Antivan Crows

The Antivan Crows, also known as the House of Crows, are an elite organization of thieves, spies, and assassins which are renowned throughout Thedas.
Through their deadly reputation and exotic poisons, the Crows practically rule Antiva. 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. 
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.

Structure

The Antivan Crows are seemingly 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 Eight Houses are as follows:

• Arainai
• Caldera
• d'Evaliste
• di Bastion
• Oliveri
• Tortorici
• Vallisti
• Zinno

The leadership of the Guild as a whole seemingly lies with the Eight Talons, and their respective houses, while lesser Houses are referred to as cuchillos (knives). 

• Talon | The highest-ranking members of the Crows, and the heads of each Family.
  
  
• Guildmaster | A leader of a larger group of Crows
  
  
• Master | A high-ranking assassin who accepts and handles assassination contracts.
  
  
• Assassin | A member of the guild without greater rank. 

Assets

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.
Antivan Crows 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.

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. 
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.

Type

Guild, Assassins

Alternative Names

House of Crows

Demonym

Crow

Parent Organization

Antiva

Location

Antiva City

Notable Members

• Javi Ralaferin