Gryphons of the North

The Duchy of Orion is plagued by the presence of the Gryphons of the North that live somewhere in the hills or mountains just beyond the northern edge of their annexed lands. The gryphons regularly fly south looking for food, particularly horse meat, to feed and this is a severe liability to the nobility trying to establish productive agriculture and commerce. The gryphons will often take sheep when horse or mule are not about.
Since the economy of Calanthi relies on agriculture and sheep farming, it is a grave problem the Duke must manage. He has only recently annexed the territory and must now tame the wilderness for his people. As a result he has established a bounty on any gryphon taken that can be proven to have died West of the Chrystahl River. He has also encouraged adventuring parties to come to his region knowing they have the power to kill gryphons unlike his levy archers who are unlikely to land enough arrows in a short time that the gryphon dies rather than flies off to recover.
The Black Watch is also on notice about rewards for finding gryphon nesting grounds. The Black Watch is not charged with hunting gryphons but since they operate regularly in those hills, it is likely they might see something useful. Until they do, Duke Talbot must try to protect his livestock as best he can.
The merchant caravans from Illadune travel with a number of horse drawn wagons and are regular victims of the Gryphons, but have a number of capable guards that bring down Gryphons often.  The caravan of Illihambur is especially noted for his ability to keep the Gryphons at bay.  A recent expedition from Copernicus across the Chrystahl River at Jericho resisted three attacks as they ventured west toward Pegasus and beyond, after three attacks, the guards of this caravan killed over twelve Gryphons while only losing three horses.  There were rumors of The Copper Dragon seen at one attack rending two Gryphons so terribly that the bounties couldn't be paid and the remains.  Many say this is all hyperbole because The Copper Dragon has rarely been seen north of the original province or west of the Chrystahl River.