Keepers of the Black Feather
What you know...
In the death-shrouded domain of Barovia, a spark of life flickers within the seething darkness. Beneath Lord Strahd's malevolent gaze lies an ancient order devoted to principles of good and the destruction of evil. This elite order, known as the Keepers of the Black Feather, served as spies and scouts during the Terg occupation and were loyal to Barovia and, to a large extent, Prince Strahd von Zarovich. After the battle of Berez and Strahd's flagrant betrayal of the Hapsburg Dynasty, the order went aground and has kept a low profile. They began, instead to gather information on Strahd, keeping a tally of his despotic deeds. After many grim discoveries of Barovia's new king, they now seek his downfall. They believe that Strahd Von Zarovich has made a fiendish pact and fallen irrevocably into darkness, cursing the land in his wake.
The Keepers' ultimate goal is the fabled Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, a powerful artifact crafted by the Great Archcleric of the Morninglord Saint Karreck Kir, who served alongside Strahd Von Zarovich during the early days of the war. The devotion to the creation of the relic sapped Karreck Kir's life force and he died shortly after completing the work. Tavian Andral recorded many of Karreck Kir's visions and his final testament where he foretold the symbol would be used by the Keepers of the Black Feather and the holy Church of the Morninglord to defeat the coming darkness. The holy symbol was safeguarded in the Abbey of Brilliance by Saint Andral for many decades but is now missing.
While the Keepers' primary focus is the search for the Holy Symbol, they also devote themselves to studying Strahd and thwarting his schemes whenever possible. They aid others who resist him in covert ways, ensuring that their efforts remain unnoticed.
The members of this order practice a complex recognition system with three levels. They believe, and rightly so, that they can only survive by maintaining the utmost limits of secrecy. If Strahd were ever to learn that the Keepers of the Black Feather existed, he would hunt them down and destroy them. The first form of identification is visual. Each Keeper of the Black Feather always wears one or more raven feathers. These vary from plumage to signet rings, engraved amulets, or tattoos. However, a verbal code is also used because an outsider might also wear such decorations. This second step in the identification process takes the form of a casual question that includes the word "nest" in it. The response must include "feather," or the person is clearly a fraud. Once this secondary identification has been made, a person can be fairly confident that he is in the company of a fellow member of the secret society. However, just for security, a third check must be made. Like the second step, this one is verbal. Unlike the previous level, however, it requires the person being examined to take the initiative. If someone believes that he is being checked for authenticity by a fellow member of the order, he must say something in the language of ravens. Upon hearing this, the person making the inquiry responds in kind, and the recognition process is complete.
In addition to the traditional "membership" of the order, many members can call upon normal ravens to do their bidding. The extent of this ability depends upon the nature of the individual. Ordinary talon members have no ability to command ravens, but they have a limited command of the ravens' language. Thus, they can communicate with ravens fairly well. It is important to note, however, that the language of these birds is very simple and generally enables them to express only the most elementary concepts, like "danger coming" or "food ahead."
Their headquarters, known as "The Nest," is a secret location known only to the highest-ranking members of the order.
Many members worship the Raven Queen or Mother Winter
The Raven Queen (Mother Winter/Lady of Death)
Also known as the Matron of Ravens or Mother Winter, the Raven Queen is the only mortal known to have successfully joined the pantheon of gods. She dwells in the Shadowlands and presides over the Raven Gate, through which all mortal souls must pass after death, regardless of creed. She judges between the competing claims on any soul and sends it onwards.
She is served in the Shadowlands by the Sorrowsworn, souls that do not wish to pass through the Gate and for whom she has a use. This favor is granted to few (and few would seek it) and may be withdrawn at any time. Some Sorrowsworn serve for days, some for centuries. All must pass the Gate eventually, in accordance with their fate.
The Raven Queen has some roadside shrines but no major temples, as no community would want to host such a church. Her clerics are respected and feared and very few in number. In her role as Mother Winter, she is the ultimate sovereign of the Winter Court of the Fae, although in practice Queen Mab (known as the Raven Queen's daughter, although Mab is thought to be far older) rules that land.
Commandments:
Death is the natural end of life. There is no lament for those who have fallen.
The path of fate is sacrosanct. Those who pridefully attempt to twist or avoid their destiny should be punished.
Undeath is an atrocity. Those who would attempt to pervert the transition of the soul must be brought down.
