Griffet

The Morning Realm    Bestiary      Griffet

Griffets are the smallest Griffoids. They have the body of a rat, and the head and front legs of a pigeon. Griffets are largely considered a nuisance and are an invasive pest in urban life.

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Biology

The griffets have small heads and short beaks. They have a large wingspan which comprises the majority of their body weight. They are clumsy fliers, weighed down by their heavier bodies. Their front talons have little puffs of feather, and their hind legs are stronger and thicker with fleshy padded feet. They do not have fur, but dense down on their hindlegs.
Their feathers are strong and flat, and taper abruptly at the end. While most of their feathers are grey, occasionally griffets will have brightly coloured plumage. The Griffets in the Vincen Woods has uniquely vivid plumages.
Griffets have long, hairless tails. They can shed the outer layer of their tails when bitten, a tactic to escape predators.

Domestication

Griffets are intelligent and popular pets. The most popular griffet pets are the vibrant green griffets from the Vincen Woods, or the white dovettes. Dovettes are the symbol of Sios, the capital of the Argosian Empire.

Disease

Griffets are associated with disease, they frequently carry fleas and other parasites. Since griffets can be carriers of blistering farmers and other livestock keepers are especially eager to cull the griffet population.
Some of these diseases also affect humanoids. Griffet Fever is a serious disease with high fevers, bleeding and comas in severe cases. It can be contracted from handling griffets or their droppings. Undercooked griffet meat is also known to cause flux.

As food

Griffets are typically not protected by game laws. The meat is called squab. It is dark meat, with an earthy, complex flavour. The rat half is darker, and the pidgeon half is dryer. Squab pies and stews are not uncommon in the poorer city districts. This practice is frequently discouraged, but not much change has been seen.
Braised Squab is an Alurran delicacy, made with winery-raised griffets. The griffets are fed wine and grapes to further improve the flavour of the flesh. It is then braised in local wine.

Griffet by Annie Stein

Classification	Griffoid
Subspecies	Common Griffets Green Griffets Imperial Dovettes

Griffet by Naelin