A Setting Based Around Gryphon Riders

[D. Gray Warrior]

So, I have this setting idea I keep coming back too:

Like most fantasy settings, it's low tech. Idk if it's quite Medieval in its tech level, but not really that European, imo.

The basic premise is that the main nation of the setting domesticated gryphons and use them as mounts, much in the same way we used horses IRL. They are used both for travel and in warfare.

I imagine the known world being a place of high elevation, with plateaus and mountain ranges, to make the most use of flight in this setting.

I never fully extrapolated how this would affect the nation's infrastructure, such as how cities would deal with aerial assaults from gryphon riders, for instance.

As for the Gryphon riders themselves, I have them split into sub groups that specialize in particular tasks such as reconnaissance, rescues/medical assistance, couriers, interceptors and assault.

Whistling is actually a required skill for riders and a part of their training. This is so they can communicate with each other over long distances, also acting as a form of code that the enemy cannot understand.

The main thing I need to figure out is how to work the gryphons themselves into society. Presumably, they are carnivores, and thus wouldn't be as efficient to use compared to á grazing animal like horses.

There's also the question of where do riders put their gryphons when they aren't using them? Are there special stables for them, or do they let them fly off a small distance away and then summon them through whistling?

Is there a way to make the existence of gryphons as aerial mounts not seem to outlandish?

 

[pmmg]

How intelligent are the gryphons?

I am not sure how this would be greatly different than dragons and there are many stories with them as mounts.

 

[Malik]

My series has a country with gryphons as mounted aerial assets. Recommended reading if I say so myself.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

How intelligent are the gryphons?

I am not sure how this would be greatly different than dragons and there are many stories with them as mounts.

In Fire Emblem Gryphons are pretty much treated the same as Pegasi (yes 'si' as in there are many of them, though not as common as the average horse) Though the Gryphon's require notably better riding skills than the much more docile (and even domesticated) Pegasi. They're no where near as rowdy as Dragons, nor as difficult to ride. In fire emblem at least if you can 'mount' a dragon properly you're revered as a skilled rider.

​

 

[cornu aspersum]

The main thing I need to figure out is how to work the gryphons themselves into society. Presumably, they are carnivores, and thus wouldn't be as efficient to use compared to á grazing animal like horses.

I wonder...if they are obviously burning a lot of energy carrying around their riders and presumably flying very fast or performing tight manoeuvers, they would have different requirements for how much and when they need to eat. Instead of needing a big pile of meat, say, every other day, they might need to make do with small to medium portions every day to prevent them from being too spent. Maybe their riders can carry strips of meat in their gear, and feed the griffins whenever there is time to do so.

On calmer days, they can be perhaps allowed to have a larger quantity in one sitting, though the griffin would probably try to burn that off anyways.

There's also the question of where do riders put their gryphons when they aren't using them? Are there special stables for them, or do they let them fly off a small distance away and then summon them through whistling?

I think placing them in aviary-kennels is the most practical. This will allow them all to be accounted for, easy identification of illnesses and make them easier to feed.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I wonder...if they are obviously burning a lot of energy carrying around their riders and presumably flying very fast or performing tight manoeuvers, they would have different requirements for how much and when they need to eat. Instead of needing a big pile of meat, say, every other day, they might need to make do with small to medium portions every day to prevent them from being too spent. Maybe their riders can carry strips of meat in their gear, and feed the griffins whenever there is time to do so.

On calmer days, they can be perhaps allowed to have a larger quantity in one sitting, though the griffin would probably try to burn that off anyways.

I'd argue a dragon would be harder to keep fed appropriately than a Gryphon would depending on their size.

I think placing them in aviary-kennels is the most practical. This will allow them all to be accounted for, easy identification of illnesses and make them easier to feed.

Do you have any idea how big of an aviary you'd need to contain a Gryphon to keep them in a good mood and feel 'free' though? Zoos already have gigantic ones for regular old Hawks. I imagine ones for a Gryphon or two would need to be the size of a castle wing, maybe bigger.

 

[cornu aspersum]

Do you have any idea how big of an aviary you'd need to contain a Gryphon to keep them in a good mood and feel 'free' though? Zoos already have gigantic ones for regular old Hawks. I imagine ones for a Gryphon or two would need to be the size of a castle wing, maybe bigger.

That's assuming they are meant to feel free (I doubt that's something non-human animals feel anyway, but I digress). The griffins are being let out anyways. What's the point of giving them a lot of space, when in all likelihood one would rest as soon as it's put in the aviary?

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

That's assuming they are meant to feel free (I doubt that's something non-human animals feel anyway, but I digress). The griffins are being let out anyways. What's the point of giving them a lot of space, when in all likelihood one would rest as soon as it's put in the aviary?

If Griffins are anything like horses, they would likely like room to roam even if it's something similar to a pasture, and since unlike horses they can fly. I'd assume a more 'humane' caretaker of them would want them to be happy. Better than their caretakers constantly getting their arms chewed off by an unhappy mount.

Pegusi I would view the same way personally, they're horses with wings, so I doubt they'd be 'happy' all cooped up where they can't fly. That said, depends on how domesticated either of them are. If Both of them are anything like 'modern' horses, I doubt they'd mind just vibeing in a big comfy stall, depends on how they were raised and who raised them. Still, modern horses are significantly happier and healthier when they have at least like a pasture to run around in, I imagine Griffins and Pegusi would be the same.

 

[cornu aspersum]

If Griffins are anything like horses, they would likely like room to roam even if it's something similar to a pasture, and since unlike horses they can fly. I'd assume a more 'humane' caretaker of them would want them to be happy. Better than their caretakers constantly getting their arms chewed off by an unhappy mount.

With the caveat that I don't know what the behaviour and size of Gray Warrior's griffins actually are, I would agree. But, what're the likelihoods of there being an owner who would go above and beyond? In some situations where the griffins are seeing a lot of action already (fighting, reconnaissance, etc), I doubt there's any need for huge quarters. They can be a decent size, clean, and the griffins will be fine.

Yes, if there're zoos and private owners who are willing to go the extra mile, I'd say it'd make sense for griffins to have huge aviaries. But for the most part, especially in the situations Gray Warrior mentioned that griffins are used in, I don't see anything like that happening. Just because an enclosure looks bad to us, doesn't mean it's bad for the animal.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

With the caveat that I don't know what the behaviour and size of Gray Warrior's griffins actually are, I would agree. But, what're the likelihoods of there being an owner who would go above and beyond? In some situations where the griffins are seeing a lot of action already (fighting, reconnaissance, etc), I doubt there's any need for huge quarters. They can be a decent size, clean, and the griffins will be fine.

Yes, if there're zoos and private owners who are willing to go the extra mile, I'd say it'd make sense for griffins to have huge aviaries. But for the most part, especially in the situations Gray Warrior mentioned that griffins are used in, I don't see anything like that happening. Just because an enclosure looks bad to us, doesn't mean it's bad for the animal.

I agree, though that's a thing that could easily become it's own sub plot. Animal 'care' is essential regardless. I do have Griffins and Pegusi in my story (and lesser dragons, like the size of toothless, nobody messes with the proper 'big boy' dragons that could chomp a building in one bite.) which are all pretty domesticated. At least in my story you'd be considered insane for trying to mount an undomesticated one of either species. The wild ones (especially dragons) are very unruly, they're much more likely to eat who was tryina ride them than accept a rider.