House of Crows

#### ***The Climb is All There Is***

The Crows are the bourgeois, the elite, and the wealthy. Their house was said to have been founded by beggars, and in the truest of rags to riches stories, they made it all the way to where they are now. Through wheeling, dealing, spying and conniving, they dragged themselves from the bottom of the barrel until they sat perched atop its rim. Or, so they say. Their current make-up hardly reflects this old way. They control the trade and commerce of the city, and all who seek to sell their wares; be it weapons or housing. The Crows serve as a government for Sanctus, almost. The streets and public areas are maintained with their coin, and they own most of the city's property. While policing is left to the Wolves, the Crows are often the ones laying down the law to begin with. To our aspiring merchants: Pay your dues, or face the consequences.

*Always Move Up:* Crows are known for their enterprising. Give them an inch and they will surely take a mile. They’ve balanced the system in their own favor, attempting to force those who would seek to acquire wealth and power to become a Crow themselves.

*Started from the Bottom:* According to the Crows, their house started in the Mulchen Deeps, hundreds of years ago. Through cunning and celerity, they cut their path to the top not by might, but by wit. They don’t need to wield a sword to show that they are powerful. Their weapons are their brains and their tongues. They have made it from the bottom of the barrel to being the lawmakers of Sanctus. A true hero’s journey. According to them. The Cobras say that they are bleeding utter nonsense, and that the rags to riches story is bad propaganda attempting to make people not hate them as much.

**Total Strength:** Approximately five thousand.

**Prime Tenants:** Money, Social Climbing, Ambition, Power, Control.

**Alignment**: LN

**City Name:** Koraka

#### **House Structure:**

The Nine Heads of the Crow, the wealthiest and most influential merchant lords in the city, perch atop the pecking order of not only the guild, but the city itself. They stand as Oligarchs, able to move the political needle in ways that none other possibly can, save for the mysterious Keeper. They stay out of her way, and never attempt to antagonize the figure. Sitting as the right of the Merchant Lords are the Collectors. Collectors, as the name suggests, deal in collecting taxes and dues owed to the Order. Below them are what are known as the Merchant Corps, made up of the average member of the guild. All legal merchants are a part of this grouping, as required by both formal and informal decree.

## The Ravens

Ask a Crow if they exist, and they’ll likely tell you no. The Ravens perch in the shadow of the Crows, who yet cling to the old way. The Crows claim they originated as rags, and worked their way to riches. The Ravens can confirm this, and not only because they saw the Crows rise. They cling to this old belief. That those atop the pile should not live in austerity, nor should those below have to suffer for it. All who come can work, and all who work can make their way. These Ravens seek to reform the Crows, back into a form which did not corrupt and abuse.

## Season of Strife

They knew the moment they heard of that second volume that there was going to be trouble. They didn’t need to know the content to realize there would be issues with the Cobras. These fears were not assayed by reading the book.

They were later confirmed by several bombings and kidnappings.

The Heads of the Crow agree that action must be taken. The Cobras must be ripped up, root and stem, as the Eagles were before them.

*“They have broken the peace, and have begun an uprising. They have kidnapped many of our officials, bombed our government buildings, and even struck at our home! Not a day after that accursed book is found across the city. You know it to be them, and yet you do nothing.You who sit idle are cowards. You, Dulane, and you, Saevator! You cannot cling to words of the past, you must ACT on these foes. Lend us your strength, and we end this!”*

*-Marilla Cobalt, Fifth Head of the Crow*

*“Never again.” Both leaders answered together. Wolf and Lion, standing side by side, agreeing on it.*