Twilight gryphons

Created by Jalim/Hatecaster

“I checked the direct route; it looked clear at first, but I noticed something big shadowing me from under the trees at sunrise. This is a bad omen. We should find a way around here.”

^{Garasio, Nocturnal Gryphon guide.}

Basic Information

Anatomy

Roughly the same as a Nocturnal Gryphon, but larger... To note, they are also sufficiently rugged in the way that their hides are slightly thicker, and the fact they are large.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gestates 1-3 eggs (usually 2-3) for a month, hatching occurs after 60 days.

Partnering can take anywhere between 7-12 days.

Growth Rate & Stages

The first trail of a twilight gryphon is usually surviving their own nest-mates; as food competition is fierce, it is not uncommon for one to kill the others for the sake of getting more food. This is usually allowed by the parents to ensure the survival of the fittest. The behaviour stops after their third year. They are young adults at 9 years, and full adulthood at 12. Females usually become fertile after their 11th year.
While their lifespan has been recorded to easily exceed 50 years, the current day their average lifespan is 25 years, due to their situation and a “Live Fast/Die Hard” attitude in which many have adopted. They start greying out at 40, in which they start to appear more silver than white. Old Twilight gryphons are typically given their due respect present day due to their extreme rarity.

Ecology and Habitats

Usually in remote areas; they are especially suited to cold climates but can survive nearly anywhere, provided there is sufficient prey and shelter. They serve as the apex predator of the biome in which they inhabit.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Twilight gryphons, for those that do know them, are regarded as dangerous due to the fact that they have been known to prey on both gryphon and dragon alike; cases of cannibalism are uncommon, but not unheard of. They prefer meat, but occasionally eat fruit and vegetables in order to supplement their diet or if hunting has been bad.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Solitary, or living in small family units comprised of two or more than often three or more individuals, though the children of the original pair typically leave to go find a mate after their 9th year. Dealing with other Twilight Griffins is usually an affair that seems more like politics than any normal conversation.
Between individuals and groups, while outbreaks of violence do occasionally break out, more than often it ends up being more political; the general unspoken rule is that territories should be respected, and some still abide by the old rules in which those that pass by come with a respectable attitude and are in turn shown hospitality; but in return, must do any reasonable task asked of them.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Scattered throughout the world; they have territories that can span for a hundred miles. In some cases, several hundred.

Average Intelligence

Fairly intelligent; they are known to make tools, though this is fairly uncommon as they do not often need them. However, especially in more extreme climates and situations, one could almost expect to find a well-crafted home and gear in order to help them be comfortable.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Great depth perception and sight and good hearing; however their sight suffers somewhat during nighttime. Great sense of smell however, which allows them to scavenge. (Things that smell TERRIBLE do a surprisingly good job of serving as barriers, though an enraged or sufficiently determined Twilight Gryphon WILL endure it.) To note, they are exceptionally good at smelling when another has passed through an area as well as their physical condition sometimes weeks after they have passed. As such, their sense of smell plays a vital part in them finding a mate.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Witlessness is both Symbiotic and Parasitic to them; on one hand, they did manage to retain their sentience despite they were among the hardest hit by Witlessness, which eventually resulted in immunity from its most obvious effect: The lost of sentience. However, this is not without cost. The first is their heightened aggression to the point of Bloodlust: While most of them do not engage in wanton slaughter, most are extremely quick to escalate a situation to violence. Futhermore, some individuals may purposely spread Witlessness, depending on the level of infection they have. This makes dealing with the vast majority of them a dangerous affair for non-Twilight Griffins.
In regards to this, however, they are exceptionally good at detecting the level of Witlessness within one another, due to their sense of smell. The rule they learn to follow is that the more bitter the other smells, the more the other may be affected by it. It can be broken down into three stages, in which a single Twilight Gryphon may shift between several times in their life. Stage one is minimal infection; this is when they are the truest to themselves, while stage two does see some heightened aggression. Stage three, however, is when they more than often can become outright malevolent; and when within reason, may go out of their way to kill or even infect other individuals. However, more disciplined individuals often manage to restrain themselves, and as they have still not completely lost themselves in this state, will still act within reason, in which many regards make them more dangerous.
Perhaps the only thing that has given them reprieve is the fact that the Witless do not attack them, and usually regard them passively. This fact has given them critical breathing room, allowing them to effectively reside in areas with high concentrations of witless which serve as a barrier from the outside world. Furthermore, they sometimes ‘train’ them to act on command, though this is not a prevalent practice. Those witless that do fall under their thrall do not normally regain sentience.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Largely Fragmented; most have names typical of Gryphons, but the two remaining ‘families’ have a specific naming code. The House of the Screaming Moon’s naming convention consists of house leaders and heroes of the past, while The House of Chains’s naming convention consists of names such as “Nightmare” “Ruler” and “Desertion.”

Major Organizations

House of the Screaming Moon: The House of the Screaming Moon, like the race, is a shell of its former self, but still contains some innovations within it. In the past this house served as shamans; though a variety of skills are found within it, including crafting objects.
House of Chains: Delves into manipulating other species; while they claim to be simple advice givers, they are more than often not, as they prefer to work to achieve their own ends instead. It is not uncommon to find those of other species consorting with them to conceive of some grand scheme.

Gender Ideals

While males and females are roughly the same body-build wise, females are usually slightly larger than males. Unlike other gryphons, there is a distinct lack of roles such as dancer, due to how their social structure works.

Relationship Ideals

Surprisingly equal: Both males and females are expected to pull the same weight, with a few exceptions for females if they are expecting to lay soon. Males tend to ‘take charge’ while out in the field, while females rule the roosts; though a reversal of roles is hardly uncommon depending on the situation.

Average Technological Level

In the past, the practice of surgically implanting an object known as a ‘conduit’ was a common practice for them, and all were expected to have this done to them upon reaching adulthood by either their family or extended family. However, now this practice has fallen to the wayside except for the two houses that do retain this bit of traditional life. They usually do not refuse to do so, unless there is a practical reason for it to not be done. Conduits appear to be plain rings made with silver, and are created only under the light of the moon, said to allow one to ‘channel the forces within and without, and view the world as it truly is.’ Creation of these objects only still occurs in two places with maintained facilities, and the one who wishes to have one made are fully expected to come with the material needed to make it, and as payment either a gift, favor, or service for a year. While rare, a non-Twilight Gryphon may go through this as well though it may take some serious impressing, unquestioned loyalty, or an extremely urgent situation that requires this.
These conduits are pale imitations compared to what they used to be; though there are a few ‘original’ conduits, known as Vajras, still about in the world. Ornately crafted from gold, they symbolize both the diamond (Indestructibility) and the thunderbolt (Unstoppable Force.) While highly powerful, they are also known to be dangerous, though for unspecified reasons. Unlike conduits, they are meant to be wielded, rather than implanted. (Due to size.)
While Twilight Gryphons have made Conduits, they have never made a Vajra; and despite their intelligence it is certain they did not conceive of them.
It is unknown what the total extent of their technology was, but present day they use primitive solutions.

History

Largely lost; though some have managed to piece together that at some point, there were anywhere from 4500-6000 individuals at any given time. At some point they were involved in an extended and bloody conflict; from there conflicting theories arise. However, what is generally agreed upon is that they did effectively have a small, but powerful kingdom for a period of 120 years until it collapsed, possibly due to Witlessness.

Common Myths and Legends

Occasionally other species tell stories about a large gryphon in the past that did show up in a time of need or crisis…or caused one (More than often it was the one causing one.) Usually the ‘heroic’ version has them being very quiet but observant, but strong and perhaps even bending nature to its will, while the villainous version has them being violent and savage, to the point to even committing cannibalism. While some of these are certainly fiction, other stories may well have been true. The hero/villain in these stories are never the same, but these stories are often passed around mostly as just that: Stories.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Depends on the Twilight Gryphon; most have none at all, but a few do associate with other species in secret. It is not taboo to do so, but as secretive as most tend to be, those few individuals do not often speak about them much. In addition, may manipulate others into doing something for their gain. Putting into account their predatory nature, going back on an agreement is not uncommon, and sometimes seen as an extension to hunting.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Gryphons

Scientific Name

Arcanum Gryffinus

Lifespan

60 Years. (Average 25 years)

Conservation Status

By today’s standard, would be considered as Endangered (EN), though they are making a slow, but steady comeback.

Average Height

2.4 - 2.9 m

Average Weight

4.1 - 4.5 m

Average Length

238 - 256 kg

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Typically earth colors, plus white and black.