Ravyn is one of the novel’s leading protagonists, one of its main narrative voices, and Elspeth’s love interest. He is the son of Fenir Yew and Morette Rowan, the sister of the King. He is also the older brother of Jespyr Yew, the only female Destrier, and Emory Yew, a young, infected boy whom Quercus had planned to sacrifice to complete the Deck and dispel the mist from Blunder. Through his mother, he is also the King’s nephew and the cousin of Hauth Rowan, with whom he shares an antagonistic relationship, and Elm Rowan, whom he trusts more than anyone. In terms of career, he is Erik Spindle’s successor as Captain of the Destriers. As Elspeth once did in One Dark Window, the Nightmare often compares Ravyn to his namesake and calls him “stupid bird.”

Like his brother, Ravyn is also infected. His magic allows him to remain unaffected by the Providence Cards and gives him the unique power to destroy them. His degeneration is such, however, that he loses the ability to use one of the Cards each year. Throughout the series, he has only three cards he can use: the Mirror, the Nightmare, and the Twin Alders.