Corax? What's a Corax?

But Ravens aren't so common, as anyone who has watched them can tell you. They are dark, and coarse, and yet graceful and playful... they are a mystery of juxtaposition which calls to something deep within the human nature.

Perhaps that is why tales of shape-shifting birds have been around for a long time. These stories can be found in Japan, in some areas of Russia, and especially among the Native tribes of North America. To the Natives, Raven was a powerful Totem Spirit, who would often take on the guise of man, to walk the earth and frequently to play tricks on the people.

Unlike tales of shape-shifting werewolves, these were-ravens aren't out for blood or vengeance. They are creatures of great wisdom, and a great capacity for mischief. They have been given different names in different tongues, but in the WhiteWolf Storyteller System, they are simply, the 'Corax'.

The Corax are, for the most part, information gatherers. They are fast, watchful, quick witted, and far more curious than a cat. However, where curiosity killed the cat, it only singed the raven's feathers (but that's another story...) These children of Raven can get into and out of trouble with amazing speed... which is a good thing, because their mischievious ways seem to get them into trouble rather regularly.

You see, were-ravens want anything which someone else does not want them to have. Anything which sparkles attracts their attention - from priceless diamonds to crumpled tin foil. Puzzles and riddles have a sparkle all their own. So do hidden passages, secret plans, and encrypted computer files. They all lead to the most fascinating discoveries...

To help them survive the perils which their fancies lead them to, the Corax have been gifted by their Totem, Raven. They can change shape from Homid (human form), to Crinos, (an awkward half-man, half-bird form), to Corvid (raven form). They have special gifts to aid them in their travel through the mundane world, and the umbra. They also have special rites to help them gather information, shed light on a situation, and to propogate their race.

In White Wolf's gaming system, Corax are just another one of the many tribes of shapeshifters you can play, but understanding or playing a corax goes far beyond dice and paper. Corax are not merely winged werewolves. There is a sense of curiosity about the world which marks everything a corax does... there are mysteries which need to be explored, questions which just have to be asked, information which needs to be free - and the risk is always worth it, isn't it?

Sure, a few feathers may get singed now & then, but that's the price you have to pay... unless, of course, you can trick someone else into paying the price for you...