Corven

The group collectively known as the Aviar exhibits a greater degree of biological diversity than most. It is comprised of three distinctly different species that coexist harmoniously: the hawk-like Aquilen, the mysterious Corven, and the renegade Aven. Little is known about how or why these three peoples evolved so differently only to come together later on, but they now share habitats in many flatlands and rivers.

## Corven Overview

### Culture and Society

More intelligent than most Aviar, these birds are masters of strange arts and taboo knowledge. They are more contemplative, smaller, and thinner than their Aquilen cousins. Corven are unpredictable and superstitious, and they usually prefer to utilise their minds and magic rather than brute force. They will attempt to confuse and lead the unwary astray.

In a stark contrast to the airborne Aquilen, Corven keep primarily to the ground, scouring the riverbanks and saltwater bays for tubers, roots, nuts, seeds, and small animals. These foods are then returned to encampments to be shared. Corven also routinely collect all manners of herbs and minerals for usage in ritual and ceremony. Corven lead the clan in chants, songs, and scripture. This rapid foray into spirituality has had its disasters, however. During the earliest days of Corven enlightenment, those who delved too far into dark, paranormal activities were eventually driven insane and soon found completely missing in large swaths. Corven lost to these harrowing events, referred to thereafter as "Tengu", are said to be seen on dark nights, lurking between dead trees. They are hollow, aggressive, and primal.

With the Aquilen patrolling the skies and warding off dangers, the Corven are free to sculpt the landscape into impressively large cantons. These are comprised of low thick walled mud huts, each with a perch-like room situated above them. Corven and Aquilen families typically cohabit with each other in these structures for the best protection. This odd dichotomy has lent itself to incredible mobility across variable terrain, and the Aviars have established themselves as intergalactic race. However, these dusk-traveling bounty hunters seem to be losing their own battle with darkness. Resilient and driven by an ever-increasing spiritual zeal, Corven are quickly becoming unpredictable, adaptable, and deadly.

Their traditional weapon is a wickedly sharp reaping scythe, adorned with the wielder's own feathers, their blade is spotless and glints as it catches the light. Fashioned from obsidian, the head of this scythe is more than capable of splitting hairs. These fearful Corven are said to be the shepherds of the lost spirits of recently deceased Aquilen. Sent by their clans to seek and bring home their fallen flock lost to madness and confusion.

## Religion

Modroben (Moh-DRO-bayne or Moh-DRO-behn) is essentially the universal god of the Aviar. Though he is by far best-known as the patron of death, Modroben also presents himself as the final arbiter of fate and destiny, and protector of time. Those who would subvert the natural order of time's passage are said to earn the ire of Modroben.

Modroben is fiercely opposed to all undead creatures, in all circumstances. One of the chief tasks of the Corven is to guide souls to their final rest. The Tengu who raise undead are outcast from Aviar society and often killed by other Corven.

Modroben's main sigils are vultures and the moon. Aviar time is measured by the phases of the moon, and rituals are conducted at specific phases. Planets without a moon are considered outside of Modroben's gaze, and as such, the more superstitious refuse to set foot there.

The most religious of the three Aviar peoples, Corvens craft vulture idols and leave these imposing figures at ritual sites. A representation of Modroben, these vulture statues are seen as a symbol of luck and protection. Corven use them as tailsmens to protect their homes from misfortune.

A dilapidated effigy fashioned to resemble the Vulture, this marble sculpture moves to block the path of anyone trying to pass by. This peculiar statue wasn't standing there when you last looked, and it certainly wasn't posed in that way either. Don't turn your back. Don't look away.

## Names

Corven names are deeply rooted in their religion, and are often named for the shape or phase of the moon they were born in. Those born during the full moon are said to be blessed. Those born during a new moon occasionally face discrimination from more superstitious folks, citing them as more likely to turn Tengu, though this is untrue. Sometimes the superstitious would even lie, and perhaps pretend that their child hatched a few days earlier or later, in order to hit the full moon or avoid a new moon.

New Moon: Darkmoon, Ebonyshade, Hollowheart, Bloodshadow

Crescent Moon: Silverside, Writecrescent, Bowlight, Littlewhisper

Gibbous Moon: Lighteye, Quartershines, Nightshine, Risingmoon

Full Moon: Fullheart, Brightsky, Moonwatcher, Whitehalo

The less religious corven have been known to adopt the naming habits of their aquilen cousins, particularly if they were born during a less fortunate time, choosing to describe their physical attributes instead of the phase of the moon.

## Racial Traits

* **Ability Score Increase**. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1. **+10**
* **Age.**A Corven reaches adulthood around 7 years old and live to be about 70.
* **Alignment.** Corven tends towards neutrality, while the Tengu tends towards chaotic with a slight lean to evil.
* **Size.** 2.5’ - 3.5’. Your size is Small.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 25 feet. **-2**
* **Poor Flyer.** You have a flight speed of 30 ft. You cannot fly if wearing medium or heavy armour and you cannot take an Attack action or cast a spell if you use this fly speed during your turn. While flying, if you do not move at least half your speed during your turn, you fall to the ground. **+4**
* **Shaman Tradition.** You have proficiency in two of the following skills: Religion, Nature, Arcana, History. **+4**
* **Attuned.** You can cast the spell Detect Magic once per short or long rest. **+3**
* **Spirit Tracking.** If you meditate in a place for 10 minutes you know whether any sapient creatures have passed through the area in the last day, which way they were going, and their general mood. **+2**
* **Languages.** You can speak, read, and write Common and Auran.
* **Subrace.** You may choose to be a civilised Corven, or a primal Tengu.

### Corven

*"We are the closest to Modroben, spiritually and physically, and we always know he is watching over us. That is what makes us strong. No matter what trials we must endure, we will last forever."*

* **Crow’s Knowledge.**  You gain proficiency in one of the following: Artisan’s tool, Disguise Kit, Thieves Tools. **+1**
* **Connected to the Land.** You know a druid cantrip of your choice. The spellcasting ability for it is Wisdom. **+3**
* ***Score Total: 26***

### Tengu

*"We are night hunters, our senses most alert in the darkness and silence that befuddles other aviar. We can slip noiselessly though shadows like fish through black water. Unlike the corven who cling to moonlight and the watchful shine of Modroben, we like the freedom that is found in the darkest nights."*

* **Voice of Deceit.** You have proficiency in the Deception skill. **+2**
* **Darkvision.** You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey. **+3**
* ***Score Total: 27***

## Example Corven

HalfmoonHarveymoonDarkskyShiningheartMistyshade