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General

Usually quiet and uninterested in international affairs, Gryphons usually spend their time guarding something or another - whether it be a castle, cave, or a meal. Natural protectors, they used to be hired as bodyguards, but that ended rather badly when a nest of baby gryphons was killed in a clash between a Copper Gryphon and a Light Dragon - both of whom were on guard duty for enemy sides. As a result, Gryphons stopped accepting guard-requests, and - understandably - relations between Dragons and Gryphons are touchy. With the head and talons of an eagle but torso and tail of a lion, Gryphons are thought to be the result of alchemy - in which an eagle and a lion were fused centuries ago. Gryphons pulse with the power of truth and - if you're within hearing range of a Gryphon, it is physically impossible to tell a lie. Thus, they're often seen guarding the gates to towns or castles, to try and prevent people with evil intentions from getting inside. However, they are expensive to upkeep, and are thus not everywhere.

SUBFACTION ONE

Silver

About

Solitary creatures, Silver (and all other Gryphons for that matter) were named as such by the color of their beaks, claws, eyes, and tail. Very slight differences live between subfactions physically, but they're all very different when it comes to mentality. Silver Gryphons are wanderers, always on the move in the vast Cheshreer Desert, never staying in one spot for more than two days at a time. Because of the feathers, one would think that Gryphons are hot in the desert, but this isn't the case at all. Their body temperature is naturally extremely high and a desert-like setting is the perfect place for Gryphons. In other, less hot places, the feathers help hold in body heat so they can remain comfortable. Gryphons can't stand cold climates and - because they're so restless - Silver Gryphons are easy to rile up, and are very fierce when provoked.

SUBFACTION TWO

Gold

About

The most sociable of the subfactions, Gold Gryphons can be seen during high noon in large groups of fifty to a hundred members, talking loudly in a strange mix of squawks and roars. They dislike being alone, and a lone Gold Gryphon will more often than not reach out to one of the other subfactions for company. Almost always, that subfaction accepts the Gold Gryphon into the ranks until it is ready to depart. Since they are so sociable, Gold Gryphons are naturally curious creatures, and will check out anything that perks their interests. Because of this, they are often seen trailing wagons and carriages. They're usually met with an offensive front, but in truth they want nothing more than to learn about said wagon or carriage, and most likely mean no harm. They are considered weak among the gryphons, but are formidable opponents to the average warrior.

SUBFACTION THREE

Copper

About

Quite possibly the most energetic of the Gryphon subfactions, Copper Gryphons are bright and full of energy, always bounding here and there and having fun. Since they have so much energy, they're also often very noisy, and thus rarely journey out of their secluded, rocky part of the Cheshreer Desert. Instead they spend their days romping, fortifying their caves, hunting, or napping. Though they are lighthearted and playful, they're vicious when crossed and will often band together to swamp their opponents.

SUBFACTION FOUR

Iron

About

The heavy-weight of the Gryphon subfactions, Iron Gryphons have naturally dull nerve endings that make them receive minimal pain when hit. As a result, they are known at the 'Defender Among the Defenders'. They are capable of taking large amounts of damage, and - though naturally lazy - they will ferociously defend anything that is precious to them - including the other subfactions - until their death, causing them to be a symbol of bravery and courage to several human groups and cultures.

SUBFACTION FIVE

Bronze

About

Not to be mistaken with their cousins, the Copper Gryphons, Bronze Gryphons are much more down to earth, larger and more logical. Having the tendency to look at everything statistically, they tend to be a bit of pessimists, and are known as the 'brains' of the faction. They dislike fighting, and would much rather scratch out equations in rock or sand rather than play. They are the only subfaction that is known to use spells during last-resort situations, and the spells are rumored to be absurdly powerful.

FINAL SUBFACTION

Platinum

About

Similar to the Purple Phoenix in their vanity, Platinum Gryphons believe themselves to be beautiful and divine, but they don't often force ideas upon their cousins. Their vanity is more of a quiet one, and they're happy to remain in the oasis part of the Cheshreer Desert gazing into the water and admiring their reflections. Since they don't believe in fighting, they have very sharp wits and a silver tongue, and are notorious in having the ability to talk their way out of any situation.

FACTION SIX

Gryphon

END

Username: MercuryMadness36
Character Name: Jainus
Subfaction: Silver
Age: 36
Bio: Jainus was born into a nomadic flock of Gryphons, and for the most of his childhood enjoyed it. But as he grew he started to get bored of seeing almost no one but his family, and wished to explore newer places. One night he and his flock came across another group of Gryphons, and Jainus spent the night listening to tales of "The Old Days", back when Gryphons used to be bodyguards. He became intrigued, and soon decided that he wanted to be a Bodyguard. So he left his family to travel on his own. He doesn't consider himself a traitor, because he's just as racist against Dragons as any other Gryphon. Just rebellious.
Persona: Not exactly quiet or unfriendly, but definitely aloof. He doesn't like staying still and in one place for too long, and isn't overly trusting, but he's very trustworthy and surprisingly kind. He's sarcastic and loyal, and loves to explore. He hates being told what to do.
Mission in Life: To find someone to protect.
Quirks: Takes things very literally. Also, while one of his eyes are silver, the other is golden.
Any Factions or Subfactions He Likes? Why?: Well, he likes Gryphons because, obviously, they're awesome. And Humans, because...well, they're the ones that need the protecting, aren't they?
Any He Hates? Why?: Dragons, because of the racism he was raised in.
Gryphon Appearance:

Pets:

Morwen, or "Mo" for short. A short of ironic name, because she was born in the mountains. Jainus had gotten her through a trade two years ago.
Theme Song: Lifeline ~ Angels and Airwaves
Line of Song that Made You Choose That Song:
"if you wish it wish it now, if you wish it wish it loud.
if you want it say it now, if you want it say it loud."
Other: He's not quite as well built as some of the other Gryphons, but he makes up for it in speed. He's afraid of being viewed as a traitor and killed because of his want to be a bodyguard.

Username: SilentShadowDreamer
Character Name: Koura Aizabelne
Age: Ninety-seven. She’s still a baby.
Bio: Koura was born, along with her siblings, at the very edge of the great desert. She was marked out as ‘the weird one’ almost from birth. Although she accepted it with every appearance of ease – even amusement – it hurt. And as she got older, the resentment grew. It took its time; in fact, she was well into her forties before she realized how angry it made her.

Now, the last thing that happy, bubbly, impulsive Koura wanted was to get in trouble due to her deep anger. So she requested the chance to travel and see the world around her. It was happily granted by her family, and off she went. Koura told them she’d be back ‘soon’ – ‘soon’ has already lengthened into fifty-two years, and Koura knows it’ll be much, much longer before she’s ready to go home again.
Persona: Koura is so strangely unlike the rest of the Bronze Gryphons she knows that it is sometimes suspected one of the Copper Gryphons substituted her for one of the Bronze Gryphon young as a joke. Of course, no one really believes that, but Koura is still an oddity. She’s bright, impulsive and talkative, constantly cheerful and often the voice of optimism where the others tend to be more dour. However, Koura is not particularly noisy, and can also be quiet and introspective for hours on end. She would rather think about philosophy than consider statistics, however, and grows frustrated when others can’t keep up with her admittedly complex theories. It’s better to just not talk about philosophy with her at all.
Mission in Life: To meet at least one person from every faction and subfaction with whom she can have a real conversation – one that does not involve many blinks, sidelong looks and/or questions of “You’re sure you’re a Bronze?” Having this be a philosophical conversation would be nice.
Quirks: Aside from the fact that she’s as different from her brothers and sisters as unicorns and werewolves? Koura will often randomly start conversations with strangers, and if she decides she’s getting bored – which can happen in a split second – she’ll just get up and leave. She also likes hugs, and will sometimes just go up to strangers she’s decided she likes and hug them before walking away.
Any Factions or Subfactions She Likes? Why?: She likes mostly everyone. Her quest in life demands it.
Any She Hates? Why?: Well, she’s not too sure about dragons. But she’s still going to find one she can talk to. Just not…right…now.
Gryphon Appearance:
Here She Is
Theme Song: Breathe, Michelle Branch
Line of Song that Made You Choose That Song:
“I don’t wanna waste another moment/Saying things we never meant to say[…]I’ve been waiting for a chance to let you in…”



Username: Luminol Lights
Character Name: Silver Tuncay
Subfaction: Bronze
Age: 902
Bio: Silver's parents found themselves to be particularly witty and named him after the color of his eyes, which was coincidentally another subfaction. While this might have crippled other small Bronze Gryphon children, Silver paid it no mind and went on with his life. In fact, he did more than go on. He exceeded with his life. All Bronze Gryphons are intelligent. It is in their nature. Silver, however, managed to quickly make it to the top of his age group within the area. This partly came to him studying so often, but mostly came from him just naturally being able to absorb information with extreme ease. At a young age, Silver enjoyed this ability to pick up almost anything he wanted to in such short time. It gave him things to constantly do. Eventually though, things changed.

Silver grew bored. What out there was challenging? He had taken on so many advanced subjects and few had taxed him for more than a couple of years. Was this what his life would be like? Boring? Dull? Meaningless? It was at this time, when his parents noticed his constantly glazed over expression, that it was suggested that he go out and travel, maybe quest a bit. So Silver did. What else was there to do? Traveling and questing were the first fun things he had done in ages. Learning to actually fight was so much different than the training he had been given back home. Not to mention all the weapons he could learn to use! Two centuries passed in which he actually felt that he was doing something worthwhile.

Then boredom struck again. What was there left? It seemed like he was almost doomed to wait until new things to learn and study came out. He had already done everything he could find. There were theories he had created being tossed around so many subjects, and still there was nothing left for him to do. So that's where he is with his life, five years after this boredom set in. Isn't there anything new to learn?
Persona: Silver has been jaded by boredom. He's cynical, sarcastic, and just can't seem to bring himself to care about much. Oftentimes he seems to be half asleep, he's so apathetic. Of course, that's just because he's bored. His entire state of being seems to change when he has something interesting, or new to learn, or, best of all, challenging. Then it's like his entire personality shifts. He's energetic, excited, sly, and practically manic. It's kind of cute, unless you try to interrupt him. Then the wrath you receive is scary.
Mission in Life: To find a challenge that won't become boring so quickly.
Quirks: Silver has silver eyes, a bit of a strange thing, but he likes them. He's been told their entrancing. He also has a propensity toward clove cigarettes. He loves them.
Any Factions or Subfactions He Likes? Why?: Any of them that can challenge him, especially his own
Any He Hates? Why?: Boring and vain subfactions, like the Purple Phoenix or the Platinum Gryphons.
Gryphon Appearance:

Theme Song: She Blinded Me With Science~Thomas Dolby
Line of Song that Made You Choose That Song:
"The spheres are in commotion, the elements in harmony. She blinded me with science!"
Other: Silver considers himself to be an, "Equal Opportunities Lover," if you catch his drift.

Username: SilentShadowDreamer
Character Name: Karali Andris
Subfaction: Copper
Age: 735
Why Did She Betray the Faction?: Because they annoyed her.
Understand, she didn’t see it as betraying the faction. She saw only what made it a good thing for her; Karali is more than a little psychopathic. The only child of her highly-thought-of mother (who was the healer of the clan), and thus the clan’s darling, she spent years literally getting away with murder – disguised to look like accidents, suicides and natural deaths. No one saw it because no one was looking, because no one could believe it of such a little sweetheart. The only one who even suspected that Karali was calmly and systematically, over the course of centuries, eliminating members of the clan that she found annoying was her mother, and the older woman refused to believe it. She made herself think that she was wrong, that it was all a mistake and she was misjudging her daughter’s cool, even amused reactions to the deaths; how could anyone so sweet do such a thing? And so it took them over three hundred years to catch Karali – although she’d started her killings at the tender age of twenty.
How Did She Escape?: Karali was the first traitor that her clan had ever had, and they weren’t quite sure what to do with her. So they locked her up, and while they were trying to figure out how they were going to kill this child, Karali escaped with her mother’s help. The woman tried to save her, even knowing that she was insane and a danger to all around her, because Karali came from her. Was the only child she could ever have. And how did Karali pay back this selfless act of love, an act that would have sentenced her mother to a traitor’s death as well had it been discovered?
She killed her mother before she left, of course.
Such a little sweetheart.
What Does She Do Now?: Karali continues doing what she’s proven herself to be so good at – the quiet elimination of people that annoy her. Ostensibly, she’s just another traveler, always looking for work or a quest to earn some money. And if she leaves a trail of surprising suicides, tragic accidents and unexpected deaths in her wake, well, no one can prove anything.
Weapons/Spells: Trained as a healer by her mother in the hopes that her daughter would follow in her footsteps, Karali uses her precise and thorough knowledge of the body as a weapon. Knowing the sensitive areas, the fragile areas and exactly what kind of injuries will hurt the most, she uses that to cause as much pain as possible for her victims. She will use anything that comes to hand as a weapon, as long as it can be used and then disguised as, well, not a murder. Poison is a favourite, as are nooses, garrotes, blades and occasionally her own hands when nothing else will do. She brews her own poisons as well.
Persona: Sweet and delicate on top, with a heavy-handed serving of psychopathy underneath. She honestly does not understand that anyone else on earth has feelings – the only one in the world she really sees as a full, three-dimensional being with a life and a past and feelings is, well, her. Although she can, theoretically, feel for and care about others, she just doesn’t. Cool, amused and more than a little morbid, she actually gets more pleasure out of the killings than any relationship that comes before. Friends, family, lovers – all are Karali’s targets once she gets bored of them. In simple terms, do not ever, ever trust this woman. Do not ever think that you are immune because she ‘loves’ you. She will tolerate you until you are no longer entertaining, you will die, and she won’t even give your cold miserable corpse a backward glance as she steps over it on her way to whoever’s next.
Mission in Life: To continue doing exactly as she pleases, and hopefully eventually eliminate everyone who irritates her.
Quirks: Although Karali can be and is attracted to or interested by men, she doesn’t respect them – not as allies or opponents. Hence why most of her victims are male. She respects women, though, and only considers herself on a ‘level playing field’ when battling against or under the leadership of a woman.
Any Factions or Subfactions She Likes? Why?: Karali doesn’t think much about factions in general – she enjoys the Dragons in a perverse way, because she’s not supposed to, but otherwise she bases her assessments on individuals.
Any She Hates? Why?: She hates the Phoenix, because they don’t die and this annoys her. She also dislikes her own faction, because she doesn’t see what the big deal is about killing people that are irritating. Why should that make her a traitor?
Gryphon Appearance:
Even her Gryphon form makes her look like a sweetheart.
Theme Song (optional): Porn Star Dancing, My Darkest Days
Psychosocial, Slipknot
Line of Song that Made You Choose That Song: The Entire Song
“She don’t play nice, she makes me beg[…]‘Cause she’s a stone-cold stunner…”
The Entire Song
“But when we killed it all, the hate was all we had[…]Can’t stop a killing idea if it’s hunting season…”