Griffins

Griffins is a color and gene specific Subspecies. It was established by the user **NocturnistheDark** on **August 28, 2017**. The original thread currently stands at 11 pages, with the last reply from the creator in 2019, and the last from anyone also in 2019.

## Lore

### ***How they came about:***

*Not that long ago there were no griffins at all. Then the rumours started to arrive, the first coming in from the southern regions, such as the Southern Icefield and the Shifting Expanse. Most were disregarded as simple gossip or hatchling tales. A dragon growing feathers and fur without a breed change? There was little wonder as to why no one listened.*

*Soon the rumours grew in number and validity, until it was clear they were rumours no more, and these dragons were pronounced griffins, and that they were part of their own subspecies, with many different variants.*

*Griffins continue to change inexplicably from dragons into griffins, and beginning to hatch from eggs. These griffins are then usually treated far differently ranging from being chased out, examined carefully, or treated like any other dragon, depending on the clan. Some of these chased-out griffins have begun forming their own miniature clans, which have been called prides.*

### ***Main changes:***

*Griffins, whether they started life that way or not, tend to find that magic does not come as strongly to them, preferring to use their claws and beak to deal damage on foes, or perhaps poison or a dagger to the back, depending on the variant of griffin. It is extremely rare to find a griffin mage, and dragons that used to be mages often find the change hard to deal with and give up on fighting.*

*All griffins have an innate love for hoarding (and riddles) and some have been known to take charges, even if they weren’t a guardian. Where there is a griffin, their hoard can usually be found close by, and is typically made up of gemstones, flight fancies and the like, with the exclusion of magpie variants (see Osprey/Magpie).*

### ***Dragon Differences***

*Even though they look completely different, most of the time you can still tell what dragon breed a griffin is, either by the way they act or the physical features they still retain.*

*Most fins are simply changed into crests of feathers, and occasionally the horns stay, but it is not uncommon for a griffin to have no draconian features at all.*

* *Fae: 4 feather crests*
* *Pearlcatcher: Long ears, Pearl, Horns*
* *Ridgeback: Spines*
* *Imperial: Antlers*
* *Guardian: Lowerable cheek fans (Feathers)*
* *Skydancer: Headstone & very thin long feathers*
* *Mirror: Crests*
* *Tundra: Extremely fluffy*
* *Nocturne: Prehensile Tail*
* *Coatl: Crests & Bone nubs*
* *Spiral: May keep horns, Slightly longer body*
* *Wildclaw: Head feather crest*
* *Snapper: Thickset*
* *Bogsneak: Feather crests*

## Favored Items

### Apparel

*All colour variations are included, but for most are not shown. Ready-Made Outfit examples are available in the thread.*

Untamed Claws, Wooly Tails, Feathered Wings and Tails, Avian Apparel, Feline Apparel, Birdskull Apparel Sets

### Familiars

*Griffins tend to take familiars that are like them in some way, whether the familiar is a cat, a bird or some kind kind of hybrid, but they also enjoy taking familiars that enjoy living in the sky or hoarding!*

Cumulus Seal, Golden Porpoise, Red-Winged Owlcat, Banded Owlcat, Hippogriff, Hippojay, Clouddancer, Sunspot Clouddancer, Blue Tang Hippogriff, Cardinal Hippogriff, Fiendcat, Flamerest Fiendcat, Petalmane Floron, Lilium Floron, Moss-Covered Golem, Augite Protector, Petalwing Peryton, Wispwillow Peryton, Rosy Peryton

## Bird Variants - Primaries (And Tertiaries)

### Common Variants

#### Golden Eagle

*Golden Eagles are usually very powerful and courageous. They would bravely put their life on the line to save a friend, and stand firm in the face of danger.*

#### Peregrine Falcon

*Peregrines are swift and prone to acting instantly rather then thinking things out. They are the most aerodynamic of the griffins, and it is extremely hard to catch them in the air.*

#### Osprey / Magpie

*Ospreys are thinkers, great at coming up with strategies and plans. Once they have made up their minds, however, they are stubborn and most often won't change their opinion or plan.*

*Magpies are smart, and are attracted to shiny baubles like no other. They hoard almost anything they get their claws on, and have been known to use violence to get them. Not very good in a hand-to-hand battle, they are well used to using back-handed strategies like a dagger to the back.*

#### Cardinal

*Cardinals are best at creating and using weapons. Whether it be a bow, a sword or a ladle in their claws, you better watch out.*

#### Blue Jay

*Blue Jays are magnificent singers, capable of conveying feelings and stories into song with ease. Even on the battlefield, a accomplished Blue Jay's song could cause you to drop your weapon and be moved to tears.*

#### Peacock

*Peacocks tend to be vain, but can make good leaders when they aren't looking at their feathers, often finding themselves in high positions within a clan. Flattery is something peacocks fall for; insults are not.*

#### Raven

*These solitary and mysterious griffins have recently appeared in Sornieth. Not much is known of this variant….*

#### Duck

*Ducks are opportunists, and go wherever they feel, making them one of the most common griffin variants. They hold no grudges, and almost always let bygones be bygones; Like water off a duck's back, so to speak.*

### Uncommon Variants

#### Bateleur Eagle

*Bateleur Eagles are often silent and thoughtful, preferring to show feelings using actions. A Bateleur can often be found looking at sky, and are usually shy.*

### Rare Variants

#### Lammergeier

*Lammergeiers are hardy and can survive almost anywhere, mostly due to a diet that is mostly bones, making food hardly ever a problem. Lammergeiers often enjoy playing small jokes on clan members or acting comedically; They enjoy seeing others laugh.*

#### Secretary Bird

*Secretary birds are often little known, but what they are known for is being fearless. There have been several accounts of Secretary Birds charging into battle headfirst and then proceeding to annihilate the enemy. Secretary Birds are usually either feared enemies or cherished friends.*

#### Phoenix

*Beautiful and regal, phoenixes are well-known for their dramatic flair (As opposed to peacocks, who are well-known for being vain). Alone among the griffins, Phoenixes have great magical skills, and none have ever seen these griffins killed in battle. Griffins say they see them leave wounded to return perfectly sound. Many tales have sprung up around this legendary ‘regeneration’.*

## Cat Variants - Secondaries

### Lion

*Loud and boisterous, most Lions don't seem to know what an 'inside voice' is, instead speaking at volumes that often cause you to wince. Social and friendly, these griffins variant occasionally ignore personal space and can be a bit self-centered.*

#### Tiger

*Tigers are usually the quirkiest of the griffins, but are often have quite powerful talents, usually depending on their flight. This can range from strong visions to having a strong communion with nature to excelling in making things explode.*

### Snow Leopard

*Snow Leopards are often loners, preferring to listen to their own thoughts and walk alone. Even if they live with a big group, they usually live on the very outskirts.*

### Panther

*Cunning and sly, a panther that isn't your friend is a danger. Though capable of thinking up insidious plans to get what they want, they also excel at moving silently.*

### Puma/Mountain Lion

*Most Pumas have a great eye for art, and are amazing painters and drawers. Their lairs or dens are often covered in beautiful artwork and can take your breath away.*

### Jaguar

*Masters of camouflage, Jaguars can seemingly disappear into the undergrowth or scrub right in front of your eyes. As well as this, Jaguars are often quite cheerful while enjoying their personal space.*

### Smilodon

*Although rare and far between, legends of these griffins have travelled far. The stories say they can lift twenty guardians and are immortal. Just shows you can’t believe everything you hear. Nevertheless, smilodons are incredibly strong and can take a lot of hits. The cat that these griffins are half of is extinct; It is said that the runes on their body brought these griffins to life.*

*Wondering how the tert works if the bird variant is a rare/uncommon variant? Simple: The tert stays runes/ghost but must be in the Bird Variant’s tertiary colour range*