The Raven
Introduction
"Balefire burning low
I live in the dusk for now
Until called again"
There were once many Ravens, traveling between the realms, but now there is only one.
That Raven is a survivor with a fierce sense of duty to keep going no matter what, an agenda that is both reluctant and fanatical (at the same time depending on the moment and motivation), and despite being offered little thanks for his devotion to the cause. The Raven is also very aware of his legacy which he fears will be forgotten if he were to die as this would be more convenient to many of the key players as his part in the story is a complex one that could easily be rewritten for ease of historical recording.
More important is his feeling that not fulfilling his duty will disappoint The Fox. This is the essence of The Raven. He fights because he must and because there is nothing else left for him to do since his separation from The Fox (see below).
He believes in The God-Emperor and the Empire and that is all that remains despite a clouded and complex past. He has also begun after time to enjoy the person his painful path has made him and has on many occasions stated bluntly that he at times misses The War in the Dreaming. This may be true, but what he really misses is probably The Fox.
He holds many titles, mainly in positions of military service. The most prestigious of these awarded as late as 2024AOC was the title of "Duke of Rats" an indication that he is if not fully in charge of, at least a high commander, of the armies of The House of The Rat at this time. It is believed this honour was bestowed for his part in the formation of The Alliance Of Birds and subsequent bringing of The Twin Queen back to The Otherside.
Description
Like many Fae The Raven can take different forms but unlike many Fae The Raven has spent so much time on Earth Realm that he prefers to conform to his Earthly appearance even in The Otherplace. He appears as a tall, reasonably built Human male who for the most part wears his hair long. He tends to hide his eyes wherever possible for reasons unknown. The Raven is many things, above all, and before all, he is a protector having cut his teeth in Fae life and pageant as an Edge Walker whose role was simply to defend the edges from bad things, and "very bad things" (as he would say in reference to The Nothing). It was during the War of the Dreaming and after the death of his commander, the Lord of Dwarves, that The Raven finally ascended through the Fae ranks first becoming a Captain, and then a General for The Treaty, and then after the war being elevated by The God-Emperor himself to Kingship - mastery of his own Kingdom was never aspirational for The Raven and is clear that some reluctance existed to this new role; The Raven is never referred to as "His Highness" (as is his technical right) preferring simply "Lord", "General", or "Your Grace" if a strict formality must be adhered to ("Your Grace" being a term usually associated with Dukes, not Kings).
The Raven never formed a house even when in control of The Endless City (by merit of being the commander of the Emperor's chosen garrison before the arrival of The Queen of Rats), instead, his controlled faction is a Host; A Warband, an army of misfits and collected heroes loyal to The God-Emperor which specializes in the exploration of The Far Umbra and, at times, rebel hunting. The Host was a highly decorated operational force during The War in the Dreaming and is feared and respected from Wonderland to The Endless City. The Raven personally leads the 51st Rangers, a sub-division of The Host. The insignia of the 51st is a simple Square on black. The insignia of the Host is the Raven's characteristic logo of squares.
It is extremely important to note that for the majority of their existence before and during The War in the Dreaming that The Fox and The Raven operated as a single entity spanning Earth Realm (The Raven) and The Otherplace (The Fox and The Raven both made appearances in this realm but almost always together) - they were "joined Fae", a type of symbiotic relationship (interpreted by Human folklore as "a changeling") difficult to describe to non-Fae the relationship is one where two entities are so close within the Fae hive mind that they are for all intents and purposes a single individual. It is very rare that "joined Fae" are separated (as this is almost always fatal to one or both of the involved Fae and considered a cruel and unusual fate) but this is exactly what happened to The Raven and The Fox. The separation was political, although perhaps arguably a form of punishment (or self-preservation on the part of other noble Fae; the "act of God" nature for The Fox/Raven union was one worthy of historical note, and their power growing when the action was demanded) - the end goal of the separation was explained as a means to allow The Fox to marry and cement a lasting structure within the Shadow Order and The Treaty, without which it is hinted The God-Emperor could not have enacted The Concordian Barrier and defeated The Nothing. In this way, The Raven was pivotal by proxy to the events of the War in The Dreaming, not by his actions (which were notable) but by his complete sacrifice to the cause. It is because of this that The Fox will always run from The Raven, and The Raven will always chase her - it has become a playful dynamic underpinned by absolute tragedy. What would happen if he were to "catch" her is unknown - but it would almost certainly jeopardize whatever deal was struck with her marriage. The Fox will chase the Moon, which she will never reach, The Raven will chase The Fox, who he can never be allowed to catch. No matter what tasks they are otherwise performing the universe seems to ensure that this dynamic always plays a part in their fate and there have been multiple near-miss situations since The War in the Dreaming ended. The situation makes many Fae uncomfortable and it is thought that The Raven was asked to bend the knee to The Queen of Rats so she could directly monitor, and prevent the "worst" from ever happening although this has never been officially confirmed.
The "mark of separation" (an aura in the Fae hive, and one which other sensitives can also see) is something that all Fae notice on both The Fox and The Raven and something which commands respect and a strong empathy among Fae who find it difficult to grasp the pain such a separation would cause both parties. It is clear that most Fae are hugely surprised that The Raven is still alive (he was assumed the weaker of the pairing, or at least, the one to be sacrificed). The event did change The Raven bringing the trickster in him to the fore which has previously been tapered by The Fox. As a result others often assume The Raven treats existence as a joke, despite him fighting hard to protect The Empire and by proxy that very existence.
The individual that exists at this time is a curious mix of King, Warrior, and Trickster - officially one of the first to swear allegiance to the God-Emperor and join The Treaty the truth is actually more profound than even that. The Raven was one of the first of the stronger Fae to stop running from The Nothing and turn and fight in The War of the Dreaming even when he thought he would lose (and die). It was for this he was rewarded with his Kingship.
In his present role as King of the Kingdom of Fallen Tears he is often referred to as The Shadow King, a reference to many things including his slight allegiance to The Shadow Court before The War in The Dreaming, but also a reference to the covert nature of many of the missions he is tasked with by The God-Emperor (sometimes in the capacity of a Sin Runner) and also finally to the fact his Kingdom is run largely by his Host and that he takes a back seat in most of the day to day decisions operating mostly in his higher position as an agent of The God-Emperor, and ranking ally of The House of The Rat within The Endless City.
In traditional terms, The Raven should be classified as a Sidhe Fire Warrior despite his other accolades as this is his "baseline" skill set as an Edge Walker turned soldier.
From an "unfriendly" perspective and due to his ongoing mission to recover lost artifacts from various realms under the guise of The Searching The Raven is also considered "quite the thief" by some parties both within and outside of the Concordian Court. This isn't something he shies away from; he has on a number of occasions leaned into this perception. The Raven's acquisition of artifacts/knowledge ("data") both in The Otherplace and on Earth Realm is post-War in The Dreaming becoming part of his legacy... part of this is 100% his ability to sneak into realms uninvited and find his way home, alone or accompanied by parts of his host. More reason to be known as the Shadow King for sure, and some reason to be known as a master thief also.
His full title in Fae society: "His Grace, The Raven, Duke Protector of The Endless City, Duke of The City of Hearts, Duke of Rats, Fire Walking, Lord of all shapes, His Grace The Shadow King of "Fallen Tears" emissary of the Grand Empire of Concordia, General of the Treaty, Sin Runner Colonel, Sidhe Fire Warrior, Shadow Dragon Slayer, sworn protector of the Popular Temple and of His Imperial Majesty The God Emperor of Man."
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