Wereravens were amongst the wisest lycanthropes in the Realms, and had genius intelligence. They were good-willed, but uncommon. These werebeasts had three forms: human form, giant raven form, and hybrid form. Only natural wereravens could assume all three forms, whereas infected wereravens could only assume the human form and one of the other two.
When transforming into one of the non-human forms, the being grew feathers from its skin, which slowly turned into large wings (allowing them to be proficient in aerial combat). In this process, the arms would stretch to accommodate the wings, whilst the mouth transformed into a beak.
These weretypes were one of the few types of lycanthropes to prefer a vegetarian diet, usually feasting on nuts and berries instead of meat.
Wereravens were careful and secretive, but always abided by local laws and tried to do good whenever possible. They were generous and selfless, but also enjoyed collecting shiny baubles.
Such creatures generally avoided combat, but did not fear armed enemies. Wereravens could only be hit by silver, or +2 magical, weapons. Unlike other lycanthropes, which utilized their strong arms, bites and claws to attack their foes, wereravens preferred weapons. Normally, wereravens preferred to avoid using their bite attacks in order to keep the spread of lycanthropy to a minimum.
When in giant raven form, the deadly peck could cause opponents to lose an eye or two, causing blindness. There was a small chance to transmit lycanthropy during such an attack.
These werebeasts usually lived in family groups called "kindnesses", each containing two to eight wereravens, and made a huge effort to hide their kin from society. Typical ravens would serve wereravens, protecting them and serving their needs.
It was unknown where these weretypes originally came from, but they were believed to have migrated from another realm, potentially Oerth. They were known to inhabit the Demiplane of Dread, and appeared to have preferred the environs, as they were no longer found in their original plane.
- Anil Zasperdes, founder of the Scarlet Sash, a group of wereravens who stole magic items from evil individuals and hid them from the rest of the world.
- Davian Martikov, owner of the Wizard of Wines winery, who provided shelter to Minsc, Boo, Delina, Krydle, Shandie, and Nerys when they were trapped in the Demiplane of Dread.
- Madrina Natterask, a human wereraven glassblower, matriarch of the wereraven kindness squatting in Chalet Brantifax in 1492 DR.
- Rennick Groka, a human wereraven squatting in Chalet Brantifax in 1492 DR.
- Taspar Hatchhill, a human wereraven, oldest member and self-appointed caretaker of the wereraven kindness squatting in Chalet Brantifax in 1492 DR.
- Vinique, a human wereraven squatting in Chalet Brantifax in 1492 DR.
- Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 242. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 238. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 10. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 6. ISBN 978-0786901111.
- Christopher Perkins (March 2021). “Book of the Raven”. In Kim Mohan ed. Candlekeep Mysteries (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-6722-3.
- Jim Zub (July 2016). “Shadows of the Vampire 3”. Shadows of the Vampire #3 (IDW Publishing).
Aranea • Coyotlwere • Hengeyokai • Jackalwere • Selkie • Shifter • Wolfwere