Griffin

(Also known as Griffon, or Gryphon)

MIGHT– 3/5

RARITY – 3/5

By WolframA

Griffins have the body of a lion, with the addition of an bird's head and wings, and always that of a predatory species, such as Eagles, Falcons, and Owls. Their front pair of feet are also like a bird's, while the back pair belong to their lion half. Their wings are fairly similar to the pegasi race's, though their wings are somewhat longer, as their bodies are larger and the wings need to accommodate for the extra mass. Because of the difference in size, griffins cannot fly as fast as an average pegasus. Also like pegasi, griffins have the ability to manipulate and walk on cloud tops. While hunting or fighting, they utilize their wings, relatively large size, and talons/claws, which, when combined, will often allow them to win most fights.

Griffins are found in many habitats in Equestria, and in the lands beyond. Most notably, they call the higher mountain ranges, the oldest forests, and many of the sea-cliffs home. Each is home to a specific group, or ‘pride’, of griffins. The griffins most common in the High Mountains have features of Eagles, and are notably larger than their cousins elsewhere. Found in the Old Forests are falcon-like griffins, faster and more agile on the wing than the others. Often times, they are more lustrous in coloration, too. And near the cliffs are oft found the griffins with the features of puffins. Never poke fun at a cliff-griffin, as they are surprisingly vicious, in spite (or perhaps because) of their cutesy and adorable appearance, along with being the smallest griffin breed.

Traditionally, there is one family that has authority over each Pride, with ruling passed down throughout every generation. Any griffin in the Pride can challenge the leader, commonly known as the Chief, for their position. If they succeed, then they will become the new Chief, and leadership will be passed down to their children. Under the Chief, there is an order of warriors, who act as the hunters and soldiers of the Pride, who are ranked in a manner similar to the Royal Guard.

An Eagle Griffin

Griffin diet varies based on location, but they are all omnivores, and fully capable of hunting for themselves, and for their families. When larger groups of griffins are working together, they will combine their food supplies on instinct, and divide it by rank and position in the Pride. The Chief and his/her mates and family feed first, then those that are bearing or taking care of cubs, then moving down from there.

Though there is a standing order, most griffins will act independently, unless called into action. In many cases, a Pride is not even recognizable as such until a meal comes along, or they are given a common goal.

Most commonly, the Eagle breed griffins assume leadership positions, though the other breeds sometimes do, as well.

In spite of their rich and long-standing history, griffin society has recently been undertaking a change, favoring a more ‘modern’ outlook, many of their young choosing to discard the older traditions. Many of the elders believe that the old ways are fading, and they may not be far off.

Many young griffins, however, still follow the Rite of Self-Reliance, in which a griffin leaves their pride for an indeterminate amount of time, either to find a new pride to live with, or the make themselves worthy in the eyes of their family’s pride, in order to return. as most couples in griffin society come from within the pride, this common separation helps introduce new blood into the prides.

An Falcon Griffin

Griffins in History:

While griffins are not a commonly warring race, in spite of appearances, they have always had a long-standing tradition of using preset amounts of warriors to fight in staged combat, in order to resolve difficult decisions. By using staged, carefully monitored and heavily rule-bound methods to resolve issues, griffins found a way to prevent most armed conflicts from being more than a game, in a manner that later inspired the gladiatorial arenas of ancient Roan. This would later lead into the first actual armed conflict between ponies and griffins, when the Pegasi nation first fought the Razor’s Edge Eyrie pride, over a relatively minor misunderstanding.

When ponies and griffins first made contact, it was in relative peace. Both sides were understandably curious, and met on common ground, so to speak, and leaders of both were able to peaceably converse for many hours. Conflict occured when a misunderstanding of the exact meaning of “friendly conflict” arose. Due to overreactions on the part of the Pegasus commander, arms were gathered, and the first true war between any of ponykind and griffins began, less than 48 hours after their first direct interaction.

The specifics of the conflict are detailed in Musty Tome’s A Brief History of Equestria, 3rd revised abridged edition, starting on page 27 of volume 44, third paragraph from the bottom. However, after the conflict was resolved, less than a year later by the introduction of the Unicorn empire acting as an intermediary, griffins began integrating into many aspects of pony society on a more general basis, leading to the sudden ability of the three tribes of pony-kind to hire apparently vicious predators to help safeguard their caravans and herds safely. As such, griffins can be almost guaranteed a place in all history books as a leading force in allowing the pony tribes to form into a large-scale permanent government, though this is often not taught to young foals until nearly the 6th year of schooling.

With the griffin empires more or less at peace, commerce and cohabitation are much more common in this day and age than they were a mere century ago, and the last major conflict between the griffin empires happily put behind them has allowed them to assist Equestria in many ways. Historians and sociologists alike are hard at work helping to preserve the long, rich, and intensely fascinating history of the griffins, something being lost and forgotten by the current generation.

An Owl Griffin

---

NEXT: KRAKEN

(Yes, I forgot to add the Griffin. Sorry all)