The Gryphons
Inheritors of part of the old empire, The Gryphons are a seafaring nation, uniting the kingdoms of Lyonesse and Estragales. The Faction contains several chivalric orders, and has an old enmity with the Dragons.
"To be a Gryphon is to believe in honour, courage and camaraderie.
The Gryphons’ prowess in battle is matched only by their love of
fine wines and feasting.”
- Moloque D’heredrel, Chamberlain to the Gryphons
Lyonesse and Estragales are thought to have been originally
one land mass, ruins of ancient cities lie in many places around Lyonesse
and Estragales, so it seems that elder races and civilisations have flourished
upon our soil at one time.
Before the cataclysm, most of Lyonesse is thought to have been originally
populated by warring barbaric tribes, primitive to our modern eyes. Items
and inscriptions dedicated to Poseidon have been found that date to before
the cataclysm, so it is known that he was worshipped during these times,
which makes him the oldest of the Gryphon ancestors.
There were undoubtedly many records created of the time before this history,
and no doubt many more fine cities and civilisations than we know. However,
most of them were destroyed in the cataclysm.
Estragales was a stronghold of the Old Empire, especially in the North-eastern
portion. A few truly great cities were there, and much more of them is
written at the Great Library of Norhault in Albion. Where many of the
records of the Old Empire are held. Also, a few rumours persist of a great
Elven settlement somewhere in Estragales.
The years after the Empire saw Lyonesse and Estragales wracked
by internal division, as each kingdom struggled to establish itself. Feudal
Lords warred to try to reclaim the glory of the Empire for themselves,
but to no avail, as each ruined the land still further with their bloodshed.
Eventually, one warrior stood above the bloodied heap, and managed to
conquer both nations. His name is Karneyna, and he leads Lyonesse in a
decisive victory against the Estragelese. However, the peace is at first
short-lived, as the conquering general is quickly revealed as an Evil
Tyrant. He is eventually defeated by Charlemagne, who becomes the second
Lord Gryphon, and first true ruler of both kingdoms. It is Charlemagne's
reign that brings peace at last to the war torn nations, and finally begins
the process of healing the wounds of the lands.
The Lands
Estragales was a stronghold of the Old Empire, especially in the North-eastern portion. A few truly great cities were there, and much more of them is written at the Great Library in Norhault, where many of the records of the Old Empire are held. It was said that before the Time of the Empire, the lands of Lyonnesse and Estragales were amongst the most beautiful that the world had ever seen. During this time they were careful gardens nurtured by the differing races of Elves. However, the Race Wars changed all of that, tearing apart the careful loving beauty of nature, in the name of freedom.
Lyonesse and Estragales
Lyonesse it was said was part of the Ancient Kingdom of
the Sylvan Elves. Later it became a vast Governorship of the Empire, exporting
much of its natural wealth to pay for the huge military budget required
by Tebron and his heirs to pacify the lawless wilderness of the Heartlands.
Estragales is a much larger country, encompassing all that remains of
the Imperial mainland. In its ancient history after the collapse of the
Old Empire it became a series of city-states ruled by warlords. One of
the most successful warlords were the Hastandez family which later became
and still rule today as the royal family of Estragales.
