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Forktail Hummgryph Male (Left) and Female (Right)
Another original creation, it is - obviously - a
derivative of the griffin. In this case, it uses feline hindquarters
(with opposable claw) and
hummingbird feathers, foreclaws, and head (save the ears - sort of a feathery cross between
cat ears and gryphon ears.) Sadly, some of the hummgryph's history -
namely the senseless hunting for the sake of ornamentation, to the
point of extinction for some species - is also derived from the
hummingbird.
Origins
These fiesty little
creatures, distant relations of the more common griffins, hail from the tropical regions of Tirialle, most notably
the Rainbow Forest. In the past, some species migrated far across the
continent for breeding, returning to warmer climes when the seasons changed. Unfortunately, it
became a fashion statement among some aristocracies to wear hummgryph
feathers and pelts, so many hummgryphs were hunted to extinction. The entire genus was
considered extinct for hundreds of years, until the recent discoveries of breeding
colonies in the most remote and inaccessable regions of Tirialle. Careful
conservation efforts and hunting bans have led to a marvelous recovery of the surviving species.
The variety offered at Skyhaven is commonly referred to as the Forktail
Hummgryph, one of the more common - if such a word can be used - hummgryphs.
Captive-release breeding of them has been so successful that
conservationists are offering "overflow" hummgryphs at Skyhaven
Adoptions; if the genus is spread to other worlds, it is less likely to ever
be threatened with extinction again.
Habitat
Much like hummingbirds, hummgryphs
like warm, tropical to subtropical areas with plenty of foliage and food.
They are mostly found in the Rainbow Forest, a subcontinent off the
southwestern coast of mainland Tirialle, and on a few scattered islands in
the Celestial Sea.
Feeding
Hummgryphs feed on
nectar, small insects, and (unlike hummingbirds) honey, a favored treat for which they
will bravely invade beehives. They are resistant to the poisons of insect
bites and stings. Their dense feathers, tougher than they appear,
usually stop attackers from reaching the skin, though on occasion they can
be stopped if the bees can get to their vulnerable eyes.
Life Cycle
Hummgryphs live
solitary and wandering lives, usually defending a territory only so long
as there is food to be had. Only nesting females hold a place longer
than a week or two. During the spring breeding season, the males put
on spectacular aerial shows, flashing their gorgets as they dive, twist, and
loop in impossible patterns, breaking only when accepted by a female or when
fighting off rival males in head-to-head ritualized battle flights.
During these displays, their minds more on impressing the ladies than where
they're going, they have
been known to inflict serious injuries to each other with their steel-strong
beaks and sharp claws... not
to mention poor unfortunates of other species who happened to be in the wrong place at the
wrong time! The females watch intently, egging on males if
the fighting winds down. Some researchers have concluded that they
only bother to accept a mate when they tire of watching the males fly
themselves into exhaustion, having watched hopeful suitors literally
collapse out of the air performing before the eyes of uncaring females.
As one might surmise, there is little loyalty between hummgryph
mates. In late spring or early summer, the females lay two to three pale, faintly
pearlescent round eggs in pocketlike nests of green leaves stuck together
with spider silk. The young hatch in one month and are
usually fledged two months later, leaving or being chased out of the nest
soon after that. They
are usually a dull, mottled brown and green color until their third year,
when they reach maturity. Hummgryphs have relatively short lifespans;
in most species, individuals rarely make it to 20, though some very rare
varieties can live double that under proper conditions.
Culture
Though opinions differ, no official confirmation of hummgryph
communication exists; if they are sentient and possess some manner of
culture, nobody knows of it.
Temperament
Their temperament can kindly be referred to as "bold." Despite
their small size, or perhaps because of it, hummgryphs face challenges
squarely and aggressively. Researchers have observed angered
hummgryphs harrassing full-grown dragons - and winning. However, this
boldness can work against them, as they are just as aggressive in facing
down natural predators, who sometimes use this trait to their advantage, and
other deadly dangers. In the past, each subspecies would chase away
others on sight, but those particular races were among the many wiped out centuries
ago. The survivors are more tolerant, but become nastier during the
spring breeding season. Some very few and rare beings have befriended
hummgryphs, usually ones they had found wounded or trapped and had to nurse
back to health. In such cases, the "friendship" is generally
marked by
somewhat increased tolerance of that being's presence.
Magical Traits
Hummgryphs are not considered
truly sentient, though they are extremely intelligent, if prone to
overreaction. Possibly, they are
self-aware, as some cultures have claimed in the past, but choose not to communicate with
other beings for personal reasons. In
any event, aside from their stunning plumage and remarkable bravery, there is nothing
noteworthy (in a magical sense) about the genus. Little if any magic can be attributed to them or their
parts by most beings - the overhunting that nearly wiped them out was due entirely to
aesthetic demand. Some eyewitnesses insist that hummgryphs can transport themselves instantly
across short distances, or at least make themselves invisible, but none of
this has been confirmed.
A very old legend of the Jaguar People of the remote Rainbow Forest states that hummgryphs are powerful warrior-shamans
returned from
the Spirit World, possibly reincarnated wizards. They can speak telepathically, according to legend, but only to
those worthy in heart, mind, and soul; it was a golden hummgryph who called the legendery heroine who would become the first warrior-shaman of their
kind to her higher purpose, leading her to the Path of the
Ancestors. Harming a hummgryph condemns one to nine lifetimes of bad
luck. As the Jaguar People believe that each soul is
reincarnated ten times before ascending (or descending) to the next plane of existence,
this threat carries serious weight. Anyone with incredibly bad luck or
terrible health problems was commonly suspected of harming a hummgryph in a previous life,
and was often told to set out offerings of nectar and honey to appease them.
Other Notes
Hummgryphs have a weakness for sugar water, especially lightly fermented
sugar water. After consuming this, their reflexes are muddied and
strength depleted. Unable to fly well, they usually stumble about
aimlessly, fluttering in circles back to the source of the
fermented sugar water for refills until they fall into a drunken stupor. This is how
hummgryphs were usually captured by elder-day pelt hunters.
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