Valravns, creatures of Denmark, was rumored to be nothing more than shadows and illusions of night. These are mythological ravens who, upon devouring the heart of a slain royal in battle, become cursed. While they gain human intelligence, possess a certain magical affinity, and the limited ability to shapeshift it is at a price. Their concept of self is tied to their identity. Given their nature to shift between forms, a valravn’s identity is rather unstable. Valravn are creatures with the metaphorical silver tongue.( Persuasion & Illusions). The means of ensnarement are based upon what renders you still. This makes them potentially dangerous.
When a human bears Valravn offspring, they are called Valravaans
Ministry Matters: (XXXX - Dangerous / requires specialist knowledge / skilled wizard may handle) // There are few that know of its existence, most of which are ministry-employed maziologists. Due to the rumors, most consider it as a possible threat contained to Denmark and its surrounding areas (although there are doubts to this containment) Those that know of the creatures are sworn to secrecy in their research while others are paid off. This is sole to ensure safety. It is possible lore/legend/ and even sightings have either spread or occurred without ministry knowledge.
Corpse-born: Due to the consumption of the heart, they are a shadowy version of their victim, gaining knowledge and the ability to shift between forms.
Bite: non-lethal with tissue/flesh damage. No poison or threat of being turned. A painful inconvenience
Fatal: Silver and/or iron (digested or impaled)
Stun/disorient/harm: Fluxweed, knotgrass, and wolfsbane (Polyjuice potion makes them sick!), large/deep bodies of water
Ability: Slightly better night vision, wider-scope of color perception
Emotional Consumption: The heart is the center from which experience lies. It is the essence of life itself ushered not only through blood but emotions as well. So it is, with the devouring of the royal’s heart, a new hunger is awakened. They remain dangerous, their appetite for human emotion indicates the need for interaction leaving the husk of their companions in their wake.
General Consumption: They tend to be predominantly carnivores although they do share habits with omnivores such as fruit preference. Valravns consume the dead as that is their purpose but some have strayed into consuming those that are yet living
NEG: Limited to one x one interaction. Must involve a touch of some kind (kissing can be dangerous but not lethal as in you may be disoriented but you won’t die and it's not painful, just tiring. A complete feeding results in temporary apathy duration impacted by species and emotional stability- humans are common prey)
Can be psychologically affected by the emotions absorbed
Limited to surface emotions only--Serves as the main source of sustenance- they can maintain with normal food but the cravings remain
Mimicry. The valravn can mimic simple sounds it has heard, such as a person whispering, a baby crying, or some canine/corvid-based noises
Shapechanger: The valravn can shift into either a human, wolf, raven or back into its true form (this may be evoked as well due to the consequences of emotional absorption).
When unconscious or asleep they revert back
Limited on how long transformation can last (wolf/raven/valravn- a few days)
Staying extended periods in a single form may start affecting behavior or even make them forget their true selves.
Extreme fear = flighty, so for preservation's sake results in the raven form. Nothing special about this form, very little difference from common ravens.
Starvation/extreme threat: valravn form. Vision is heightened followed by a sense of smell followed by hearing.
Undeniable seething rage: Wolf. One of the obvious differences of this wolf vs werewolves/other wolves is that the eyes are sealed shut. Or what we perceive as eyes. Those three red slits on the side of the face detect motion but they cannot see in the literal sense. Their sense of smell and hearing is heightened here.
