Raveno is an ancient city, nearly as old as Primus itself. Its origins can be traced to a tribe of humans lead by a woman named Reva. They were migrating eastward and through inexperience and a dismissive attitude toward their Benelim guides, they were lost and decimated in the arid climate. Legend says a large Maxime Raven took pity on them and led Reva to an immense cavern, a great ravene of which they could find shelter from the sun.

Thus a bond between Reva's people and ravens was born, as was the foundations of the city of Raveno. The system of caverns was extensive, and there were formations on both sides of the river. The lands were salty and hot, and parts were below sea-level. But the Ravenites were clever and determined. A two-pronged city grew, with most parts underneath the rocks. They took advantage of the rich array of resources. Iron, gold, copper, star-iron, salt and even forbidden daemon-stone could be found in great quantities.

More than that, as great trading roads were established, Raveno became the lynchpin for trade in the entire Cradlelands. They imported wood from Ventoso and Primus and crafted a great navy to expand their interests further. Indeed Raveno was a powerful city in its own right. They were the least affected by the Horrorlim of the Second Novalim War due to being the furthest away, and the heat slowed the daemons advances centuries later. Raveno would wield great influence before it joined the Republic of Primus, during its reign and even centuries after Primus' fall.

Raveno also has a strange affinity with engineering, even as far back as its founding. Many famed inventors and chemists either were born in Raveno or would travel to study there. Raveno boasts that their environment encourages innovation to improve chances of survival. Others, particularly Godshards and Benelim, believe there is a presence hidden beneath the deepest mines; Marius, the God of War and Engineering. They say He influences the minds of Raveno, driving them onward to invent and tinker. The people of Raveno deny these claims.

Raveno has one fatal flaw. The very wealth the city has garnered also corrupts it. Greed and profit driven mindsets are not only normalized but encouraged. The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. The nobili of Raveno are some of the richest men and women in the mortal realms and that makes them fat and arrogant. Even the Godshards have been hamstrung by this, with the guilds and merchants long ago lobbying Raveno's rulers to pass laws forcing the Godshards to be even more distant from the affairs of their city than what the Sacerdozio demands. To the point where they cannot even enter the government buildings and courts.

Worst of all rumors persist that the dark God Mendax has poisoned the city with his agents, spies and even both types of cubi, His Fallen Angyls, exacerbating the corruption even further...