The amount of ravens in the world, commonly known as the "amuelt of ravfnkind", is a matter of both curiosity and fascination. Ravens, with their sleek black feathers and intelligent nature, have captured the attention of people for centuries. These birds can be found in various regions around the globe, from North America to Europe and Asia. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of ravens in existence. They inhabit diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas, making it challenging to conduct comprehensive population surveys. Furthermore, ravens are highly adaptable and can thrive in different environments, even in close proximity to humans.
Despite her name and other details of her story being forgotten, it is still considered a very holy symbol by those who still care about such things, and frequently appears in what remains of Barovia's religious art and iconography.
What is left of the legend tells of either a giant raven, an angel in the form of a raven, or an angel with raven-like wings who gifted a blessed, magical amulet to a holy knight who used it to help her purge the land of evil beings that hid from the light of the sun. A trained crafter of wondrous items could create a copy of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind with the use of a detect evil spell and 1000 gold pieces worth of materials during the course of two days of work.
Furthermore, ravens are highly adaptable and can thrive in different environments, even in close proximity to humans. However, some studies and observations have shed light on the population of ravens in specific regions. For example, in North America, the common raven (Corvus corax) is prevalent across the continent, with an estimated population of around 7 million individuals.
Lore about Holy Symbol of Ravenkind
The history of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind in the item's description in the 5e module seems to contradict some lore for the rest of Barovia.
"The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind is a unique holy symbol sacred to the good-hearted faithful of Barovia. It predates the establishment of any church in Barovia. According to legend, it was delivered to a paladin named Lugdana by a giant raven — or an angel in the form of a giant raven. Lugdana used the holy symbol to root out and destroy nests of vampires until her death. The high priests of Ravenloft kept and wore the holy symbol after Lugdana’s passing."
- It predates any church in Barovia. Strahd renamed the valley to Barovia after conquering it, so that implies that no churches predated Strahd. Did Strahd's invading army bring the religions of Morning Lord and Mother Night, or did they already exist in the valley without any churches?
- It was used to destroy vampire nests. Did this happen before Strahd arrived in the valley? Strahd claims to be the first vampire.
- The high priests of Ravenloft used the holy symbol? Strahd built Castle Ravenloft after conquering the valley and named it after his mother, Queen Ravinia. Why would Strahd let priests in his area use a holy symbol to destroy vampires?
Maybe I am overthinking it, but the description doesn't make sense to me. Am I missing something from the lore in previous modules?
A trained crafter of wondrous items could create a copy of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind with the use of a detect evil spell and 1000 gold pieces worth of materials during the course of two days of work. [1]
These birds can be found in various habitats, from deserts to tundra regions. In Europe, the population of ravens varies across different countries. In countries like Germany, they are relatively common and can be found in both rural and urban areas. However, in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the raven population is more limited, with only a few thousand breeding pairs. In Asia, ravens are also present in different countries, including China, Japan, and Russia. The booming human population and rapid urbanization in some parts of Asia have led to habitat loss for these birds. However, ravens have shown adaptability and resilience, successfully adapting to urban environments and finding new sources of food. Overall, while the exact number of ravens in the world remains unknown, they are undoubtedly a widespread and successful species. With their intelligence, unique vocalizations, and playful behavior, ravens continue to captivate human imagination and inspire countless myths and legends. As we strive to conserve and protect our natural environments, it is crucial to ensure the well-being of these remarkable birds and maintain the delicate balance of nature..
Reviews for "Amulets and Divination: Reading the Signs of Ravenkind's Destiny"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Amulet of Ravenkind". The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary characters and subplots. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. Additionally, the writing style felt clunky and awkward, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the world. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others looking for a gripping fantasy adventure.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Amulet of Ravenkind" was a letdown for me. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the plot was far too predictable and filled with cliches. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to create a fantastical world, but it just fell flat. I couldn't finish this book as it failed to capture my attention or provide any meaningful entertainment. I wouldn't waste my time on this one.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Amulet of Ravenkind", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, with little explanation or logical consistency. The magic system was poorly developed and lacked originality. The pacing was off, with long stretches of unnecessary details and lackluster action scenes. The characters were forgettable and lacked any significant growth or motivation. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to fans of the fantasy genre.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - "Amulet of Ravenkind" had a promising premise, but it didn't deliver for me. The writing was dull and lacked creativity, with repetitive descriptions and overused metaphors. The plot felt convoluted and poorly paced, jumping between different storylines without proper cohesion. The romantic subplot was forced and felt out of place, detracting from the main narrative. Overall, I found this book to be a slog to get through and wouldn't recommend it to those looking for an engaging fantasy read.