The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: The Raven Man

by

Previously: Musical Chairs Alone.

I was unable to find out anything about The Raven Man’s origins; I was, however, able to find two different versions of the game: One you can play alone, and one that requires three people. The three-person version is a liiiiiiiittle sexist — the rules stipulate that one of the players must be a “virgin girl” intended to function as a symbolic sacrifice, while the “incanter” must be male — so if that gives you pause (it did me), then you may want to stick with the one-person version. In either event, though, I’ve provided the instructions for both; each required a good deal of cleaning up, but I believe the instructions I’ve put together here to be the clearest and most precise versions out there. Once the Raven Man has been summoned, you may ask anything of him: Questions for information, tasks for him to complete; and so on. Be careful not to ask too much of him, though; he does not take kindly to being used.

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Ravens, of course, have long been believed to be ill omens. Carrion birds are not often looked upon kindly; as such, it’s perhaps unsurprising that many cultures associate ravens with death and lost souls. They’re also, however, sometimes considered very wise, indeed — which, when combined with their less-than-savory reputation, may account for the Raven Man’s dangerous nature.

As always, play at your own risk.

One-Person Version:

Players:

  • One principal.

Requirements:

  • A quiet, dark room. It is recommended that this ritual be performed in a non-urban setting, as any light pollution may cause unintended and unfortunate results.
  • Salt.
  • Five candles.
  • Matches or a lighter.
  • A sharp object capable of drawing blood, such as a needle or knife.
  • A candle snuffer (optional).
  • A talisman or object of protection.

Instructions:

The Summoning:

  1. Begin at night, ideally on a cloudy, moonless one.
  2. Prepare the room: Draw the curtains, ensuring no light leaks in from the outside, and turn off all lamps and other light sources. Keep your object of protection with you at all times.
  3. Draw a circle with the salt. Do NOT step inside the circle.
  4. Line up the five candles up in front of you.
  5. Using the matches or lighter, light the first four candles in sequence. While lighting them, recite the following incantation (lighting one candle per line):“On this dark nightI call on the Raven ManAppear before me here and nowAnd do my will.”
  6. Using the sharp object, pierce your finger until it bleeds. Touch your blood to the fifth candle and recite, “The flame is my beacon, the blood is my sacrifice.”
  7. Light the fifth candle.

The Main Event:

  1. After you light the fifth candle, the Raven Man will make his presence known, although he will be confined to the interior of the salt circle. You may be able to see him; however, it is more likely that he will remain unseen.
  2. You may now ask whatever you want of him. If you seek information, he will provide it for you. If you require a servant, he will complete any task you put him to. Treat him respectfully, and do not overstep your bounds.

Releasing the Raven Man:

  1. Once you have asked all you wish to, thank the Raven Man. Thank him for coming; thank him for answering; thank him for granting your requests. Do not bypass this step.
  2. Put out the candles one by one. As you snuff them, speaking the following words (putting out one candle with each word): “I release you now, Raven Man.” Do NOT blow out the candles. Either use a candle snuffer, or pinch them with your fingers.
  3. Clean up the salt, but do not dispose of it. Instead, place it outside any doors leading into your home.
  4. Keep your object of protection close by for the next several days. Do not go anywhere without it, for leaving it behind may invite the Raven Man to call upon you for service… and you don’t want to do whatever he asks of you. Trust me.

Three-Person Version:

Players:

  • At least three participants. One must be a virgin female (the “Offering”) and one must be male (the “Incanter”). The third may function as a “Witness,” as may any other additional participants.

Requirements:

  • A quiet, dark room. Again, it is recommended that this ritual be performed in a non-urban setting so as to avoid any issues with light pollution.
  • A stationary burning flame. A candle may be used; however, a Zippo-style lighter — one which will remain light when set down — will also suffice. If using a candle, also bring the means with which to light it.
  • Enough stones to create a large, unbroken circle.
  • A sharp object capable of drawing blood.
  • A small piece of paper or cloth.
  • Three questions.

Instructions:

The Summoning:

  1. Begin at night, ideally on a cloudy, moonless one.
  2. Prepare the room: Draw the curtains, ensuring no light leaks in from the outside, and turn off all lamps or other light sources. Remove any pets, animals, or non-participating humans from the area.
  3. Create a large ring with the stones. Each stone should touch the one on either side of it, ensuring that the circle is unbroken. The Offering and Witness should stand within the perimeter of the circle; all other Witnesses should remain outside of it. The Incanter should bring with them the flame (plus the means to light it, if using a candle), and the sharp object; the Offering should bring the piece of paper or cloth. If a candle is being used, the Offering should also have matches or a lighter with her.
  4. Light the flame and place it in the center of the circle. After it is lit, the Incanter and the Offering should both approach it and face each other over it. Do NOT allow the Incanter and the Offering to touch each other.
  5. Using the sharp object, the Incanter must draw blood from the Offering. It is recommended that this be done by piercing or slicing a finger. As previously stipulated, the Incanter and the Offering may not touch flesh to flesh; however, it is possible for the Incanter to make the cut without otherwise touching the Offering.
  6. The Offering must deposit a drop of blood on the piece of paper or cloth before handing it to the Incanter. Again, the Incanter and the Offering should not under any circumstances touch each other during this process.
  7. The Offering may then return to the inner perimeter of the circle.
  8. The Incanter must burn the paper or cloth over the flame. After this has been done, all participants must close their eyes. Do NOT open your eyes unless specified to do so at any point during the ritual.
  9. The Incanter must recite the following words:“We summon you, Raven Man, to grace us with your supreme presence, we come to bid you offering of this virgin girl, to take as your own, and use as you please. Show your form to me, so that I may present you this gift.”
  10. The Incanter should repeat these words until complete and utter silence falls. When no other sound may be heard, the Incanter must open his eyes, snuff out the flame, and return to the circle’s inner perimeter. ONLY the Incanter may open his eyes. All other participants should remain with their eyes closed.
  11. If this is done correctly, the Raven Man will appear within the circle.

The Main Event:

  1. The Incanter may then ask the Raven Man if he is willing to answer any questions.
  2. If the Raven Man declines: Proceed immediately to Ending the Ritual.
  3. If the Raven Man agrees: The Incanter may ask the three questions he has prepared. Make note of the Raven Man’s responses, for the knowledge they contain will be of much value indeed.
  4. Do NOT anger, provoke, disrespect, or irritate the Raven Man.

Ending the Ritual:

  1. To release the Raven Man, all participants must open their eyes and yell, “Leave us, Raven Man!”
  2. The Offering must then rush forward and relight the flame. This will banish the Raven Man back to whence he came.

Additional Notes:

  • The Raven Man’s answers may be vague or enigmatic, but they will always be correct.
  • During the three-player version, it is not recommended that the Incanter ask the Raven Man more than three questions.
  • The three-person version of this game is far riskier than the one-person version. For this reason, the three-person version should NOT be attempted more than once. Ever.

If the Offering Fails to Relight the Flame:

Those within the circle of stones may vanish. It is uncertain what happens to them or where they go; however, should one ask the Raven Man that question, he will respond only this:

“You would wish I had not told you.”

The Raven Man: FAQ.

***

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[Photo: Douglas Brown/Flickr]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. In some of the games here requiring only 1 principal is it advisable to play some of the games while having a lucid dream? (meaning you are aware you are dreaming and you can pretty much do whatever you want)or never ever try it in that situation? just wondering i have lucid dreams sometime

    Reply

    • It’s… sketchy at best. On one hand, rituals involving blood seem unlikely to work, as it isn’t really your blood being used. On the other hand, it may consider blood from a dream to be a more true representation of yourself, due to it being more spiritual than physical, and needless to say, nothing good can come of that.

      Reply

  2. It isn’t advisable to play any of these games during a lucid dream. The entity summoned could cross into our own plane- this releasing it from the spectral/demonic/? plane from whence it came.

    Reply

  4. I’m not sure how fucked up this may sound, but what if you were to ask a sexual act from the raven man? I’m curious as to “What” exactly you should ask of him and our what you would need to ask from him.

    Reply

  5. Question, if you want the Raven-Man to do something for you that requires stepping outside the circle of salt, will he be able to do that? Or can you only make him do things that can be done inside the circle?

    Reply

    • Do NOT do any of these games if you don not have an item of protection. As for him asking you a favor…I don’t think the service he want’s you to complete is one you be wiling to do.

      Reply

  8. This Raven man reminds me of Sebastian from Kuroshitsuji. 😀 He’s a demon acting as a butler, extremely polite but you don’t wanna see his true face, and his animal form is a raven.

    Reply

  9. i kinda feel bad for him because all he does is go around doing favours only to be banished before asking for favours back again lol, sorta like a guy at school who keeps getting used.

    Reply

    • Think about it though he probably doesn’t want to run around doing us favors but he still does. Like he’s forced too. Or he’s just waiting for some idiot to take off their item of protection and like steal their soul or some shit

      Reply

  11. So the one person one…. Completely and totally alone or can you have someone with you? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY- the whole ‘do as you please’ virgin thing. Is the offering safe? Or is she gonna disappear in a few days?

    Reply

    • I think the person who is the virgin offering is safe, you just need a bit of her blood for the ritual (Because I guess a virgin’s blood is pure?) I’m not exactly sure as I have never played any of these games but I think as long as everyone has an item of protection and does the ritual properly you should be fine. *I’m not an expert and this is only a guess*

      Reply

  12. I tried this and I must say that this is one of the most interesting rituals I have ever performed.

    Reply

    • how was it? can you tell me exactly what you did? what you asked from him? please reply i really want to know about all this! it’s so interesting!!! ^^

      Reply

  16. So if he does call you for service will it only be as many times as him or will he do so repeadtly? Also what kind of entity is he said to be? Is he a demon or spirit working for a group or is he just his own being doing his own thing?

    Reply

    • As for what he is, I don’t think anyone can answer that. But for the service thing as long as you have an item of protection you won’t have to do any services for him..I think.

      Reply

  18. Ok so, my friends and I are interested in this ritual. And i’m the only one who is willing to be the Virgin offering. But what does the whole “To take as your own, and use as you please.” thing mean? Is he gonna steal my soul?

    Reply

  19. I was a raven for halloween once, and the costume still fits me. If i were to wear that, would it A. Get the raven man to take me, or B. Make him nicer or something.

    Reply

    • I’m not sure, but I don’t recommend it. The chances are, you can aggravate him and that would NOT be good. Play with casual clothing. No need to risk yourself, bud.

      Reply

    • If he has any sense of humor he’d just be laughing his ass off…

      But for real, just don’t do it.

      Reply

    • i… don’t think you should do that. you don’t know what will anger him or how will he be angered, and there’s always a possibility of bad things. you may try if you’re brave enough.
      and probably have a death wish.
      but in all seriousness, i don’t advise you to.

      Reply

    • Think about it like this. If you were a sort of spirit(animal) and were extremely serious, would you want someone to dress up like you. In short, he might take it as though you’re mocking him and get mad. On the other hand, he may laugh. 😛

      Reply

  22. As a pagan, the phrase “virgin” in ritual often means someone who has never offered their blood in ritual before. For instance, I’m queer so I’ve never had penetrative sex and technically would be a virgin by traditional standards, but I’ve offered my blood many times in rituals so the phrase doesn’t apply to me in that context.

    Reply

  24. Wait a minute…. If I leave my protection at home or something, the Raven Man will call on me right? And what tasks will he ask me to do then?

    Reply

  27. Hello! I really like this series, but I have a little question. What would count as a ‘object of protection?’ Would it be, for example, an object that is important to the player, or something else entirely?

    Reply

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