The Order of Anzu
The Order of Anzu is a sect of rangers and druids dedicated to raising, training, and protecting the gryphons of the Sword Mountains. While gryphons are normally almost impossible to tame and train to become companions or mounts, members of the order are able to do so due to the maintenance of a pact with the spirit of the legendary gryphon Anzu, who fell in battle against an ancient dragon. The druids of the order are the symbolic focus of this pact, while the rangers of the order are responsible for husbandry of the gryphons, scouting and hunting, and the first line of defense against invading threats. The order is primarily made up of humans, elves, and half-elves, but anyone is welcome that would dedicate themselves to life in the Sword Mountains and the care and training of gryphons.
Structure
Led by a pair of principals- one ranger and one druid. They are always elders in the order and usually those that have the most experience. Though not a requirement, the roles of principal ranger and principal druid are often held by a married couple or a pair of siblings. Otherwise, the organization is egalitarian and communal in nature.
Public Agenda
To protect and train the gryphons of the Sword Mountains.
Assets
The Rookery, where the trained gryphons of the order nest, lay eggs, and raise their young (assisted by care from order members).
History
“A gryphon is a ferocious avian carnivore with the muscular body of a great cat and the head, forelegs, and wings of an eagle. They are notoriously feral, attack viciously, and are known to be hard to handle.” -Volothamp Geddarm, “Predators on Mountain Tops”
It wasn’t always that way…
Many centuries ago, gryphons were once a great, noble, and civilized species, akin to giant eagles. They inhabited many caves and cliff top aeries throughout the Sword Mountains. While they were not outwardly hostile to humanoids or other creatures that ventured into their territory, they as a whole preferred to keep to themselves (as many civilized beast species tend to), and didn’t like “invaders,” as they were called. So what happened to that once noble species, how did those that call themselves The Order of Anzu come to reside in the Sword Mountains, and how did it come to pass that they raise and train gryphons?
No gryphon was more well-known or heard of than the legendary Anzu. He was just about as close to a leader as a civilized beast species might expect to have. He was the largest, wisest, and most powerful gryphon one might ever have the privilege to see. Nobody knew how old he was; he just…always seemed to exist. All other gryphons deferred to him. So when a refugee band of rangers and druids - mostly elves, some humans – traversed the Sword Mountains on their way to Waterdeep to warn of the arrival of a green dragon that had just destroyed their homes, they knew to tread lightly. As luck would have it, the group came upon a young, recently fledged gryphon that was badly injured. Despite risks and delays, one of the young elves was determined to save the gryphon’s life. As she tended to the fledgling, several adult gryphons descended, one of whom was Anzu. The fledgling was from his and his mate Ziza’s most recent clutch. The young elf’s mother was able to use a spell to speak to the gryphons and explain that the wounds to young gryphon were caused by a dragon, the dragon was a threat to all in the area, and that if the gryphons allowed, they would stay in the mountains to help nurse the young gryphon back to health. Anzu agreed to the terms, and the band split into two – those who would continue on to Waterdeep, and those who would stay among the gryphons. The elf was able to save the little gryphon’s life, and the two developed a bond to one another. As the rag-tag band of humanoids no longer had a home, the gryphons allowed them to stay in the mountains under their watch.
It wasn’t long before the dragon attacked. The young elf flew with Ziza to alert Waterdeep, while Anzu led the gryphons to fight. It was a long, brutal battle between the dragon and the combined forces of the Waterdeep military, the gryphons, and the band of refugees. In the end, the dragon was killed, but not before Anzu fell in the battle. With his final words, Anzu forged a sacred pact with the eldest druid to protect and care for the gryphons of the Sword Mountains in his stead, and as long as the pact was maintained, the gryphons of the mountains would always care for them.
Unfortunately a dark time lay ahead for all gryphons. The combination of Anzu’s death and powerful charm and fear magics that the dragon had used on the gryphons had warped their minds. No longer were they the noble, intelligent, civilized species they once were. Infighting increased, and many gryphons fled from the Sword Mountains to settle amongst mountains elsewhere. Every clutch grew more and more feral. Eventually, they as a species became little more than beasts. The gryphons that remained in the Sword Mountains fell under the care of that rag-tag band of elven and human refugees. Over time, they settled in on the mountain and built what is now called the Rookery and the small, simple village that sprung up around it, and took on the name The Order of Anzu to reflect their duty. The Order of Anzu remains a group of elven, human, and now, half-elven rangers and druids, but they are willing to accept any into their order that would be dedicated to raising, training, and caring for gryphons.
To reflect its origins, the order is always led by two leaders – one ranger who’s an expert in gryphon husbandry and training techniques, and a druid who is the symbolic focus of and maintains the pact. All rangers take on gryphons as their companions, choosing them from the egg and diligently training them, all their work culminating in the Bonding Pilgrimage – a time spent away from the order to bond with their gryphon and determine if they would rather return to the order, or if their calling is elsewhere. All druids work with the gryphons, and the land, and train over the course of their lives to master the form the gryphon as their wild shape.
Footnote:
The Order of Anzu is the only known source on the Sword Coast for trained gryphon mounts and companions. When the Black Horde marched on Waterdeep in 1235DR, the wizard Ahghairon met with the leaders of the Order to reach an agreement to provide gryphons for use by the Waterdeep armed forces and to assist with their training. The use of gryphons proved decisive in preventing Waterdeep from being taken by the orc horde. Due to the degree of difficulty of raising and training required, the Waterdeep military does not have the time and capability to raise their own gryphons. As a result, all gryphons obtained and flown by the Waterdeep Gryphon Guard have exclusively been hatched and raised by the Order of Anzu.
Mythology & Lore
When an ancient green dragon began to lay waste to the Sword Mountains, Anzu, the gryphon of legend, led the gryphons in a fight to protect their home alongside the Waterdeep military, the band of refugees that would become the Order of Anzu. In the end, the dragon was killed, but Anzu fell in the battle. With his final words, Anzu forged a sacred pact with the eldest druid to protect and care for the gryphons of the Sword Mountains in his stead, and as long as the pact was maintained, the gryphons of the mountains would always care for them. It is believed now by members of the order that the spirit of Anzu went on to become an envoy of the goddess Mielikki, and that the god Gwaeron Windstrom will fly upon his back in times of urgency.
Ethics
Protection and care of the gryphons of the Sword Mountains is paramount. To do anything that would harm a gryphon is anathema to the order's purpose. Always care for the land that is lived upon and the community that has been created.
Worship
The order has a shrine to Gwaeron Windstrom where prayers and offerings to him, as well as prayers to be delivered to Mielikki, oft take place. There are no regular religious services or anything of the sort, as Gwaeron and Mielikki are to be invoked in all endeavors taken.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Order of Anzu provides the trained gryphons for Waterdeep's gryphon guard.
Type
Religious, Sect
Alternative Names
O of A, Chosen of Anzu, Gryphon Rangers/Gryphon Druids, Stewards of the Sword Mountains
Deities
Divines
Location
Notable Members
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