The Ravens of Odin - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

The Ravens of Odin

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
spellweaver
Aug 10, 2004 4:24:51 -------------------- My players kindly keep out ---------------------------

I came up with this idea last night for my pre-WotI campaign, which is partially centered around the AC 1000 struggle for power in Ostland.

For now, it is just a loose idea for the campaign but I am thinking about fleshing it out as a PrestigeClass later.

The Ravens of Odin

The Ravens of Odin is a semi-covert organisation within the Cult of Odin in Ostland around AC 1000. It functions as a network of spies that report directly to Asgrim the Bowed, the head of the cult. The organisation takes its name from the two ravens Hugin and Munin that fly around the world, spying on men and beasts, and report back to the All-father in Valhalla.

The exact number of members of the Ravens is a closely guarded secret, even within the cult, and outside the cult the existence of the Ravens is usually dismissed as a mere rumour.

The Ravens are always drawn from within the ranks of the godar (priests) of Odin and put through a series of trials to test their reverence, skill and resourcefulness. Absolute and unquestionable loyalty to Asgrim and the Cult of Odin is the most important requirement. On the other hand, the members must be able to hide their allegiance if they go undercover on a spy mission and so mindlessly fanatic followers of Odin are not accepted.

From people who have encountered a Raven there are various reports on their powers, training and equipment. They appear to be able to take the form of a raven at will. Some say they cast an aura of non-detection ruining any attempts to divine their true nature. They are usually well trained in working undercover; foreign languages, bluffing, acting, disguise and similar skills. At least some of them are also trained in opening locks and bypassing / disarming traps.

On missions, all Ravens carry a magical spear disguised as a normal walking staff. This spear supposedly has the power to call down lightning or other powerful magical effects.

The missions that the Ravens undertake usually involves gathering of information. Although they are powerful godi they are not trained as assassins. Their unique powers make them excellent spies, able to blend in with the local population as well as with nobility. The Ravens of Odin is one of Asgrim's most powerful tools in his struggle against Queen Yrsa for the power in Ostland...

:-) Jesper
#2
Hugin
Aug 11, 2004 19:02:56 I have heard the talk of men and witnessed their plans; now I shall fly back to the All-Father in Valhalla and tell him of all. Your secrets are no more! Anybody see Munin around anywhere - he better not be Asgrim's birdbath again - I told him, you don't know which birds have been in there.

Cool idea Spellweaver.
#3
zombiegleemax
Aug 13, 2004 3:24:04 Hugin,

Spellweaver,
I like it! How much does Queen Yrsa know?
#4
spellweaver
Aug 15, 2004 13:45:23
Originally posted by Lost Woodrake
Hugin,

Spellweaver,
I like it! How much does Queen Yrsa know?

Thank you!

Well, Yrsa isn't stupid; she knows Asgrim is after the throne and she'll do anything to prevent him getting his hands on it. She realizes that Asgrim is a powerful opponent who is trying to revert Ostland to the old, barbaric ways while she is trying to make the nation adopt more civilized customs and bring Ostland closer to her neighbours through trade and diplomacy.

King Hord loves Yrsa deeply for giving birth to two sons quickly and she uses that affection to manipulate the king into sanctioning her own agenda. Asgrim, as the king's most trusted advisor, does the same. None of them can accuse the other publicly without civil war, so for the time being they try to manipulate the king and gather more support.

I recomend reading Jakob Skytte's excellent posts at the Vault for more info on the domains of Ostland and the position of the various jarls. Some of them support Asgrim, some Yrsa and the rest are up to their own schemes.

IMC Asgrim has convinced King Hord to increase the raiding of the Alphatian territories. He claims that the wizard empire has begun to regard the Ostlanders as 'weak'. Yrsa is trying to get as many Jarls as possible to follow her most controversial ideas about setting all the thralls free. So far, only one progressive jarl has done so.

Yrsa knows that women in politics are not well thought off in Ostland, so she is being very subttle and most of her ideas are put forth by Hord as his own, but hardly anyone at court has any problems seeing where the progressive ideas are comming from.

Generally, Yrsa's allies can be summed up as the following:
- Representatives of the traders and merchants
- A few of the more open-minded jarls, who are tired of war and raids
- A minority of Odin's godi, who do not follow Asgrim
- A select few of Ostland's heroes who have traveled abroad and seen the wealth, peace and prosperity of the more civilized nations.

Yrsa is trying to convince more jarls and the cult of Frey/Freya as well as the Kingdom of Vestland to either support her or remain neutral. She knows the people of Ostmanhaven have contacted Ragnar the War Leader of Soderfjord and asked his support if they rebel and she is currently contemplating whom to send to both Ragnar and Ostmanhaven to tell them to stand down or suffer the consequences.

Such a diplomatic mission will surely not go unnoticed by the Ravens, who have long been looking for evidence of the Ostmanhaveners' treason.

:-) Jesper

P.S. I just had a thought: Perhaps Yrsa has or will gain the support of the Shield Maidens described in another thread? The amazonian culture of the Northern Reaches? Such a culture or organization, I think, would probably support Yrsa's attempt to gain political influence as a woman in the male-dominated society of Ostland...?
#5
Hugin
Aug 15, 2004 22:27:37 Intriguing stuff there Spellweaver. The characters IMC are headed towards Soderfjord right now on their way to Vestland; I wonder if any of this might affect the PCs? Two of them are males from Vestland (with a female Northerner from an unspecified Nation that was bought as a slave in Thyatis City). This could become very interesting if she was from Osland and perhaps a captured Shield Maiden. Much to think about!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 spellweaver Aug 10, 2004 4:24:51	-------------------- My players kindly keep out --------------------------- I came up with this idea last night for my pre-WotI campaign, which is partially centered around the AC 1000 struggle for power in Ostland. For now, it is just a loose idea for the campaign but I am thinking about fleshing it out as a PrestigeClass later. The Ravens of Odin The Ravens of Odin is a semi-covert organisation within the Cult of Odin in Ostland around AC 1000. It functions as a network of spies that report directly to Asgrim the Bowed, the head of the cult. The organisation takes its name from the two ravens Hugin and Munin that fly around the world, spying on men and beasts, and report back to the All-father in Valhalla. The exact number of members of the Ravens is a closely guarded secret, even within the cult, and outside the cult the existence of the Ravens is usually dismissed as a mere rumour. The Ravens are always drawn from within the ranks of the godar (priests) of Odin and put through a series of trials to test their reverence, skill and resourcefulness. Absolute and unquestionable loyalty to Asgrim and the Cult of Odin is the most important requirement. On the other hand, the members must be able to hide their allegiance if they go undercover on a spy mission and so mindlessly fanatic followers of Odin are not accepted. From people who have encountered a Raven there are various reports on their powers, training and equipment. They appear to be able to take the form of a raven at will. Some say they cast an aura of non-detection ruining any attempts to divine their true nature. They are usually well trained in working undercover; foreign languages, bluffing, acting, disguise and similar skills. At least some of them are also trained in opening locks and bypassing / disarming traps. On missions, all Ravens carry a magical spear disguised as a normal walking staff. This spear supposedly has the power to call down lightning or other powerful magical effects. The missions that the Ravens undertake usually involves gathering of information. Although they are powerful godi they are not trained as assassins. Their unique powers make them excellent spies, able to blend in with the local population as well as with nobility. The Ravens of Odin is one of Asgrim's most powerful tools in his struggle against Queen Yrsa for the power in Ostland... :-) Jesper
#2 Hugin Aug 11, 2004 19:02:56	I have heard the talk of men and witnessed their plans; now I shall fly back to the All-Father in Valhalla and tell him of all. Your secrets are no more! Anybody see Munin around anywhere - he better not be Asgrim's birdbath again - I told him, you don't know which birds have been in there. Cool idea Spellweaver.
#3 zombiegleemax Aug 13, 2004 3:24:04	Hugin, Spellweaver, I like it! How much does Queen Yrsa know?
#4 spellweaver Aug 15, 2004 13:45:23	Originally posted by Lost Woodrake Hugin, Spellweaver, I like it! How much does Queen Yrsa know? Thank you! Well, Yrsa isn't stupid; she knows Asgrim is after the throne and she'll do anything to prevent him getting his hands on it. She realizes that Asgrim is a powerful opponent who is trying to revert Ostland to the old, barbaric ways while she is trying to make the nation adopt more civilized customs and bring Ostland closer to her neighbours through trade and diplomacy. King Hord loves Yrsa deeply for giving birth to two sons quickly and she uses that affection to manipulate the king into sanctioning her own agenda. Asgrim, as the king's most trusted advisor, does the same. None of them can accuse the other publicly without civil war, so for the time being they try to manipulate the king and gather more support. I recomend reading Jakob Skytte's excellent posts at the Vault for more info on the domains of Ostland and the position of the various jarls. Some of them support Asgrim, some Yrsa and the rest are up to their own schemes. IMC Asgrim has convinced King Hord to increase the raiding of the Alphatian territories. He claims that the wizard empire has begun to regard the Ostlanders as 'weak'. Yrsa is trying to get as many Jarls as possible to follow her most controversial ideas about setting all the thralls free. So far, only one progressive jarl has done so. Yrsa knows that women in politics are not well thought off in Ostland, so she is being very subttle and most of her ideas are put forth by Hord as his own, but hardly anyone at court has any problems seeing where the progressive ideas are comming from. Generally, Yrsa's allies can be summed up as the following: - Representatives of the traders and merchants - A few of the more open-minded jarls, who are tired of war and raids - A minority of Odin's godi, who do not follow Asgrim - A select few of Ostland's heroes who have traveled abroad and seen the wealth, peace and prosperity of the more civilized nations. Yrsa is trying to convince more jarls and the cult of Frey/Freya as well as the Kingdom of Vestland to either support her or remain neutral. She knows the people of Ostmanhaven have contacted Ragnar the War Leader of Soderfjord and asked his support if they rebel and she is currently contemplating whom to send to both Ragnar and Ostmanhaven to tell them to stand down or suffer the consequences. Such a diplomatic mission will surely not go unnoticed by the Ravens, who have long been looking for evidence of the Ostmanhaveners' treason. :-) Jesper P.S. I just had a thought: Perhaps Yrsa has or will gain the support of the Shield Maidens described in another thread? The amazonian culture of the Northern Reaches? Such a culture or organization, I think, would probably support Yrsa's attempt to gain political influence as a woman in the male-dominated society of Ostland...?
#5 Hugin Aug 15, 2004 22:27:37	Intriguing stuff there Spellweaver. The characters IMC are headed towards Soderfjord right now on their way to Vestland; I wonder if any of this might affect the PCs? Two of them are males from Vestland (with a female Northerner from an unspecified Nation that was bought as a slave in Thyatis City). This could become very interesting if she was from Osland and perhaps a captured Shield Maiden. Much to think about!