The Flying Field
Perched dramatically on the edge of a towering cliff in the coastal town of Featherlight, Griffon’s Perch is both a breathtaking sight and a vital facility for Drakengard’s elite royal army. The ranch and training yard, overlooking the endless expanse of sea and sky, serve as the kingdom’s foremost center for breeding, raising, and training griffons—magnificent creatures renowned for their strength, intelligence, and ferocity.
The farm section is a sprawling expanse of paddocks, nesting enclosures, and sheltered aviaries designed to replicate the wild habitats of griffons. Skilled caretakers, known as Skyhands, oversee every stage of the griffons’ growth, from the incubation of eggs in heated nests to the nurturing of fledglings. The process is meticulous, involving special diets, enrichment activities, and bonding exercises to ensure these notoriously difficult creatures grow into loyal and resilient mounts. The sound of griffon cries fills the air, mingling with the salt-laden sea breeze, as caretakers and their charges move through daily routines of feeding, grooming, and flight conditioning.
Adjacent to the farm is the training yard, a massive open field extending to the cliff’s edge, bordered by wind-blown banners and stone outcroppings used for perch training. Here, prospective riders—soldiers selected from the best of Drakengard’s ranks—undergo rigorous preparation to forge an unbreakable bond with their future griffon partners. The process begins with careful introductions, allowing the riders to earn the trust and respect of their chosen mount. Over time, they learn to care for the griffons, master aerial maneuvers, and perform combat drills high above the ground. The thunder of wings and the shouts of trainers echo across the yard as riders practice formation flying, dives, and combat tactics.
The farm section is a sprawling expanse of paddocks, nesting enclosures, and sheltered aviaries designed to replicate the wild habitats of griffons. Skilled caretakers, known as Skyhands, oversee every stage of the griffons’ growth, from the incubation of eggs in heated nests to the nurturing of fledglings. The process is meticulous, involving special diets, enrichment activities, and bonding exercises to ensure these notoriously difficult creatures grow into loyal and resilient mounts. The sound of griffon cries fills the air, mingling with the salt-laden sea breeze, as caretakers and their charges move through daily routines of feeding, grooming, and flight conditioning.
Adjacent to the farm is the training yard, a massive open field extending to the cliff’s edge, bordered by wind-blown banners and stone outcroppings used for perch training. Here, prospective riders—soldiers selected from the best of Drakengard’s ranks—undergo rigorous preparation to forge an unbreakable bond with their future griffon partners. The process begins with careful introductions, allowing the riders to earn the trust and respect of their chosen mount. Over time, they learn to care for the griffons, master aerial maneuvers, and perform combat drills high above the ground. The thunder of wings and the shouts of trainers echo across the yard as riders practice formation flying, dives, and combat tactics.