The Clans Of Shrilk
In general, each 'clan' occupies a particular mountain range, and is made of up several aeries, or 'flights'.
Windhaven city - Wirtkill mtn, primarily western face.
The Wirtkill Mountain range is the home to the most populous, and some would say most successful, of the gryphon clans, generally grouped as the "Windhaven" clan. Unusual in that the population is almost entirely resident within a single sprawling aerie, this is the most 'civilized' of the gryphon establishments. They trade extensively with the centuars to the east, primarily for luxuries, though also for labor, tools, and weapons. Although the high-tech devices of the Centaur sphere do not work here, simple weapons like crossbows and ballistas do.
The Windhaven gryphons are quite large, with wide, broad wings. Those that do hunt, usually do so over the huge plains to their west, and occasionally into the forests further west. However, most of the citizenry do not hunt, relying instead on provisions brought in by the hunters, or by the centuars.
They have a reputation as being a very soft and lazy group, which is earned to some degree. They are also the greatest repository of knowledge, histories and mage-craft in the entire sphere.
Shkrill clan - Central Magnarth mtn range
With a reputation for being vicious and unpredictable, the Shkrill clan is feared by many travellers from other spheres, and well respected for their fierce determination by their fellow gryphons. Their clan suffered terribly during the wars, and they are by nature suspicious of the intentions of others, especially those of the Windhaven aerie.
These gryphons are much smaller than their western cousins, with narrow wings, well suited for hunting among the dense forests to their west, where they prey primarily on deer, and the occasional lone centuar who goes astray. Some are fish eaters, straying to the west to lake Evarim.
Fiercely independant and savage fighters, they are not well suited to heavy burdens or long flights, as their narrower wings do not serve as well to glide and soar. Many wear the mark of their clan painted on the fur of their hindquarters, or their wingfeathers.
Fort Crag - Southern end of Magnarth Mtn. range
A desolate outpost, formed long ago to watch over the SouthEastern interface. This is a military outpost, and little else, though it is home to many families of gryphons. A few families have moved out of the fort itself and inhabit the natural caverns nearby.
Formally allied with Grylra, their actual allegiances have been shifting increasingly to the Shkrill, and the Stormguard outpost.
As are most of the eastern gryphons, these are fairly slightly built, and quite tough, though they have a reputation for not being the brightest birds in the hills. Hunting here is difficult, and they rely primarily on deer in the woods to their East, and mountain goats.
Grylra Aeries - Mostly along the Eastern face of the Churnel Mountains
Protected by the twin rivers, Grael to the west, and Tyber to the right, the Grylra collection of aeries is much more loosly knit than any of the others. Groups of anywhere from 3 to 30 gryphons are scattered all along the the mountain range, most of the aeries being unaccessable from the ground. The largest of the aeries, the 'true' Grylra, is on the eastern edge of the range, and is reachable by the adventurous traveller willing to get wet and scratched by forest underbrush.
Generally fairly tolerant and easy going, they nonetheless remember all too well the scars of war. In theory allied with Fort Crag and Fort Stormwind, there are an increasing number of individuals who think that those of the Windhaven aerie would be good allies, while a majority recall the vicious battles fought with the Windhaven, and think them soft and dishonorable.
These gryphons are second in size only to the Windhaven, and tend to be fairly acrobatic. Many of them hunt fish in Lake Evarim just to the north, others range further and take deer and antelope from the wooded hills to the northwest.
Fort Stormwind - Faelrah mtns
Originally formed to guard the Western interface, this remains a strong fortress, at the northern tip of the Faelrah mountains. Once allied with Windhaven and Grylra, this outpost now finds stronger ties with Fort Crag and the Shkrill, though some remain loyal to the old pacts and traditions.
Although this is a large aerie, well supplied and defended, it is also rather quiet, seldom getting involved in the affairs of the other flights. Almost the entire aerie lives within the confines of the fort itself, though in recent years some have left to settle on the western slopes, a few even living in the hills to the southwest, where the Grylra hunt.
Moderate in size, these are strong and independant gryphons. Most of their food comes from plains animals to the north east, with a fair amount of fish from Lake Evarim. The higher-ranked individuals often wear the mark of their aerie, painted onto wing or flank.
Fort Stormguard - just North of the Magnarth pass
Established specifically to guard the critical Magnarth pass, this is a very strongly defended fortress, unreachable from the ground. Strongly tied with Shkrill, which provides most of it's gryphonpower and supplies. Like the Shkrill, they hunt primarily in the forests to their east and south.
Raenlocke - Northern edge of Magnarth Mtn range
The former great capital city of Shrilk, all that remains are shattered ruins.
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