The Antivan Crows, also known as House of Crows, are an elite organization of thieves, spies, and assassins which are renowned throughout Thedas.
Background
Through their deadly reputation and exotic poisons, the Crows practically rule their 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. 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.[1]
History
The Crows started as an arm of the Chantry. In the hills north of Treviso, an order of monks used the herbs grown in the gardens of their abbey to oppose the rule of a despotic duke in the only manner they could.[2]
The Crows and Queen Madrigal
One of the Crows most infamous assassinations was that of Queen Madrigal. 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 Blade of Mercy.
Captain Aristade was charged with investigation of the murder. After several Crows died while being tortured for information he came to realize that no amount of pain would break the Crows. The guild's notorious reputation was well earned.[3]
Involvement
Arl Rendon Howe hires Zevran Arainai 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 to let him live and send him away. If Zevran joines the Warden, his former comrade Taliesen confronts them in Denerim and offers Zevran the chance to return to the crows and conceal 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, with quests given by Master Ignacio. Ignacio reveals that the Crows originally believed that Loghain was the best hope for Ferelden against the Darkspawn and hoped to eliminate Loghain's 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 and that the assassinations the Warden carried out eroded Loghain's support while furthering their own agenda.
Conspirators lead 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.
If Zevran survives the events of the Fifth Blight, then Hawke meets a disguised member of the Crows, Nuncio. Nuncio claims to be a lawman from Antiva and asks Hawke to track down an murderer who is revealed to be Zevran. Upon finding him, the truth is revealed and Hawke learns that the Crows are being torn apart from within by the elf, who seeks to seize the leadership.
The Antivan Crows also attempt to assassinate Hawke during an ambush in Hightown after being hired by either the Cavril family or Friedrich's surviving family. However the Crows' assassination is foiled by Tallis.
Hierarchy
- Talon: A high-ranking member of the Crows, possibly one of a triumvirate leadership system. As of approximately 9:38 Dragon Age Claudio Valisti is the Third Talon; the others are unknown.
- Guildmaster:[4] A leader amongst the Crows, possibly of a larger group.
- Master: A high-ranking assassin who accepts and handles assassination contracts.[5]
- Assassin: A member of the guild without greater rank.
Recruitment
The Crows usually employ elves because humans 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 buy orphaned or 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.
An Antivan Crow who achieves the rank of Talon are given a ceremonial 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.
Notable members
- For a complete list, see Category:Antivan Crows.
- Ignacio
- Taliesen
- Zevran Arainai
- Cesar
- Rinna
- Nuncio
- Claudio Valisti: Third Talon of the Antivan Crows in 9:38 Dragon Dragon
- Calien d'Evaliste: An Antivan Crow during the Exalted Age who was involved in the Fourth Blight
- Ezio Valisti: Third Talon of the Antivan Crows as of 9:41 Dragon[6]
- Callisto di Bastion - Killed King Guiomar the Younger of Antiva
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 it didn't sing.
See also
Codex entry: The Crows and Queen Madrigal
Gallery
References
- ↑ Mentioned by Zevran Arainai and Ignacio.
- ↑ Bioware Wiki. Assassin on BioWare wiki
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 64
- ↑ Referenced in Codex entry: A Letter From Zevran.
- ↑ As witnessed with Master Ignacio.
- ↑ According to the guest announcements in the quest Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, in Dragon Age: Inquisition.