The Griffon Cavalry was the air cavalry of the city of Waterdeep in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries DR. Part of the City Guard, it was a militia organization made up of soldiers, and griffons, responsible for defending and patrolling the great city.[2][1]
History[]
The history of the Griffon Cavalry can perhaps be traced as far back as the second Trollwars (940 DR to 952 DR) when Ilithrew Belabranta rode his griffon into battle. One of his later heirs, Lord Palinor Belabranta, did the same versus the orc hordes of the Black Claw tribe in the Year of Crimson Magics, 1026 DR. Since then, House Belabranta was a noble family associated with the breeding and training of griffons.[5]
In the Year of the Black Horde, 1235 DR, Open Lord Ahghairon officially declared the Griffon Cavalry part of the City Guard during a huge orc siege on the city. The riders not only fought the orc hordes again, but were also used to shuttle in much needed supplies to the city.[6]
The Griffon Cavalry later established a base of operations on the landward side of Mount Waterdeep called Peaktop Aerie, or Peaktop Eyrie. There they stabled over twenty griffons with another half-dozen housed at Castle Waterdeep.[7]
As of 1479 DR, however, the Griffon Cavalry had been disbanded for years, as the griffons died in combat but were never replaced.[8]
Then, in the Year of the Scarlet Witch, 1491 DR, Open Lord Laeral Silverhand set to the task of reforming the Griffon Cavalry.[9] This goal was achieved by the Year of Three Ships Sailing, 1492 DR, with the newly procured griffons continuing to be supplied by the Belabranta family.[10]
Notable Griffon Riders and/or Trainers[]
The Griffon Cavalry flying overhead.
Although not all of the following people were official members of the Griffon Cavalry, each was known to ride and/or train a griffon in Waterdeep's defense:
- Ilithrew Belabranta: Rode his mount during the Trollwars[5]
- Lord Palinor Belabranta: Died in battle on his griffon in 1026 DR[5]
- Jhalathan Ilzoond: Griffon-tamer of the Stablemasters' & Farriers Guild circa 1368 DR, whose steed, Firebeak, was also housed at Castle Waterdeep[7]
- Jynnia Gundwynd: Champion rider of many flying beasts circa 1368 DR.[11]
- Kerryn Belabranta: Griffon-tamer circa 1368 DR.[12]
- Malchor Harpell: Adventurer circa 1368 DR.[13]
- Lord Moedt Belabranta: Leader of the Griffon Cavalry circa 1372 DR.[2]
- Xale of the Starry Glen: Aasimar paladin and leader of the Knights of the Blue Moon on his griffon Arimaspea circa 1372 DR.[14]
- Sildar Hallwinter: Retired knight and an agent of the Lords' Alliance by 1491 DR.[15][16]
- Thurl Merosska: Left the Griffon Cavalry to later become leader of the Feathergale Knights by 1491 DR.[17]
- Savra Belabranta: Member of the Feathergale Knights, but was freed from the cult's influence and joined the Order of the Gauntlet by 1492 DR.[18][10]
Equipment[]
A griffon cavalryman's uniform was similar to other guardsman's, with polished armor and a black tabard with gold trim, but the tabard was also emblazoned with griffon.[2]
Griffon riders were also given either a ring of feather falling[3] or a griffon badge of Waterdeep, which performed essentially the same function.[2]
In addition to their other armament, the Griffon Cavalry often carried lances of burning blackfire into battle, wielding them to great effect atop their griffon steeds.[19]
Appendix[]
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Appearances[]
- Adventures
- Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
- Novels
- Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad • The Summoning
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Michael Fleisher (December 1988). “The Gathering”. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #1 (DC Comics) (1)..
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 33–34. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 197. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 76. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 133. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 30. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 197. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2016-06-07). Death Masks. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 5. ISBN 0-7869-6593-2.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 76. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 83–84. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (July 2014). “Lost Mine of Phandelver”. Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 11, 61. ISBN 978-0-7869-6559-5.
- ↑ Jerry Holkins, Elyssa Grant, Scott Fitzgerald Gray (June 18, 2019). Acquisitions Incorporated. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 106. ISBN 978-0786966905.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 192. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 148. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.