Bestiary
Griffons
Lore written by J-Haskell.
Griffons are large animals that appear to be a cross between an eagle and a lion. They have the feathered head and legs of a bird, and the back legs and ears of a cat, with long tails feathered like that of an archaeopteryx’s. Their beaked mouths are toothless. Their colouration and habits otherwise vary based on individual subspecies.
Like the hippogriff, they can be tamed and used as mounts, but griffons are highly dangerous beasts that can be controlled only through a strong bond between griffon and their handler. Those who try to dominate them by force will end up injured or killed. They take longer to reach maturity than a hippogriff, and are extremely difficult to breed in captivity; only the people of High Heart are reliably able to breed them. While at a glance they may resemble a windwyrm, they are smaller, less intelligent, and the feline paws are a dead giveaway.
They live from sixty to seventy years on average. Their eggs take five months to develop inside the mother and an additional nine to hatch, and require incubation/turning for that time. Chicks take five years to grow up, and can be ridden starting at four years old, although they do have limited endurance compared to a fully-grown adult. They gain their full height at four, but put on extra muscle over the next year. They remain at their full physical capability until fifty, and are considered seniors after that. They'll only have minor joint issues at first but get grey feathers/weaker as time goes on. It's considered kind to let them retire at fifty-five.
Griffons are extremely intelligent animals, with a mix of catlike and birdlike behaviours. They can learn different 'gaits', auditory, visual and tactile signals, recognize faces, read expressions of people they're familiar with, and understand verbal/visual/etc commands. They can't speak or learn to mimic words, but they have a variety of screeches/purrs/etc that represent various emotions.
Like the hippogriff, they can be tamed and used as mounts, but griffons are highly dangerous beasts that can be controlled only through a strong bond between griffon and their handler. Those who try to dominate them by force will end up injured or killed. They take longer to reach maturity than a hippogriff, and are extremely difficult to breed in captivity; only the people of High Heart are reliably able to breed them. While at a glance they may resemble a windwyrm, they are smaller, less intelligent, and the feline paws are a dead giveaway.
They live from sixty to seventy years on average. Their eggs take five months to develop inside the mother and an additional nine to hatch, and require incubation/turning for that time. Chicks take five years to grow up, and can be ridden starting at four years old, although they do have limited endurance compared to a fully-grown adult. They gain their full height at four, but put on extra muscle over the next year. They remain at their full physical capability until fifty, and are considered seniors after that. They'll only have minor joint issues at first but get grey feathers/weaker as time goes on. It's considered kind to let them retire at fifty-five.
Griffons are extremely intelligent animals, with a mix of catlike and birdlike behaviours. They can learn different 'gaits', auditory, visual and tactile signals, recognize faces, read expressions of people they're familiar with, and understand verbal/visual/etc commands. They can't speak or learn to mimic words, but they have a variety of screeches/purrs/etc that represent various emotions.
Griffon Subspecies
The griffon is one of the most widespread creatures in the Realm. Possessing over a dozen varieties, they can be found in nearly any climate across the Realm’s landmasses.
Barn Griffons
Height: 1ft or 30.5cm at the withers
Range: Across the Realm
The smallest griffons and those who most often come into contact with humans; they are no larger than a housecat, and often nest in barns, farmhouses, and any buildings with sufficient space. Despite their diminutive size, barn griffons are just as fierce as their larger cousins, and attack any who threaten their young with sharp beaks and talons.
While they are too small for use as mounts, they make excellent guards for barns and may be won over with food easily. They resemble a mix of barn owls and European wildcats.
While they are too small for use as mounts, they make excellent guards for barns and may be won over with food easily. They resemble a mix of barn owls and European wildcats.
Domestic Griffons
Height: 1ft or 30.5cm at the withers
Range: Across the Realm
A small species of griffon, around the same size as a Barn Griffon, bred specifically as pets. May have the front half of any pet bird - chickens, parrots, pigeons, etc - and the back half of any pet mammal - ferrets, cats, dogs, etc.
Unlike any other variety of griffon, certain domestic griffons may learn to mimic human speech. This skill is limited to those whose avian species is capable of doing so (ravens, parrots, etc).
Unlike any other variety of griffon, certain domestic griffons may learn to mimic human speech. This skill is limited to those whose avian species is capable of doing so (ravens, parrots, etc).
Dust Griffons
Height: 7½ft or 229cm at the withers
Range: Cyrian grasslands/savannah
A close relative to the storm griffons, dust griffons live in dry grassland and savannah. They resemble martial eagles and common cheetahs.
Grass Griffons
Height: 6½ft or 198cm at the withers
Range: Cyrian grasslands/savannah
Resembling a cross between a serval and a secretary bird, grass griffons are long-legged and graceful; despite their lithe forms and fragile-looking legs, they are capable of kicking with deadly force and hold deep grudges against snakes. They stand only slightly taller than the average dust griffon, thanks to their long legs, and if tamed are only capable of carrying a rider on the shorter end of the scale.
Their striking grey-and-black plumage and scarlet face markings make them highly desired as companions… a desire that often leads to inexperienced griffon-keepers getting mauled.
Their striking grey-and-black plumage and scarlet face markings make them highly desired as companions… a desire that often leads to inexperienced griffon-keepers getting mauled.
Jungle Griffons
One of the smaller breeds of griffon, jungle griffons live in, well, the jungle. They resemble harpy eagles and jaguars (both regular and black varieties) and have grey, black and white feathering with tawny coloured fur marked with black rosettes.
They can be found in the rainforests of both Cyr and Theavia, making them common choices as companions in High Heart, second to only the vauhdikas griffons found exclusively in the Padwellan highlands. |
King Griffons
Height: 9-11ft or 274-335cm at the withers
Range: Cyrian dry grasslands/savannahs
The largest subspecies of griffon and perhaps the most bizarre; the king griffons are enormous, flightless beasts that resemble a cross between a lion and an ostrich. They have a powerful feline body with a short, black-and-white feather-plumed tail, and long, scaled forelegs with three fingers, each tipped with a thick, long talon. They have an ostrich-like face and long necks covered in short grey-brown feathers, and a pair of wings with little use aside for intimidation.
Male king griffons have spectacular feathery ‘manes’ around their neck, making it look less scrawny… at the cost of further emphasizing how small their heads are. Despite this, they are among the most dangerous animals to inhabit the dry grasslands and savannahs of the realm, and routinely compete with prides of manticores for prey.
Male king griffons have spectacular feathery ‘manes’ around their neck, making it look less scrawny… at the cost of further emphasizing how small their heads are. Despite this, they are among the most dangerous animals to inhabit the dry grasslands and savannahs of the realm, and routinely compete with prides of manticores for prey.
Mountain Griffons
Height: 8ft or 244cm at the withers Native to the Skyswept Peaks and northern Sunflecked Reaches, mountain griffons thrive on high altitudes and cool weather. They resemble bearded vultures and mountain lions and are only a bit smaller than snow griffons.
They are the second-largest griffon species, and are difficult to keep as companions due to their size and stubborn temperament. Mountain griffons are excellent hunters and capable of taking down prey quickly, though have no qualms about scavenging or eating bones. |
Art of the Mountain griffon by Saintfallen. See full-sized image here. |
Snow Griffons
Height: 9ft or 274cm at the withers
Range: Far northern Cyr and Theavia
Native to tundra and arctic regions, snow griffons resemble snowy owls and snow leopards. They are the second-largest griffons and hunt polar bears and seals.
Storm Griffons
Height: 6ft or 183cm at the withers
Range: Desert and dry, hot mountains
Native to the Thundercrack cascades and the surrounding desert, storm griffons may survive in even the most extreme desert environment. Resemble Saharan cheetahs and pallid harriers. They are the second smallest griffons.
Swift Griffons
Height: 1ft or 30.5cm at the withers
Range: Migratory - winter range includes northern Theavia and Cyr, summer range includes southern Theavia, southern Cyr, and the Island of Fire
A species of griffons that resembles common swifts and Asian golden cats. Similar size and habits to barn griffons, but more docile. Does not eat meat, instead preferring insects, seeds and fruits.
Vauhdikas Griffons
Height: 6ft or 183cm at the withers A species of griffon found only in High Heart, bred by the hill tribes who call it home. Around the same size as Storm Griffons. They are not found in the wild except as lone individuals who were released due to age or unsuitable temperament.
They are the fastest and most agile of griffons, and resemble a mix between peregrine falcons and snow leopards. |
Art of the Vauhdikas griffon by Saintfallen. See full-sized image here. |
Wetland Griffons
Height: 7ft or 213cm at the withers
Range: Anywhere with large bodies of fresh water
Living alongside lakes and rivers across both continents, the wetland griffons survive on a diet of fish and seafood, and are the most widespread of the griffon breeds. Resemble tigers and osprey.
White Griffons
Height: 6ft or 183cm at the withers
Range: Padwellan marshes
A species of griffon native to the marshes of Padwell. They resemble a mix between a white heron and a chapalu. They are of near-mythical status, even in Padwell, and found only in the deepest recesses of the swamps.
White griffons share the same status as white herons in local culture, and keeping one as a pet is forbidden with only one exception. Members of the Haikaroita priesthood may raise a cub as a companion - something usually only done by the soturi or harmaahalli for extra protection. Exceptions are made for those caring for orphaned white griffon cubs or those injured in storms, but they must always be released back into the wild when possible - or sent to Heronhall if unable to survive on their own.
White griffons share the same status as white herons in local culture, and keeping one as a pet is forbidden with only one exception. Members of the Haikaroita priesthood may raise a cub as a companion - something usually only done by the soturi or harmaahalli for extra protection. Exceptions are made for those caring for orphaned white griffon cubs or those injured in storms, but they must always be released back into the wild when possible - or sent to Heronhall if unable to survive on their own.