The Forsakein? Ah. You Equestrians are lucky you know not of those lands. You live in an ideal world. They do not. We do not.
- Emir Dakir of Saddle Arabia

Even in this era of understanding, unsurpassed throughout all of history, we still know little of the Far East. To the West, at least, we know of the Donkeys and the Diamond Dogs; of Zion, and Maast. In the North lies a frozen tundra, and the insurmountable Crystal Mountains beyond even that desolate landscape. South, past the ancestral Earth pony homelands, are the Badlands.
The East, however, is a blank spot on our lovely world maps, our lack of knowledge is poorly filled by mere legends and fanciful tales. The only real facts we have are that the Griffons live there, and Saddle Arabia is south of it. We know nothing of the culture, history, or races that exist there. Only their leaders' names are known, and to a pitiful minority; A sad state of affairs.
- Twilight Sparkle, Graduating Essay from Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns

Ai faeln cas nuyon ve dair lauhn.
- Griffon Captain of the Embassy Guards

Let me tell you why you'll never be accepted if you build an embassy here. In your country, the citizens tolerate a flaming swamp and carnivorous hybrids in the middle of their produce routes in the name of balance and harmony. In our land, such dangers, if unable to be turned to our benefit, are simply wiped away.
- Letter of High King Fearj of the Griffon Empire to Princess Celestia of Equestria

Posting to the Morcoast Embassy is one of two locations where hardship pay is currently authorized.
- Royal Guard Information Dossier

Notice: The portrayal of "Griffonia" in this novel is in no way an actual representation of the actual Griffon homeland, or the East as a whole.
- Disclaimer on the back cover of "Daring Do and the Griffon's Goblet"

... new border incursions are being reported daily here, Saddle Arabian and Redclain soldiers are massing as I write this, and I heard that Blasian and Arabian ships are filling up Jayek Sea. High King Faerj is angered beyond all hope. I can only hope that the war, if it comes to that, does not stain our homes. May the Stars help this forsaken land.
- Diplomat of the Zebra Confederation, 79 year-old letter

Directive of Pasha Karaca to Binbashi Bekir: Occupy and fortify the Dalaen Heights immediately with current forces, primarily 19th Azabs and 10th Baltacı. If Redclain troops already in position attempt to stop you, withdraw immediately as we will have irrefutable proof of their expansionist intent. 34th Janissaries are on the road to reinforce you, and should arrive on the morrow. The Sultan protects.
- Pasha Karaca, 79 year-old letter

The Delaen Heights situation threatens to spiral out of control daily. High King Faerj has apparently left for the soon-to-be battlefield, and reportedly so has Sultan Draca. If full scale war between Saddle Arabia and the Griffon Empire breaks out, we would be naive to believe it would not spill over to Equestria.
- Equestrian Ambassador to the Griffon Empire, 79 year-old letter to Princess Celestia

I will intervene. I must talk sense into Faerj and Draca.
- Princess Celestia, 78 year-old letter to the Equestrian Ambassador to the Griffon Empire

And then the sun came down upon the battlefield of Dalaen, blazing brighter than all the lamps of the Sukan Temple - and the fighting stopped, never to start again. Thank the Stars Faerj and Draca were able to regain their senses just before they hurled this continent off the precipice of a devastating war. No creature truly had anything gain from it.
- Diplomat of the Zebra Confederation, 78 year-old letter

I'm afraid I've made a great mistake.
- Journal of High King Faerj, entry dated 78 years ago

Faerj is weak! He didn't stand up to Celestia; he backed down! In the name of harmony? That fool will be the end of not only the Empire, but all griffons. The two are one in the same. My friend, better it be that one dies out for the sake of the other. Ironclast above all.
- Representative to the Empire Jeddrl of Ironclast, 78 year-old letter to Jarl Haers of Ironclast

The Empire will be the end of us all! What comes first, the whims of the High King in distant Eas, or our homes? Our families? Our concerns and tribulations?
- Speech of Jarl Gaerj to the citizens of Blas, 77 years ago

... yesterday, a messenger arrived announcing Ironclast's succession from the Griffon Empire. As of yet, we have no comment from High King Faerj. Things can only get worse from here.
- Equestrian Ambassador to the Griffon Empire, 77 year-old letter to Princess Celestia

The Empire has fallen, overthrown from the inside! High King Faerj is dead! Praise be to God!
- Official declaration of of Sultan Draca, 75 years ago

My descendants will never forget this, Celestia. I know my days are numbered, as yours will never be; of course, the griffons with guns and swords gathering outside my chambers won't help with that. You caused this. The destruction of the Griffon Empire. I trusted you! Look what your "harmony" has brought us to! Gods have mercy on me.
- High King Faerj of Eas, 75 year-old letter to Princess Celestia of Equestria

We have not been contacted by any of the new Griffon Kingdoms since the fall of the Empire, save for the small Embassies in Morcoast and Eas.
- Equestrian Goverment, responding to any requests for information on the East for the past 75 years