Gryffid
| Gryffid | |
|---|---|
|
Gryff Taer Gryffid Daen and Commander of the Hemlock Pack (Lorwyn) Vigilant Gryffid (Shadowmoor) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Colors |
  (Lorwyn) (Shadowmoor) |
| Species | Elf |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Lys Alana, Gilt-Leaf Wood, Lorwyn-Shadowmoor |
| Lifetime | Mending Era |
| Death | 4521 AR |
| Sources | |
| Lorwyn, Morningtide, and Eventide | |
Gryffid was an elvish hunter of the Gilt-Leaf tribe. Originally a close friend and comrade to Rhys, their bonds would be tested across both the light of Lorwyn and the darkness of Shadowmoor alike.
History
Lorwyn
In 4520 AR, Gryffid was second-in-command to daen Rhys of the Hemlock pack and was dispatched alongside him on a campaign to eradicate a party of boggarts within Gilt-Leaf territory. Rhys had employed nonstandard tactics by hiring two eyeblight giants to take part in the raid, and Gyrffid warned him that he risked inciting the wrath of taercenn Nath for routinely straying from elvish protocol and standards. Rhys resented Gryffid's chiding, detecting bitterness that he believed stemmed from jealousy of his position and apprenticeship with his treefolk mentor Colfenor. Regardless of intent, Gryffid's warning to his friend was well placed, and soon Rhys was stripped of his rank for the botched raid and, in turn, Gryffid was elevated to leader of their pack.
In his new post, Gryffid was eager to prove his leadership in hopes of parlaying it into a role of greater prominence within the tribe. Alongside Nath and the recently-disgraced Rhys, Gryffid led the assault on peaceful boggart feast in Porringer Valley. The elves attacked with cruel and ruthless efficiency— with Gryffid being so lost to his bloodlust that he nearly attacked his comrades— but the battle devolved into chaos as the boggarts began fighting back with unnatural ferocity. The indiscriminate slaughter was ended by Rhys at Gryffid's behest, who cast an explosion of poisonous yew magic which suddenly backfired. The elves had accomplished their task and the boggarts had been eradicated, but at a devastating cost— their own army had likewise been decimated by Rhys' magic. Gryffid was one of only three survivors from the ill-fated attack, and was discovered by Nath. Gryffid had suffered grievous injuries and his magnificent face had been marred, which now rendered him an eyeblight. Through his damaged, clouded eyes Gryffid could see that Nath was similarly disfigured and reacted in horror. After debating whether or not to spare the now-blighted Gryffid, Nath offered him a deal - swear allegiance to him, be healed, and rewarded, or not and become a vinebred warrior. Gryffid swore allegiance to Nath and became his second-in-command. Both of them agreed on a crucial task: eliminatating Rhys the kinslayer.
During the Festival of Tales, they both ambushed Rhys in Kinsbaile and in the resulting hunt, things came to a duel between Rhys and Nath, ending with Nath's death at the hands of Rhys. Gryffid arranged a funeral pyre for the fallen taercenn and swore that he would hunt Rhys down and get revenge for the taercenn's death - even if he should destroy half of Lorwyn to achieve that.
Later, Gryffid was approached by his new commander, Eidren of Lys Alana. Gryffid had trouble respecting Eidren as a leader, seeing him as an artist instead of a warrior. He also doubted his ability to know the price of a warrior's life and sacrifice. When Eidren revealed that he became half-vinebred just to boost his performance to be able to serve as a Gilt-Leaf general, Gryffid learned to respect him. Gryffid spent most of the time until the Great Aurora hunting Rhys under Eidren's leadership. When he finally caught Rhys, Eidren dismissed Gryffid and made Rhys an offer to return to the Gilt-Leaf, much to Gryffid's dismay. Then the Great Aurora came.
Shadowmoor
After the Great Aurora, Gryffid served as a First Safewright of the Wilt-Leaf, under the command of Vigilant Eidren. During the battle of Mistmeadow, Gryffid saw Rhys transported away from the battle by fae (upon Maralen's orders) and considered it treachery. When Eidren sacrificed his life to protect Mistmeadow, Gryffid swore to bring back the traitor for judgment. However, the priority was transporting Eidren's remains to Cayr Ulios. Upon arrival to Cayr Ulios, Gryffid was approached by heralds of Oona, who were present to make a pact with the Wilt-Leaf king and queen. The royalty thanked him for bringing Eidren's remains back and elevated him to the rank of First Vigilant. Gryffid expressed his concern about the Wilt-Leaf serving Oona, but he was quickly persuaded by Oona's demonstration as the supreme beauty of Shadowmoor, an entity worth protecting most of all. He and his team were sent to protect Glen Elendra.
In the final hours of the war, his troops ambushed Rhys, the Sapling, and Ashling, who came to destroy Oona. Rhys talked Gryffid out of attacking, his words also reinforced by the arrival of Kiel, who singlehandedly outnumbered the elves one too many. Rhys revealed Oona's intent, and Gryffid hesitantly backed off and hurried to protect Cayr Ulios. His team found the city elfless, and in the throne room, they found the king and queen, along with all their guards and courtiers, suspended by Oona's magic-draining vines. Gryffid, knowing that their lives were forfeit, sacrificed himself to break the main link between Oona and the royal pair, a conduit that drained the whole city's elf magic and delivered it to Oona. When he sundered the main vine, the surge of magical energy immolated him along with the king and queen. His action deprived Oona of the Cayr Ulios' magic and maybe led to her defeat at the hands of Maralen and her company.
Story appearances
In-game references
- Depicted in: