Cornix

Cornixes are crow hybrid creatures with humanoid bodies and crow features.

Creation

Attribute & Ability Scores

Cornixes are perfect agents for mischievous or nefarious affairs. As such, cornixes gain +1 Dexterity and a further +1 Dexterity, Manipulate, or Appearance at character creation.
Cornixes may also assign an additional 2 points across the following abilities: Bluff, Perform, Stealth, and Subterfuge.

Details

Racial Weaknesses & Resistances

Many cornixes suffer from a chronic sense of Kleptomania, whereby they must pass a Wisdom + Meditate save (difficulty 5) to avoid stealing anything that looks particularly beautiful or shiny. Some cornixes have a particular type of treasure they covet, whilst others will take anything that looks remotely pretty.

Traits, Spells, & Special Abilities

Cornixes are often regarded as omens of bad luck, which is a reputation many have leant into. As such, at any point a cornix may purchase the spell Damage Luck.
Those cornixes that are not regarded with suspicion and distain often gain the more positive reputation as prophets. Hence, Cornixes may begin with the Commune with the Divine spell.
As with most avian humanoids, cornixes have wings and the ability to fly whilst unencumbered.
Part of what makes some cornixes ideal as assassins is a trait called Unforeseen which they may begin with, that grants them an additional -1 difficulty on attacks against targets who are unaware of their presence (such as in sneak attacks or surprise rounds). This stacks with other effects that reduce the difficulty of hitting an unsuspecting target.
Some cornixes have mastered the art of vocals, and as such can begin with the spell Mimicry.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Cornixes are covered in feathers that vary through black, white, and all shades of grey. These include tail feathers, the posture of which often betray their emotions.

Growth Rate & Stages

Cornixes are slightly more precocious than humans, maturing after approximately a decade, but have similar lifespans of around 100 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Cornixes prefer to live in big cities and other crowded settlements. Sometimes these will be exclusively populated by cornixes, but in most cases a cornix will take up residence in an already populated city and begin dominating a small part of that settlement. Other cornixes quickly flock to this region, turning it into a rookery; a cornix-exclusive residential area. Some falsely believe that cornixes are solitary nomads by nature, but in fact these wanderers are often representatives of a rookery looking for space to expand to, at which point they will encourage their family and any other cornix they know to take advantage of the unclaimed territory. Due to this expansionist demeanour, it has proven difficult for scholars to determine where cornixes originate from.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

The term "thick and thieves" is most applicable to cornixes. Cornix professions range from warriors to petty thieves, but always with a strong sense of loyalty to their kin. One of the more positive professions that cornixes seem to favour is temple guard, whereby cornixes use their keen eyes, communication systems, and mysterious reputation to discourage crimes against the holy. However, like humans, cornixes take to a range of professions with fervour. Some typical and less positive examples include thieves, spies, and assassins. Their association with death has also led them to take up roles as undertakers and morticians, ironically or otherwise.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Lying and misguidance is a pillar of many cornix communities. It is considered a great skill to be able to deceive and tell tall tales that mislead a person. However, it is a firm tenet among cornixes that an oath is binding; if a cornix makes a promise or swears an oath they should fulfil it to their dying breath.

Common Myths and Legends

The legend among the cornix community is that they are descendants of the first corvaximus, born of its most premature eggs but nurtured and loved nonetheless. Thus, cornixes look to other cornixes as kin, born of the same metaphorical nest, and to be looked after dutifully despite any flaws they might have.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Cornixes are regarded with a lot of suspicion from other races due to their very insular society and stalwart secret-keeping. Many consider them bearers of bad luck and ostracise them where possible. Others have a different, brighter opinion of cornixes. Due to their historical devotion to Ari, some view cornixes as a race of prophets and divine conduits.

Average Height

The average cornix ranges from 4'0" - 6'0" tall.

Related Organizations

• The Conspiracy