Lattish Hippogryff

The *Lattish Hippogryff*, colloquially referred to as by its genus of *‘Griffin’*, is the fantastical infusion of a mare and bird; a creature deeply interwoven into Lattish mythos and culture. Hailing from the temperamental climates of Southern Ludwag, a scarce sum were domesticated by the Amirault dynasty, finding their own preeminence amongst the tribal society through their niche talents as herdsmen. As the Monic people experienced their diaspora into the Ludwagian Peninsula, the Hippogryff would accompany them - gradually adapting its utility as a beast of labor to a presence on the battlefield as their knightly order. The influence of the Hippogryff would be distinct enough to become the insignia of Amirault, an icon of pride and prowess and majesty in war.

Hippogryff’s would be a continued aspect in Lattish society, bred and born from Amiraultine care throughout the kindred bond they shared with them. In the reign of Gregory Lattern, however, would see a dismal and abrupt finality to the Hippogryff: the Monarch would mandate all hale and able Hippogryffs to be given to the Antem Order for combat against the Corruption. The Hippogryffs were all either slain or corrupted, to inevitably die if corrupted, in which adversaries of Latteras undertook an eradication of remaining eggs and hatchlings. In a travesty known as the *Defeathering*, a myriad of Aridians undertake an effective slaughter of remaining Hippogryffs within Campestris Hatcheries.

Their ploy was successful. Unsuspecting, the Hippogryffs were all slaughtered and the remaining legacy of the creature was discontinued. The Monic Hippogryff would enter annals of martyrdom for heritage and recollection for future generations.

Time would subsequently pass and the status quo remained. Thereafter the Siege of Campestris by the Corruption and the collateral destruction, revelations would be made within rubble made - that eggs, dormant Hippogryff eggs, resided in the forsaken land of the hatcheries. A monumental occasion that carried joy and jubilation, no time was wasted to raise and nurture the remaining Hippogryff’s upon the Ludwag Peninsula through knowledge to revivify them and Natura’s offering their aid.; to see their use, and presence, continued and preserved.

### ***Physiology***

Perusing the summary above, Hippogryffs are a quadrupedal mammal with an aesthetic between a mare and eagle. Their extremities retain the talons, the feathered features of a latter, although ultimately the anatomy of the former. A Hippogryff’s length encompasses nine to eleven feet; the mass of a Hippogryff weighs between a thousand to two thousand pounds (average for a horse). The Hippogryff possesses a ranging wingspan between 24 to an unprecedented 30 feet at adolescence to adulthood. Furthermore, Hippogryff’s are carnivorous predators; operating in an *Aerie of Hippogryff’s* at a capacity of four, preying on alarmingly sized game - even humans. This has created a fickle conundrum with nurturing a Hippogryff; necessitating its independence to adequately grow, nonetheless seeking a level of domestication to sufficiently ride. However, centuries of kinship with the Hippogryffs had loaned a symbolic interaction between the Lattish people and the genus, allowing for this aforementioned ability to become steeds. Selvianite and even Stratalite Thaumaturges have been enlisted throughout years to help facilitate this, as a means to domesticate and foster levels of trust.

The most exemplary feature of the Monic Hippogryff, however, would be its characteristic to fly. Without armor, undomesticated, a Hippogryff retains the ability to fly unhindered without seemingly finite limits. *Domesticated, armored and given saddles for one to fly, however, Hippogryff’s are capable of momentary bursts of flight for **five minutes***. As a beast of war, the Hippogryff is not desired for travel - but rather its aptitude to traverse the terrain upon a field of battle unimpeded. Armor primarily covers its bodily mass with a lack thereof armor on wings.

Only *fifteen* are in existence as of the year 43 A.P (After Peter). Fifteen, from an entire species, are only in existence within the Northern Peninsula of Ludwag. The Hippogryff’s are solely in use by the Dragon Knights, the Dukes, Marshal of Latteras, and Peter. *Ten* are only as in use, whereas *five* are kept for breeding and protection. Once one perishes in a field of battle, the Hippogryff will not be alternated out with the remaining five; but instead stay how they are.