| Class: | Magical Beasts to Folk |
| Hab: | Mana-rich or significant local sites |
| Fre: | Somewhat rare |
| Num: | 1-1,000, by habitat or as kept |
| Lair: | 90% |
| Size: | Usually 1' but occasionally larger, to 3' (or more) |
| Move: | Agile flight at moderate speed, awkward hop for fair walk |
| Def: | Wings = shields, magical enhancements; not fragile |
| Att: | Beak stab = dagger, minor claws, + "special enhancements" |
| Int: | Very bright beast to sapient, even genius |
| Spec: | Magically enhanced; always special but specifics vary |
| Posns: | Often; may be able to use any items they possess |
Crypt Crow
Sorcerers sometimes create populations of Crypt Crows to watch and assist, guard and spy. More often, they are created spontaneously. Populations on normal, mortal crows living in a mana-rich environment often have young that are endued with special qualities, often reflecting the characteristics of the area. Areas of historical significance are inherently mana-rich. Sites of deaths or graves are also rich in spirit-power.
Crypt crows taken from one place to another will soon adapt; their young will reflect the location of their incubation as much as their parentage. While crypt crows are commonly assumed to by sinister, this is not necessarily so. Their inherent trickster and hoarding instincts do not make them evil.
Ravens and jackdaws, which are, respectively, larger and smaller, have similar enchanted local populations. Oddly colored crows are also known.
The special qualities of Crypt Crows vary widely. Sages speculate that the name Crypt Crow comes not from haunting mortuary crypts but from "cryptic," as the qualities of a particular flock or individual cannot be predicted, but can only be learned through the experience of interaction. Even those familiar with a particular population are often surprised by some new quality.
Being a magical creature, the crow automatically hits as a magical weapon. For sample additional enhancements, consider the qualities of Mutants and Golems, Constructs and other enchantments. Having an innate magical Talent is typically a fae or faerie trait; it is quite common among crows whose habitat contains fae elements and is not unknown among other crypt crows.
Common enhancements are increased armor and attack and increased intelligence and manipulation abilities; crows' claws are already quite dexterous, so enabling tool use is an easy enhancement. Multiple wings or legs, for superior movement is also common; the extra wings may serve as shields and are a defense against crippling. Enhanced eyes commonly grant special types of vision; extra eyes may prevent surprise.
Tolkien tells us of crebain in Middle Earth; these may have been Crypt Crows. The Encyclopedia of Arda, which SEE, puts it well;
Crow
"Black carrion birds associated in Tolkien's work with the forces of darkness. The most feared variety in the Westlands of Middle-earth was the large type known as crebain."
Crow, Crebain
"Large black birds of crow-kind, native to the lands that bordered the southern Misty Mountains, Dunland to the west and Fangorn to the east. They seemed to possess at least some level of intelligence, and were apparently used as spies by Saruman during the War of the Ring."
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