Crows: Cunning Birds Or Spooky-Smart Familiars?

In Uclandia, one can never be too sure about crows.   They might be mere cunning birds, or they might be a witch or wizard's familiar.   Crows are known throughout Uclandia as intelligent, communicative, and judgemental. If you are kind to crows, they will let others of their kind know. But if you are cruel, harsh, or aggressive toward them, they will let their brethren know this, too. If that happens, no crow anywhere in Uclandia will trust you, befriend you, or treat you kindly. Tale my advice traveler...treat them with respect and deference.   One good way to show them respect is to share your food with them if you have the opportunity. Speak kindly to them, but do not treat them as mere animals. Respect for their intelligence will earn you some consideration. If the crow (or crows) in question decide you are worthy to spend any time with, remember they understand your words and your intent.   They are far older, individually and as a species, than you might expect. And you can be assured they have seen many more things than you have. Because their kind has a highly developed social structure and communication, they share their knowledge among themselves freely. As I've said, this can either work against you or in your favor.   If a crow, serving as a familiar, decides to spend time in your company, consider yourself lucky. One never knows what mysteries this land will deal us. Always remember that you are smaller and less intelligent than many species and races. Ego can kill in Uclandia. Do not be one of its victims.   If you are smart, you will remember this advice the next time you have an encounter with a crow.