Corvidaeni

A Corvidaeni male, one of the few survivors of the Great Decline

The **Corvidaeni** *(Corvidaenius populus)* are a race of humanoid avians that once lived in far distant lands from Rathnir, before an unknown phenomenon known only as the *Great Decline*, caused them to rapidly decline and fade into the dusts of history, their name now barely known and those that survived this decline broken, or sworn to return the species' glory.

Before the Great Decline, they had a reasonable presence in Cymru to scout the lands, but by the time the Great Decline began, the Corvidaeni population declined at a pace that would continue to grow until the species was nothing but small groups. It is said that many of the surviving Corvidaeni have taken looks of Plague Doctors to blend in with their surroundings as best as possible.

What little history about the Corvidaeni is left is unclear, and even tricky, due to the extremely scarce historical texts, locations, and even stories from the surviving people. However, this text will use what little evidence there is to document them and their culture.

## Culture

Based on several instances found in abandoned structures, the arts and culture of the Corvidaeni was that of heavy religious influence, a strong respect for knowledge and the strange obsession of the sky? A large corvid is depicted in most paintings that have the possible King. Most likely a symbolism, and connected to their religion.

### Art

A handful of art pieces have been recovered some depicting their supposed God Sol Corvus whatever that means, however few pieces of art depict glorious battles and even depictions of the possible king. But given the art is so few it can be assumed only higher classes had this opportunity, the art is rather renaissance, and few instances of abstract art has been recovered.

Several statues have also been discovered, but they're more or less the same thing, just the big bird and the supposed king, although the statues appear to be made from a strong stone.

### Ownership of items

A handful of scriptures have suggested a system of item owning where a date would be arranged for ownership and would be rightfully returned by that date, some scrolls even suggest a small tax on this system which most likely was emplaced by the Corvidaeni king.

### Relationships

After recovering what appears to be a diary, we can assume that the Corvidaeni's way of two houses, named *Nidos*, was similar to most marriages, where the old family name could be replaced with the family name of the groom, based on the nearly burnt diary we could only make out that these marriages were grander than most.

There is some scriptures which points to honour being a strong trait in the culture, but not as strong as other, and evidently, paintings and sculptures appear to depict the supposed leader with several people, possibly a harem which means harems were accepted within Corvidaeni culture. Finally, a painting seems to depict same sex marriage in a somewhat positive manner, assuming that same-sex marriage was never a bother for the Corvidaeni.

### Gender and Sex

With a lack of evidence, its hard to say for certain, but texts have mentioned the two biological sexes, *Corvus masculinus* and *Corvus Feminae* but also describes *Corvus Femina masculus* and *Corvus Masculus Feminae*, the meaning of which is not yet apparent

### Language

The language of the Corvidaeni is an ancient language which shares similarities to that of English, most of the evidence collected has so far been in this ancient language with few pieces actually being translated. While there have been many variations of this language it appears that there was a Standard variant called vexillum lingua which was shortened to Vexil in some pieces.

## Religion

Upon the discovery and repair of several fragments of text, it is believed this book titled *Symbolum Corvidaeni* was written to lay out foundations of the early Corvidaeni culture, with a lack of a religious deity and key emphasis in honour, though this book is incomplete it is possible more fragments still exist, scattered across the lands.

Examples of honourable actions of the Corvidaeni are things such as selflessness, chivalry and loyalty, while many examples of disloyalty, selfishness and lack of chivalry appear to be frowned upon.

Prior to the discovery of the *Symbolum Corvidaeni* fragments, another text titled S*anctus Liber Sol Corvus* had been uncovered earlier and had been in a relatively good condition, it's origins are unclear as no mention of the author has been made, but it's believed that it served as the first step towards the Corvidaeni religion known as the Order of Sol Corvus.

### Festivities

Various recovered yet damaged scrolls suggest specific days that the Corvidaeni celebrated which shares a connection to the Corvidaeni religion and culture, and suggests these days were of grand display or significance, only four out of the possible six days could be identified in the damaged scrolls.

### Magna Redi

Supposedly the largest festive event of the Corvidaeni culture is the Magna Redni. Old scriptures suggest this event was held whenever an army has returned from a great battle, or when a war has been won by kingdoms of the Corvidaeni race, this event is described to be a grand day for all Corvidaeni's, a day of rejoice and full of activities, performances and a particular dance called the *victoriam choreas*.

### Die Sanitatis

Partially destroyed books that had been recovered mention a day known as *Die Sanitatis,* it is believed that this day somewhat held both religious and cultural importance and possibly responsible for the Corvidaeni survivors to chose the appearance of masked doctors. These damaged records suggest that on the middlemost day of the middlemost month of the year, many must say a prayer to Sol Corvus in hopes the remainder of the year will be filled with good fate, whenever these prayers were answered it is suggested that a select few would be chosen as *Prophetarus Sol Corvus* and are tasked with spreading good health.

### Sanctus dies Sol Corvus

Pages of the Sanctus Liber Sol Corvis mentions a religiously significant day and event for the Corvidaeni titled the Sanctus dies Sol Corvus, it is believed once a year the Corvidaeni god Sol Corvus would visit them for a single day bearing good luck, bad luck, or what they called Novas Semitas which is said to be a great revelation that is gifted to whoever Sol Corvus picks and it's believed that paying Sol Corvus tribute with gifts off all kind would better increase the chances of good luck and to receive Sol Corvus' great revelation.

### Hiems Fuga

Fairly damaged scrolls that were recovered mentions a winter festival near the end of winter known as Hiems Fugas. It is believed that for every good deed one has made one would receive a blessed feather from Sol Corvus, but for every deed you have not redeemed, Sol Corvus supposedly punishes you according to the deed. Although there is little religious influence, it appears to stay true to the early Corvidaeni culture.