Gryphons had the bodies and claws of lions, and the heads and wings of eagles...
Though they looked fierce, Gryphons were easy creatures to tame. As long as you fed them a few pieces of meat each day, they would happily accept you as their master and become your mount.
Gryphons were also loyal companions. If you were in danger, they would dive fearlessly out of the sky and fight to the death for you.
Most of the inhabitants of the north got along well with Gryphons...
Dwarves in particular, those short fellows with their rough temperaments, had an excellent relationship with Gryphons. Among the Wildhammer tribe of Aerie Peak, most Dwarves received a Gryphon as a companion when they came of age.
A group of Wildhammer Dwarves riding Gryphons were flying across the sky, patrolling their territory.
"Lord Kurdran, look over there!" the Gryphon Rider Faland shouted.
Kurdran Wildhammer directed his mount, Skare, to change course and stared down in the direction Faland was pointing.
Yes, right there... Kurand's keen eyes soon spotted the targets Faland had indicated:
A group of green-skinned monsters were trying to cross the forests of the Hinterlands...
"Head down a little, little one!" Kurand hurriedly nudged Skare's belly with his heels. The Gryphon beat its wings and flew downward.
Kurand soon got a clear look at these monsters...
Though they had the same disgusting green skin as those loathsome Forest Trolls, they were walking on the ground rather than darting through the branches.
Their footsteps were far too heavy and careless for Trolls, who knew the forest so well... So these creatures were not Trolls!
Kurand frowned. He saw that these green-skinned monsters had bodies taller and bulkier than humans, and carried heavy weapons such as great axes and hammers... But whatever these fellows