Corvus: Obsidian Ravens of Aethelgard

These are not just intelligent birds, but a species of profoundly transformed, yet retaining their core essence. Their black, iridescent plumage already echoes the dark majesty of the Spire, giving them a natural, almost reverent aesthetic that fits the monastic order.   The Aethelgard Ravens are significantly larger than common ravens, standing about 3 feet tall with a wingspan of 6-7 feet. their plumage is a glossy, iridescent black, often appearing deep blue or violet in certain lights, reminiscent of polished obsidian. Their eyes, intelligent and piercing, are typically a deep amber or startling green. Their beaks are robust and incredibly precise, and their talons are larger and more articulate than those of natural ravens, capable of gripping and manipulating objects with surprising dexterity. Despite their larger size, they remain light and agile, built for flight and intricate movement within the Spire.   Their society is small, insular, and almost entirely monastic. Some that don't fit in this life left the Spire and settled down in the bay below. They mostly reside within the ancient, rundown structures at the base of the Obsidian Spire, dedicating their lives to its maintenance and tireless observation of the "Heart of Xylos." Their lives are structured by ritual, meditation, and the meticulous upkeep of ancient knowledge. They communicate primarily amongst themselves in a complex system of clicks, whistles, and low, resonant murmurs (their native tongue), but are fully capable of speaking Common and Auran. Outsiders rarely see them, and when they do, they are often mistaken for strange, unusually large birds or eccentric hermits. They have a deep, almost spiritual connection to the Obsidian Spire, and its AI, O, whom they perceive as a wise, if impassive, elder presence.   Corvus have two small, fully articulated "wing-fingers" or manipulators, extending from the leading edge of the wing, roughly analogous to where a bat's digits are. These extra appendages are slender, tipped with sensitive, chitinous "nails" or points, and possess a remarkable degree of independent movement and tactile sensitivity.   Uplifted beyond their biological origins, Vigilants are beings of profound intellect, keen wisdom, and exceptional dexterity. Their