Raven
Ravens were large black-feathered birds found on the planet Dathomir, in the Outer Rim Territories. They had a deep voice, larges beaks and pointed wings. Though non-sentient, ravens had high bird intelligence and were perhaps amongst the smartest birds. The Nightsister Charal was known for turning into a raven thanks to her magic ring, and she ended up stuck into this form when the talisman was destroyed.
Biology and appearance
Ravens were a species of nonsentient, large-sized birds[2] native to the misty Dathomir,[1] an obscure planet located in the Quelii sector.[3] Ravens had an all-black plumage with shaggy feathers around the throat, pointed wings and a wedge-shaped tail. Their beak was large, slightly curved downward and heavy. Their eyes were slightly slanted, with dark brown irises. They had two short legs with strong three-clawed toes and a hook-like hind talon.[2] Like all avians, they were warm-blooded creatures.[4]
Ravens emitted different kinds of sounds varying from a low croak to shrill alarm cries. Depending on the emotional state, those often deep and reverberating calls were known as squawkings or shriekings.[2][5] A raven's thin tongue would raise when the bird was croaking.[2]
History
The castaway Nightsister Charal had the ability to turn into a raven, thanks to a Talisman of the Raven she had stolen on her homeworld of Dathomir.[1] In 3.5 ABY, she failed her liege, King Terak, for the last time, so he seized her ring after she had changed to her raven form.[2]
Terak placed Charal's ring on his necklace, and later in a battle it was struck by a rock from the Ewok Wicket Warrick's slingshot. The ring's power overtook Terak, and burned him to a crisp. The ring was destroyed as well, and Charal would remain a bird forever.[2]
The raven in culture
The Nightsisters of Dathomir were able to craft arcane artifacts known as Talismans of the Raven, which allowed their wearer to assume the shape of a raven.[1] The name of this avian also made its way in the everyday language. Individuals such as Taselda[6] or Irek Ismaren,[7] whose hair was very black and lustrous, were sometimes called "raven-haired", by analogy with the bird's black iridescent plumage.
Uses of raven in names
- Ravenscreecher, an avian of Wxtm.
- Kyle Katarn's fast light courier ship was named Raven's Claw.
- Deathraven, a mash-up of a B-wing starfighter.
- Raven Squadron, a band of mercenary pilots.
- Raven Base, a Rebel base on Yavin 4.
- Raven-thorn, a plant of Yavin 4.
- Jai Raventhorn, a woman.
- Morgan Q. Raventhorn, Jai's sister.
Behind the scenes
The end credits of the 1985 made-for-TV film Ewoks: The Battle for Endor identifies Charal's bird form as being performed by a raven.
Appearances
- Star Wars: Ewoks—Shadows of Endor
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (First appearance)
- The Ring, the Witch, and the Crystal: An Ewok Adventure
Sources
- Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side
Drawing from the Present: Familiar Creatures in a Galaxy Far, Far Away on StarWars.com (backup link not verified!)
