Aerial Warfare

"Ah, yes, the Griffon Riders. You saw one, I take it, my boy? I suppose your surprise makes sense: they rarely come close to the Castle Ward. Ah, yes, I see the pair now, up by the Blacktower. Hm? No, no, they are no ill omen. The Riders have not had the need to defend this city in close to a decade. Very few would be foolish enough to attack Gravenwall itself. Those looking for fights would rather settle their conflicts elsewhere. So no, the riders haven't been needed for a battle in a while."
"Ah, then why are they still around, you ask? Well, my boy , as protection, and as a symbol. They have protected us for many centuries. They will continue to do so. We know that, and those that would see ill done to our city do as well. Seeing a pair swooping on Urien's breaths should be more a comfort than a worry."
"It is a little odd, I agree, that they are out at this time of day. More often, the riders come out a dawn, to stretch their partner's wings before the birds and crowds are awake to divert the griffon's attentions. Perhaps the rider simply slept in, however. Perhaps the beast was in a quarrelsome mood at dawn. It wouldn't be the first time that someone was grumpy upon being woken."
"Ha! Don't pout at me, there is little need for it. Children like you deserve their rest. Hmm, but yes do not fear our riders, or their mounts. The only time you should be worried is if you see browner feathers and unarmored riders. Or draconian creatures with leathery wings. Ah, but do not fret, those were just the comment of an old man who has seen and perhaps read a bit too much for his mind. The city walls will protect us, and even if they are unable, the Griffon Riders of Gravenwall shall."

Career

Qualifications

The Griffon Riders of Cador
The Griffon Riders of Cador have to go through numerous examinations and training routines before being allowed to handle the beasts that reside in the stables of Gravenwall. Most train as lancers or demilancers under the command of a leading officer of the Riders before being allowed to approach the beasts, though some armored mages have taken to the ranks.
Die Flugmeister
The 'Flightmasters" of the Imperial Army are usually university trained mages that have passed their third examination in Evocation and Abjuration magics, and have learned the Sending spell. Those within the top 10 percentile who have also scored within the top fifteenth percentile of combat training are automatically extended invitations to join the flight corp, while the others must apply. Each incoming selection of this elite group then undergoes typically 5 years of flight training and tactical positioning before they are actively allowed on the front-lines with their assigned mount, whom they have raised from hatching to allow for imprinting.
Winged Terrors
Unknown.

Career Progression

Career Progression depends on the rider and mount in question, and on the country of origin. Cador has a reserve army of Griffon riders that only take, at most, four riders a year. Unless in active wartime, these recruits generally start with the rank of lieutenant, but have limited means of progression until active duty.
The Imperial Flightmasters start at around the same rank as their Cadorian counterparts, but typically have more opportunities for progression, as the Empire expands. If their griffons die in combat, however, the Flightmasters must return to their home stables to raise and train another chick. Many often retire after the death of their first mount, however.

Payment & Reimbursement

While the pay for griffon riders is considered an ample enough draw for willing recruits, many youths apply for the positions for the accreditation and honor that being such a rider would bring. Most riders, depending on race, are asked to serve for either a select amount of time (if Cadorian) or see a certain number of tours (if Zau'berian). After this objective has been completed, the riders in question can either reapply or retire. If they select the latter option, they are provided with a pension, and are allowed to take their griffons with them. Many Gravenwall riders, however, ask to keep their mounts in the Stables, a service that is agreeable for a percentage of their ongoing pension.

Other Benefits

Griffon Riders from both nations are viewed as elite warriors and mages. They are often viewed with pride and accreditation, especially after they have faced battles. Those that manage to survive their battles and retire often are allowed to do so with their respective griffons, so long as they are capable of housing and feeding the beasts.

Perception

Purpose

The Riders of Cador often act as an elite cavalry unit, while their Imperial counterparts are more often used for reconnaissance and strike-force. The Winged Terrors have not been seen in many years, since the Long War ended with the Goblin force losing; however they were used to instill fear and allow for aerial bombardment of goblin-made bombs on the cities of the unified defensive front.

Demographics

Very few people of any of the nations are actually accepted into the ranks of their respective Flight Corps. However, currently there are more elven riders than there are human riders. Most elven riders are High Elves, though there is a growing number of half elves that have been applying and are being accepted into the bolstered ranks. It is unknown if any more Flying Terror groups still exist.

History

The Cadorian Griffons came from the nearby Greystone mountain ranges, where the griffons are indigenous. The beasts were trained centuries ago, and the Griffon Riders of Gravenwall have been present since the city's own establishment, with relatively few periods of disbandment. As such, the Cadorian griffons, with their powerful build and eagle-like head act as a source of pride and identity for the nation's people. Many of the beasts have had barding designed specifically for them by prideful smiths, and their flights with armored riders are often depicted in legends and song.
The Griffons of the Zau'berian Empire are slighter than their Cadorian cousins, more agile, and are normally of darker coloration. While the two species can typically crossbreed, the resulting offspring has a decreased flying capability and is infertile, signifying that the two species diverged from each other long ago. The Elves first found the Zau'berian griffons in the lower ranges of the Asger Mountains, where their darker plumes allowed for them to better hide amongst the pines and firs. The High elves quickly set about taming the beasts, and were the first to set up a stable within which to raise hatchlings. Their efforts were highly rewarded. Even though it limits the elves to a single rider, the slighter build of the Zauberian Griffon is a great boon to the elven mages, as it allows for an ease in casting for rider. The more agile nature typically also allows for easier evasion of attacks, which aid the riders greatly in weaving in and out of spell ranges.
Finally, the wyvrens that acted as mounts for the Goblins and Hobgoblins in the Long War were first introduced into combat in mass during the Long War itself. Their prior presence during wartime was poorly reported on, and was mainly the talk of legends. While the Ashmore Royalty of the Cador were reported to have a line of wyvern mounts in the times of old, it is uncertain when said line died out (or if such a line even truly existed). Legends state that the wyvren mounts started off gold, belying their existence as aids to the Ashmores by their draconian Ancestor, but slowly dulled in coloration. The same stories state that their riders took to painting golden designs to cover the browning and dark scales beneath.
Besides the legends and tales, however, more concrete proof of combat wyvrens with riders was seen during the first few years of the Long War. The beasts were not as easily tamed as their avian counterparts, leading to there being a goblin rite of passage and honor when the prospective rider is not eaten by their potential mount. However, the few that were subdued became fiercely loyal to their smaller riders, with that loyalty surprisingly being returned, and were often capable of reaping havoc on the allied nations' defenses. Thus they were dubbed "Winged Terrors". Winged Terrors were typically either mounted by a single armored hobgoblin, or by a team of 4 goblins. The teams were most feared, as they tended to use the dragon-kin as aerial means to transport, and dispose of explosives onto cities below.

Operations

Materials

All three forms of aerial beast need a large amount of food to survive and thrive, with the Zau'berian griffins needing the least, and the wyvrens needing the most. All three species are carnivores.

Workplace

Stables that house both the riders and their mounts are commonplace in most major cities of the nations. These stables also double as training areas for new recruits.

Dangers & Hazards

Regardless of nation, there is a danger to being a rider in wartime. Many nations without aerial cavalry have taken precautions to ward against the attackers. Many nations especially know to fear the fires and spells that come from the unarmored mages of the Zau'berian forces, and will specifically attack them. Quite a few nations have also taken Florin's lead in creating weaponized nets than can shoot out and trap an unsuspecting rider and mount, leading to the death of both after plummeting.

Alternative Names

The Flight Masters; The Riders; and the Winged Terrors (Specifically for Goblin-bred Wyvren Mounts)

Type

Military

Demand

The need for Flightmasters is quite great in the Empire, with close to fifty elven riders being selected each year. In Cador, the need is far lower, as the cost of feeding the beasts must be considered when accepting new members into the reserve corp.

Legality

It is considered illegal to own a griffon in either Cador or Zau'ber unless you or a family member has been in their respective service. Owning a wyvren anywhere, while not illegal, would likely be met with fierce resistance or the likely death of the beast.