Copyright (c) 2004, Samuel Penn.
This document can be redistributed and/or modified under the terms of the GNU Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation version 2.
Cult of the Black Raven | Version 1.17 ( 2006/09/03 ) |
| Thot |
This cult of Thot is considered to be one of the more secretive, and sometimes sinister, of the religious orders in Euressa. Tharos may be more deadly, but people at least think they know what his followers get up to.
Thot is the Raven god, a messenger, but also a spy. Thot sees and hears everything, and those of his cult are expected to do likewise.
The Black Raven is not the only cult of the Raven, and neither is it the most common, but it is probably the most famous. The Grey Ravens of Taneith are possibly related, though they do not declare worship of Thot.
The cult practises magic, and often pose as (indeed, are) bards. It is said that all knowledge is passed back to their temple somewhere in the Scaedwen Forest. For the most part though, they work for secular lords, spying and scouting for them.
The Queen of Rorn is known to employ the Black Ravens on a regular basis, and even has a sub cult (the Golden Ravens) based at Stowell, in the royal castle.
The Ravens are mistrusted by everyone, though seen to be highly useful by those in power. It is never clear who a Raven is really working for, and people tend to watch what they say when a Raven is known to be around.
There are few Temples constructed in the name of Thot, for he is a god of wanderers and rogues, who do not often make their home in one place. There is one in Stowell and one in Cerdicsfield. There are also said to be several in Midlaen, though little is known of these.
Rituals and prayers to Thot tend to be short and simple with little in the way of trappings. Prayers are given generally at dawn and dusk, to the north, which was the direction Thot and Rorn kept watch on in previous times.
age 18
Some followers of Thot take the role of messengers or scouts, ranging far in the service of their cult, or of those who employ their services.
Talents: Ath-2; Awa-4; Bra-2; Cha-2; Gui-2; Sle-2; Ste-3; Thr-2;
Knowledges: Area lore-4; Religion (Rorn)-2; Speak own-4;
Combat: Bow-2;
Other: Falconry-4; Ride-3; Survival-3;
Ceremonies of Thot [Religion (Rorn)] (2) , Signs of the Raven [Religion (Rorn)] (1)
The Eyes of Thot are probably the most common, but also the least often seen, of the Black Ravens. Their primary role is to act as messengers between the various shires of the Kingdom, for whichever noble is willing to pay. They are trusted with even private information by all but the most paranoid of nobles and merchants. Those who break this trust break the trust of the Cult, and are sentenced to death.
The Eyes normally have a trained raven which they use both as a scout, and as a symbol of their god. The raven is their sacred bird, and is protected by law and tradition within the Kingdom.
As well as being messengers, Eyes also act as scouts. Some of them patrol the borders of the Kingdom, working with regular army units or with the Lawmakers of Haltan. In this role, they do not act to engage the enemy, but to make note of their movements and report back to those who can do something about it. Sometimes they spy for nobles on other nobles, or even on merchants or other cults.
10d in coins; Travelling clothes; Black cloak; Long knife; Horse; Trained Raven;
age 18
Such followers of Thot are diplomats, spies or advisors, operating within the courts of the Kingdom.
Talents: Ath-2; Awa-2; Bra-2; Cha-3; Gui-4; Sle-2; Ste-3; Thr-2;
Knowledges: Area lore-4; Heraldry-2; Religion (Rorn)-3; Speak own-4;
Other: Etiquette-2; Politics-3; Streetwise-2;
Ceremonies of Thot [Religion (Rorn)] (2) , Signs of the Raven [Religion (Rorn)] (1)
Some followers of Thot take the path of diplomacy, acting as spies or advisors to noble lords. Unlike the Eyes, those who are the Voice of the Raven work within the courts of the land, using their grasp of information to advance themselves and their patrons politically.
Almost without exception, a Voice will always be working for a patron, normally in a long term capacity. A Raven who has declared their status and patron is afforded diplomatic immunity if their patron is one of the noble houses. Those with less powerful patrons may be treated differently, though at least can be expected to be asked to leave politely.
15d in coins; Travelling clothes; Black cloak; Long knife;
The following rituals and abilities are taught by the Cult of the Black Raven to its members. Unlike many other religions, teaching is unstructured, and the path of progression is flexible.
Ceremonies of Thot (Cost 2): Religion (Rorn).
Covers the rituals and ceremonies involved in the worship of Thot.
Flight of the Raven
(Cost 6): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Ceremonies of Thot.
When travelling on foot over large distances, a Black Raven may increase their travel speed by 10% per point of their Religion skill.
Hidden Memory
(Cost 4): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Ceremonies of Thot.
Messages taken under oath of secrecy can only be revealed to the designated person. The Raven uses a form of self-hypnosis to commit the message to memory, and then hide it from their conscious thoughts. When the specified conditions are met, the message will come to mind, and will be remembered perfectly.
Signs of the Raven
(Cost 2): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Ceremonies of Thot.
Ravens have many secret ways in which they may identify and communicate with each other. Some involve markings or the special arrangement of objects, others coded words and phrases within normal conversation. Scratches may be made on a door, flasks may be arranged in a particular order, or words within speech may be stressed in a particular way.
Typically, it is moderate difficulty to communicate a simple concept such as danger, safety or cache. It is a similar difficulty for another Raven to notice the information and understand it. It is also possible for a non-Raven to notice the information, even if they don't understand it. The difficulty is twice the difficulty for a Raven to notice and understand.
Copyright (c) 2004, Samuel Penn.
This document can be redistributed and/or modified under the terms of the GNU Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation version 2.