The Ravens - A Spy Network

Fragsie

Explorer
EDIT: Wiki Link

A few years ago, I was a player in a 3.5 edition campaign that ran from level 1 to 20. Although not the original concept for my character she ended up being quite the spy-mistress; making new contacts every time the party moved to a new location. In time she was able to acquire some nifty magic items that indulged her voyeuristic habits, and learnt of certain tattoo rituals that allowed all of her spy contact to keep in communication with her wherever she was. By the time we reached level 20 my character was privy to information from half of Faerun, and quite often made the party some extra money (or furthered her own causes) by selling information to certain groups or kingdoms, and she had begun to influence some of her underlings into worshipping her as the goddess of secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the character, and when she was elevated to NPC status, and we began a new campaign we would from time to time come across the influence of her network.

I would like to add something similar to the LW4 setting; an international network of spies known as The Ravens; that hold no allegiance to any one country/kingdom, but will sell information to those that can afford it, or will provide information (often anonymously) when it suits their purpose. These group of ‘mercenary spies’ are also the clergy of a church to the Goddess of Secrets (whose very existence is a bit of a secret itself). What their actual purpose, or goal is remains unknown, but their choices and actions could neither be described as overtly evil or good. But one thing is for sure, their knowledge and information are a very powerful weapon; the right info given to the right person at the right time could influence anything from the construction of a new building in Daunton to the selection of the next Iron Shogun of the Jade kingdoms. Who knows how long they have existed? What part they have played in the history of the world?

They would have hidden temples in major cities across the many lands of the Shifting Seas, which also serve as training academies for new spies. Each initiate would be marked with a magical tattoo in the shape of a raven in flight; when touched by the barer they may communicate with the one who placed the mark upon them; no matter the distance between them.

So, what does everyone think? It’s only a rough idea at the moment, and I’d love to hear any ideas people might have that could expand on this. Also, as a relatively new player here at LW4 I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, or harm the great work that has already been put into the setting.
 
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Lord Sessadore

Explorer
I like the idea. Might need some refinement for the setting ... personally, I'm a little unsure about guaranteed communication regardless of distance or location in this setting. To me, at least, the whole setting has sort of a general mystery and vagueness, and the existence of such magic diminishes it somewhat. Perhaps if it wasn't quite so easy? Maybe a ritual, so they could perform it in their bases of operations, but not in the field? I dunno, maybe I'm just going overboard ;) I also like them being pervasive - that you could find them almost anywhere of significance - but I'm not sure I want them to be totally pervasive. Again, with the inherent vagueness of the setting, I'm not sure I want to have an organization that is widespread and well-established enough that they could steer the events of the entire world, when it's a crap shoot to even travel from place to place. (That is, not that it's any more dangerous to travel in this setting than in others, but that ... places move, and you're not actually guaranteed to get to where you're going if you follow the same path twice, sort of thing.) Also, islands and even continents occassionally appear and disappear, which makes a totally pervasive organization ... very tricky, to say the least ;)

The other tricky bit I see is their Goddess of Secrets. We've got sort of a mirror of the ancient Greek/Roman pantheon for the setting, and I think the existence of a god who is outside of that is something we'd like to avoid. I do have a few ideas for this goddess, though. The first is Hekate - this would definitely give them a much darker twist, but could jive very well with some of the recent developments people have made to her and her cult. The other is ... dum dum duuum ... Athena! (Or Mireva or Palladys, as she's known in the setting.) As the goddess of wisdom, she's the one that jumps to the fore of my mind when thinking of knowledge, though the sneaky bit might not jive with her very well. But I think it would be a really interesting twist that these Ravens are a secret offshoot cult of Mireva, haha. You could maintain the sectret-goddess bit in that it's a secret that they actually worship Mireva. Or, the third idea is that she could be a demigod of some description - there's plenty of them in Greco-Roman mythology ;)

Thoughts?
 

Don Incognito

First Post
I'm a big fan of shadowy organizations. I've currently got one in the works that will feature in various ways in all of the games shall DM (cough AB-DEAD cough).

That said, sounds like a good idea.
 

Atanatotatos

First Post
Nice idea. I think Hermethis (Hermes/Mercury) is the best choice as a god (if it doesn't have to be a goddes). Not only because of his features, but also because it's nice to leave space for various gods, and both Hekates and Mireva/Palladys are already being used in setting details and characters backgrounds quite often.

Also, no need for obscure rituals or magickal tatoos. Sendstones. Simpler, balanced, and covered in AV.
 

Lord Sessadore

Explorer
Nice idea. I think Hermethis (Hermes/Mercury) is the best choice as a god (if it doesn't have to be a goddes). Not only because of his features, but also because it's nice to leave space for various gods, and both Hekates and Mireva/Palladys are already being used in setting details and characters backgrounds quite often.
Touche. Man, I must be losing my memory early ... Hermes is just about perfect. At least, as close as you can get with the Greek pantheon. I'm a bit of an Athena fan, which is probably part of why she came to the front in my head ;)

If that still doesn't quite work for what you're thinking, Fragsie, a demigod would still fit the bill nicely.
 

Ozymandias79

First Post
if it was athena wouldn't owls be a better a animal to name the organization IE the Shadow Owls

but I would pick Apollo for patron for the ravens as he made it an sacred animal but Athena would fit also as she is also mentioned in the story about Coronis maybe sponsored by both gods
 
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Fragsie

Explorer
I like the idea. Might need some refinement for the setting ...
Certainly, I agree, like i said I'm new to the setting so i don't know all the backround (yet), and i definately want this idea to mesh well with what already exists:p.

personally, I'm a little unsure about guaranteed communication regardless of distance or location in this setting. To me, at least, the whole setting has sort of a general mystery and vagueness, and the existence of such magic diminishes it somewhat. Perhaps if it wasn't quite so easy? Maybe a ritual, so they could perform it in their bases of operations, but not in the field?
Also, no need for obscure rituals or magickal tatoos. Sendstones. Simpler, balanced, and covered in AV.
The mechanics for sending stones are certainly a good starting place, but i agree that the Ravens should not have unlimited communication, in that vein i would suggest that the ability be daily, rather than at-will (as per PHB), which supports Sessadores ideas somewhat.
The idea of using tattoos, rather than just items serves multiple purposes:
- The ability to communicate with (and potentially listen in on) the Ravens cannot fall into the wrong hands.
- It is a means of identification between members of a very secretive organisation that doesn't very often have reunion parties.
I like the idea of a large ritual (perhaps taking many days) during which the tattoo is applied to a new initiate (possibly involving said initiate divulging every secret he has ever kept?).

I also like them being pervasive - that you could find them almost anywhere of significance - but I'm not sure I want them to be totally pervasive. Again, with the inherent vagueness of the setting, I'm not sure I want to have an organization that is widespread and well-established enough that they could steer the events of the entire world, when it's a crap shoot to even travel from place to place.
I had a potential though about this earlier this afternoon; Perhaps this group were once as powerful as all that, based in old Allaria before the fall of the empire. But they lost most of their power when the tradgedy struck, and are only now; after (howevery many years), begining to reassert themselves. I would eventually like to run an adventure to introduce them to the setting; probably based around the Ravens setting up their temple in Daunton. what do you think to the idea?

The other tricky bit I see is their Goddess of Secrets. We've got sort of a mirror of the ancient Greek/Roman pantheon for the setting, and I think the existence of a god who is outside of that is something we'd like to avoid.
Nice idea. I think Hermethis (Hermes/Mercury) is the best choice as a god (if it doesn't have to be a goddes). Not only because of his features, but also because it's nice to leave space for various gods, and both Hekates and Mireva/Palladys are already being used in setting details and characters backgrounds quite often.
If that still doesn't quite work for what you're thinking, Fragsie, a demigod would still fit the bill nicely.

Mercury is a good idea, but I'm very attached to the idea of a goddess (the mistress of secrets; a pale, black haired woman with black feathered wings.
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She could quite easily be a demi-god that serves Mercury/Hermes.
 
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ukingsken

First Post
I think the whole thing is great but I dont think its too essential to haggle over semantics. I think the important thing is to preserve the unconnectedness of the setting and not allow "definite unlimited communication"

Much better if they communicate mostly by normal means and have ways to contact distant locations immediately in case of emergency or great profit :D
 

Fragsie

Explorer
ok, i can see the reason for your worries; It could be that only the high priests/area commanders have the funky communication tattoos. those below them have lesser magic tattoos (cannot be forged, easily) that simply identify them as being a part of the organisation?
 

Don Incognito

First Post
Commoners in Daunton refer to Hermes as Merkari, the god of travelers, thieves, messengers, liars, and general good-natured naughtiness. It'd suggest that your goddess be an exarch to Merkari.

I'm not a fan of the name "The Ravens", however. Too much conotation with death, and not enough with rumors and lies. I suggest "The Whispers".
 

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