Drakes are among the fiercest inhabitants of the Ribs, these huge, winged reptiles are not to be trifled with. Drakes are among the largest creatures in Adylheim capable of unassisted flight. They are fiercely intelligent, territorial and menacing.

The griffins are monstrous beasts capable of flight with a man and his bow, plus a good portion of loot he may have acquired. A griffin is a large half bird half lion hybrid, with the head, beak, feet and claws, and wings of an eagle along with the body of a lion. Griffins naturally populate the northern mountains, but are in their greatest populations at the Ribs. They've hollow bones to allow for flight, but are no lesser on the predatory totem pole for it; the only truly competing predator in the Ribs are the Dragonkin, which annihilate the griffin near their cities for their own safety. They are generally utilised by the der Whurlitz Griffin Riders, and possibly barbarian tribes.

Physiology

A griffin is a creature with the body of a lion, and the head, wings, feet, and claws of an eagle. Like a bird, the griffin has hollow bones and strong shoulder muscles for sustaining flight. Your average griffin stands four feet (1.33m) high at the front shoulder and measures nine feet (3m) in length. The largest recorded griffin reached almost five feet (1.66m) in height and eleven feet (3.66m) in length. Griffin’s weigh from six hundred to seven hundred fifty pounds (270kg to 337.5kg) and can carry approximately one hundred seventy pounds of weight (76.5kg) on a thirty mile (48km) trip. Their wingspan is roughly 2.3 times their length.

The der Whurlitz Griffin riders are a tightly knit band of raiders that reside in the middle-eastern region of the Ribs. Their fortress is named Anthelcraig and is nearly impossible to approach except through the air. The Riders are bonded through blood, affection for their griffins, and a common goal of exacting revenge upon Nevros for their traitorous to the Empire—of which the Riders are the only surviving remnant. They are comprised solely of humans and are somewhat inbred, if not for the northern barbarians whom they trade and intermarry with. The Griffin Riders reside outside of Nevros within a highly fortified portion of the Ribs called Anthelcraig. As the griffin flies they are only one hundred twenty-five kilometers outside of the Nevros capital of Alden.

The Griffin Riders are never referred to as such, but either as “der Whurlitz’ Raiders” or “the Griffin Raiders”. They are spoken of with trepidation by all except those under the direct protection of a garrison or fortress. While they aren't considered evil, they are considered to be quite a nuisance.

Organization

Edgar der Whurlitz: is the current leader of the Riders, and bears the title of Duke der Whurlitz. In the event of his death his son Eustace will then bear the title of duke, and all the leadership of the riders.