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| + | <onlyinclude>{{CreatureTransformer |
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| − | [[Image:Grey_Warden_Gryphon.jpg |thumb|170px|right|Grey Warden Griffon]] |
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| + | |style = {{{style|}}} |
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| − | '''Griffons''' are now thought to be extinct, though they once served as mounts for the [[Grey Wardens]], who still use a griffon as their symbol. The Grey Wardens are still famous for their use of Gryphons even though the number of Gryphons slowly dwindled after the forth blight, finally becoming extinct 200 years prior to Dragon Age: Origins. Ser Jory stated that he used to dream about riding a gryphon and fighting the darkspawn as a Grey Warden. Some armor used by the Grey Warden gryphon riders can still be found in the Grey Warden's item stash in Denerim. |
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| + | |name = [[Griffon]] |
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| + | |image = Griffons.jpg |
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| + | |px = 270x360px |
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| + | |type = |
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| + | |rank = |
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| + | |location = |
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| + | |affiliation = [[Grey Wardens]] |
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| + | |skills = |
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| + | |class = |
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| + | |variations = |
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| + | |quests = |
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| + | |appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[The Darkspawn Chronicles]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Leliana's Song]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age II]] <small>(mentioned) </small> <br> [[Mark of the Assassin]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age: Last Flight]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <small>(mentioned)</small> |
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| + | }}</onlyinclude> |
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| + | |||
| + | '''Griffons''', sometimes known as "aerials,"<ref>Based on the [[Griffon's Helm]] description.</ref> were giant flying creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads, wings, and talons of eagles. They became extinct during the [[Exalted Age]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | == Background == |
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| + | {{Quote|They were never servants, never slaves. A griffon was a partner and equal, or else it was a foe.<ref name="lf31">''[[Dragon Age: Last Flight]]'', p. 31.</ref>}} |
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| + | It's said that griffons originated from the island of [[Seheron]].<ref>{{Cite wot|86}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | The griffon trainers established a bond with the animals.<ref>{{Cite wot|154}}</ref> Griffons chose their riders themselves rather than being chosen by a Warden, and they refused to carry riders they did not want.<ref name="lf31" /> 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.<ref name="lf49">''[[Dragon Age: Last Flight]]'', p. 49.</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | The Warden in charge of the care of the griffons was known as the roostmaster.<ref name="lf49" /> The High Constable, the second-in-command to the [[First Warden]], was the aerial commander during the time of the griffons.<ref>Based on the [[High Constable's Mace]] description.</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerLF| |
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| + | 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. However in the Griffons, the taint was processed too quickly and any Griffon put through the ritual would die not long after. After being put through the ritual however, the Griffons were capable of greater strength and speed. Their endurance greatly increased also 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. 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 communicated to unjoined Griffons eventually 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. |
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| + | |||
| + | 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 Age (time period)|Dragon]] a Grey Warden-Recruit named [[Valya]] finally located the clutch of eggs and retrieved thirteen healthy Griffon hatchlings. |
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| + | }} |
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| + | |||
| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
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| + | Other sources claim that the griffons were native to [[the Wandering Hills]] and the northern reaches of the [[Hunterhorn Mountains]]. |
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| + | Despite the fact that griffons possess 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.<ref name="rpg257">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Core Rulebook, p. 257</ref><ref name="rpg7">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 2, p. 7</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | == Physiology == |
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| + | 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.<ref name="lf31" /> |
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| + | |||
| + | 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.<ref name="lf31" /> |
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| + | |||
| + | Grey Wardens typically selected smaller and lighter Wardens to ride griffons, allowing the griffons to serve longer as steeds under harsh conditions.<ref name="lf31" /> Even so, a healthy griffon could easily fight while carrying two armored riders. |
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| + | |||
| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
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| + | 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.<ref name="rpg257" /><ref name="rpg7" /> |
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| + | |||
| + | 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.<ref name="rpg257" /><ref name="rpg7" /> |
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| + | |||
| + | == Known griffons == |
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| + | [[File: RevasIsseya.png|thumb|right|Revas and Isseya]] |
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| + | * '''Blacktalon''' – griffon of Huble |
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| + | * '''Crookytail''' – griffon of [[Garahel]] |
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| + | * '''Hunter''' – griffon of Lisme |
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| + | * '''Revas''' – griffon of [[Isseya]] |
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| + | * '''Shrike''' – griffon of Danaro |
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| + | * '''Skriax''' – griffon of Dendi |
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| + | * '''Smoke''' – griffon of [[Vael family|Amadis]] |
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| + | * '''Traveler''' – griffon of Felisse |
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| + | * '''Wren''' – griffon of Edelys |
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| + | |||
| + | == Codex entries == |
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| + | :{{:Codex entry: Adamant Fortress|style=iconminiDAI}} |
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| + | |||
| + | == Trivia == |
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| + | * Some of the armor that was used by the Grey Warden griffon riders can be found in the [[Grey Warden Vault]] in [[Denerim]]. |
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| + | * [[Weisshaupt Fortress]] contains aeries the griffons of old used to breed.<ref>Per conversation with Mistress [[Woolsey]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]]''.</ref> Aeries appear to be referred to as weyrs in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]''.<ref>[[Codex entry: Adamant Fortress]]</ref><ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/news/the-fortress-of-adamant/ The Fortress of Adamant on ea.com]</ref> Coincidentally there is a location in [[Antiva]] known as The Weyrs. |
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| + | * [[Corff]] the Bartender is apparently working on a novel involving something called "Speed Griffons". |
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| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerLF| |
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| + | * The survival of the Thirteen Griffons into the Dragon Age was partially inspired by the [[wikipedia:Norwegian Lundehund|Norwegian Lundehund]] 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.<ref>{{BWF|author=Liane Merciel|date=September 16, 2014|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529034518/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/497430-dragon-age-last-flight/page-6#entry17336956|title=Dragon Age: Last Flight}}</ref> |
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| + | }} |
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| + | |||
| + | == See also == |
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| + | :[[Fauna and flora]] |
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| + | :{{:Griffon's Beak|style=iconmini}} |
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| + | :{{:Griffon's Crest|style=iconmini}} |
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| + | :{{:Griffon's Helm|style=iconmini}} |
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| + | :{{:Griffon-Feather Belt|style=iconmini}} |
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| + | |||
| + | == Gallery == |
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| + | <gallery widths="210" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="landscape"> |
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| + | Grey warden griffon.jpg|A Grey Warden mounted on a griffon |
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| + | </gallery> |
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| + | |||
| + | == References == |
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| + | {{Scroll box|<references />}} |
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| + | |||
| + | {{Grey Wardens}} |
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| + | |||
| + | <!--Categories--> |
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[[Category:Creatures]] |
[[Category:Creatures]] |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Grey Warden lore]] |
| + | <!--Interwiki links--> |
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Latest revision as of 08:31, 31 May 2023
Griffons, sometimes known as "aerials,"[1] were giant flying creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads, wings, and talons of eagles. 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]
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. However in the Griffons, the taint was processed too quickly and any Griffon put through the ritual would die not long after. After being put through the ritual however, the Griffons were capable of greater strength and speed. Their endurance greatly increased also 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. 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 communicated to unjoined Griffons eventually 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 fact that griffons possess 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
- 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 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 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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