Gryphons on Summerset - Your Thoughts?

Enodoc

The new Summerset announcement mentions griffins gryphons as a new creature that will be encountered during the chapter. The only previous references to gryphons that I can find are as alchemy ingredients in Daggerfall (Gryphon's Feathers), and a bunch of taverns with "Griffin" in the name in Arena.

Based on the Daggerfall ingredient, one could have assumed that gryphons were native to High Rock, rather than Summerset, and the symbology of a gryphon as a hybrid also fits better with the Breton culture (Altmer have eagles, Nedes would have lions, so Bretons symbolically could have eagles+lions=gryphons). Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on why gryphons have appeared on Summerset, when there is a clear precedent in Altmeri culture of the symbolism of the eagle (alone), and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

VaranisArano

I'm not impressed with the Bald Eagle look, to be honest.

I am, however interested in the sound design. Because Bald Eagles chirp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlq2kcYQcLc

psychotrip

Enodoc wrote: »

The new Summerset announcement mentions griffins gryphons as a new creature that will be encountered during the chapter. The only previous references to gryphons that I can find are as alchemy ingredients in Daggerfall (Gryphon's Feathers), and a bunch of taverns with "Griffin" in the name in Arena.

Based on the Daggerfall ingredient, one could have assumed that gryphons were native to High Rock, rather than Summerset, and the symbology of a gryphon as a hybrid also fits better with the Breton culture (Altmer have eagles, Nedes would have lions, so Bretons symbolically could have eagles+lions=gryphons). Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on why gryphons have appeared on Summerset, when there is a clear precedent in Altmeri culture of the symbolism of the eagle (alone), and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

I'm not even sure sun birds are a thing anymore, dude. Nothing in Summerset looked creative or interesting to me. It's a shame because they used to be my favorite race.

But to answer your question, yes everything you said would have made more sense than what we got. Zenimax just thought "high fantasy" when they designed Summerset, so they threw gryphons in. It's that simple.

SirAxen

psychotrip wrote: »

Enodoc wrote: »

The new Summerset announcement mentions griffins gryphons as a new creature that will be encountered during the chapter. The only previous references to gryphons that I can find are as alchemy ingredients in Daggerfall (Gryphon's Feathers), and a bunch of taverns with "Griffin" in the name in Arena.

Based on the Daggerfall ingredient, one could have assumed that gryphons were native to High Rock, rather than Summerset, and the symbology of a gryphon as a hybrid also fits better with the Breton culture (Altmer have eagles, Nedes would have lions, so Bretons symbolically could have eagles+lions=gryphons). Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on why gryphons have appeared on Summerset, when there is a clear precedent in Altmeri culture of the symbolism of the eagle (alone), and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

I'm not even sure sun birds are a thing anymore, dude. Nothing in Summerset looked creative or interesting to me. It's a shame because they used to be my favorite race.

But to answer your question, yes everything you said would have made more sense than what we got. Zenimax just thought "high fantasy" when they designed Summerset, so they threw gryphons in. It's that simple.

Source?

Sixty5

I'd say that a Harpy Eagle would have been better for the base bird.


Also that baby gryphon looks cute as h*ck

WhiteCoatSyndrome

Enodoc wrote: »

Based on the Daggerfall ingredient, one could have assumed that gryphons were native to High Rock, rather than Summerset, and the symbology of a gryphon as a hybrid also fits better with the Breton culture (Altmer have eagles, Nedes would have lions, so Bretons symbolically could have eagles+lions=gryphons). Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on why gryphons have appeared on Summerset, when there is a clear precedent in Altmeri culture of the symbolism of the eagle (alone), and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

The new Trial IIRC involves Aldmeri Gryphon riders, so maybe the Direnni keep some for their own forces? Or did at one point, and some got loose?

Anyway the symbolism of a culture doesn't necessarily determine what wildlife exists nearby. There are frogs all over the place, and no one uses them. And we've got Haj Mota living in Hammerfell - you'd think someone would want something big and dangerous like that for their crest, but as far as I know no one has it.

(I badly want to link the fanlore I wrote on the subject a while back but on the off chance someone will take it seriously, I won't.)

VaranisArano wrote: »

I'm not impressed with the Bald Eagle look, to be honest.

Second that. Maybe the texture just needs another pass, but it looks like it stuck its head in some paint.

Korah_Eaglecry

I like the idea of gryphons on Summerset rather than anywhere else. Gryphons are mystical creatures and Summerset is a mystical place. I think gryphons roosting in Summerset is much more fitting than some place like High Rock. While High Rock is a human High Fantasy setting. For some reason the idea of humans in a high fantasy setting having their own myths and legends of such mystical creatures, that actually exist in a much more fantasical setting, is interesting to me.

As for eagles and sunbirds. We havent seen everything of this new zone or all of the creatures. Im hoping they did infact add these two types of birds and didnt over look it. But its possible they did. Its also possible they thought gryphons would bring so much more hype for casual players without knowledge of Summerset lore. A sunbird would definitely make lorebeards hype, but it might not grab the kind of attention a gryphon does for the casual player.

Ajaxandriel

Enodoc wrote: »

and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

Not sure we'll finally get some Sun Birds to witness as expected, but something caught my attention in the Summerset Gameplay Trailer, two "sun mounts" :


Given the accompagnying mounts, I fear it will be some psijic-themed mounts from these stupid gambling crates.
Any information yet?

But anyway this let us preview that "sun creatures" are existing there somehow...

MythicEmperor

Boring and uninspired. I would much rather see some proper Altmeri Sun Birds.

wenchmore420b14_ESO

Thank you OP for this thread!
After watching the trailers and hearing Rich on the announcement video, a couple of things jumped out at me, but due to my work atm, haven't had time to go and research them.
1, The issue of gryphons in Summerset, as you stated, made me wonder. I agree with you about them being more Breton. But since the only bit of lore we have is "feathers", who knows...
2. Rich made a statement talking about the new trial in "Cloudrest" and that the "Welkynar Gryphon Knights" were Gryphon Riders! I have not ever seen in lore, but I could be wrong, riding of flying mounts, (exceptions Dragonborn and Talos). Is this REALLY in lore? I have championed the "No Flying Mounts in ESO" campaign, but this could rally the "Give Us Flying Mounts" crowd. Thoughts?
3. At the very end of the Gameplay Trailer, there is a Pegasus!! Thoughts on this??

WhiteCoatSyndrome

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

3. At the very end of the Gameplay Trailer, there is a Pegasus!! Thoughts on this??

What time in the trailer? Because I'd thought I'd seen one but then I froze the frame and it turned out it was just a white Gryphon at a weird angle.

wenchmore420b14_ESO

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

3. At the very end of the Gameplay Trailer, there is a Pegasus!! Thoughts on this??

What time in the trailer? Because I'd thought I'd seen one but then I froze the frame and it turned out it was just a white Gryphon at a weird angle.

At 1:50
I think you are right. I is just a white gryphon at a weird angle.
Thanks!!!!
Huzzah!!

Glaiceana

I cannot really speak from a Lore point of view, as I do not know it well enough. But griffins/gryphons are one of my favourite mythological creatures, so personally I am really happy to see them come to the game, just like I was when Minotaurs were added

Eporem

Are the Gryphon riders Ayleids?

wenchmore420b14_ESO

Eporem wrote: »

Are the Gryphon riders Ayleids?

Altmer

Auldjohn

From what I gather from the Announcement stream and trailers, the Gryphons of Summerset seemed based on eagles, four-legged with bird talons. The gryphons do seem High Magic based, so in my mind appropriate to the theme in Summerset and Artaeum. I'm somewhat of an ES Lore aficionado, as well as Medieval Heraldry lore.

Gryphon from Magicstream Wikia seems similar:

Perhaps our Loremaster or one of the Lore Devs could comment. Also, please phonetically pronounce Arteum's name. At-TAY-um?

Kevin_of_Devinshire

I see it being a new mount in a year.

Faulgor

Are we sure they are gryphons? Gryphons usually are chimeras, Summerset's creatures look more like 4-legged eagles.
Although I guess the ears technically could make them chimeras.

Ankael07

Kevin_of_Devinshire wrote: »

I see it being a new mount in a year.

It doesnt make sense to have a gryphon mount that doesnt fly. But then again we did have a stiff cape with Breton hero costum...

WhiteCoatSyndrome

Faulgor wrote: »

Are we sure they are gryphons? Gryphons usually are chimeras, Summerset's creatures look more like 4-legged eagles.
Although I guess the ears technically could make them chimeras.

@Faulgor We're sure.

Boldly built atop the peak of Eton Nir, Cloudrest is the home of the Welkynar Gryphon Knights and their Aerie. But be warned: due to an unforeseen catastrophe, the Divine Prosecution has been forced to evacuate the city and barricade the main gate. If you wish to enter you may need to find an alternative path.

Eporem

Could the Bird Men be connected at all to the Gryphons?

http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Bird_Men

VaranisArano

Eporem wrote: »

Could the Bird Men be connected at all to the Gryphons?

http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Bird_Men

Considering those were eaten up by the Khajiit a long time ago, probably not.

Elsonso

Ajaxandriel wrote: »

Given the accompagnying mounts, I fear it will be some psijic-themed mounts from these stupid gambling crates.

Does the Sun rise in the east? Of course they will be in crates.


NPC riding flying mounts... Does that open the door for flying mounts in the Crown Store?

Eporem

VaranisArano wrote: »

Eporem wrote: »

Could the Bird Men be connected at all to the Gryphons?

http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Bird_Men

Considering those were eaten up by the Khajiit a long time ago, probably not.

So it is believed:)

Elsonso

Eporem wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Eporem wrote: »

Could the Bird Men be connected at all to the Gryphons?

http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Bird_Men

Considering those were eaten up by the Khajiit a long time ago, probably not.

So it is believed:)

The Khajiiti would never lie to us. Right?

WhiteCoatSyndrome

lordrichter wrote: »

NPC riding flying mounts... Does that open the door for flying mounts in the Crown Store?

What I'd like to know is, where have these guys been during the Alliance War? Even if they did nothing but scout, flying scouts would be incredibly useful. And if they could rain down fireballs or drop sacks of caltrops, even better!

I would like to see, but am not hopeful for, some sort of explanation. Maybe the Gryphons evaporate into mist when exposed to the mainland. Something.

Elsonso

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

NPC riding flying mounts... Does that open the door for flying mounts in the Crown Store?

What I'd like to know is, where have these guys been during the Alliance War? Even if they did nothing but scout, flying scouts would be incredibly useful. And if they could rain down fireballs or drop sacks of caltrops, even better!

I would like to see, but am not hopeful for, some sort of explanation. Maybe the Gryphons evaporate into mist when exposed to the mainland. Something.

Good point. I guess they are neutral in this conflict. Likely does not sit well with others.

TelvanniWizard

Ajaxandriel wrote: »

Enodoc wrote: »

and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

Not sure we'll finally get some Sun Birds to witness as expected, but something caught my attention in the Summerset Gameplay Trailer, two "sun mounts" :


Given the accompagnying mounts, I fear it will be some psijic-themed mounts from these stupid gambling crates.
Any information yet?

But anyway this let us preview that "sun creatures" are existing there somehow...

Well, well, well, those "sun" mounts looks really well. I hope they aren´t locked in scam crates.

Nelson_Rebel

Enodoc wrote: »

The new Summerset announcement mentions griffins gryphons as a new creature that will be encountered during the chapter. The only previous references to gryphons that I can find are as alchemy ingredients in Daggerfall (Gryphon's Feathers), and a bunch of taverns with "Griffin" in the name in Arena.

Based on the Daggerfall ingredient, one could have assumed that gryphons were native to High Rock, rather than Summerset, and the symbology of a gryphon as a hybrid also fits better with the Breton culture (Altmer have eagles, Nedes would have lions, so Bretons symbolically could have eagles+lions=gryphons). Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on why gryphons have appeared on Summerset, when there is a clear precedent in Altmeri culture of the symbolism of the eagle (alone), and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

No


The ingredient is just a name, its in several
other locations ingame.


Gryphons are mainly bird like creatures, native to summerset with no relation to high rock

Nelson_Rebel

Also breton culture is as interesting as watching paint dry.


Boring human basic stuff. Incredibly inferior to Altmer power and influence and history

Vaoh

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

Ajaxandriel wrote: »

Enodoc wrote: »

and to a deeper extent, the "Sun Birds"?

Not sure we'll finally get some Sun Birds to witness as expected, but something caught my attention in the Summerset Gameplay Trailer, two "sun mounts" :


Given the accompagnying mounts, I fear it will be some psijic-themed mounts from these stupid gambling crates.
Any information yet?

But anyway this let us preview that "sun creatures" are existing there somehow...

Well, well, well, those "sun" mounts looks really well. I hope they aren´t locked in scam crates.

Those two glowing yellow mounts are likely going to be the new Psijic crown crate mounts.... so maybe “Pysijic [mount type]”. The Senche is the pre-order Nightmare Senche and the dark red mount is the Collector’s Edition Bloodwraith Steed.