The Church of the Raven

The Church of the Raven is a religious order dedicated to upholding the tenets of The Raven Queen and carrying out her will in Astoria. Their ranks can be found throughout Astoria, at the various temples to the Raven Queen, though they are strongest at the main temple in Theogonia. Specifics of the organization remain shrouded in mystery, but the Ravenites are welcoming enough to those who seek guidance from their Matron.

Structure

Two branches exist within the order of the Church of the Raven: The Raven Priests and the Talons of the Raven. Both branches answer to the Ravenspeaker.

The Ravenspeaker

The overall leader of the Church of the Raven, the Ravenspeaker is said to commune directly with the Raven Queen herself, receiving instruction and guidance as to the current state and direction of the Church.

The Raven Priests

These Ravenites are those who have spent most of their lives dedicated to the order, and have either become too old or injured to continue wandering Astoria in the Raven Queen's name. The order's clergy and leadership, the Raven Priests lead their communities in the worship of the Raven Queen, including her ceremonies, rites, and rituals, and bless and sanction the missions of the Talons of the Raven. The Raven Priests are led by a High Raven Priest at each temple, who oversees the daily life and work there, and answers only to the Ravenspeaker.

Talons of the Raven

Younger and more hale and healthy Ravenites are utilized by the order as the Raven Queen's wings, spreading her tenets and faith wherever they go. But just as a raven's wings lend it swift flight, its talons and beak are never far, ready to tear at the flesh of those who would seek to harm it or its brethren. So, too, go the Talons of the Raven, rooting out practitioners of necromancy or others who would seek to twist the strand of fate to their whim. The Talons do not have an internal hierarchy themselves, instead deferring to the Raven Priests for instruction and guidance in their pursuits.

Public Agenda

While both The Raven Priests and the Talons of the Raven interact with the public, it is the former of the two who does so the most. Though they keep mostly to themselves in their shadowy temples, the Raven Priests will prepare and conduct burial and interment rites and procedures for both those of their faith and those without an affiliation to a god. They also care for and tend to cemeteries, tombs, and other burial sites to ensure the dead are neither forgotten nor disturbed. 
The Talons of the Raven also interact with the public, though it is in more of an investigative sense. In the pursuit of their goal of ferreting out the Raven Queen's enemies, they will often seek out information from the local populace. A Talon investigating reports of the undead in the area, for example, might make inquiries with the locals to find out more information.

Life is fleeting, death is eternal

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Demonym

Ravenites

Leader

Dimia de Mowbray

Leader Title

Ravenspeaker

Divines

• The Raven Queen

Ranks
Ravenspeaker
High Raven Priest
Raven Priest 
Talon of the Raven