See you on the 23rd of March!
"Excelsior" vs. "The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone" · 11:01pm Jun 3rd, 2015
As seems to be inevitable with fanfiction writers for Friendship is Magic, any attempt to stick close to canon comes into problems with later revelations in canon. In this case, I am having to deal with the fact that "Excelsior", which was based off of "Griffon the Brush Off", needs to fit in with that episode's de facto sequel "The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone". Fortunately, I do not feel the need to do a rewrite of that story and can make it fit into the new situation.
The short answer to the fix is that griffons are found in other places besides Griffonstone. According to the official map of Equestria there are griffons across the sea to the east of Equestria - it is from this area that the Ambassador and at least some of his party (including Excelsior himself) comes from. Gilda and her father (one of the Ambassador's guards) are in there because of historical contact and exchange between Griffonstone and the Griffon Kingdom across the sea. After the Ambassador's disgrace, her father lost his job (and maybe his life) and Gilda moved to Griffonstone to make an independent life for herself (much like Rarity with Carousel Boutique).
A bit of jury-rigging, but I think it works. Comments? Suggestions? I'd like to hear them!
It kinda works. Though keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to change your own stories canon if you don't want to.