Crimson Crow

The crimson crow is a popular children's tale that seems to have originated in Eastern Arros, specificaly in the densely wooded territories of Heoria. It is a cautionary tale, telling children and adults alike about the dangers of the forests and the mysterious red bird that supposedly lives within it.

Summary

Some say if you happen to be out alone in the dark and thick woods of Arros, particulary during a rainy day, you may cross the path of this particulary flamboyant crow. Although its beauty is truly a sight to behold, it it a deception. The creature can see your heart and your deepest regrets and will use that knownledge to get what it wants, which is your life. It will follow the poor traveller, harrassing it with memories and even immitate the voice of lost loved ones. All this is to drive someone into giving up their life to the crow or to make the person vulnurable enough so that the crow can take it themselves. With each life he takes, his feathers grow redder still.

Spread

The tale is universaly known in the Kingdom of Heoria, both in the Human and Shapeshifter Communities. The populace of neighbouring countries, like the Kingdom of Northengor and the Kingdom of Alvaros also know it very well. The tale also spreaded beyond the Far-Eastern region of Arros as it also spread to the west over the course of the second age. However, because of the long period of time and because it was mostly related oraly and not in writting, many details in the story tend to change from region to region. Outside of the continent, the tale is pretty much unknown.

Variations & Mutation

Having been around for centuries and having spread throughout the continent over a long period of time, various details can change, dissapear or be added, depending on the region. However, some recuring themes is that the enemy is always some sort of corvid species, usualy a raven or crow and that the story takes place in a wooded area. In some version, the bird kills the person himself in manner which differ from region to region. Sometimes the bird scares the person into falling off a cliff, other times, it will attack directly. Other versions follow the original more closely, where instead of killing the person directly, it will drive the person into doing it themselves, much like in the original story. In a version from north-western Paxolia, the tale takes a more hopefull turn by the end, as instead of the red crow being able to kill the person or make them kill themselves, a murder of black crows swarm the lone red crow and kill him, liberating the person from its influence.

In Literature

Written below is a very famous poem based on the original version of this myth first written in Heorian and translated into the common tongue. It describes an encounter with the legendary Crimson Crow.

In the dark woods of Heoria,
Be wary of your heart's despair
Passing by,
A crow might hear your silent cries

The Crimson Crow knows of your every woes
He will know of your grief
He will nurture your anger and relish in your sorrows
He will feed on your misery
The Crimson Crow will make your anguish grow

In the dark woods of Heoria,
Be cautious of your every step
Passing by,
A crow might want you to die

Date of First Recording

Unknown, but believed to be some time in the early years of the Second Age

Related Organizations

• Kingdom of Heoria