The Raven College of Armes has been in existence from the very first game setting that I built, back in the 1980s, although they haven't been visited by a PC for about 30 years! The College started off under 1st Ed rules and was a Druidic college, as bards were originally required to complete their training under Druidic tutelage. While there is still a heavy Druidic involvement nowadays, the majority of the heralds are 3rd Ed / Pathfinder bards.

The college was founded by Oliver Green-Barral, a powerful druid with links to the old Celtic Baralli family. He originally intended it to be a seat of learning, specializing in traditional law, history and lineage, and train the advisors and judges who would sit at a leader's table and dispense tradition interpretations of both Law and Lore. With the introduction of personal coats of arms, it grew to incorporate the function of a more modern, college of arms - and became the overall arbiter for lineage, rank, arms and status for The Strongholds.

Its libraries are renowned across the Hann Empire and beyond, particularly concerning the Laws, Customs, Nobility and History of the Hann Sea area. While its pronouncements are still seen to favour 'green' solutions, its courts and arbiters are seen as scrupulously fair, and accurate according to the traditional values of the region. However, it is the court and arbiter for nations and nobles, rather than for everyday matters. While the college will always give advice, they insist that Local Law, within its jurisdiction, has priority and matters should be dealt with at a local level, if possible. However, they are seen as the ultimate authority on noble family lines and titles and traditional law, and are recognized specialists in Hann Imperial Law and rulings. Many treaties and agreements between states, nobles and businesses are negotiated, agreed, signed and authorized here, and the occasional formal sessions of The Hann Council meet here.

The Raven College, owns Holy Isle, not far from The Stronghold's coast at the northern end of the Hann Sea. The island itself is covered with the finely maintained woods, hills, streams, beaches and wetlands, as you might expect from a druidic stronghold. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, much of the island is roamed by wild, and sometimes very dangerous, animals - visitors are advised to stay close to the college buildings, unless they have an authorized guide with them.

The college, itself, is composed of a number of buildings spread across a park-like area. There are flowerbeds, often growing native plants, small copses of trees, ponds and other natural landscape items, interspersed with large buildings that seem to merge in with their settings. There is a small 'town centre' with a few shops, a couple of inns and secluded houses owned by some of the most important nobles in the region - although these generally house their administrators and ambassadors, rather than the nobles themselves. College Staff, including the Raven King, tend to live in apartments close to one of the academic buildings and eat in communal refectories.

A small Imperial Enclave is home to the Imperial Administration, and the three Grand-Barons all based here. There is a small naval base, to provide safe habourage, a unit of the Imperial Guard and the administrative offices for the Empire.