Griffins/Gryphons

**Place of Origin**

When Phoenixs took to the volcanic regions and were actually pushed by the griffins to remain in their volcanic homes. Never could they expand when a supreme aerial fighter loomed. Taking to the mountains, forests, and in some cases coastlines.They’re range is extremely broad when it comes to the lesser griffins. The larger griffins though seem to take to the coastlines and mountains more often though. In most cases though, larger the griffin, the more likely they dominate.

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**Rarity**

Gryphons are separated by size and prowess as some would royalty. “Peasantry” are usually what Demigryphon falls under as they are the least strongest and smallest. “Nobility” are what larger demigryphons and younger griffins fall under. Their size becomes considerably larger and they are often not winged. “Royalty” is what all griffins strive to achieve when it comes to size and ferocity. They stand the largest, are the strongest, and in most cases are winged. Think of their title system as the likeness of finding someone with such prowess. Royalty is the absolute rarest while Peasantry are found often.

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**General Overview**

As if forged by the cauldrons of a mage and purified by the holiest of priests are what griffins as a whole symbolize. Elegance in Chaos and Ferocity with Terror. All griffins whether it be Peasants or Royals all share the same 3 traits. A Bird of prey’s head with talons, a feline’s hind legs, and muscular builds. The ability to possess wings is not given to all griffins. Their plumage and fur all depend completely on what bird of prey they take from and feline.

Many griffins even the lowly demi are not to be underestimated. The demi stands at about 5 foot at the shoulder meaning one could very easily take a man off of his horse or  take a man down to the ground. With sharp claws and a powerful beak, they could easily get through armor and flesh. To make matters worse in some cases, especially with the demi and peasants, they can roam in packs. Some demis have been viewed taking down prey almost 3 larger than themselves. Roaming in packs isn’t often though and most are probably going to encounter lone demis.

Griffins, whether Peasant or Royal often clash with other apex predators of the wilds. What sets Griffins to be able to keep a firm place elevated on the food chain, especially Nobles, is their cunning nature of ambushing or picking their fights. Pushing dragons away by either dive bombing them to the point of terrifying them or pouncing on to predators their size. It was a method that ensured a Griffin could have a better chance against some of the lone apexes that lurked within their range.

When winged Nobles or Wingless are encountered are when caravans are weakened or worse. Nobles who lead packs of demis or siblings against caravans are brave and fearless. Winged or not they charged forward with claws out and beaks open. They may not be the strongest, they’ll surely take on a beast though. Lone Nobles are known to be able to bring down elephants and lead groups to terrorize trade routes.To make matters worse, if a Noble is winged, they are known to set traps and use their environments as a weapon.

Royalty are rare and few. Dragons easily have overwhelmed their populations. With the aid of Dragon rider hunting problematic Nobles and Peasantry, growing to be King or Queen is difficult to admit the least. When they reach such a title though is when they are their strongest and capable. Royalty have been known to take on Dragon rider and test their might. Their adaptation to using cloud cover as the perfect ambush or even using a dragon’s difficulty to turn to actually throw their riders off. Royalty aren’t spotted often whatsoever though and the stories of Dragon rider slaying them are lies. They usually talk up a noble for a worthy opponent.

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**Behaviour**

Each is their own and none the same. Every last one of them has different methods of hunting, dealing with trespassers, or even trying to coexist with man or whatever else invading. Others could be extremely aggressive while others are shy and avoid contact. Most mistake these beasts for being unpredictable, when truly they are more observant often then unpredictable.

Alchemists and Beast Tamers have always gandered at trying to control such a fine war mount. Many have failed and those that got close had dreams crushed. Containing or even controlling one of these beasts cost lives, money, and so much time. The more powerful and rare the gryphon, the higher likelihood of men dying to it. A secret tip here; Trust is key.

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**Natural Attributes**

Gryphons have been viewed to try and outfly phoenixes and dragons. Trying to dodge, roll, or even flat out dive them. Their wings and how they were made by The Aether. Aerodynamic perfectly to the point where Royal Griffins ensure they tuck their legs in to create little to no drag. Their tails acting like a rutter helping them be fast on their turns. Not all griffins can outfly a dragon, but if the rider is too stubborn to give chase to a Griffin that wants to be chased. It’s often the case of a comedical game rather than a dispute for the griffin. Usually though, a Dragon could outmuscle a griffin.

Something that the Griffin evolved over time and can be used by even the lowest is their screech. A griffin’s screech has the ability to take out hearing depending on how close someone is. It disortients senses and forces people to pause when covering their ears. It induces terror in the faint of heart and even the ill-trained.

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**Appearance**

Griffins can take on the heads of any bird of prey while having the lower body of any feline. A Golden Eagle Head on a Tiger’s lower body is a combination. A more common sight is a lion’s lower body with an eagle’s head. It can truly vary from region to region and prowess of the griffin.

**History**

Griffins were considered a nuisance to Aramoor and were hunted to the brink of extinction. With demi populations kicking back upwards and Noble raid parties becoming more common. Some would think that history may repeat itself. Yet, they don’t realize just how old the Royalty are. Some can age to be over 150 years old or even 240. No one truly knows how old some Royalty can be as few have ever laid eyes or slain one.

In history, there was only one man to have ever tamed a Royal Gryphon. That man was Baron Boris Toddbringer. A man with capable loyalty to Aramoor and the Dragon rider. Constantly though he was shunned for his choosing of mount. An outcast of the rider that held loyalty and respect to the ungrateful. Him and his warmount “Justiscar” were favorites amongst fellow beast tamers or the fair maiden who preferred the plumage over scale. Toddbringer kept faith no matter what to both Aramoor and his beast. Even without technically being a Dragon Knight, many still viewed him as a protector.

Toddbringer may not have fully respected the way he should have. With a giant gryphon and taking to the skies faster then most Dragon Riders could. His knowledge on how to tame and even care for a Gryphon are thought to be outdated techniques when most dragon riders often incubate their hatchlings. Toddbringer respected the technique dragon riders used, but felt that building a trust with a beast was more important than imprinting.

Centurions and even some above him called him suicidal for wanting to enact on his techniques of taming a gryphon. The Baron was never swayed by ill-words though and with Justiscar’s help of perfecting his methods, they could get somewhere. His writings and journal entries with Justiscar were always open-minded towards many theories. One theory being listed as;

“Not all Griffins may be the same. Myself and Justiscar forged a bond through the fires of war and need for companionship. To think I was a mere boy back in the days of old as he was. Both of us are eager to bring honor to our names and families. I undoubtedly believe that anyone can tame a griffin. A smaller child, an older man, or even a lost soul. While I may not ever fully know what goes through my friend’s head, he is no beast. He is my brother. “

These are of the few journal entries ever kept and archived. Many Dragon rider and Beast Tamers find his words difficult to believe. Many stuck to the idea of old where Griffins were just problem creatures that were wiped out by coming of stronger dragons. It is an unfortunate mishap for both Aramoor and all of Griffin taming though when Toddbringer met his end.

The First Gryphite met his end that was fitting for such a truly awesome term that he was deemed. It was said Toddbringer had reached word of a caravan filled with colonizing families trying to reach Aramoor were attacked. What gave way to bravery that was immortalized both by Beast and Beast Tamer allowed for a great story. Rumors of how Justiscar pierced the skies with a boom of speed to charge alone into the frey. With families scattering away from one another. Justiscar let out a screech to pull away the attention of monsters and man alike.

A word of mouth from one of the families who lived told of how Toddbringer jumped from his beast running into the woods trying to pull as many as he could. A necromancer had conjured forth a powerful set of old dragons to try and bring ruin to the caravan. Facing off with the caster while his beast took to the skies to buy time. Both never awaited the Dragon rider as the Gryphon and Toddbringer were fastest to arrive. Their fate sealed by deathly magic of dragonic claw.

When Dragon rider had finally arrived. None of the massive extended families were killed. Most injured and perhaps scarred, but safe. No one could find Toddbringer or Justiscar. A legend had formed that the man took the caster to the depths of the Aether to constantly duel him. While Justiscar searches the skies to find his brother in solem loss.

In truth? They both had succumbed to the might of dragon and magic.Their bodies, never recovered. It is a failure not of Toddbringer or Dragon Knight. It is their duty, to fight and die the ungrateful or the unknowing. To die as not beast tamer and beast, but brothers.

Many years have passed since Toddbringer’s valiant stand and defense. Gryphons may not be viewed as nuisance animals as they were once. They never forget though, especially the Royalty. They tend to avoid dragons, humans, and confrontation all together. There are the select few that will still challenge a dragon or his knight, but that’d be a story worth proving indeed. Toddbringer thankfully, brought some respite for his beloved beasts.

It is said that Toddbringer’s journal most likely rests where he may have laid down his arms and succumbed. That journal, if found, could relay the information needed to forge a bond with Royalty once again. The knowing of Gryphons and the knowledge surrounding then perished with him. Immortalized only by a small amount of ink, paper, and leather.

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**Created by TheCainCoopster**

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