Corvum
The Corvum are a clever, talkative offshoot of the Ravenfolk, bearing the unmistakable features of crows—glossy black feathers with hints of violet and blue, sharp intelligent eyes, and a gait that blends mischief with grace. Where Ravenfolk are often seen as solemn and prophetic, the Corvum are lively, shrewd, and notoriously unpredictable. They thrive on conversation, schemes, riddles, and sharp observations, making them as entertaining as they are elusive.
Corvum communities tend to be small, scattered, and ever-changing. They nest in dense forests, cliffside crevices, or the ruins of old cities—places where secrets linger and stories have long echoes. They value freedom and flexibility, avoiding rigid hierarchies in favor of fluid roles, spontaneous leadership, and merit based on wit, charm, or cunning. To a Corvum, knowledge is a currency, and humor is a shield sharper than steel.
Masters of language, mimicry, and subtle magic, Corvum often work as spies, messengers, lorekeepers, or wandering traders. Their magic leans toward enchantment and illusion, often flavored by trickery or confusion rather than overt power. Some are known to speak in layered meanings, where a sentence might hold two truths and a lie—and it’s up to the listener to decipher which is which.
Though some outsiders mistake them for simple jesters or mischief-makers, Corvum have deep wells of empathy and loyalty, especially toward their kin. They remember insults for generations, but they remember kindnesses even longer. A Corvum never forgets a friend, a favor, or a betrayal. Their memories are sharp and filled with nuance, and their long lives allow them to weave personal histories with remarkable care.
Culturally, the Corvum are drawn to stories, symbols, and signs. They decorate their feathers with small talismans—beads, bits of parchment, knotted threads—each carrying a specific meaning only they and their closest companions understand. Their dwellings are cluttered with keepsakes, maps, and cryptic notes, arranged in ways that might seem chaotic to outsiders but follow an internal logic all their own.
Corvum speech is fast, expressive, and peppered with idioms, wordplay, and old sayings. They often speak in metaphors, leaving others to chase meaning through the fog of their cleverness. Among themselves, they may communicate entire concepts through glances, gestures, or birdlike clicks and caws. Some say a group of Corvum can share a conversation without speaking a single word.
Despite their elusive and often morally gray demeanor, Corvum are deeply protective of knowledge, truth, and the bonds they choose. Many act as neutral arbiters in disputes, recording events with the cold precision of a historian—or the sharp bite of a satirist. They do not seek power, but they influence it constantly, whispering in the ears of kings or slipping messages through locked doors.
Among the Ravenfolk, Corvum are both respected and approached with caution. Their mischief may veil wisdom, and their laughter may hide sorrow. But when one needs information no one else can find, or a plan no one else can imagine, the Corvum are always watching—and always listening.
