Griffin (grif-in)

The griffin was a powerhouse of might. They were the most common species used by the military as flying mounts throughout Fabella’s history. This composite between a lion and an eagle tore away at anybody dumb enough to stand in their way. All flying griffins were female and difficult to train. They had to mate with an earthbound male keythong in order to produce offspring.

The average griffin had a a heavy head weighed down by a curved beak. Wild griffins normally nested in highland areas on mountain peaks. Mothers raised young keythongs until spring at which time they would carry the cubs to a mating region populated by their fathers. The remaining females became part of the flock as they grew until they were old enough to mate and create their own flock.

Their size and power made griffins violent animals. The type of prey they hunted varied by species. Much of their diet consisted of small rodents, goats, and deer.

Mythology

Griffins depicted in Archives of Fabella were based off the classic griffin dating all the way back to Ancient Rome. It was one of the best known cryptids in mythology and fantasy. Greek and Roman texts associated the beast with gold deposits in Central Asia. In medieval heraldry, the griffin was often used as a Christian symbol of devine power.