I have always liked fighting basilisks. In fact they are one of my favorite enemies in BG1. I even like the possibility of sudden death (I obviously don't play no reload ). Basilisk is kind of like the BG1 version of a Beholder, which is probably my all time favorite AD&D creature.
But in old "latin" language (like old greek and such ...)
Corax means black (Black Raven = Corvus Corax)
Actually in latin both "Corax" and "Corvus" mean Raven, they're synonym. I don't know why they choose this silly name for this particular bird, but a proper translation in latin of "Black Raven" would be "Corvus Nigrum" or "Corvus Atrum".
Edit: Proper translation is "Corvus Niger" or "Corvus Ater" as Corvus is a masculine name. Thanks to @Montresor_SP for pointing this out.
You'd have thought they'd have gone with Corvus Corvus or Corax Corax, like with other common animals (like the epically named Rattus Rattus or Gorilla Gorilla), or gone with a more descriptive name (Like Vampiroteuthis Infernalis).
Actually in latin both "Corax" and "Corvus" mean Raven, they're synonym. I don't know why they choose this silly name for this particular bird, but a proper translation in latin of "Black Raven" would be "Corvus Nigrum" or "Corvus Atrum".
And just to nitpick, it should be Corvus Niger, since Corvus is masculine (2nd declension). :-)
Actually in latin both "Corax" and "Corvus" mean Raven, they're synonym. I don't know why they choose this silly name for this particular bird, but a proper translation in latin of "Black Raven" would be "Corvus Nigrum" or "Corvus Atrum".
And just to nitpick, it should be Corvus Niger, since Corvus is masculine (2nd declension). :-)
Of course, you're right. Facepalm, my Latin is rustier than I thought.
I bet it's not as bad as the name suggests (i.e. Vampire Squid from Hell), nevertheless I hope I will never meet one :-)
They live really deep down, and aren't very big at all, so the chances are it wouldn't be able to do much as you would either be in a reinforced submersible or already crushed to death from the water pressure. Kraken this thing aint, but it does have an epic name.
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But in old "latin" language (like old greek and such ...)
Corax means black (Black Raven = Corvus Corax)
Edit: Proper translation is "Corvus Niger" or "Corvus Ater" as Corvus is a masculine name. Thanks to @Montresor_SP for pointing this out.
Since I wonder how many people are unaware that a lot of things existed before warhammer ^^
I bet it's not as bad as the name suggests (i.e. Vampire Squid from Hell), nevertheless I hope I will never meet one :-)