Raven

Raven
Born	c. 472 (age 22) Alicante, Alicantian Empire (probably)

Raven is an Alicantian statesman who is currently serving in the Cere as spymaster. He was appointed by Oracle Ina Sukarian.

Description

Raven has lighter skin than the average Aenean, but has the typical dark hair, which he keeps long. He is above average height. He tends to be considered good-looking.

Early life

Raven is a church child who was found abandoned on the street as a baby and taken in by the Sanctuary. He was "adopted" by Cardinal Adanita Baleteno. Initially, he worked in the kitchens, but quickly displayed intellectual aptitude: he taught himself to read and do arithmetic by eavesdropping tutoring sessions in the courtyard in between chores, and would often steal books from the library to read late privately, usually at night, on rooftops, or in alleyways. Once this was discovered, he was allowed to be educated formally.

Raven proved an extremely bright pupil, and seriously impressed several cardinals and ministers. At the age of 12, he was assigned to be educated by Carbuncle, to be joined a few years later by Charles Bellanger, Morgan Le Rhodes, and the Oracle herself. He grew very close with them.

When Spymaster Cedro Ciano committed suicide, Ina appointed Raven as his successor. He is the youngest person in Alicantian history to be appointed to the Cere.

Relationships

Raven has no biological family to speak of. He sought to find his birth mother while he was a teenager, but to no avail.

Cardinal Adanita Baleteno is the closest thing Raven has to a mother. They have a very close, affectionate relationship. Carbuncle is the closest Raven has to a father. He grew up alongside Charlie and Morgan, and he remains close to them to this day.

Raven had an intimate relationship with Ina. He was reportedly devastated when Ina was killed in Liore. According to Carbuncle, he blamed himself for letting her die.

Name

Cardinal Baleteno settled on the name "Raven" because she only noticed the infant Raven when a raven pecked at her face and flew into the shrubbery, which pulled her attention away just long enough for her to notice the babe wrapped in cloth on the ground nearby.