The Antivan Crows, also known as House of Crows, are an elite organization of thieves, spies, and assassins renowned throughout Thedas.
Background
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 assassinate a despotic duke. Since then, through their deadly reputation and exotic poisons, the Crows have practically come to 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. Their reputation is enough to deter many nations from openly attacking Antiva despite its lack of a standing army. 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.
The Crows run Velabanchel, an infamous and feared prison where they keep people incarcerated for “fun and torture.” Its reputation has earned it the nickname of “the House of Graves.”
Known Antivan Crows
House Arainai
- Guildmaster Talav (9:16) – Second Talon
- Grandmaster Isidora (9:16-9:24)
- Grandmaster Eoman Arainai (9:26-9:31) – Eighth Talon
- Grandmaster Runn (c. 9:31-9:34)
- Grandmaster Availa (c. 9:31-9:34)
- Giuli Arainai – Eighth Talon (c. 9:44)
- Zevran Arainai
- Taliesen
- Rinna
House Dellamorte
- Caterina Dellamorte – First Talon (c. 9:44-c. 9:52)
- Lucanis Dellamorte – First Talon (c. 9:52)
- Illario Dellamorte
House De Riva
- Viago De Riva – Fifth Talon (c. 9:44)
- House Valisti
- Prince Claudio Valisti – Third Talon (9:38 Dragon)
- Ezio Valisti – Third Talon (9:41)
- Lera Valisti – Third Talon (c. 9:44)
House Ferragani
- Eight Talon in 9:26, eliminated by House Arainai.
House Gegar
- Ghita
- Master Ignacio
- Jacobus
- Lessef
- Neri de Acutis – a veteran Crow; Noa’s younger brother
- Noa de Acutis – a veteran Crow; Neri’s older sister
- Nuncio Caldera Lanos
- Ricter Cordova – an infamous Crow known for his speed, flourishes, and tendency to accept contracts from beautiful rich women.
- Vierre Lazar of Treviso
Other
- Andarateia Cantori – Seventh Talon (c. 9:44)
- Bolivar Nero – Sixth Talon (c. 9:44)
- Calien d’Evaliste – an Antivan Crow during the Exalted Age who was involved in the Fourth Blight
- Callisto “Finesse” di Bastion – killed King Guiomar the Younger of Antiva in 4:22 Black
- Cesar
- Chance Candide
- Dante Balazar – Second Talon (c. 9:44)
- Count Eduardo “Lalo” Sanvelli – a legendary assassin of the Steel Age
- Emil Kortez – Fourth Talon (c. 9:44)