Blood of the Gryphon

Blood of the Gryphon is an honorific title given to members of House Griffin that are chosen by the Gryphonheart Blade and thus allowed to wield the legendary sword. The Gryphonheart Blade chooses its wielders by awakening within them the so-called Gryphonblood, a magical gift that greatly increases their physical, mental, social and magical aptitude. The lineage of past bearers of the title are collectively referred to as Heirs of the Gryphonblood.
The Gryphonheart Blade is known to flare with potent magic at the touch of a worthy bearer, with whom it then forms a profound bond; no other soul can be chosen by the sword for as long as the current bearer is alive. Thus the blade only passes on after the death of its holder, and it follows that there is ever only one Blood of the Gryphon alive at any one time.
The Gryphonblood leap-frogs through the family tree of House Griffin and it can only be awakened by the Gryphonheart Blade. The sword is said to only choose pure hearted and heroic individuals -- knights of House Griffin that have either already proven themselves to be paragons of chivalry or went on a spree of gallant heroics after being chosen by the sword. There have been times throughout history that the Gryphonheart Blade chooses no one after the death of its previous wielder, and during these periods it lies on a sacred altar within Dunstonbury Keep, the ancestral home of House Griffin. In times like this the scions of House Griffin are known to seek out knightly quests as if in a frenzy, each and every knight wanting to prove themselves worthy before the rest of their kin.
Blood of the Gryphon is a title that bears great weight in Caraegwyn. It is respected by nobility in even the most secluded arlings and the common folk tend to idolize heirs of the Gryphonblood. It is not hyperbole to say that all the Summer Kingdom follows with great interest the deeds of anyone that wields the Gryphonheart Blade.

Type

Nobility, Honorific / Ceremonial

Related Organizations

• House Griffin

Appointment
The title is made official by the reigning Summer King or Summer Queen in a grand ceremony that is held at the capital city of Caernarfon to the joyous celebration of the common folk.
HISTORY
First holder
Gawain Griffin
Notable holders
Riannon Griffin
Current holder
Siriana Griffin