Gryfons

**Gryfons** are mythical creatures with the head/front-body of an eagle and the back legs of a lion (see this page or this page for more on the different types and mythology of griffins).

## About Gryfons

In *The Summer King Chronicles*series, gryfons inhabit most of the world, with the Silver Isles and the Winderost being the largest roosts.

## Description

They have slender, feline bodies but also have avian features such as a bird-like head, talons and feathered wings. Their hindquarters are shaped like lion paws, and unlike other gryfons of mythology, they have feathered tails rather than a lion's tail.

Depending on the pride, gryfons can have many different colors: the dragon-blooded Aesir have brighter colors such as red, gold, orange or green, while the Vanir have more muted/cold colors such as gray, white, brown and black. The Dawn Spire Aesir have similar colors to the Vanir, but warmer such as tawny red or ruddy.

## Prey and Hunting

### Hunting

The hunting is mostly up to the females in a pride, while the males are usually warriors and guard or participate in wars. During winter, with the advanced pregnancy stage of the females, males take over most of the hunting duties.

#### Vanir and Vanhar Hunting Habits

The Vanir and Vanhar do not hunt land animals unless they are asked by the wolves (in the Silver Isles) or the lions (in the Winderost). They instead hunt fish, as it is a taboo to hunt a Named creature.

## Daily Life

### The Mating Flights

In the summer, gryfons chose their mate during a ritual flight, and are all mated for life (unless they take another mate after the death of their first one).

## Gryfon Aging Cycle

### Kits

Gryfon kits under the age of 3 are called "Nestings". Unlike a human child, Nestlings can speak fluently before their first birthdays. Eyvindr is an example of this, as in By The Starward Light he is shown to speak in complete sentences despite being 9 months old at the time.

### Fledges

Gryfon cubs become fledglings at the age of 3. When they turn 5, they're considered adolescents.

### Adults

Most gryfons live to 50-60 years old and become adults around ten years of age. In the Silver Isles during Sverin's rule, for an adult male gryfon to be accepted into the pride, they must compete in an initiation hunt while in the Winderost, the hunt is more to accept rogues who wish to join the pride. Adults are able to mate and have kits, go on hunting patrols and fight.

## Gryfon Prides

### Vanir

Inhabiting The Silver Isles. They are short, wiry and similar to the Vanhar is both size and religious ideas. However, while the Vanhar will always look for peace, the Vanir will fight if they must.

### Aesir

Divided into two prides: the Aesir (Dragon-Blood) who have Kajar's curse, and the Aesir (Dawn Spire) who don't. Both of them once inhabited the Winderost, until the former pride fled due to the nightmare. They conquered the Silver Isles and most resided there for ten years.

### Lakelanders

Living in the Ostral Shores in the Winderost.

## Gallery

Vanir (by QueenClam)Vanir (by Jess E. Owen)Aesir (by QueenClam)Dragon Blessed Aesir (by Jess E. Owen)Dawn Spire Aesir (by Jess E. Owen)Lakelander (by QueenClam)Lakelander (by Jess E. Owen)Vanhar (by QueenClam)Vanhar (by Jess E. Owen)Rogue (by Jess E. Owen)A Half-blood (By Queen Clam)
## Citations

### References

1. ↑ Sverin, Per and Kajar all have red feathers. They are collectively called **The Red Kings** because of this.
2. ↑ Kjorn
3. ↑ Vald
4. ↑ Hallr
5. ↑ Rashard
6. ↑ Ragna
7. ↑ Toskil
8. ↑ Stigr
9. ↑ Orn
10. ↑ Brynja, Valdis, Mar

### Notes

 Rogues
 Exiles
 Former Exiles