War Gryphons

Faithful mounts to the Empyrean Legion of Elgus. These gryphons are larger, faster, and more intelligent than their wild counterparts throughout Azovar.

Battlebird

Since their formation almost 250 years ago, the noble creatures of the Empyrean Legion have defended Elgus from countless threats, standing proudly alongside their riders. The bond between gryphon and rider is forged in a sacred rite of choosing, where neophyte legionnaires and gryphon hatchlings swear an oath to protect the city. As the gryphons grow, they develop intricate social bonds with their riders and fellow Legion members. By the time they reach the early stages of adulthood, around 10 years old, these gryphons stand about 10 feet tall and 30 feet long. At this age, they are fitted with specialized armor suited to their roles within the Legion. They continue growing until they reach 30 years of age, when they attain their full size—roughly 15 feet tall and 40 feet long. A special ceremony is held at this milestone, marking the final armor fitting for both gryphon and rider, symbolizing their enduring partnership until death or other separation.

More than a Mount

The war gryphons of Elgus possess an unusual intelligence, uncommon among their species. While they cannot speak, they seem to understand commands, actions, and even general conversations directed at them. They respond through mimicked sounds, distinctive calls, and physical gestures. Oddly, even the Legionnaires themselves do not fully comprehend why these gryphons differ from their wild counterparts in intelligence.

The Choice

When a new Legionnaire is inducted, a mysterious benefactor provides a clutch of 4-5 gryphon eggs for the Rite of Choosing. While the novice trains, the eggs remain incubated in the Roost, under the watchful eye of the current Commander. After they hatch, one gryphon selects the new rider, and the remaining hatchlings are released into the wild after they can defend themselves.

Gryphons Galore

Despite their higher intelligence, Elgus’s war gryphons retain the physical traits of wild gryphons, bearing the hybrid form of cat and bird. As a result, different species of gryphons inhabit the various regions of Azovar, each adapted to specific environments—whether humid, cold, dry or anything in between. The current war gryphons of the Empyrean Legion include:

• Ananake, a Kaldorian Thornbeak
• Aether, a Lorontian Snowcrest
• Calleis, a Thalrassian Sandstrider
• Mooncalf, a Skeldarian Stormtalon

Related Organizations

• The Empyrean Legion