Griffons, sometimes known as "aerials,"[1] were giant flying creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads, wings, and talons of eagles. They were strongly associated with the Grey Wardens, who used to ride them into battle. They became extinct during the Exalted Age.
Background[]
“They were never servants, never slaves. A griffon was a partner and equal, or else it was a foe.[2]”
It's said that griffons originated from the island of Seheron.[3]
At some point, the Grey Wardens tamed griffons and started using them to fight darkspawn. The griffon trainers established a bond with the animals.[4] Griffons chose their riders themselves rather than being chosen by a Warden, and they refused to carry riders they did not want.[2] As a result, the training of griffon riders was difficult and griffons were viewed with caution and respect. The bond between rider and griffon was strong and when a griffon's rider died the griffon often mourned.[5]
The Warden in charge of the care of the griffons was known as the Roostmaster.[5] The High Constable, the second-in-command to the First Warden, was the aerial commander during the time of the griffons.[6]
The true cause of the Griffons' dying out was a modified version of the Joining ritual created by the Grey Warden mage Isseya through Blood magic. The ritual was originally created as an attempt to render a Griffon immune to the Darkspawn taint as the Wardens were. After being put through the ritual, the Griffons were capable of greater strength and speed. Their endurance greatly increased, rendering them capable of fighting on even after sustaining major wounds. It also greatly increased their aggression. Tainted Griffons would attack darkspawn on sight unless controlled using blood magic. However, because the taint was processed too quickly in their bodies, any Griffon put through the ritual died not long after.
In their more desperate moments during the Fourth Blight, the Wardens subjected dying or aging Griffons to the ritual to make them useful during one last endeavour. The tainted Griffons were particularly useful during the battle of Ayesleigh where the Archdemon Andoral was finally struck dead by Garahel. Unfortunately, the modified taint became contagious and eventually infected unjoined Griffons, causing the whole species to become uncontrollably aggressive, even towards their handlers. The First Warden was eventually forced to give the order that any Griffon showing signs of such aggression was to be killed.
Unbeknownst to the rest of the Order, Isseya retrieved a clutch of thirteen griffon eggs, fathered by Garahel's griffon, Crookytail, and managed to purify them of the taint. Feeling that the Wardens had failed the Griffons, she chose to place them in a form of arcane suspended animation until the tainted griffons died out and the Wardens had a chance to appreciate the depth of their loss. In 9:42 Dragon a Grey Warden-Recruit named Valya finally located the clutch of eggs and retrieved thirteen healthy Griffon hatchlings.
Other sources claim that the griffons were native to the Wandering Hills and the northern reaches of the Hunterhorn Mountains.
Despite the griffons' predatory nature, some groups of the Anders and Orth people managed to form a kinship with the creatures. Some of these folk later joined the Grey Wardens and taught them how to ride griffons in battle. The Blights damaged the eyries, which caused griffons to gradually die off, and the species became fully extinct around two centuries prior to Dragon Age. Sometimes, rumors arise that the griffons had survived in a remote region. Even though the creature haven't been used by the Grey Wardens in centuries, the Griffon Rampant is still an important element of the order's heraldry, and Grey Warden items often bear griffon symbols.[7][8]
Physiology[]
An adult griffon could grow to be more than twelve feet from beak to tail, with a wingspan even larger. Male griffons could weigh more than one thousand pounds and females slightly less. With beaks powerful enough to break bone and claws capable of shredding armor, griffons were valued and ferocious companions to the Grey Wardens.[2]
Griffons were expressive in their emotions. The eyes of griffons were bright gold and they would close them halfway when pleased. They also purred when content.[2]
Grey Wardens typically selected smaller and lighter Wardens to ride griffons, allowing the griffons to serve longer as steeds under harsh conditions.[2] Even so, a healthy griffon could easily fight while carrying two armored riders.
The griffons' fur and plumage varied from black to white; most fell into the grey color range. Many Grey Wardens believe that it was this coloration that inspired their order's name.[7][8]
The Wardens attempted to relocate the griffons' eyries away from the Wandering Hills and the Hunterhorn Mountains, but the experiments were completely unsuccessful as no chicks survived.[7][8]
Known griffons[]
Revas and Isseya
- Assan
- Blacktalon – griffon of Huble
- Crookytail – griffon of Garahel
- Hunter – griffon of Lisme
- Revas – griffon of Isseya
- Shrike – griffon of Danaro
- Skriax – griffon of Dendi
- Smoke – griffon of Amadis
- Traveler – griffon of Felisse
- Wren – griffon of Edelys
Codex entries[]
Trivia[]
- Some of the armor that was used by the Grey Warden griffon riders can be found in the Grey Warden Vault in Denerim.
- Weisshaupt Fortress contains aeries where the griffons of old used to breed.[9] Aeries appear to be referred to as weyrs in Dragon Age: Inquisition.[10][11] Coincidentally, there is a location in Antiva known as The Weyrs.
- Corff the Bartender is apparently working on a novel involving something called "Speed Griffons".
- The survival of the Thirteen Griffons into the Dragon Age was partially inspired by the Norwegian Lundehund breed, which at one point was reduced to only six dogs in the world, five of whom were from the same mother. Through careful breeding decisions, the breed was saved and now has a population in the thousands.[12]
See also[]
Gallery[]
References[]
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Liane Merciel (September 16, 2014).
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