Dire Raven
Known to the Wylden as Gánhrafnen (sing. Gánhrafn, literally "Great Raven"), the Dire Ravens have inhabited the region now known as Hrafnawyld, in particular the Ravenfjords, since the beginnings of their kind.
In their natural form, their appearance is much as it sounds: they are giant ravens, standing upward of five feet tall when perched, with a vast wingspan. This appearance is deceptive, however, as they are superlatively intelligent and supremely magical beings, made in the image of their mother goddess, the Noste Væð; this means also that they have Væð's skin-changing power, with the ability to take on a completely human form.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
In their avian form, Dire Ravens reproduce exactly as normal ravens.
In their human form, however, they are completely human, and fully capable of interbreeding with humans. The result of such unions are known among the Wylden as "Half-Ravens". Human descendants of Half-Ravens are called "Ravenbloods".
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Average Intelligence
Civilization and Culture
Relationship Ideals
Dire Ravens mate with their own kind for life; however, dalliances with humans often occur before the Raven has bonded permanently with a mate, and, rarely, after a mate dies prematurely. These affairs, when between a male Dire Raven and female human, occasionally result in human children who are known as "Half-Ravens" for their heritage. These children, human in every way except their special parentage, are frequently doted on by their Dire Raven fathers during their comparatively short lives, and are considered lucky by the Wylden.
Pairings between human males and female Dire Ravens, while not unknown or even necessarily uncommon, never result in Half-Raven children, for the simple reason that no Dire Raven female is willing to give up the sky for the length of time it takes to carry a human child. (It has happened, but only once in the history of the two species)
Bonded Dire Raven couples tend to stay monogamous, though it is not unkown for them to occasionally entertain a human partner. These encounters, however, are never as affectionate as pre-bonding affairs, and never result in Half-Raven children.
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