Project Wardens: The Pellander’s Guide to Griffins

Author’s Note: Hey there! I’m deviating a bit from the norm here with a post that is marked as both a Writer’s Wall and a Story Corner post. These kinds of posts, which will be marked as “Hybrid” will essentially have the sort of information/lore dump you’d expect from a Writer’s Wall post but be framed as a document/record/etc. that exists within the respective universe. Maybe this’ll work, maybe not, but there’s only one way to find out! Enjoy!

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Griffins: An Introduction

“On griffin wings, I pierce the sky.” —unknown Pellish soldier

The mighty griffin (Class Gryps, as per the sciences) is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating creatures to be found in all of Sulterre.. Though their bodies resemble those of earthly beasts, their beaked heads, twin pairs of talons, and feather coats distinguish them as a most unorthodox cousin of bipedal avians.

Of course, a Pellander knows griffin as more than just some mere “animal.” According to legend, the Scion Pel himself, taking the form of a massive, radiant griffin, brought griffins before the first Pellanders, demanding that they learn of and tame them to prove their strength of heart; in return, the griffins would forever serve as friends and allies to the people of Pelland beyond even her final day. Ever since, the griffin has been the nation’s symbol, gracing her golden banner for well over a millennium.

Whether you’re reading this as a simple griffin admirer, you’re thinking of raising a griffin for livelihood or leisure, or you wish to brave your way into a profession of griffin raising and handling, this document will offer the information necessary for your first steps down your chosen path.

Species of Griffins:

In addition to whether they are winged or wingless, the three key classifications for griffin pertain to their size. Dwarf griffins range from two to five feet tall, standard griffins range from five to nine feet tall, and giant griffins span from nine to a recorded height of thirty feet.

In between are a variety of other different factors that differentiate the different orders and species of griffin, but you will find the several most common orders—and a broad understanding of them—here:

Masked Griffins (Order Strigigryps, Dwarf, Winged): Also called “maskies,” the masked griffin is perhaps the most bizarre outlier among the most common types of griffins. Instead, they seem to share more in common with owls, from their facial disks and large eyes to their nocturnal tendencies and stealthier hunting style. Perhaps because of these traits, and their habitats being more common outside of Pelland, that they do not receive the same level of fanfare that even other similarly-sized griffins receive. Notable species include the dust-tuft masked griffins, the phantom masked griffin, and the elder-browed mask griffin.

Dart Griffins (Order Falcogryps, Dwarf, Winged): Small, speedy, and surprisingly docile around humans, darts are the griffin of choice for those who want a griffin for recreation, as well as hunters, couriers, scouts, and farmers with pest problems. Watching the wild ones trill and shake their tailfeathers as they bob their head at you is a glee-filling sight, but be mindful during the spring moons! When the mating season arrives, dart griffins become notoriously territorial, and their kicks will leave quite the wound if you linger for too long. Notable species include the ruddy kestergriff, the bobtail dart, and the diver dart.

Prairie Griffins (Order Leogryps, Standard, Wingless): When one imagines the brave Pellish hero leading a victorious charge against the enemy, you’re likely thinking of a griffinier atop a hero’s griffin, the official griffin of the Pellish army and a species of prairie griffin! Whether it’s military or domestic affairs, the prairie griff is the go-to option thanks to their heartiness, adaptability and people-friendly attitude (so long as they’ve been trained properly, of course), which is likely a result of their nature as herd animals in the wild. Notable species include the aforementioned hero’s griffin, the mudland leogriff, and the cobbleclaw griffin.

Highborn Griffins (Order Divumgryps, Standard, Winged): Based on physical characteristics alone, one could assume highborns are the winged counterpart to the prairie griffin, but their demeanors paint a different picture. Fiercely solitary and territorial, raising a highborn griffin, even from the egg, is a daunting task even by griffin standards. Until you have enough experience as a griffin handler, or unless you are being supervised by an expert, these griffins are best admired in the wild from a safe distance, where their airborne elegance can be enjoyed without fear of their claws boring into you at lightning speed. Notable species include the cannonball hawk-griff, the snowy griffin, and the bloodmoon griffin

Carrier Griffin (Order Junogryps, Giant, Winged):

The largest of the winged species, griffins of this order do not occur naturally, but are instead the result of centuries of the Pellish army’s attempts to breed griffins with the size and strength to carry supplies, personnel, artillery, and even other griffins if need-be across the skies to wherever they are needed. The ethical ramifications of such an undertaking have already been—and continue to be—debated by the people, but their contributions to Pelland’s greatest wartime feats cannot be ignored. Alas, as only a handful of strays exist in the wild after failing to be reclaimed, your only hopes to encounter these behemoths is either to join the Pellish army or keep your eyes on the skies between military outposts. Notable species include the bomber griffin, the flying sumpter, and the mother-doll griffin.

Mammoth Griffins (Order Heragryps, Giant, Wingless): The largest known order of griffins. While significantly gentler by nature compared to other griffins, caution is still advised as they may end up crushing you regardless of anyone’s intentions. While the Pellish military long dreamt of putting mammoth griffs to use on the battlefield, their lumbering, difficult to manage size made them unsuitable for close-quarters engagements compared to the other breeds. However, their incredible strength made them a natural fit for mobile artillery, a role in which they excel in to this day with the advent of powder-based weapons nearly a century ago. Notable species include the brother mammoth griffin, the titan griffin, and the mossquill griffin.

Griffin Handling

Whether you’re buying a well-trained griffin from a reputable griffin ranch or raising your own grifflet from egg by hand, the task of keeping a griffin is no easy feat in the slightest. An ounce of negligence can lead to sickness, injury, or even death—for you or your griffin.

Before anything, know the griffin you wish to obtain (if you can obtain it, that is). In addition to the brief information on each species provided above, further research and advice from a veteran handler are strongly advised. If you are looking for suggestions, however, I mentioned before that dart griffins (bobtails especially) e are a good choice for those looking for recreational griffining, while pretty much any prairie griffin from a ranch should suffice for anything mercantile.

Beyond that, here are a few key areas of concern:

• Nutrition: the majority of griffins are omnivorous (maskies and mountain griffs are exclusively carnivorous), but careful attention must nonetheless by made in regards to a griffin’s diet in light of species, age, etc. When in doubt, make sure the griffin’s diet is high in protien, and avoid an all-seed diet at any cost.

• Exercise and environment: Griffins are outdoor creatures—they want to put those claws and wings to good use! Make sure to give them plenty of room to run and fly around, as well as a sturdy, comfortable stable where they can rest when the day is done or the weather gets bad. A griffin can do well in virtually any environment so long as you are there to provide for them and keep them active.

• Health: Although they are naturally resistant to disease, proper sanitary practices should be done routinely so as to not take any chances. Furthermore, despite their toughness, check for injuries regularly so as to prevent festering, and be sure to allow the griffin plenty of rest if you see it drooping its head and/or panting, clear signs of stress and fatigue.

• Cleaning: the claws, beak, and down of a griffin should be cleaned regularly, while the feathers will do well enough with a quick dousing of water (though griffins will prefer an earnest bath). Talon-filing should not be necessary so long as the griffin is being well-worked. Lastly, consider investment in a griffin mess pad for courtesy’s sake if you find yourself in a bustling town like Pelgrand, and make sure stables are cleaned daily (and if you see a griffin lifting its tailfeather high, move out of the way before you end up splashed in griffin mess!).

• Companionship: Remember once more that the griffin is not some base creature, and relies on more than just natural instinct or reflexes. In time, you will learn that griffins are creatures capable of immense personality and intelligence. As you care for them, they will observe you and pick up on the kind of person you are. If you do everything correctly, they will reward you with trust and love, seeing you as one would see a close friend or perhaps even a family member. As their handler, ensure their trust is rewarded, and you will understand the true depths of a life-lasting bond that can only be seen between a Pellander and their griffin.

Conclusion

From here, destiny is yours to forge. Perhaps I’ve piqued your interest, or perhaps I’ve stopped you from what you might consider a grand responsibility of a mistake. I’m not worried either way. Instead, all I hope is that when next you see a griffin running across Pelland’s golden plains or soaring through her azure skies, you feel the same pride and recognize the same glory that I do.

Now go, and pierce the sky!