Spoiler Warning! This article contains plot spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Corvo Attano
Vital statistics
Age	Unknown
Location	Various
Introduction	Prologue
Conclusion	The Light at the End
Role	Assassin Lord Protector to the Empress

Corvo Attano is the protagonist of Dishonored. Previously an agent and bodyguard to Empress Jessamine Kaldwin, Corvo is stripped of his title of Lord Protector and imprisoned by the usurper, Royal Spymaster Hiram Burrows, on the pretense of having murdered his charge and abducted her daughter, Emily Kaldwin.

Biography

Corvo originally hails from Serkonos, the southernmost nation of the Empire, and is the first Royal Protector born outside of Gristol. Not much is known of his early life; it is noted in the Dishonored game manual that he was "assigned to serve the Empress as a diplomatic gesture," but the specifics of this assignment (for example, his age at the time, or how it related to his being named Lord Protector) are unknown. He is noted as being mysterious and quiet, with Wallace Higgins and Treavor Pendleton claiming that despite his high social status, no one knows much about him.

Corvo has a strong bond with Emily, and often interacts with her in a familiar and affectionate manner--for instance, Emily asks him to play hide-and-seek on his return to Dunwall, which Corvo can oblige, and he was apparently teaching her climbing and defensive techniques prior to the events of the game. In an unusual move for a first-person-based game, Corvo will occasionally hug Emily or hold her hand, further displaying their closeness.

It is believed by some citizens of Dunwall that Corvo was Jessamine's lover as well as her Royal Protector. While several characters in the game address these rumors (Lydia starts to ask about the supposed affair before thinking better of it, and Pendleton makes disparaging remarks about their relationship during the high chaos version of The Light at the End) they remain unconfirmed. As an extension of this theory, it is speculated in Farley Havelock's journal that Emily may be Corvo's daughter. Emily's behavior toward Corvo suggests that she sees him as a father figure, but any biological relation between the two is deliberately unconfirmed.

Following his escape from Coldridge Prison with the help of the Loyalists, Corvo readily joins their group. Whether Corvo's primary goal (after rescuing Emily) is to restore Dunwall or exact revenge is determined by player choice and style.

Equipment and skills

Corvo is legendary for his efficient combat skills and stealth capabilities, and many guards and citizens can be heard gossiping about him to that effect. Guards in the Dunwall Sewers in particular can be overheard discussing his formidable skill (one guard, for example, asks what to do if he encounters Corvo and is told, "make a lot of noise before you die"), and Havelock ponders in his log if Corvo's talents make him dangerous even to the Conspiracy.

He is capable of using unusual gadgetry, which aids him in situations that require stealth, and also in head-on encounters. Corvo is highly proficient with both ranged and melee weapons, such as the sword and the crossbow.

In addition, after Corvo's first encounter with the Outsider, he is able to utilize supernatural abilities. These compliment and augment his already present skills, allowing him to jump higher, move faster and farther, utilize additional stealth and offensive techniques, and so on.

Items unique to Corvo are a supernatural item known as the Heart (bestowed on him by the Outsider) and his sword, crossbow, and mask, which were created by the inventor, Piero Joplin.

Trivia

• Corvo means "crow" or "raven" in both Italian and Portuguese.
• Corvo's identity throughout the game is unknown to everyone except those involved in the Loyalist Conspiracy. The authorities, even up to Hiram Burrows himself, do not realize that Corvo and the Masked Felon are the same man.
• Throughout the Dunwall Sewers, many guards can be heard gossiping about Corvo, particularly his combat abilities. Several seem to fear for their lives at the thought of encountering Corvo, and are quick to chastise fellows who underestimate him.
• If Corvo follows a low-chaos path, Emily will draw a picture of him without his mask, with the word "Daddy" in large letters, literally illustrating that she sees Corvo as a father figure.
• If Corvo completes his missions without ever being noticed, the posters will display a question mark instead of the image of his mask.

Gallery

Corvo as he appears in High Chaos.

Corvo, as seen on the Dishonored box art.

Corvo removing his mask.

Corvo unmasked at the menu screen.

Corvo's appearance in the Dishonored Debut trailer.

Corvo against the backdrop of Dunwall.

Corvo receiving the Outsider's mark.

(Low Chaos) Emily's drawing of Corvo.

(Medium Chaos) Emily's drawing of Corvo with his mask.

(High Chaos) Emily's drawing of Corvo with a bloody sword.

Corvo visiting a grave.

Samuel, Corvo, and others celebrating at the Hound Pits.

(Low Chaos) Corvo and Emily in the ending.

A wanted poster of Corvo.

A wanted poster for the "Masked Miscreant."

Wanted poster, High Chaos.

Wanted poster, Ghost playthrough.

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Concept Art

Various concept art of Corvo.

Concept thumbnails for Corvo's face.

Concept thumbnails for Corvo's gear.

Concept art for Corvo.

Concept art.

Concept art.

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