Mist Raven
"Out of all the creatures I've studied, the mist raven is one of my favorites. We give names to animals, but what other animals give names to humans?" - Celyddon Rosser, author of Enchanted Fauna
The mist raven, also known as the white raven, is a magical creature that is closely related to the common raven. Its most distinguishing feature is its white and greyish plumage, which sets it apart from its entirely black relatives.
Appearance
Mist ravens have a predominantly white to light grey plumage with their flight and tail feathers taking on a darker tint. Their legs and the skin around their eyes are black, their beaks usually take on a sky-blue color.
Habitat and Behaviour
The mist raven is commonly found in dense forests and wooded areas of northern Europe, primarily Scandinavia, where it can easily blend in with its surroundings. Unlike its black-feathered relatives, it is known to be a solitary creature, though they have been known to gather in large swarms during certain times of the year.
Mist ravens are assumed to be even more intelligent than to common ravens. Some individuals have even been known to hold simple conversations.
Magic
One of the most fascinating things about the mist raven is its ability to summon fog. Swarms of these creatures are capable of using their magical powers to create dense banks of fog, which can be both beautiful and mysterious to behold. Additionally, their caws are said to sound like those of common ravens, but with a strange and eerie quality that is unique to these magical creatures.
Uses
The mist raven has been revered by witches and wizards for centuries for its magical properties. It is believed that they provide powerful magical ingredients, and their feathers are often used in the creation of spells and potions.
Relationships with Magi
Despite their magical properties and close relationship with witches and wizards, mist ravens are known to be quite elusive creatures. They are notoriously difficult to capture or domesticate, and are often considered a symbol of mystery and wisdom in many cultures.
Furthermore, some witches and wizards have even been known to bond with a mist raven, forming a powerful familiar that aids them in their magical practices.
In the rare occasion of a mist raven bonding with a Magus, they have been known to quickly pick up on language, able to understand commands and occasionally even giving a sensible reply. Fascinatingly, they are rumored to sometimes address their human companion with a made-up name. A famous example of this is the norse witch Brunhild Haldorsdottir whose mist raven familiar, Huginnra, called her "Errflorrff".