A raven feather token is metallic (usually made of iron, steel, or sterling silver), wrought and blackened to resemble a raven’s feather. Such tokens are crafted by artisans of the Order of the Raven.
The raven feather token is a single-use item; on command, it turns into an intelligent raven. (Though physical in form, and resembling a normal raven in physical respects, this raven is in fact a spirit—an echo of all ravenkind.) The raven can understand human speech (it knows the native language of the token’s creator, and also the native language of the one who activates it), but cannot speak.
The raven exists for a day1; during that time, it functions (as many times as desired, but only for the person who activated the token) as a helping hand spell. As the raven has physical form, notes can also be tied to its foot, etc. The raven cannot perform tasks other than delivering messages and seeking out individuals.
Though a raven feather token is useful enough for the above-described function, it is much more commonly used by friends and allies of the Order of the Raven, to identify themselves to members of the Order (and to one another). The Order primarily crafts raven feather tokens in order to be given to allies, for just this purpose. Such tokens are never sold on the open market, and the Order strongly discourages giving them away.
Aura weak evocation; CL 8th.
1 If activated during the day, the raven lasts until the next sunrise; if activated at night, it lasts until the next sunset. ⇑