Jaupôroz

The ***jauporozzo*** (singular/masculine: *jauporoz*, feminine: *jauporaz*) are gryphon-like guardian spirits from Vozonid mythology.

## Characteristics

Many *jauporozzo* are celestials (heavenly spirits) sent by the god Zomjonor. They take the form of a gryphon, and they are usually armed with a *sakhandoz* sword. Zomjonor created the first *jauporozzo* in ancient times to replace the Celestials who betrayed and waged war against Heaven.

In art, they are generally depicted as male, although female *jauporazzo* do exist, such as Glintaraz.

While they love to accompany those who they protect, they have a strong hatred towards demons, beings of Chaos, and people who have committed grave sins.

### Syncretism

The jauporozzo also appear in various syncretic mythologies, from as far west as Bujan, to Porashon in the south and Siangwaan in the east, due to Sarmelonid influence in their cultures. In Bujan, they are depicted and even venerated as among the heavenly armies of Perun and Mokosh, advising the good to do what is right and protecting them from unholy threats.

Siangwaanians also invoke jauporozzo for divine protection against the supernatural threats that attack their country.

## Notable jauparozzo

* Aljatroz - the immortal brother of Manditur III, who guided Sarmelon I and his successors with his wisdom and knowledge. After living as a hermit for centuries, he disappeared. Legends claim that he was taken to heaven in a diamond chariot, where Zomjonor turned him into a gryphon. He then guided later emperors as a heavenly advisor.
	+ Aljatroz was believed to appear three more times in recent history - the Bujanski Revolution, the Fall of the Trimalleans, and the defeat of Wannaenid rule in Azgo.
* Glintaraz - a female gryphon angel in folklore.
* Aidantil - a male gryphon angel. On the day Sarmelon I was born, it was he who gathered many wandering ghosts who begged for salvation.
	+ They gathered around the newborn prince and bowed to him. Aidantil explained to Sarmelon's parents about his future destiny.
	+ When Sarmelon grew to adulthood, he defeated the tyrannical kings and unified Vozolaz. After that, the ghosts who bowed to him joined his expedition against the demons as an army of ascendant spirits.
	+ After Sarmelon died, Aidantil led the repentant ghosts to Heaven, where all of them were turned into angels and stellar gods. He later helped Sarmelon's sixteen knights, having being raised as protector gods, in aiding the revolutions to punish the wicked emperors of later times.
* Four jauporozzo are believed to bring every heroic soul to Heaven after their body has been cremated.
	+ That is why in Vozonid funerals for emperors, a simple wooden chair is placed on or next to the body of an emperor or hero, which becomes into a palanquin for the gryphons to carry the soul to Heaven. Along the way, they are greeted by Ōțonōr, the fire god of victory, who cloaks the soul with a glittering robe. Once the heroic soul reaches Heaven, the Vozonid gods transform the soul into a protector god who protects the people.

## Trivia

* The *jauporozzo* were inspired by a GIF of Vancoufur 2016, in which a fursuiter dressed as Gilda the Griffon dances with Syrian children.
	+ Perhaps because of this, if MLP existed in Vozolaz, Gilda would become the most popular character. Toy stores would be crowded with a lot of people fighting over the last Gilda figurine. Many figurines would be placed in front of cars or on shrines as idols to Zomjonor that they pray to for his protection.
	+ Glintaraz was directly inspired by Gilda.
* "*Jauporoz*" is also the Vozonid word for any gryphon, so one has to differentiate ordinary gryphons from their celestial counterparts by the context used.

## See also

* Wights, their allies who live in various natural features on any planet.
* Berzatri, Hyena
* Valkyrie
* Einherjar