Raven (game show)

Raven is a BBC Scotland children's adventure game show, currently showing on CBBC in the UK and on BBC Kids in Canada. It is hosted by James MacKenzie in the title role, who conducts a group of children over 5 days through a series of tasks and feats. At various stages in the adventure, the group loses the least successful 'warrior' until only two are left.

The final task at the end of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day is called The Way of the Warrior and is attempted by the least successful warrior. There have been 6 series so far (the sixth being aired on 5 March 2007).

Format

The show is intended to be shown in five show blocks i.e. one per day over a week. Each week starts with a new set of six warriors and one warrior is lost each day (except on the first day) until there are 2 warriors left at the end of the week who go through to the final. From Series 1 - 3, each warrior was granted seven lives (represented by raven feathers on their standard) at the beginning of their quest and needed seven treasure rings to win back a life. In Series 4 this was changed to nine lives and nine rings. Lives are lost by losing a game and when all lives are lost, the warrior is eliminated. It is the player with the lowest number of lives at the end of each day that faces elimination. The Way of the Warrior is used as an eliminator each day. If two players have the same number of low lives, then they must draw a black feather from a bag to decide who must face elimination. If a player completes Way of the Warrior, then they go through to the next day's competition and the warrior who has the next least number of lives must face the challenge.

Characters

Raven (James MacKenzie): Originally from the Island of Alaunus, Raven is an ancient Scottish warlord and the warrior's guide throughout the quest. Raven is both serious and dryly humorous, urging and pushing the warriors to do their best in all the challenges. He is quick to both praise their success and point out their failures, but always has a kind word for the warriors who are eliminated. He carries his Staff of Power (topped with a carving of a raven's head) with him at all times which allows him to bring warriors back when they lose a game, reveal the warriors' thoughts, recap what has happened previously, and both give and take away the warriors' lives from their standards. Raven is seen to have shape-shifting abilities as he is able to change into a raven at will (in both the opening and closing credits), and he is a skillful archer. In the spin-off show Raven: The Island, he sends the warriors off on their quest, and is seen throughout the series talking to Cyrus about the tasks the warriors face.

Nevar: A mysterious figure who wears a black hooded cloak and an iron mask. Raven refers to him as 'the enemy of all that is good and true'. He is seen watching the warriors' progress in his castle and only appears in person at The Last Stand where he does his best to stop the last three warriors from winning. He is the one who sends the demons who feature so heavily in the tasks the warriors face. In the spin-off show Raven: The Island, it is stated that Nevar has ruled the Island of Alaunus with his dark magic for 4 years. He is making Staffs of Power from the Enchanted Oak to arm his demons with in order to stop the warriors from reaching his fortress. Nevar is an anagram of Raven.

Princess Erina (Lindsay McKenzie): Featured in the spin-off show Raven: The Island. Erina is Raven's close and trusted friend. She carries a Staff of Power with her (topped with a crown carving) and is helped by a tree sprite named Haryad, who appears as a blue ball of light and reports the warriors' progress to Erina. Erina lives on the Island of Alaunus, which used to belong to her father before Nevar took it over with his dark magic, and is the one who leaves signs and clues to guide the warriors to Nevar's fortress.

Cyrus the Astronomer (Michael MacKenzie): Featured in the spin-off show Raven: The Island, Cyrus is an old and wise astronomer. He is the one who works out when the eclipse is due, and who discovered the many magical properties on Alaunus, such as the Time Wells and the Pearls of Wisdom, when sorcery returned to the island. He has great knowledge of these which he has passed onto Erina. Throughout the series, he is seen explaining to Raven about the eclipse, the timepieces, and where the timepieces can be found.

It should be noted that, despite the actors of Raven, Princess Erina and Cyrus all sharing the same surname, McKenzie, they are not related in any way.

The Warriors

Each warrior is given a standard with their lives and treasure rings on it. There are six different designs and colours to differentiate the contestants. There is a red standard containing a sun, a yellow standard containing a mountain, a green standard containing a tree, a blue standard containing a wave, a beige standard containing a cloud and a grey standard containing a moon. The contestants started to wear these colours themselves in the second series, which made identification much easier for the audience. The designs have slightly changed through the series.

So far, there have been six Ultimate Warriors (winner of each series). In series one the prize was the warrior's heart's desire - in effect, a holiday - and from series two onwards the ultimate warrior also got their own staff of power.

Ultimate Warriors

• Series 1 - Lamar (runners up - Intho/Brhea)
• Series 2 - Grema (tree) (runner up - Varna)
• Series 3 - Jaddo (mountain) (runner up - Worjo)
• Series 4 - Linma (water) (runners up - Dejan/Kinsa)
• Series 5 - Arnor (water) (runners up - Kyson/Molyn)
• Series 6 - Kenat (sun) (runners up - Nejad/Rohak)

Only four warriors have ever completed the difficult Way Of The Warrior: Ishal, Varna, Worjo and Kinsa. The record for the most rings in a single challenge was seven which was achieved by Simal in the Demon Causeway where he collected seven rings - 4 rings on the board and 3 rings for completing the challenge. The record for most rings with all 9 lives is Dejan who got up to 15 rings.

Series 1 Warriors

• Week 1: Hadan, Intho, Sejen, Gaale*,Daala, Lydav
• Week 2: Lamar, Halei, Jeash, Boyan, Racar (originally Kefra), Adluk
• Week 3: Brhea, Bryal, Eljam, Padwy, Toasa, Glema
• Final: Lamar, Intho, Brhea, Bryal, Halei, Hadan
• Kefra was too ill to carry on in the quest and was replaced by Racar.
• Gaale was forced to quit through injury. Sejen, who had been knocked out the day before, replaced her.
• The person to get the furthest on the way of the warrior was Bryal when he got hit by the axes
• Real names: Lamar - Mark McLaughlin, Intho - Thomas Ingleston, Brhea - Heather Bradley, Bryal - Lladel Bryant, Halei - Leigh Hall, Hadan - Daniel Hartley, Gaale - Alexandra Gardens, Jeash - Ashely Jenkins, Eljam - James Elliot, Sejen - Jenny Senior, Boyan - Anthony Boyalediou, Padwy - Pamela Dwyer, Daala - Alana Davis, Toasa - Asa Tolsen, Lydav - David Lyons, Adluk - Luke Adamson, Glema- Ruby May Glen

Series 2 Warriors

• Week 1: Grema (mountain), Varna (water), Kenra (sun), Dialed (tree), Venso (moon), Seacy (cloud)
• Week 2: Napat (water), Kinia (cloud), Lauha (sun), Roska (mountain), Ghada (moon), Oklar (tree)
• Week 3: Ersca (water), Ishal (tree), Skiha (sun), Dyasa (moon), Warka (cloud), Huiso (mountain)
• Final week: Grema (tree), Varna (mountain), Kinia (water), Napat (moon), Ishal (sun), Ersca (cloud)
• The person to get to the furthest on the way of the warrior (without winning) is Oklar, she reached the spikey barrel with the rope path.
• Ishal completed Way Of The Warrior on day four, meaning that Dyasa had to do it. He tried and was eliminated. However, Ishal had to retake this in the final week, and failed when she had already done this.
• In the final week, Kinia was in 2nd place behind Grema on the final day. But when Varna completed Way of the Warrior, Kinia had to try, and was eliminated.
• Real names: Grema - Emma Grace, Varna - Nathan? (According to h2g2), Ishal - Hayley, Ersca - Carlos, Kenra - Rachel, Lauha - Laura, Skiha - Hayley, Dialed - Aled, Dyasa - Asa, Ghada - Adam, Oklar - Lara

Series 3 warriors

• Week 1: Worjo (mountain), Sharka (water), Graki (tree), Orrin (sun), Halka (moon), Milal (cloud)
• Week 2: Brena (moon), Nosoo (cloud), Teyro (water), Maska (mountain), Grimic (tree), Fared (sun)
• Week 3: Jaddo (moon), Cullin (cloud), Denat* (mountain), Keari (water), Menla (sun), Wilka (tree)
• Final week: Jaddo (mountain), Worjo (water), Brena (cloud), Cullin (tree), Nosoo (sun), Sharka (moon)
• Denat broke his arm when falling off the High Walk, and was replaced by eliminated warrior Maska, from Week 2.
• The people who got the furthest on Way of the Warrior this series (without winning) are Sharka & Maska. They both reached the spiky barrel with the rope path.
• In the final week, Brena was 2nd place behind Jaddo. But when Worjo completed Way of the Warrior, Brena had to do it, she tried but was eliminated.
• Real names: Jaddo - Jamie Woods, Worjo - Richard, Brena - Natasha Brettle, Cullin -Caitlin McCulloch, Graki - Kim Graham, Teyro - Ross, Denat - Nathan, Grimic - Michael, Menla - Laura, Milal - Alan, Wilka - Alan Wilkinson, Nosoo- Ness Osmaeond

Series 4 warriors

• Week 1: Dejan (tree), Sarla (sun), Melja (water), Kelal (mountain), Denra (cloud), Berat (moon)
• Week 2: Kinsa (cloud), Wilga (tree), Simal (water), Volna (sun), Gajes (moon), Helic (mountain)
• Week 3: Linma (cloud), Wenra (tree), Darna (moon), Malna (mountain), Halat (water), Tharo (sun)
• Final week: Linma (water), Kinsa (sun) Dejan (mountain), Wilga (cloud), Sarla (tree), Wenra (moon)
• The people to get furthest on Way Of The Warrior (without winning) are Sarla and Denra. Sarla reached the swinging blades, near the end. Denra reached the spiky barrel with the rope path.
• In Week 1, Tower Build, you can hear Melja call Dejan by his real name lots of times - "Hurry, Hugh!".
• In Week 2, after Simal fell off the pole in Leap of Faith, he 'had an injury', but continued with the quest.and Kinsa and Wilga still beat him to the finals.
• In the final week, Wenra was in 6th place and then Kinsa completed the way of the warrior. He tried but was eliminated.
• In the final week, snake pit, you can hear Linma call Wilga by her real name.
• In the final week, Linma was in last place on The Last Stand. He was released from the cages last, and valiantly won.
• Real names: Linma - James Findlay, Kinsa - Amy Wilkinson, Dejan - Hugh, Wilga - Gemma Wilson, Sarla - James, Wenra - Daniel Westbury, Melja - Amelia, Simal - Aled Williams, Darna - Rebecca Digman, Kelal - Kelly Anid, Volna - James, Malna - Gavin, Denra - Daniel Arnold, Gajes - Brijesh, Halat - Abdullah, Berat -Rebecca, Helic - Michelle, Tharo - Bethany

Series 5 warriors

• Week 1: Arnor (cloud), Sonlu (tree), Linmis (sun), Jeson (moon), Leja (water), Halec (mountain)
• Week 2: Obra (tree), Molyn (cloud), Milvad (mountain), Worad (water), Terso (moon), Danoc (sun)
• Week 3: Suhan (mountain), Kyson (cloud), Jakesh (tree), Rayso (water), Samlin (moon), Fohan (sun).
• Final week: Arnor (water), Kyson (moon), Molyn (tree), Obra (cloud), Suhan (sun), Sonlu (mountain)
• The people to get furthest on Way Of The Warrior this series (without winning) are Leja & Obra. They reached the spiky barrel with the rope path.
• In Week 3, in The Last Stand, Kyson did not bring the cylinder key up the slide, and had to go back and retrieve it. Suhan got through the portal before him in the process.
• In the final week, you can hear Molyn call Arnor by her real name and Arnor call Obra by his in the Battering Ram - "Lorna!" by Molyn and "Hurry up, Bradley man!" by Arnor.
• In the final week during burning battlements, Obra can be heard saying "now you're just taking the mick" as he had missed the fire he was aiming for.
• In the final week, you can hear Suhan call Sonlu by his real name, "Luke!"
• Real names: Arnor - Lorna Wright, Kyson - Kyran Cross, Molyn - Molly McGlynn, Obra - Bradley, Suhan - Hannah, Sonlu - Luke, Linmis - Michael Newtons, Milvad - David, Jakesh - Ashley, Jeson - Jessica, Worad - Dwayne, Rayso - Christopher Murray, Leja -James, Terso - Teresa, Samlin - Sam, Halec - Michelle, Danoc - Aida, Fohan - Hannah Fowler
• In week 2 you could hear Danoc and Molyn talking about Obra [what were they saying?]. At the end of Battering Ram.
• in week 2 You could see Milvad was gutted to be with Worad in the Dwarf Mine [just accept it mate!].
• in the final week in Torture chamber you could hear Obra call the Clamp " oh you stupid thing" as it got stuck!
• In week 2 Milvad in torture chamber said " I think i've broken the clamp and stupid thing"

Series 6 warriors

• Week 1: Kenat (mountain), Kerud (moon), Ramso (tree), Nisaq (cloud), Galna (sun), Lonas (water)
• Week 2: Rohak (tree), Tonesh (water), Melka (cloud), Haro (mountain), Branic (moon), Karna (sun)
• Week 3: Tezan (sun), Nejad (water),Lamil (mountain), Fera (cloud), Ilan (moon), Aken (tree)
• Final week : Kenat (sun), Nejad (moon), Rohak (water), Tezan (mountain), Tonesh (cloud), Kerud (tree)
• The furthest achieved on the Way of the Warrior was probably by Kerud, Tonesh or Tezan, all of which were pushed off by the second shield.
• Real names: Kenat - Katie/ Natalie (From H2g2), Nejad - Jade, Rohak - Jake, Tezan - Jozette Allan, Tonesh - Lynton, Kerud - Rory, Ramso - Samantha / Mary, Melka - Aimee, Haro - Bryony Hart (from Bebo.com) Fera - Laura, Branic - Bradley Nichols, Ilan - Liam, Aken - Jake
• In Week 1 after Ramso did the Leap Of Faith, she said, 'I jumped, heehee!'

Interviews with "ultimate warriors"

Interviews were shown on CBBC for three "ultimate warriors": Grema in January 2004, Jaddo in December 2004, and Arnor in December 2006. All of these won holidays - to Tunisia, Egypt, and France respectively. They also won a Staff of Power. At the end of series 1, the warriors' names were on the credits and Lamar was actually called Mark McLaughlin. According to (h2g2) Linma went on a holiday to Cuba as his prize. There was no interview with Kenat.

Ultimate Warriors

• Series 1 Lamar - Mark McLaughlin (from the end credits)
• Series 2 Grema - Emma Grace (from CBBC Channel)
• Series 3 Jaddo - Jamie Woods (from h2g2 and CBBC Channel)
• Series 4 Linma - James Findlay (from h2g2)
• Seriew 5 Arnor - Lorna Wright (from CBBC Channel)
• Series 6 Kenat - Katie (From h2g2)

Series 7 is to be confirmed to be shown around December 2007

The Challenges

The tasks and feats in which the warriors have to compete vary from series to series. They play the games to win treasure rings and to ensure that they do not lose a life.

• Blasted Mountain -

Series 1: The warriors must pull sleds of stones up to where they are standing. The winner who pulls their sled up first wins a life back. Then the warriors must build totems from the stones. The first one to build the totem has everyone stand behind it to protect them from the demon's breath. The successful totem builder wins back a life.

Series 2, 3 and 4: The warriors must successfully build totems and stand behind them before time runs out and they are consumed by the fire erupting from the volcano nearby. The mountain would leave the surviver a ring.

Series 5 and 6: The warriors had to build shields from panels with a pattern on, and got less time to do it. They had to get the pattern correct on the front of the shields so the shields would protect them. If the pattern is not correct, it would not protect them.

• Burning Battlements - The warrior must put out 3 continually burning flames breathed onto the battlements by a dragon. Using a catapult and "ice" balls they must put out all three within a time limit. If a warrior fails to extinguish any of the fires, they lose a life. Series 2,3,5 and 6.
• Old Troll - Players take it in turn to solve a riddle given by the old troll at his house. They answer the riddle on chalk and slate, and hand it in at the door. The troll takes the slates and will give a single ring if the player succeeds. If they fail, along with losing a life their hand will be covered with muck including feathers, honey and flour. In the last week, the old troll gave these extra "prizes" as well as rings in the last week. Series 1.
• Dark Pools - Raven determines the two warriors that go to the final with this challenge. There is a portal with a riddle on the top of it. One word in the riddle is the answer, and the warrior must whisper into the 'listening rock' what their answer is. If the portal opens, they will step through, into the final. The leading warrior will go first. For example 'Answer with wisdom and step through here.' The answer was 'wisdom'. Series 1.
• Demon Square - A wisdom tree says statements which are true or false and the warriors have to decide which. They then must choose whether to step onto the white path for true or the black path for false. If they are right they can take a step forward, if they are wrong they remain where they are. But the demons (one for each path) behind them move forward after every question and if a warrior gets two wrong, a demon will catch them up and they lose a life. The warriors who reach the wisdom tree are rewarded with a treasure ring. Series 2-6.
• Dragon's Blood - Inside the wizard's tower two warriors must manoevure a long pole with four hooks on it through a complex upright maze, collecting small bowls of dragon's blood, and get to the end without spilling a drop. The two leading (and sometimes, the two who are in last and second last place) warriors compete in this challenge, where the first person to make it to the end wins. In Series 5 only two bowls were used. Series 2-5.
• Leap of Faith - The warriors take it in turns to climb up a very tall tree, and jump from the top, trying to catch the gold rings dangling from above (they are wearing climbing harnesses). If a warrior is not brave enough to jump, they lose a life. There are usually 1 or 2 rings close to the platform and 2 or 3 more further away, so it's up to the warriors to gauge how far they can jump. In Series 4, warriors had to climb a tall pole, instead of a tall tree. Warriors that fell while climbing lost one of there game lives. In Series 1, they were helped down by Raven. Series 1-6.
• High Walk - The warriors again take it in turns to climb a very tall tree wearing harnesses, but then they walk along a beam, collecting 3 keys as they go. These keys open up a portal at the end of the beam to another challenge. Replaced by High Rope. Series 1-3.
• Serpent's Eye - This is basically an archery tournament. The targets are black, with a red outline and a green oval in the centre. Each warriors gets three shots. If they hit the green oval, they obtain two gold rings. If they hit the black, then there are no rewards or consequences. If they fail to hit the target after three attempts, they have lost. In Series 4, 5 and 6, another way to lose a life is to hit the red serpent encircling the target, and they only get one gold ring for each time they hit the target. Series 3-6.
• Spider's Tunnel - A pair of warriors must climb through a series of giant spider webs in a cave, seeking holes through which they can fit, collecting rings and having to make it out before the time is up. This is made harder by the fact the warriors are roped together, so they must ensure that they go through the same holes in the spider's web and do not get tangled up. Series 1-3.
• The Last Stand This has changed through the series. In Series 2 and 3, the warriors must collect 4 pillars without being blasted by Nevar. Getting blasted will make them lose a life, they are out if they lose all their lives. The winner is the first to collect the 4 pillars and go through "the portal". Series 4, however had a different version. 3 warriors must get through Nevar's battleground and defeat the demons in their path. Then they open up the portal and go through it. After one warrior has taken out all their demons, Nevar starts attacking everyone. He has pathetic accuracy now. But when 2 of the 3 warriors go through the portal, his next shot causes instant knockout to the sole losing warrior. In the final, the first warrior through the portal wins and the other two are blasted by Nevar. Series 2-6.
• Thrall Demons - the leading warrior and another warrior of the leader's choice enter the tower. The leader is blindfolded and the other must verbally guide them through a maze of strings criss crossing the chamber, careful not to disturb the inactive demons by snagging one of the strings and jingling the attached bells. If they complete the task, the leader gets three rings, and can choose how many they give to their helper and how many they keep for themself. Series 1-6.
• Troll Trap - This game is played in teams of three. In a cage there are three gold rings suspended from the bars. Two of the warriors must manoeuvre a lance whilst the third warrior stands on it to move around the cage. Whilst the lance is being moved the warrior in the cage must hang from vines. If either the warrior or the lance touches the floor the trap will spring shut. Once the gold rings have been collected the team have a limited time to get the warrior out or the trap will spring shut. It is one of Raven's most deceptively difficult games. Series 3.
• Riddle Bridge - A pair of warriors must solve a riddle posed by an enchanted book, one at the book and one stepping onto lettered squares that spell out the answer before Raven's hour glass runs out. Series 1-6. Once named Vale of Dunan
• Ring Rock - 2 warriors go face to face to fix a rock with a mythical picture on it. Series 3.
• Snake Pit - the warriors split into 2 teams and must pass across an area of ground with snakes in it. Each team has 3 planks to use, but if one warrior touches the ground (therefore getting eliminated from the challenge and losing a life), the team still has to use all 3 planks to cross the snake pit. Any remaining members of the team that loses the race across the pit must also lose a life. Series 4 only
• Water Demon - Each warrior must row out in a small coracle into a lake, grab a ring from a small platform and race back before the water demon guarding the ring catches them. For extra help, two other warriors must pull the third warrior onto shore. In later series, the warriors walked out along a walkway over the water to a small building to grab some rings. As soon as the rings are grabbed, the walkway disappears, so the warrior must climb into a coracle and two other warriors on the shore must pull him/her back to safety before a demon in a canoe catches up with him/her. Series 3-6.
• The Eyeless Demons - 2 warriors, each carrying a pole with chimes at either end must race to a ring without getting caught by the blind demons. The demons are each equipped with a battleaxe which will eliminate warriors if they hit them with it. Series 1,2 and 4.
• Fire Demon - The warriors are equipped with an ice staff and, blindfolded, they must attempt to put out a floating, burning ball controlled by a demon by hitting it with the staff. Originally played on day 1, now it's on the final day. Series 2 and 6.
• Stepping Stones - The warriors must, one by one, jump across a series of unstable floating stones and jump into a ring at the end without falling off, with the choice of a short path with big gaps between the stones or a long one with short gaps. Series 5-6.
• Millstone Towers - The warriors are split into 2 teams of 3 and must bring 3 millstones through 3 sets of pillars and place them into a stand, one on top of the other. Once accomplished, the team must climb the millstones and pull a lever, which turns the stone demon blocking their path to ash, which also produces a ring for each warrior. If the warriors knock a pillar during the challenge, and the dragon's egg atop of it falls off, the team will be paralyzed for 15 seconds so giving the other team an advantage. Series 3-4 had eggs and series 5 had skulls on the pillars. Series 3-5.
• Balance Beam- The two leading warriors choose a weapon each from the 'weapons rack', then battle each other while sitting on a pole. The warrior who knocks the other warrior off the balance beam will gain a ring, and then stay on to fight the person who is third, etc. until all warriors have had a go. Any warrior who falls off must forfeit a life. In series five, the challenge is performed on the second day when there are all six warriors and there are two battles between the two leading warroirs and the two losing warriors. All winners get a ring and all the losers forfeit a life. Series 3-6.
• Dark Path - This is based in the forest of Long Shadows where two contestants compete to be the first to get a ring on a post. However, each contestant is blindfolded and follows their own vine until they come to the post with the ring on top. However, along the route, the vine they are following may be the wrong path and this is represented with a skull hanging from it, or it could be a fruitful path with a ring on it. However, if they follow a wrong path and go beyond the skull, a demon attacks. Alternatively if they release the vine with two hands, they have lost. They also lose a life if they lose the race to the final ring. Series 2-4.
• Tower Build - Two teams of two warriors each compete to build a tower out of blocks in order to reach a ring positioned high above the towers. The winners are the first to reach the ring, with the teams failing if the tower falls, a warrior falls from it, or the other team reaches the ring before them. Then they lose a life. Series 4-6
• Ring Climb: The warriors race along a string of rings to grab a ring. The losers forfeit a life. series 2-3
• Treasure Ring: Two warriors sit in coracles, each with a long rope that are attached to the bank and a chest with a gold ring on top. They must use their rope to pull themselves towards the treasure ring before their opponent. Whoever fails to reach the ring before their fellow warrior must forfeit a life. The game is usually played with six warriors (two different warriors for three races). Series 1-6.
• Long Staff - Similar to the balance beam, but with the warriors fighting on two floating platforms in the loch or on two tall towers of stones, using staff like weapons. In Series 1-4. The victor stayed and faced their next opponent. Now it's 3 fights. The victor gains a gold ring. If the warriors falls into the water, Not only do they get wet, they lose a life and have a bath Series 1-6.
• Deep Loch - The warriors must jump into the deep loch and swim to the other side. Each warrior who reaches the shore will gain a treasure ring, except for the warrior who finishes last and therefore loses a life. The first, second and third warrior to the shore claim rings (3, 2, 1 respectively). Series 1-6.
• Gold Rush - Warriors must piece together a jigsaw style path to make it to the other side of a room. They compete against two other warriors and the warrior who completes the path across first gains a golden ring. If a warrior doesn't come first (in first round stages) or comes third (in final round only) or touches the ground that they must lay the paths on at any time, they lose a life. Series 3.
• Demon Causeway - 3 warriors must pass 2 demons in a chess-like game, played on a 7 by 7 board, set at a 90 degree angle. The warriors can move 1 square in any direction while the demons can only move 1 square forwards or sideways. Landing on certain squares will gain them a treasure ring. They must get to the gold square at the end without the demons moving onto their square, and so removing them from the game. One of the more difficult challenges, often resultinh in all remaining warriors losing a life. Series 4.
• Pole Climb - The warriors must climb up tall poles, which have rings hanging near the sides. However the person who gets the top ring wins, and the losing warrior must forfeit a life. Series 4-5.
• Swinging Ball - The warriors swing a giant ball trying to knock each other off the towers. Whoever wins the first fight stays on to face the next warrior, until all the warriors have had a go. If a warrior falls off their tower, they lose a life. Series 2.
• Dwarf Mine - The two leading warriors go into a cave. One goes to the back which has a wall with hieroglyphic like symbols on, while the other stays in the 'main' part of the cave where there are supports to the cave. The person at the back must describe the symbols to the other warrior, who must then push the support with the same symbol on it. If they do, they get a ring. There are 4 rings in total. If three false supports are pushed, or time runs out, the warriors will be trapped inside, and will each lose a life. Very few people have passed this challenge [Kinsa and Wilga, Linma and Darna, and Nejad and Tezan]. Series 4-6.
• Enchanted Stream - Each warrior races against a partner to to piece together a bridge across the stream and reach the rings on the other side. The warrior who loses the race is consumed by the mists of the Enchanted Stream and must lose a life. Series 3-4.
• Torture Chamber - Two warriors go into wizard's tower and are given a pole for one and a net for the other. They must manoeuvre them round a maze of things to unhook rings, and they to the door of the chamber. All the while, the gates holding demons back are opening. If they fail to get out before the gates open, the demons will take them. Series 5-6.
• Nevar's Eye- Two warriors are blindfolded and given a stick. They must feel their way along a path of stepping stones. If they stand on the ground or get touched by one of the chained demons walking around, they are taken. They are blindfolded because Nevar's eye is watching them and it would kill them if they looked into it. Series 5-6.
• Warrior's Gate- The six warriors of the quest have to pull a canister up a rope to the top of some battlements, whereupon their standard will unfurl. Rings are awarded to the first, second and third warriors (3, 2, 1). This is always played at the beginning of the week, and no warrior loses a life. Series 5-6
• Battle of the Boats- A boat race familiar to the style in Deep Loch, the loser loses a life in this race. The others get rings. Series 5-6
• High Rope- The warriors cross a rope suspended from a tree to earn rings. This replaced High Walk as that challenge was too basic. Played on the forth or fifth day of the tournament. Series 5-6
• Battering Ram- The warriors are split into teams of three, and must use a battering ram to break a gate, where on the other side are rings. However, the battering rams are some distance away from the team's gate, and must use logs which support the ram to get it closer to the gate. Warriors can also climb onto the ram to collect rings which hang over the warriors' heads. The first team to break down the gate earn gold rings, while the members of the other team lose a life. This challenge was always done on the first or second day. Series 5-6
• Zip Line- The warriors seem to be flying and are attached so that they 'fly' along a line and try to collect rings on the poles that they are carrying. Warriors lose a life if they don't spear any rings. Series 6
• Dead Man's Vault- A challenge that the two leading warriors face. They use sticks of metal to put in a cage to cover up some gaps, giving a path to a golden ball. If this reaches the bottom, the vault will open and they can collect the rings inside. Series 6.
• Spider's Wood- Three warriors must negotiate a giant spider's web. If they touch any webs, they lose a life. Also, they collect rings on the way. They also lose a life if they are too slow. Any rings that are dropped can not be recollected. The spiders are presumably Tarantulas. Series 6.
• Ring Rack- The warriors must pull a rope to get rings face-to-face. If they pull the rope to themselves, the rack swings towards their rings. However, if the opponent is stronger, the rack will swing towards their rings. If a warrior loses, they lose a life. The challenge is over when both rings are collected by one warrior. This is a two-at-a-time challenge. Series 6.

The Way of The Warrior

This is the most difficult task in the game, which the warrior in last place at the end of the day must face (no-one faces it on Monday). The warrior loses if they fall off the golden path. There are several obstacles on the path which are designed with the sole purpose to push the warrior off the path. Here is what the task consists of:

1 A short tunnel

2 Two rubber scarecrows, which swing back and forth

3 The path turns to rope, which zig-zags. There are ropes above which the warrior can hold on to.On the second section (actually wooden), a trapdoor will open above the warrior, releasing rocks. In Series 5, this was changed to a row of blocks that rise and fall.

4 A swinging gate

5 A carousel of heavy rocks that swing round and round

6 A small elevating spiky barrel

7 An elevating boulder

8 A balance beam, at which once at the end, the warrior has to use a rope to aim for a target. If this target is hit, a drawbridge opens in front.

9 Shields that push in and out from the walls.

10 A huge swinging spiked barrel, about 2 metres long, that the warrior must cross using ropes underneath the barrel

11 Swinging blades

12 Tall elevating metal spikes

13 Access the portal

In series one, any warrior can volunteer to do the challenge. If they win, they will regain a life. If a warrior fails twice (this is possible in series one because anyone can attempt the challenge), they will automatically be eliminated. This happened to Lydav from week 1. Another way that they could get eliminated is that a warrior fails the task but is not in last place, Raven gets the two joint last place warriors to choose a hand and if they choose the black feather, they are eliminated. This happened to Glema from week 3.And this happend to Tharo from Series 4 week 3. It happened to Leja Series 5 Week 1 and Galna Series 6 Week 1

If the warrior passes the way of the warrior in series 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, they get to survive for another day, and the warrior in second to last place has to attempt the challenge.

In series 2 and 3, the three finalist warriors eliminate a warrior. Kinia and Brena who were in second place had to do the challenge as Varna and Worjo escaped its wrath by accessing the portal.

Based on the series one to six there is a 2% chance of surviving the way of the warrior. The Way of the Warrior is so hard because the producers do not want all the warriors to survive it which would create a problem when the system failed and an extra day would be needed. Most contestants are commonly knocked out by the shields.

Production

The series was first produced by BBC Scotland in 2002. It was shot in the grounds of Castle Toward 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Dunoon, near Toward Point and the village of Toward. The production included many innovative CGI effects throughout, including the appearance and disappearance of objects and characters (including contestants), rapidly encroaching lava flows, burning targets and fizzing gases and the zoomorphism of Raven in the title sequence. The show won a BAFTA for 'Best Children's Programme' in 2003 and 2006.

Series 1 (2002) was directed by Brian Ross and Bob Harvey, Series 2 (2003) by Bill McLeod, Series 3 (2004) and Series 4 (2005) by Paul Hineman. In 2006, the BBC made two Raven series back to back. Series 5 (2006) was directed by Bill McLeod and Series 6 (2007) by Dougie Napier.

Raven: The Island

Raven: The Island is a spin-off from the original format which aired in the UK on the CBBC channel in mid 2006. It takes place on the Island of Alaunus, which is said to be Raven's homeland, taken over by Nevar and his demons. There are three groups consisting of four warriors (two boys and two girls), which are known as the Eagles, Lions and Wolves. Like in the original series, they compete in many challenges in hope of defeating Nevar, and are watched over by Princess Erina, played by Lindsay McKenzie, one of Raven's closest friends and her sprite companion, Haryad.

However, a key difference between the two series is that, should a warrior be caught by demons or fail to successfully negotiate one of the enchanted obstacles, he or she is instantly eliminated and plays no further part in the quest. There is no exchanging of rings for "lives" and no Way of the Warrior.

Raven: The Island warriors

• Lions (Green)

• Delra (Leader): Reached Enchanted Oak and escaped safely (Fortress)
• Kaysa: Caught by Thrall Demons (Fortress Surroundings)
• Goram: Knocked from obstacle course in Nevar's fortress by demon (Fortress)
• Norso: Eliminated during river-crossing challenge (River of the Rising Moon)

• Wolves (Blue)

• Tanla (Leader): Withdrew after failing to attempt an abseiling challenge (Mount Zoat)
• Jenso: Caught by Thrall Demons (River of the Rising Moon)
• Bayle: Caught by Thrall Demons (Fortress Surroundings)
• Corso (took over after Tanla was eliminated; prior to this, the Wolves were the only team with a female leader): Reached Enchanted Oak and escaped safely(Fortress)

• Eagles (Maroon)

• Tanel (Leader): Reached Enchanted Oak and escaped safely (Fortress)
• Simlo: Caught by demon on the fortress causeway after failing to correctly recite a spell which would have neutralised it (Fortress Causeway)
• Masam: Missed footing during bog-crossing challenge (Bog o Balor)
• Cared: Missed footing during bog-crossing challenge (Bog o Balor)

• Norso, Tanla, Jenso, Masam and Cared went out in these groups, Kaysa, Bayle and Simlo went out when all three groups joined up. Goram was eliminated in the Fortress. Delra, Corso and Tanel reached the oak and claimed a reward from Erina (Waterfall of the Little Von.)

Raven Series 7 and Raven: The Island Series 2

Auditions for these were held February 2007. Raven is to be filmed in Canada and the sequel to Raven: The Island is to be filmed in India, as confirmed on the official Raven discussion forum.