Summary

Gryfons are easily recognizable by their helmet-protected heads and ability to fly at great speeds. The lands of Lyth stretch far and wide, so being able to traverse it quickly via self-propelled flight is a great asset. As a result, they are often asked to carry messages, trading goods, and other important items when time is of the essence; by request, the larger individuals may also be willing to carry passengers. They are viewed as quite the regal creatures by most other Lythians, and many desire to have a good relationship with them. If any troublesome news or individuals arrive, word travels quickly through the Gryfon community, so it's advised not to get on their bad side.

✦ Body

Most Gryfons are larger than the average Lythian. On all fours, they can easily reach a height of seven feet, though smaller and larger varieties do occur — usually within two feet of difference. The lighter individuals tend to be faster flyers, while the heavier individuals have greater strength. Body shapes vary greatly, though they always have muscular, wide-set shoulders, as that's where their wings sprout from. Like most avian, Gryfons have hollow skeletal structures, though their bones are thicker in girth. Their bodies can be only furred, only feathered, or a combination of both.

✦ Ears

Their ears come in all variations, and their hearing is pretty standard, definitely not as acute as that of a Nitpicki or Kella Ser.

✦ Skull

All members of their kind are born with an inner and outer skull. The outer skull is commonly called their "helmet" and starts off as a soft material. Unlike their bones, however, their helmet does not remain hollow, but solidifies and hardens as they grow. This growth may result in intricate designs that stretch beyond their head or reveal parts of it, though at least half of their face always remains covered. When they fully mature, their helmets stop growing. Despite this, Gryfons who desire a different helmet design may seek out Chuikhas to superheat them and remold them. This process is possible due to the helmet being structurally different from bone and causes the Gryfon no pain.

✦ Mane

Furry or feathery manes are common but not a standard among these Lythians, though individuals who live in colder areas are more often seen with them.

✦ Wings

A Gryfon's wings are large (generally larger than pictured), powerful, and capable of flight. They come in all variations, though feathered, furred, and webbed are the most common. Their placements can also vary slightly, though they are always positioned symmetrically on the body. They can have a secondary pair of wings that is usually smaller than their dominant one.

✦ Limbs

Gryfons are quadrupedal with two possible combinations of limbs: front paws with back talons or front talons with back paws. Despite preferring to be on all fours, all of their paws and talons have an opposable thumb or claw that makes gripping items possible; in terms of dexterity, their talons tend to be more agile. As a result, Gryfons may be seen standing, sitting, or walking upright for brief moments, though it's cumbersome and inefficient for them in the long run due to their build.

✦ Tail

Tails come in all shapes and sizes.