Ravna

Ravna Characters have +1 Intelligence and -1 Social Rank. They also get one rank of the Jack-of-All-Trades skill, in addition to any background skills. It is suggested that background skills include those related to shipboard/space operations.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Ravna are a race of humanoid avians. Ravna are roughly human-sized, with feathers over most of their bodies, though they do not have beaks, but jaws like a reptile. Their plumage is usually black, with occasional white stripes. While flightless, they have wing-like arms that end in a taloned three fingered hand.

Genetics and Reproduction

Ravna hatch from eggs.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Kraesh Dominion Interstellar League Urbian Empire Drakana Reaches

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Technology Level 9 to 13.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Ravna are the only known sapient species to live entirely in space. They do not have any government organization. Groups break up and reform constantly. Because of their recent history, Ravna have become the most experienced spacers in the Known Galaxy. They are found in most mining operations, and Ravna caravans will buy and sell scrap and salvaged ship parts. Most shipyards have sizable contingents of Ravna in their longshoremen and maintenance teams.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Their ships tend to be family affairs, with females and chicks working alongside the males. Their bases tend to be temporary setups, as they have no official territory of their own.

Common Taboos

Ravna recycle and conserve EVERYTHING, due to their lifestyle.

History

The Ravna encountered the Skraw when the Skraw came upon the Ravna home world of Arklos and proceeded to purge it according to the tenets of “The Way”. When the Skraw attacked, the Ravna fought back fiercely. From downed Skraw ships and captured equipment, the Ravna reverse engineered Jump Drive, artificial gravity, propulsion technology, and practical combat lasers. The most significant reason the Ravna lost the war was that they were not as advanced as the Skraw, and they had not yet united into a planetary nation- there were still struggles between the factions of Arklos. Eventually those smart enough to see that they would lose the war fled Arklos in jump capable mercenary ships. The few Ravna that escaped (despite Skraw efforts) multiplied, and turned “Privateer” (“Pirate” to non-Ravna) and/or scavengers and salvagers. Although currently not even the equivalent of a third world country, the Ravna still dream of one day returning to Arklos- one way or another.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Ravna caravans tend to be a nuisance to everyone that encounters them (except the Skraw- who give the Ravna no quarter, and receive none in return). While Ravna "Privateers" will board and plunder a ship, in general they will refrain from killing where possible, and will attempt to leave their victims in a state to get to the nearest help.

The Urbian Empire is not a friendly place for the Ravna, primarily due to their resemblance to the Skraw. That, coupled with their lack of organization and nomadic lifestyle, makes the Ravna pretty much the opposite of all that the Urbians can tolerate.

The situation in the Interstellar League is quite different, where the Ravna are considered a cheap source of skilled labor. As a result, Ravna are ubiquitous in most space installations in maintenance and menial positions.

Among the Kraesh Dominion, the Ravna have stayed in their groups, as Kraesh get first pick of employment, and other species get whatever is left. So, the Ravna are then competing with Terrans and an occasional Drakana for the lowest level menial jobs.

The Drakana are too involved in their conflict to care about the Ravna one way or another, though they do not offer them any sort of employment as they are seen as a "security risk". Ravna do attempt to salvage Drakana wreckage, but the Drakana try to prevent this activity when possible.

Scientific Name

Aviana Sapiens Ravna