The Amulet of Ravenkind is a powerful magical item in the realm of Dungeons & Dragons. It is an amulet shaped like a raven's head and is imbued with the essence of the Raven Queen, the goddess of death and fate. This amulet has the ability to turn its wearer into a raven, allowing them to cast various spells and gain other magical powers. One of the most notable abilities of the Amulet of Ravenkind is its ability to reveal hidden creatures or objects. When activated, the amulet emits a magical light, similar to a torch, which can penetrate darkness and reveal hidden enemies or secret passages. This makes it an invaluable tool for adventurers exploring dark dungeons or haunted castles.
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]
The common belief was that this holy symbol was given to an ancient paladin named 1 by a giant raven or a divine servant of the gods, that is, an angel who took on the form of a raven. The common belief was that this holy symbol was given to an ancient paladin named 1 by a giant raven or a divine servant of the gods, that is, an angel who took on the form of a raven.
This makes it an invaluable tool for adventurers exploring dark dungeons or haunted castles. In addition to its revealing powers, the amulet also possesses several defensive abilities. It grants its wearer resistance to necrotic damage, allowing them to withstand attacks that drain their life force.
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?
"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."
This is particularly useful when facing undead creatures or enemies that use dark magic. Furthermore, the amulet provides advantage on saving throws against abilities that would turn the wearer into an undead creature, such as a vampire's bite. The Amulet of Ravenkind also has the power to summon a swarm of ravens to aid its wearer in battle. These ravens can attack enemies, distract them, or scout ahead to gather information. This ability can be crucial in situations where the odds are stacked against the adventurer, providing an additional edge in combat or intelligence gathering. However, the powers of the Amulet of Ravenkind are not without their limitations. The amulet can only be used once per day to turn the wearer into a raven, requiring them to choose their moments wisely. Additionally, the amulet's powers may vary depending on the alignment and intentions of its wearer. It is said that those who use the amulet with evil intentions may find themselves facing dire consequences. In summary, the Amulet of Ravenkind is a versatile and powerful magic item in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Its abilities to reveal hidden creatures, protect against necrotic damage, and summon a swarm of ravens make it an invaluable tool for adventurers facing dark and dangerous foes. However, it requires careful and responsible use to avoid the potential consequences that may arise from its powers..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Ancient Secrets of the Amulet of Ravenkind"
1) Jessica - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Amulet of ravenkind" based on the description and reviews, but I was ultimately disappointed. The storyline felt very predictable and formulaic, and the characters lacked depth and development. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre at best, with excessive use of clichés and poorly crafted dialogue. Overall, I found this book to be unoriginal and underwhelming.
2) Mike - 1 star - I couldn't stand "Amulet of ravenkind". From the very beginning, I struggled to connect with the protagonist, who came across as self-absorbed and unlikable. The plot was disjointed and convoluted, making it difficult to follow along and stay engaged. Furthermore, the world-building felt superficial and poorly realized, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, this book was a chore to read, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3) Sarah - 2 stars - "Amulet of ravenkind" fell flat for me. The pacing was all over the place, with moments of intense action interspersed with long stretches of boredom. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and unable to fully understand the significance of certain events. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to deliver a compelling and cohesive story.
4) David - 3 stars - While "Amulet of ravenkind" had some intriguing elements, it ultimately failed to live up to my expectations. The plot was promising, but it lacked depth and complexity. I also found the writing style to be overly descriptive and verbose, which slowed down the pace of the story. Furthermore, certain plot twists felt contrived and forced, making the overall storyline feel disjointed. Overall, this book had potential, but it needed more refinement and tighter execution to truly shine.
5) Emily - 2 stars - I was disappointed by "Amulet of ravenkind". The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real growth or development. The love story felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it difficult for me to invest in the romance. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving me confused about the rules and limitations of the magical elements. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest and left me wanting more substance and depth.