NORTH GRIFFONIA (the Northern Griffon Kingdoms)
the royal family of House Irontalon

North Griffonia is one of three Griffon Kingdoms, the other two being South Griffonia in Tapiri and Aquila in Stirrope. North Griffonia is located west of Gildedale and north of Concordia, while found south of the Mustikk country of Hyperborea.

When it was first founded, North Griffonia consisted of scattered tribes, warring with each other over the veins of gold running through the country.

Then King Grover came and united the country with the Idol of Boreas, and declared the southern city of Griffonstone the capitol of North Griffonia. Under the Idol, North Griffonia fell into many centuries of peace, until the reign of King Guto.

That was when an Arimaspi Herdmaster named Vengeance attacked in the middle of a thunderstorm, stealing the idol before falling into the Abysmal Abyss. Without the idol, Griffonstone lost its importance, and the kingdom fractured again.

Now the Northern Griffon Kingdoms are in a constant state of civil conflict. There are three leaders, each vying for the empty throne in Griffonstone. Each leader represents one of the three "halls" (what they call their mountaintop cities): Twistedspire, Wingheim, and Talos. Even before this conflict, there had been a large emphasis on becoming a warrior and learning to fight. There is a large pressure to join local squads and militias to defend oneself and one's loved ones from the many bandits and rogue military forces that have cropped up in recent times. Leaving the military is considered treason, and for this, North Griffonia has the highest rate of extradition in all of Equus.

of the three houses, the Irontalons of Twistedspire are the most respected. The late King Gryphus III of House Ironclaw rose to power as a popular figure but grew increasingly megalomaniacal in his later years, seeking to expand his rule by establishing a vast empire. Gryphus looked to magical artifacts as a means to fulfill his ambitions. He invaded eastern Equestria, sweeping through the kingdom towards its capital. He was defeated in the single day Siege of Canterlot.

Gryphus' younger brother Rhosus claimed the throne after his death. Gryphus was also survived by his three children (eldest to youngest): Darius, Cassandra, and Alex.

The Ironbeaks, led by Queen Aqui, are another prominent house, located in Wingheim, and the Highmountain house, led by their leader, Skandranon Rashkae, are located in Talos.

North Griffonia has actually tried a few times to invade Equestria and Concordia, with mixed results, but always being forced back in the end, though they did score a victory during the three Neighpon-North Griffonian War, and ironically all these years later, its only standing treaty is with that of the Changeling Empire situated in Neighpon.