by the Goddess.
"Best Laid Plans..." (1x50)
The Raven Queen was summoned during Grog's revivification by Vax'ildan. As a second form of aid, Vax pledged to serve the Raven Queen unconditionally and with conviction. The Raven Queen sent Vax a vision, seemingly agreeing to the offer.
After these events, Vax found a raven's feather laying on his pillow which he symbolically put in his hair, similar to the blue feathers worn by his sister.
"In the Belly of the Beast" (1x54)
5x01
"Trust" (1x70)
"Curious Tides" (1x89)
The Raven Queen was summoned during Vax'ildan's revivification by Vex'ahlia. A deal was
Fan art of the Raven Queen and Vax'ildan[3], by advocatingAvian.[art 2]
made that Vox Machina would hunt down Orcus in exchange for sparing his life.
"Voice of the Tempest" (1x90)
"Thar Amphala" (1x101)
"The Fate-Touched" (1x103)
"The Endless Atheneum" (1x106)
"The Chapter Closes" (1x115)
Vox Machina returned to The Platinum Sanctuary in Vasselheim after defeating Vecna and sealing him away beyond the Divine Gate. As Keyleth finished addressing the crowd, the Raven Queen appeared behind Vax'ildan and put her hands on his shoulders. Percy tried to get in between the two of them, but she froze him in place.
Keyleth, Scanlan, and Vex asked the Raven Queen for more time. The Raven Queen gently sympathized with their grief, but insists that a deal was a deal. Vax said goodbye to each member of Vox Machina, promising that he would see them again. Vax used Druidcraft to create snow drops out from him to Vox Machina and walked to the Raven Queen. Vax saw a bright light from inside the Raven Queen's cloak. In the light was his mother, telling her son she is proud of him. As Vax walked towards the Raven Queen, her cloak faded, the snowdrops continued until they turned into feathers and both were gone.[5]
Relationships
Fan art of Vax'ildan and the Raven Queen, by NLN4.[art 3]
Vax'ildan
Vax'ildan offered his life to the Raven Queen in place of his sister, Vex'ahlia, as part of a revivification spell[6]. The goddess appeared before him and seemed to agree to those terms. Not long afterward, Vax became a paladin devoted to her cause[7]. Most recently, he made a bargain with her to defeat her hated enemy, Vecna, in return for continued life as a revenant[8].
Commandments of the Matron of Ravens
- 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.[1]
Known Worshipers
Quotations
Trivia
- Liam and Matt discussed the relationship between the Raven Queen and her Champion, Vax'ildan, on Talks Machina on February 21st. Matt said that Raven Queen and Vax'ildan did not have a typical cleric-deity relationship, but that She had told Vax the road She wanted him to take and is now just letting him walk the path on his own. If he strays from that path, She will intervene.[9]
- The Raven Queen's holy day is the Night of Ascension, celebrated on the thirteenth of Cuerssar. Some also associate her with Winter's Crest.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 17.
- ↑ See "Trial of the Take: Part 3" (1x20) from 0:51:54 through 52:52.
- ↑ See "The Family Business" (1x47) from 0:53:34 through 0:56:17.
- ↑ See "The Chapter Closes" (1x115) at 1:29:59.
- ↑ See "The Chapter Closes" (1x115) from 1:27:42 through 1:42:40.
- ↑ See 4x06.
- ↑ See 4x17.
- ↑ See 8x04.
- ↑ See "Talks Machina #13: 'A Bard's Lament' and 'Daring Days'" (TMx13).[citation needed]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of the Raven Queen, by NLN4 (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of the Raven Queen and Vax'ildan[3], by advocatingAvian (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Vax'ildan and the Raven Queen, by NLN4 (source). Used with permission.
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