D&D 5E CoS - What do *animals* know?

[Sammael]

I agree to an extent, but it depends on how the other animals are depicted. If only wolves and bats are shown to serve Strahd, than players won't question the ravens. But we know that he at least controls the horses who draw his carriage, and we also know that druids worship him because to them, "he is the land." Further, since many things in Barovia (except humans with souls) are solidified figments of his imagination, then I'm not sure we can divorce other animals from him completely. Perhaps he just doesn't bother to control them? Perhaps some animals are just special (maybe ravens do carry souls?)?

 

[SwivSnapshot]

A raven has an intelligence of 2, so most conversations with one would likely revolve around where the best worms can be found, if the church's bell tower is a better roost then the chimney of an abandoned house, or if there really is a significant difference in the airspeed of an African Swallow versus a European Swallow.

 

[ArchfiendBobbie]

Something important: Remember that ravens in real life are cunning. And little thieves.

You can use this to have ravens trick the players into doing quests you want done. Have them reference "important shinies" at a location repeatedly, mention talking to someone repeatedly, even steal something small but valuable to the players and lead them on a merry chase to a quest location. Or even have them accidentally hinder the party in some way if you need to slow the pacing a bit.

Ravens are animals with their own agendas and own goals. Just because they're not that intelligent doesn't mean you shouldn't play them as conniving as any other NPC.

 

[Wepwawet]

Thanks all, game is tonight and I wasn't sure what to do.

So I'll play the ravens with a very simple language. As to why they observe the characters they'll say something like "You make shiny, we like shiny. Here very dark. Devil bad. Shiny good" (We refering to both ravens and the wereravens secret group, and shiny also means bright light. Which now would give a nice explanation for why are the warriors of the light ravens, ha)

Plus it may mention its "big brothers and small brothers". The rest of it basic geography.

They'll be brilliant for plot hooks from time to time! A speaking animal is a great bait

 

[Daern]

Well, all bats will say is "Strahd, Strahd, Strahd, Strahd, Strahd, Strahd, Strahd, Strahd."