Griffon

Griffons
Appearances	Historical

Griffons were giant flying creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads, wings and claws of eagles. By the time of Dragon Age they are considered to be extinct.

Background

The griffons were native to the Wandering Hills and the northern reaches of the Hunterhorn Mountains. They were fierce predators, but certain groups among the Anders and Orth managed to forge alliances with the creatures. Some of them later joined the Grey Wardens and taught their new brothers how to ride griffons in battle.

The Wardens experimented with relocating griffons' eyries, but no chicks ever survived. The Blights devastated the eyries and the griffons slowly died off, finally becoming extinct during the Storm Age. Rumors occasionally surface of them surviving in some remote area, but have always come to naught.

The griffons' fur and plumage varied from charcoal black to brilliant white, with most bearing the grey hues between. Many Grey Wardens believe that it was this coloration that inspired their order's name. The Griffon Rampant remains the symbol of the Grey Wardens to this day, and griffon iconography appears on many Grey Warden artifacts. The rank of the High Constable, who is the second-in-command of the Grey Wardens, used to be the aerial commander.

Trivia

• Some of the armor that was used by the Grey Warden griffon riders can still be found in the Grey Warden Vault in Denerim.
• There are several items which are named after griffons.
• Weisshaupt Fortress still holds griffon quarters.
• Corff the Bartender is apparently working on a novel involving something called "Speed Griffons".