Griffkin

Griffkin (alt. gryphkin) is a term used for a family of chimeric creatures which are half bird and half mammal. There are three subfamilies within this group: pteragriffs, which consist of winged avian/mammalian hybrids; demigriffs, which consist of wingless hybrids; and pseudogriffs, which consist of winged hybrids whose bodies are entirely mammalian, with the exception of the added wings.

Within these subfamilies there is a great deal of variation, as chimeric creatures can generally be crafted based on the will and design of the alchemist who creates them. There are a few “breed standards” if you will, that exist in the alchemical community. Most well known are those in the pteragriff subfamily, as these include griffins (avian/feline) and hippogriffs (avian/equine). There is an unusual species in the hippogriff line called a hippalectryon, which is half horse-half rooster, however the halves are reversed from most other griffs (i.e. the rear legs and tail are that of the rooster and the head and front legs are equine).

This diverse group of creatures is unique in the chimeric order for one very specific reason: they are all capable of producing viable offspring when bred with others of the same make (as stated in my earlier entry on griffins). This is unusual among both magical and nonmagical hybrid animals because, according to our current understanding, they usually cannot produce viable gametes (sex cells). We still have no clear understanding of why avian/mammalian chimeras are different in this way, but it does make them a quite fascinating subject for cryptozoological study as we can observe populations in the wild, assuming such populations exist.

Blue griff

One of the derpier iterations I’ve interacted with, this griff is half bluebird and half australian cattle dog. I suspect the alchemist who produced her did so simply for shits and giggles and so they could call it a “blue griff” as cattle dogs are often referred to as “blue heelers.”

Kakapig (demigriff)

This unique creature was specially commissioned, by a local alchemist and the combination is quite charming and full of personality.

Least griff

This griff is the smallest known species of griffin, consisting of a house sparrow and a chipmunk.

Russet Griff

This beautiful specimen is a combination of red fox and kestrel. She is a very effective hunter.

Black Griffin

The black griffin is one of the six species of griffins with stable wild populations. This species is a combination common raven and domestic cat. They were originally created exclusively with black cats, but alchemists will occasionally use other coat patterns which begs the question: is it really a black griffin if it’s not all black? Biologically yes, but philosophically? I’ll let you decide.

Owl Griffin

This lovely specimen is one of the few griffins I have at my research station. He is half grey owl and half maine coon and is the sweetest and silliest creature.