Corvus Carves The River

Headed by twin crescent moons and the All Seeing Eye of the North, this image depicts narratives from the series of mythological legends telling the timeline of Corvus Tempers the Volcano.

Summary

Many years ago, the Birdfolk tell tale of a terrible volcanic upheaval that darkened the sky, and whose tremors split the Inbound Lands and sent fire pouring southwards into the Sea of Crows. Corvus, one half of the celestial duality and a Birdfolk Formwalker, flew to the source of the flame in an effort to save her people.
Her beak plugged the fire with a giant rock, and her claws tore the rock face of the Volcano and grounds, diverting First River into the empty belly of the volcano, sealing the plug and sending cooling water to chase the river of lava. The giant rock became Central Island – still smoking today in the heart of the caldera’s pool – and the diverted river still pours cooling water down the Kkaxe Canyon through the magnificent falls known as The Slip.
After burying the fire, Corvus’ feathers were singed black and useless. No longer able to fly South, Corvus instead keeps her claws in the Northern Mountains, beating her wings and slowly pulling the crust of the earth away from the volcanic hotspot. From this high vantage, Corvus is said to continue to keep watch over her people.

- Irdeni'xa, Korcept of the Hotlands, Follower of Corvus

Historical Basis

Historical Basis for the Figure of Corvus

Birdfolk historians view the figure of Corvus as a blending of the two lights of truth and myth: as the very real entity who helped guide early Birdfolk civilization during her stay at the Citadel; and as the mythical deity of Corvus, said to be a Long Face Folk in nature, one of The Empowered in practice, and a secret Formwalker influencer even after her disappearance to the North. The two facets are at odds and yet inextricably entangled; most Birdfolk sidestep the contradiction through contemporary religious practice, which holds that all their deities are dead (or undead), dormant, and/or in exile.
After the events of "Corvus Carves The River," Corvus fell under the "dormant exile" category, her mythical presence having been relegated to the North, which, for most of recorded Birdfolk history, fell far out of the bounds of the average traveler. Though modern day conveniences find the journey faster and easier, many Birdfolk consider Corvus to be undead at worst or dormant at best, with only her most devoted Followers considering her a live (if absent) deity.

Historical Basis for the events of Corvus Carves The River

The real timeline of Corvus and the physical landscape of The Inbound Lands do follow the legends. Prior to the events, Citadel documents confirm the identity of one of The Empowered who went by the name Corvus, and who was instrumental in the early formation and adoption of a common Birdtongue in the years after The Speaking Sickness.
Shortly after the geological upheaval that signified the Caldera Awakening and began poisoning the Kkaxe River, the historical figure of Corvus is said to have left alone on a journey "to the North" to discern the seriousness. This decision is documented within Citadel records, and bolstered by the fact that Corvus was one of the known Empowered at the time. A solo journey of such consequence would not have been outside of her jurisdiction.
Though it is possible but unclear if Corvus ever reached her destination, it is certain that the Caldera Volcano erupted in the weeks after. Cooling lava plugged much of the relatively gentle Kkaxe River Canyon, narrowing the flow in key areas, and the increased force of the river sent poisonous gases, boiling water, and burning debris downcanyon. The Citadel and its inhabitants suffered damage from the sudden surge, but the river is said to have cleared relatively quickly (though it never regained its calm nature). The Citadel began work to restore its mechanworks and use the increased flow to its advantage.
The effect on the canyon is documented in observation accounts made at the time by the Satta-Ppahi Flock, and verified by later geological expeditions.

Spiritual Repercussions

The events of both life and legend led to the formation of The Followers of Corvus, a religious sect who favors the generosities of Corvus as guidelines for an ethical life. This legend, among others, forms the basis for their beliefs.
Spiritually, the Followers of Corvus use evidence of tectonic movement - of the now dormant Caldera Volcano and the decrease in activity in The Hotlands, compared to the recent ecological devastation of The Scrublands and The Petrified Forest - as evidence that Corvus, though perhaps in exile, remains alive and active in her guardianship of her people.

Spread

The legend is known throughout all Birdfolk, who consider it common knowledge. As Birdfolk culture has spread, the legend has carried with them, and it is considered well-known, even popular, across the landscape.
The legend itself was said to be observed by all the fauna birds in the area as they circled the calderas, disoriented by the explosion. Among them, the fauna Crows - emissaries of Corvus - watched, and knowing that the tale must be shared, split their tongues on the newly formed rocks. Their split tongues allowed them to speak the story, and they carried the tale to all corners of the Birdfolk world.
The legend was first recorded in the weeks after the eruption, when large flocks of birds migrated to the coastline in order to flee both the initial events and the changed landscape. Early Corvanism documents record having hearing the legend from crows who had arrived to shelter at the Citadel.

Variations & Mutation

Those who favor Corvanism, the spiritual following of the generosities of Corvus, tend to end the legend on the note that Corvus is alive and active. For much of Birdfolk history, this perspective has held sway as the mainstream telling. In other variations, especially in modern day retelling, others tend to end the tale with the sacrifice of Corvus, and whose events lead to either the death of or the dormant undeath of the deity.
Though Walkingfolk did not have this relationship with Corvus and so do not have this exact legend, they do have oral history of the volcanic eruption to the west, in stories surrounding the Long Winter, a year when The White King is said to have graced the skies with death. This parallel story, in which the armies of The Red King restored balance through fire, is partially responsible for the widespread adoption of the Birdfolk tradition of Oshpe'zin Ki'kxo, or Fragment Feast. It is important to note that the figure of The Gate is often remarked to have characteristic parallels to the Birdfolk figure of Corvus.

Cultural Reception

Oshpe'zin Ki'kxo / Fragment Feast

Falling on the date of the Autumn equinox, the festival of Oshpe'zin Ki'kxo honors the sacrifice of Corvus, whose feathers were burnt black by diverted lava, and whose festival date marks the lengthening of the night, whose time falls under her generosity. To celebrate, festivalgoers mark their faces, feathers, and furs with soot. Communal bonfires are also common: in towns and cities, residents bring sticks of firewood to burn, while in smaller gatherings (rural, or simply private get-togethers), participants come together at firepits, each contributing sticks of wood.
As many areas of the Hotlands are not heavily wooded (relying primarily on geothermal energy for heating), there is a rise in lumber trade in the month leading up to this event.
It is believed that elements of this festival may have also been used as a "shedding" ritual in days past, incorporating the burning of sentimental objects, most often in cases of large transitions (the most common of which being marriages, where the bride and groom would burn significant childhood objects as part of the threshold to an adult life). However, there is no direct link, and the practice, though present, is not wide.
It is also believed that the origins of the festival would have been rooted in harvest rituals, celebrating the end of summer's hard work, and feasting on the last of perishable goods before entering winter's fare.
Due to the Calderas, the festival is especially celebrated in this region, though aspects of it are popular throughout The Inbound Lands and, due to the presence of Corvus, among Birdfolk.

In Art

The accompanying image is the most popular depiction of the legend, though the legend itself is a popular theme among images of Corvus.

"Corvus Carves The River" : M’na Kkaxe, date unknown by M Kelley