Editing Antivan Crows

<onlyinclude>{{OrganizationTransformer
|style        = {{{style|}}}
|name         = [[Antivan Crows]]
|icon         = Antivan Crows heraldry DA2.png
|image        = Antivan Crows heraldry DA2.png
|px           = 270x360px
|type         = Assassination <br> Espionage <br> Political
|headquarters = [[Antiva]]
|leaders      = [[Caterina Dellamorte]]
|affiliation  = 
|races        = [[Human]]s <br> [[Elf|Elves]]
|ranks        = Talon <br> Guildmaster <br> Master <br> Assassin
|motto        = 
|location     = Throughout [[Thedas]]
|related      = 
|appearances  = [[Dragon Age: Origins]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]] <br> [[The Darkspawn Chronicles]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age II]] <br> [[Mark of the Assassin]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Last Flight]] <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age: Deception]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]] <br> [[Short Story: The Wake|The Wake]] <br> [[Short Story: As We Fly|As We Fly]]
}}</onlyinclude>

The '''Antivan Crows''', also known as '''House of Crows''', are an elite [[Groups|organization]] of thieves, spies, and [[assassin]]s renowned throughout [[Thedas]].

== Background ==
The Crows started as an arm of the [[Orlesian Chantry|Chantry]]. In the hills north of [[Treviso]], an order of monks used the herbs grown in the gardens of their abbey to assassinate a despotic duke.<ref>Bioware Wiki. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091227112135/http://social.bioware.com/wiki/dragonage/index.php/Assassin Assassin on BioWare wiki]</ref><ref name="tn">''[[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]'', Eight Little Talons</ref> Since then, through their deadly reputation and exotic poisons, the Crows have practically come to rule their [[Antiva|homeland]]. Though honor among such an organization is generally dubious, they do adhere to one standard: contracts are met and agreements are kept. Failure to eliminate a mark means the life of the operative is also forfeit. The Antivan Crows are a driving political force in Antiva, often hired to assassinate Antivan nobility or even royalty. Their reputation is enough to deter many nations from openly attacking Antiva despite its lack of a standing army.<ref>{{Cite wot|63}}</ref> [[Zevran Arainai|Zevran]] implies the Crows are an important part of Antivan society as a whole.

When the Crows are hired for a job, generally one master handles the contract. However, if the master is unable to complete it, then other masters can be hired. It is even possible to hire the entire House of Crows, however that would be extremely expensive. There is only one known case where this occurred.<ref>Mentioned by [[Zevran Arainai]] and [[Ignacio]].</ref>

The Crows run [[Velabanchel]], an infamous and feared prison where they keep people incarcerated for "fun and torture." Its reputation has earned it the nickname of "the House of Graves."

== History ==
Past contracts, blackmail materials and secret histories are kept in the [[Archive of the Crows]] in [[Antiva City]]. Several of their assassinations have become notorious. 

=== 'Just Desserts' ===
In 3:09 [[Towers Age|Towers]], [[Templar Order#Hierarchy|Knight-Commander]] Gervasio of [[Antiva]] invoked the [[Right of Annulment]] on the [[Circle of Magi]] and killed all of the city's mages for demonic possession. An investigation by the [[Seekers of Truth]] later showed that the Right might have been invoked to cover-up a massacre by Knight-Captain Nicolas, who confessed to murdering over a hundred mages.<ref>[[Magehunter]]</ref> In retaliation, the Crows were hired to kill the highest members of the Antivan Templar Order. The assassins infiltrated the Circle and infused lemon cake with [[Maferath]]'s Embrace, a toxin that increases the victim's blood pressure until veins and organs rupture, killing the Knight-Commander and his Knight-Captains. The assassination earned the moniker 'Just Desserts' because the poison was administered through cake.<ref name="tn" />

=== The Crows and Queen Madrigal ===
One of the Crows' most infamous assassinations was that of [[Madrigal|Queen Madrigal]] in 5:99 [[Exalted Age|Exalted]]. The Queen failed to return from a hunt and was later found with four swords through her body. One of these swords was a replica of [[Hessarian]]'s [[Codex entry: Blade of Mercy|Blade of Mercy]]. Captain Aristide was charged with investigating the murder. After several Crows died under torture, he came to realize that no amount of pain would break the Crows. The guild's notorious reputation was well earned.<ref>{{Cite wot|64}}</ref> The violence of the incident haunted the dreams of [[Divine]] Theodosia I, thus inspiring her to declare the [[Steel Age]].

=== The Songbird ===
Carlota Montivecchio, nicknamed 'the Songbird,' was a talented opera singer. After she tried to strangle a rival soprano with a string of pearls, the rival hired the Crows to cut Carlota's throat. She was found dead by the director after curtain call, with a string of pearls around her neck.<ref name="tn" />

=== Prince Estefan ===
Prince Estefan was known for his many [[Rinna|bastard children]]. He was known for bedding high-born married women, using sheets to sneak in and out of their bedroom windows. One night, when he was visiting a beautiful married woman named Marcella, he found a Crow waiting for him. The Prince was strangled in bedsheets, his neck snapped. The public version of the story painted the death as accidental. Prince Estefan's mistress was killed by an adder hidden among her clothes.<ref name="tn" />

== Involvement ==
=== ''Dragon Age: Last Flight'' ===
{{SpoilerLF|
In the [[Exalted Age]], an Antivan Crow named [[Calien]] who was an [[Apostate]] [[Blood magic|Blood]] [[Magi|Mage]], spent the [[Fourth Blight]] aiding the [[Grey Wardens]] after the fall of [[Antiva City]]. He was instrumental in breaking the siege of [[Anderfels#Settlements|Hossberg]] and participated in the Battle of [[Ayesleigh]] where the [[Archdemons|Archdemon]] [[Andoral]] was slain.
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
{{SpoilerDAO|
Arl [[Rendon Howe]] hires [[Zevran]] to assassinate [[the Warden]], [[Alistair]] and their allies as they are the political enemies of Regent [[Loghain Mac Tir]].

After Zevran's assassination attempt fails and his supporters are killed, the Warden may kill Zevran, recruit him or let him live and send him away.
If Zevran joins the Warden, his former comrade [[Taliesen]] confronts them in [[Denerim]] and offers Zevran the chance to return to the Crows by concealing his initial failure to kill the Warden. If Zevran's approval is high enough, he rejects Taliesen's offer and kills him to protect the Warden. If not, Zevran turns against the Warden and is killed fighting alongside his fellow Crow.

The Warden may also choose to work for the Crows, through quests given by Master [[Ignacio]]. He reveals that the Crows originally believed Loghain to be Ferelden's best hope against the [[Darkspawn]] and hoped to eliminate Loghain's [[Fereldan Civil War (9:30 - 9:31 Dragon)|political opponents]] so he could unify Ferelden and lead the defense against the Blight. However, the Warden's successes convinced them they were an acceptable alternative, eroding Loghain's support while furthering their own agenda.
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: Awakening'' ===
{{SpoilerDAOA|
Conspirators led by Bann [[Esmerelle]] hire members of the Antivan Crows to kill the [[The Warden-Commander]] of Ferelden, but they are slain in the ensuing confrontation. 

{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If Vigilance was forged|The master smith of [[Denerim]], [[Wade]], forged the legendary blade [[Vigilance (Greatsword)|Vigilance]] from the bones of an [[Queen of the Blackmarsh|ancient dragon]] for Ferelden's Warden-Commander. The blade was eventually stolen by the Antivan Crows, who subsequently lost the blade as well.}}
}}

=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
{{SpoilerDA2|
{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If [[Zevran Arainai|Zevran]] survives the events of the [[Fifth Blight]]|[[Hawke]] meets with a disguised member of the Crows, [[Nuncio]]. Nuncio claims to be a lawman from Antiva and asks Hawke to [[A Murder of Crows|track down]] Zevran as a murderer. Upon finding him, the truth is revealed and Hawke [[Codex entry: Zevran Arainai (Dragon Age II)|learns]] that the Crows are being torn apart from within by the elf, who seeks to seize leadership.}}

The Antivan Crows also attempt to assassinate Hawke during an [[Mark of the Assassin (quest)|ambush]] in [[Hightown]] after being hired by either the [[Cavril]] family or [[Friedrich]]'s surviving family. However, the Crows' assassination is foiled by [[Tallis]].
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: The Silent Grove'' ===
{{SpoilerTSG|
{{BioWare canon|TSG}}
In 9:38, King [[Alistair]], [[Isabela]] and [[Varric Tethras]] break into the [[Archive of the Crows]] and [[Velabanchel]], where [[Maric Theirin|King Maric]] was held captive for years until he was released by [[Yavana]], a [[Witch of the Wilds]]. Prince [[Claudio Valisti]], Third Talon of the Crows, attempts to capture Alistair under the orders of [[Tevinter Imperium|Tevinter]] [[Magister]] [[Aurelian Titus]], but Varric and Isabela foil his plans, killing Claudio and his troops.
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
{{SpoilerDAI|
In recent years, several high-ranking members of the Antivan Crows have been assassinated, without contracts for their deaths. Some claim these deaths are the results of a single operator whom they call 'The Black Shadow.'

{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If Zevran survived|Several senior Antivan Crows speculated that Zevran Aranai is likely the Black Shadow causing chaos and dissent within their ranks.}}

The Crows offer [[the Inquisitor]] help in their [[An Offer from the Crows|investigation]] of Lord Enzo of Rialto, suspected of helping the [[Venatori]] smuggle [[red lyrium]] into [[Antiva]].
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: Deception'' ===
{{SpoilerKE|
{{BioWare canon}}
Andarateia Cantori and Viago De Riva<ref name="tn" /> are in [[Ventus]] just before the [[Qunari]] invasion. They ally with [[Calix]] and [[Olivia Pryde]] to retrieve a ledger from the Ventus Vaults. After retrieving the ledger, they kill [[Florian Invidus]] when he attacks them for working with Calix and Olivia. 
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights'' ===
{{SpoilerTN|
{{BioWare canon}}{{Clrl}}
'''''The Wigmaker Job'''''{{Clrl}}
[[Lucanis Dellamorte]] and his cousin [[Illario Dellamorte|Illario]] take an anonymous contract to assassinate Ambrose Forfex, [[Tevinter Imperium|Tevinter]]'s premiere wigmaker and a [[Venatori]] [[blood mage]]. During one of his periwig shows in Vyrantium, they discover that he feeds his slaves [[red lyrium]] to create red-lyrium infused wigs. When Lucanis destroys the [[Elven artifact (Inquisition)|elven artifact]] strengthening the Veil, chaos erupts at the party. The slave models become possessed by demons, as do some of the drunkest and most frightened guests. While Illario gets the other slaves out of the mansion, Lucanis kills Forfex, who's turned into an arachnid-like abomination. As approximately forty of Forfex's guests are killed at the party, Lucanis becomes known as 'The Demon.'

'''''An Old Crow's Old Tricks'''''{{Clrl}}
Lessef accepts a contract from [[Dalish]] clan Oranavra to eliminate four members of a Tevinter centuri who murdered a group of elven children from their clan.

'''''Eight Little Talons'''''{{Clrl}}
[[Caterina Dellamorte]], First Talon of the Crows, calls for an extraordinary meeting of all Eight Talons to discuss ways to defend against the potential [[Qunari]] invasion. At their retreat, several Talons are murdered in quick succession—Lera Valisti, Giuli Arainai, and Dante Balazar. After [[Andarateia Cantori]] foils an assassination attempt on [[Viago De Riva]], they expose Emil Kortez as the murderer. He reveals that the Qunari approached him to eliminate the other Talons as a prelude to peaceful invasion, believing them when they said Antiva wouldn't be forced to submit to the [[Qun]]. The four remaining Talons—Caterina, Viago, Teia, and Bolivar Nero—kill Kortez for his betrayal.
}}

=== ''As We Fly'' ===
{{SpoilerTN|
[[Treviso]] has been invaded and captured by the [[Qunari]]. The occupying Qunari are led by Daathrata, a member of the [[Antaam]] who's nicknamed the Butcher due to his cruelty. The Antivan Crows in the city are actively engaged in resistance efforts, taking out Qunari lieutenants such as Kaathrata the Lash and destroying Qunari weapon caches.<ref name="fly">[[Short Story: As We Fly]]</ref>
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: The Missing'' ===
{{SpoilerTM|
[[Andarateia Cantori|Andarateia "Teia" Cantori]] and [[Viago De Riva]] accept a contract to investigate and assassinate Lady Crysanthus should it be discovered she has been helping the [[Venatori]]. When they infiltrated her residence in [[Vyrantium]], they discover that she has been turned to stone—presumably by [[Inquisition]] fugitive, [[Solas]]. After investigating her bedchamber, the Crows discover that Lady Crysanthus was a Venatori spymaster and also that the Venatori have plans to dominate the [[Tevinter Imperium]]. Teia and Viago report this information to the rest of the Antivan Crows so they could prepare to oppose the Venatori.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Missing]]'', Issue 2</ref>
}}

== Hierarchy ==
The Antivan Crows are compartmentalized into family houses, in imitation of the great noble families of [[Thedas]], with each member of that house, from its leader to its rank and file assassins taking the house's name as their family name. The leadership of the Guild as a whole lies with the Eight Talons, and their respective houses, while lesser houses are referred to as cuchillos (knives). Houses frequently rise and fall in rank. 

* '''Talon''': The leaders of the Crows. Around 9:44 [[Dragon Age|Dragon]], the leading houses are Dellamorte, Balazar, Valisti, Kortez, De Riva, Nero, Cantori, and Arainai.<ref name="tn" /> Houses frequently rise and fall. While new recruits are told that anyone can rise to the rank of Talon, in practice few achieve this rank without family or connections.<ref name="tn" />

* '''Guildmaster'''/'''Grandmaster''':<ref>Referenced in [[Codex entry: A Letter From Zevran]].</ref> A leader of a large group, such as an entire house.
{{SpoilerDAO|
{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If [[Zevran Arainai]] is romanced in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' and the Warden sacrifices themself against the Archdemon|The epilogue will state that he eventually travels to Antiva in his grief and assumes leadership of the Crows. In this case Zevran may be a Guildmaster, or master.}}
}}

* '''Master''': A high-ranking assassin who accepts and handles assassination contracts.<ref>As witnessed with [[Ignacio|Master Ignacio]].</ref>

* '''Assassin''': A member of the guild without greater rank.

== Recruitment ==
The Crows usually employ [[Elf|elves]] because [[human]]s often find them attractive, giving them an advantage over their target. However, they also have a large number of human recruits. They train their recruits from a young age, and have no problem killing them if they make a mistake. It seems to be an effective method, though they would have everyone believe it takes some special skill to do what they do. 

The Antivan Crows often buy orphaned or [[Slavery|enslaved]] elves and humans when they are children and force them to live together in tight quarters. The only way they can survive the brutal process and prove themselves worthy is by surviving every test the Crows throw at them, including killing their peers.

Antivan Crows who achieve the rank of Talon are given a ceremonial [[Gift of the Talons|dagger]] from the Guildmaster and sent to assassinate a target using that dagger alone. The greater the risk, the greater the good omen for the Talon's future.

== Known members ==
{{See also|Category:Antivan Crows}}
=== [[House Arainai]] ===
* Guildmaster '''Talav''' (9:16) – Second Talon
* Grandmaster '''Isidora''' (9:16-9:24) 
* Grandmaster '''Eoman Arainai''' (9:26-9:31) – Eighth Talon 
* Grandmaster '''Runn''' (c. 9:31-9:34)
* Grandmaster '''Availa''' (c. 9:31-9:34)
* '''Giuli Arainai''' – Eighth Talon (c. 9:44)
* '''[[Zevran Arainai]]'''
* '''[[Taliesen]]'''
* '''[[Rinna]]'''

=== House Dellamorte ===
* '''[[Caterina Dellamorte]]''' – First Talon (c. 9:44)
* '''[[Lucanis Dellamorte]]'''
* '''[[Illario Dellamorte]]'''

=== [[House Valisti]] ===
* Prince '''[[Claudio Valisti]]''' – Third Talon (9:38 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]])
* '''Ezio Valisti''' – Third Talon (9:41)<ref>According to the guest announcements in the quest [[Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]''.</ref>
* '''Lera Valisti''' – Third Talon (c. 9:44)

=== Other ===
* '''[[Andarateia Cantori]]''' – Seventh Talon (c. 9:44)
* '''Bolivar Nero''' – Sixth Talon (c. 9:44)
* '''[[Calien d'Evaliste]]''' – an Antivan Crow during the [[Exalted Age]] who was involved in the [[Fourth Blight]]
* '''[[Codex entry: Finesse|Callisto "Finesse" di Bastion]]''' – killed King Guiomar the Younger of Antiva in 4:22 [[Black Age|Black]]
* '''[[Cesar]]'''
* '''Dante Balazar''' – Second Talon (c. 9:44)
* Count '''Eduardo "Lalo" Sanvelli''' – a legendary assassin of the [[Steel Age]]<ref>[[Codex entry: Blackfeather Boots]]</ref>
* '''Emil Kortez''' – Fourth Talon (c. 9:44)
* House ''' Ferragani''' – Eight Talon in 9:26, eliminated by House Arainai.<ref>{{Cite wot2|96}}</ref>
* '''Ghita'''<ref>[[Word from the Crows]]</ref>
* Master '''[[Ignacio]]'''
* '''Lessef'''
* '''Neri de Acutis''' - a veteran Crow; Noa's younger brother<ref name="fly" />
* '''Noa de Acutis''' - a veteran Crow; Neri's older sister<ref name="fly" />
* '''[[Nuncio Caldera Lanos]]'''
* '''Ricter Cordova''' – an infamous Crow known for his speed, flourishes, and tendency to accept contracts from beautiful rich women.<ref>[[Cordova's Smile]]</ref>
* '''[[Viago De Riva]]''' – Fifth Talon (c. 9:44)
* '''Vierre Lazar''' of Treviso<ref>[[Codex entry: In the Mists: Phantoms Out of Dreams]]</ref><ref>[[Codex entry: In the Mists: A Torn Sky]]</ref>

== Codex entries ==
:{{:Codex entry: Antiva|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Zevran Arainai|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Zevran Arainai (Dragon Age II)|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: The Crows and Queen Madrigal|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Finesse|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: In the Mists: Phantoms Out of Dreams|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: In the Mists: A Torn Sky|style=iconmini}}

== Trivia ==
* In ''Dragon Age: Origins'', [[Sten]] asks Zevran why they are called "The Crows." Zevran replies that he heard at one point they were considered being called the Kestrels, but claims that the name "didn't sing, didn't dance".
* "Crow feed" is a simple, affordable Antivan rice dish made with onions and butter. Its name derives from the Antivan Crows.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas]]'', p. 43</ref>
* The Crows are reputed to use [[Antivan Fire|Antivan Fire grenades]] as part of their arsenal. Antivan apple grenades are hot, sweet dessert pastries filled with apple and made to resemble fire grenades in both shape and heat.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas]]'', p. 131</ref>

== See also ==
:{{:The Antivan Garrote|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Crow Dagger|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Gift of the Talons|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Archive of the Crows|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Velabanchel|style=iconmini}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="portrait">
Crow assassin HoDA.jpg|A Crow assassin in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]''
Concept art da4 9.png|Concept art of an Antivan Crow
</gallery>

== References ==
<references />

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Groups]]
[[Category:Antiva]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
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[[de:Krähen von Antiva]]
[[ru:Антиванские_Вороны]]