Current Aerie Activity:

Egg Festival - the Aerie at Alabaster is hosting what appears to be a random-egg nest event. Read about it here!

There are actually three true Aeries on Caer Paniya.

Alabaster Aerie rests just over the sea, in fact almost sharing the cove dunes with the Sea Dragons. The Gryphons which come from this Aerie greatly resemble sea birds - with long bills and gullets to scoop large fish. Their panther-like hindquarters give them a strength that is echoed only in the biggest plains Gryphons. More rarely there are duck-like fishing-cat Gryphons, smaller but more colorful than the cormorant/panthers; also spoonbill/otter gryphons have begun being spotted. It is presumed they normally inhabit lakes and rivers, but they've come to this Aerie because of the water bonding. Only one large Alis gryph is truly native to this area, that is the elegant AlisHeron.

Nsomeka Aerie is the central plains/savannah Aerie. Here in the hot grasslands are several breeds of Gryphon. The bulk of the Alis Gryphs on the isle are from this area as well. The two most common full sized gryphons are Cheetah-Falcons, whose speed and grace is incomperable, and the Hyena-Vulture gryphs. Normally the Vulture types do not bond, but recently they have been feeling left out. Extremely uncommon though seen occasionally in the wetlands and high forests to the west of the savannah, are mountain-lion-like Cockatoo gryphs.

The informal Aerie upon the peak of Paniya's highest mountain provides the most elusive and least frequently bonded gryphons - snowy owl/clouded leopard marked gryphs. They are sleek, powerful, and extremely hard to spot. If any of these bonds, it would be a momentous occasion. Alis-Hawks are common in this area, as well as the Red-Alis, which greatly resemble large red woodpecker/cats.

Very few gryphons have been bonded on Paniya. Mostly the savannah gryphs share their territory with the humans and occasional dragon, sometimes cooperatively hunting, or defending the lands.

Gryphon Descriptions

Paniyan Gryphons do not come in the fantastic array of colors that some other isles boast. What they might lack in color, however, they more than make up for in variety of breeds.

The powers of each type of gryphon on Paniya are reflections of their breeding and expectations. Hence writers should keep these things in mind when designing bonders for Paniyan gryphons.

Cheetah Falcon Gryphon (female shown)

Small amount of Dimorphism (poses) and size variation.

Powers include speed (both running - up to 70 mph, and flight - around 100 mph dive) and occasionally heat powers.

Clutch size is usually 2-4, kittens grow flight feathers by 1 year. They normally live in small family groups, often several males or a group of females with young. Individuals are medium in size, around 9 feet long nose to rump with 4 more feet of tail/feathers, and are around 6 feet at the shoulder, and a 23-25 foot wingspan. Their short wings are designed for quick flight and powerful diving onto prey. They live on the open plains, and hunt in the daytime, and are used to warm dry conditions.

Vulture Hyena Gryphon

Unknown dimorphism (probably slight color variation).

Powers include body control - immunity to diseases, and extreme sense of sight and smell, may also show great strength.

Clutch size 1-2, kittens grow their flight feathers by 18 months. These are extremely large gryphons, around 14 feet from beak to rump, longer neck than normal, and stand around 7 feet at the shoulder. Their wingspan is massive, around 35 feet or more, and is designed for long flights and thermal gliding. They often live in large groups, though their size prevents too huge of a colony. They truly rule the skies over Paniya, no matter what those dragons say...

Puma Cockatoo Gryphon (sample shown is 'Hanukka Holiday' color and will never be duplicated)

Unknown dimorphism, possibly crest coloration.

Powers include sound and sonic manipulation, communication and persuasion mental abilities. Also they are quite strong.

Clutch size is 2-3, rarely more. Kittens are considered fully flight worthy at 18 months, and these gryphons are monogamous - they will only pair with one mate to produce their nests. They are medium to small in size, being around 7 feet long beak to rump, plus about 3 more feet of tail, and stand around 4.5 feet at the shoulder. They have strong wedge-shaped wings of around 19 feet in span, though some are longer. They live in pairs or solo, though young males will flock together until they find mates.

Panther Cormorant Gryphon (female shown)

Small amount of Dimorphism in coloration and pose.

Powers include water manipulation and echolocation/prey spotting. They are able to dive under water and swim for extended periods of time though they cannot breathe under water.

Clutch size is 3-5, though lower is common. Kittens grow for around 12 months before they are flight worthy. They are medium in size but are considered somewhat fragile in build. These gryphons are around 8 feet long, with 4 more in tail, plus a longer thin neck, though they only stand around 4 feet at the shoulder. Their wingspan is around 25 feet long, but they are rarely seen in the air, more often they are found in the water. Their colonies can grow into the dozens, and they are commonly seen fanning their beautiful wings to dry them.

Fishing Cat Mallard-Duck Gryphon (female shown)

Dimorphism includes distinct male coloration.

Powers of these odd creatures include water manipulation as well as a frequent numer being able to alter temperature as well. They dive and hold their breath for extended periods.

Their clutches are large, up to 8, but they are monogamous and will not pair with another mate unless theirs has died, and they do not breed more than once every five years. Their offspring are able to fly around 11 months of age, though they are usually seen only on the water. Expert swimmers, they can catch almost anything under water. They are small Gryhpons, at around 6 feet long and with a longish neck, but they stand around 4 feet tall at the shoulder. Their wing span is short as well, around 16 feet, and very broad, they're not good fliers at all. They pair up but live in colonies up to 20.

Otter Spoonbill Gryphon

Dimorphism unknown, probably some color variation

Powers of these odd river inhabitants include water and earth manipulation and senses which can detect life or plant life. Though they swim almost all the time they are not known to dive for long periods.

These gryphons carry only 2 eggs per breeding season at best, and breed rarely. Their kits are fully grown at around 9 months, though they don't often leave their parents until a full year. They are small sized gryphons at around 7 feet long but only 4.5 feet high at the shoulder, with an oddly long neck and forelimbs. Their shorter hind limbs make their walking a bit amusing. Their wingspan is large for their small stature, at around 22 feet. They usually live in small groups or families and are highly territorial.

Clouded Leopard Snowy Owl Gryphon

Dimorphism unknown but probably some color variation and size.

Powers include temperature (cold) manipulation, camoflage and illusions. Elusive and sensitive, these skittish gryphons rarely bond, but they will do so and fiercely defend their chosen, to the death if need be.

It is not clear how many offspring these beautiful gryphs are capable of carrying - probably no more than 2 at most, and infrequently at best. In fact it's not even clear how many of them there are on Paniya. They seem related to others of similar breeds on other isles, but are different enough. They are medium in size, around 7 feet long for the males, but only around 5 for the females. They are quite low to the ground, just around 3.5 feet at the shoulder, but are muscular and strong. Their wingspan is around 20 feet, though they are also very broad tip to leading edge (more than 6 feet!) and are thickly feathered as to make little or no sounds. Their offspring might fledge at a year or more. Nothing more is known about them.

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