The Corvidan Archipelago uses a distance scale with multiple units of measurement that were historically based on measurements of the body. Because Corvidan subspecies are wildly varied in size and proportion, the names of these units of measurement serve as abstract reference points rather than literal descriptors. The following units of measurement are used across the Archipelago:
A knuckle is the diameter of a single finger at its widest point. A knuckle is equivalent to slightly less than 1 inch or slightly more than 2 centimeters.
A span is the distance between the tips of the thumb and pinky finger when a hand is fully outstretched. A span is equivalent to 12 knuckles, 10 inches, or 25 centimeters.
A stride is the distance covered by a person walking at a comfortable pace, from when their dominant foot leaves the ground to when it touches the ground again. A stride is equivalent to 6 spans, 60 inches, 5 feet, 150 centimeters, or 1.5 meters. A half-stride is called a step, and two strides are called a story. The average Corvidan adult is 1 stride tall, and most ceilings are 2 strides high.
A dash is the distance that a trained athlete can run in approximately a minute, and is used as the standard length of sprint races. A dash is equivalent to 660 stories, 1/4 mile, or 400 meters.
A chase is the distance used as the standard length of endurance races that incorporate obstacles, such as the steeplechase. A chase is equivalent to 8 dashes, 2 miles, or 3.2 kilometers.