Good Griff!

by Von Snootingham

Interlude - From the Newspapers of the World 1

From the Newspapers of the World:

1- The Aeriethans Herald, March 20, 1002 SR

---

Missing Swiftwing Heir Found, Arrested. Clan Dishonored.

Gilda Swiftwing, lost daughter of the Swiftwing clan, was defiant even upon arrest.

By Harpa Sharpeyes
Cloudsdale, Equestria - A mystery seven years in the making has finally been solved. Gilda Swiftwing, the missing heir to the leadership of the Swiftwing Clan has been found.

Unfortunately, what should have been a day of triumph for the once-proud clan, has become yet another stain on their already tarnished honor. Gilda, 22, was arrested and detained late last night in the cloud city of Cloudsdale after throwing a trash receptacle through the plate glass window of a store display. She was charged for drunk and disorderly conduct, petty vandalism, and resisting arrest, and is currently being held in Cloudsdale Guard Corps Headquarters.

This dishonor is just the latest in a long string of incidents to plague the once-honorable Swiftwing clan. One of the oldest and previously most respected of the noble clans, the Swiftwing Clan’s current dishonor ties back eighteen years, stemming from the succession of the current clan matriarch, Agaporisa “Aga” Swiftwing. The previous matriarch, Regrine Swiftwing, was known as a brilliant fighter and a fair leader, bringing much glory to her clan.

But her daughter, Agaporisa, has squandered that good standing in her eighteen years as head of the clan. Rather than more traditional endeavors to bring glory and honor to her family, such as martial prowess or the competitive excellence her clan was known for for centuries, Agaporisa sought to pursue more equine activities such as philosophy, art, and music. Increasing amounts of time and clan resources are reported to have devoted to what most who have heard it call “pony music”.

Agaporisa has laid two clutches. The first of which was four years old when she took over leadership and consisted of Grizelda, Gilda, Brynhilda, Glenda, Galia, and Aquila, the only male. The second clutch consisted of Gwendolyn, Gracia, Gia, and males Gisilbert, Gerald, and Quetzal.

Grizelda proved herself at a young age to be a monster hunter prodigy. At the age of eight, she single-talonedly slew the phantom creature that had been plaguing the eastern Flatwoods for over a decade. At thirteen, she revolutionized the methods by which hunters slay the giants that terrorize the highlands. By her method, the main team attacks on the giant from the front, acting as a distraction, while the slayer flies up from behind and slices the base of the neck, a weak point Grizelda herself discovered. This tactic has become the new standard, and allows for safer settlement in the northern mountains. This achievement was enough to earn her a Title: Titankiller.

Grizelda was swift, brave, and well respected as a leader, even at such a young age. As the eldest, she was set to take over leadership of the clan from her mother, and many expected her to usher in a new period of glory for the Swiftwings.

But unfortunately, it was not to be, as she died at age 14. Cause of death was asphyxiation on a rat. The hen many were counting on to revive the honor of their clan was killed, not by a monster or enemy in glorious battle, but by an everyday snackfood. The responsibility of eventual succession passed to the next oldest, Gilda, who proved unfocused, lacking the drive and discipline of her sister.

One year later, Agaporisa sent Gilda, then 15, to attend a flight camp in Cloudsdale at her own behest. After three months, all correspondence stopped and Gilda disappeared. She was missing and thought dead until last night. The next in line to be prepared for succession was Brynhilda, a weak and sickly runt.

In the following years, daughters Glenda and Gia died in common hunting and sporting accidents and son Gisilbert died in a duel. While these sorts of losses are common and expected, Agaporisa declared a clan-wide moratorium on what she deemed “dangerous behavior”. This included withdrawing all clan teams and competitors from the Owlympics just days before the start of the games. Previously, star flier, Seowen Swiftwing was favored to secure the clan’s 132 straight gold medal in the marethon, the race created to honor the clan’s own founder.

For a clan matriarch to focus on such frivolous pursuits is strange. But for her to force her entire clan to do so as well and waste as much time and resources as Agaporisa has in doing so is unheard of. She is even reported to have recently written music to be performed in Manehattan, a city renowned by ponies for its musical theater, and arranged at great expense for the Grifinnish ambassador to Equestria to personally deliver it.

This prolonged mismanagement and bizarre behavior prompted one of the greatest upsets in Grifinland’s history. Since the nation was founded in the ashes of the ancient imperial dynasties and the Interclan Senate was formed, the Swiftwing clan has been a consistent member of the Council. The year 1000 Senate elections marked the first time in the nation’s 1200 year history that the Swiftwing clan failed to win a representative seat and thus, was ejected from the Council.

Last night’s return and shameful arrest of Agaporia’s lost daughter and heir, Gilda, seems to be the final nail in the coffin of the Swiftwings’ disgrace. This hen is to be the future leader of her clan, yet she behaves like a criminal and abandoned her clan and her people for the company of ponies, an offense most clan leaders usually punish with excommunication. Further details of Gilda’s whereabouts and activities during her seven year absence are pending.

Agaporisa Swiftwing, has expressed intent to post bail money for her daughter and when asked for comment, said, “I’m just relieved my little songbird is alright. Whatever she’s done, we can work out. I trust her. She’s my daughter and I love her.”

More details as they arrive.

Author's Note:

~ I wrote this in Courier New on googledocs, to make it look like it had been typed and printed as a newspaper should. But alas, I can't control what font it appears as on FimFic, so that's kinda ruined. So do yourself a favor and set your viewing font to Monospace for that added news flair.

~ So I found a way to work in a lot of this backstory and world building I'd come up with. The next few interludes will consist of sort of "found media". Like, primary sources to the history of the characters. For example, this was a newspaper article published, as it says, on March 20 in the year 1002 SR (Solar Reckoning [from the banishment of Nightmare Moon]), so this was a little under two years after Luna's return and a little under three years before Discord's attack. Expect more things like this.

~ I don't know if some of the details about griffon culture come through. I have the concept and ideas in my head, so it all makes perfect sense to me, but I have to remember that not everything is clear to everyone else. But seeing as how this is a newspaper article, the writer wouldn't explain all sorts of things that are taken for granted in their culture. I've actually posted details on the griffons in a couple different places before, including in the comments of this very story, but here's a quick rundown. Griffons are a heavily clan based society, governed by a council called the Interclan Senate, consisting of representatives from the various noble clans. (the name aside, my inspiration for the country was ancient Greece.) They place honor and glory above all things. The ideal is to do everything to further the prestige of the clan. Think of it like Game of Thrones, except less "murder and rape-y". Mostly they do things like athletic competition (races, hammer toss, jousting, etc), monster hunting (Grifinland is a dangerous place), and manual labor. They have some music and art and stuff, but it tends to be more anthem and pride banners than pony pop songs and impressionism. Griffon females will lay two or three clutches of eggs in their life, spaced about five to ten years apart. Each clutch will consist of (usually) four to six eggs. It may seem like that would be a lot of griffons going around, but there's a pretty high mortality rate (again, Grifinland is a dangerous place). This is an accepted fact, so the loss of one child usually isn't seen as a huge tragedy. If a griffon performs a particularly noteworthy feat, they may earn a Title. This is an honorific placed after their name that they can use for life to signify their greatness. If an individual proves themself TRULY outstanding, they may we awarded by the Senate the honor of splitting off and starting their own clan using a Title as a name. For example, say Frigg Sharpbeak slays a huge hydra in a particularly glorious battle and saves a town. She might be awarded a Title, making her Frigg Sharpbeak, Hydrabane. She may also be allowed to change her name to Frigg Hydrabane, First of Her Name, and form her own new clan, the Hydrabane Clan. So yeah. Griffons. This is all some general stuff that I don't think will be fitting into a later Interlude.

~ Go ahead and click on that sweet, sweet art. Go ahead, I'll wait. It's black and white here, because logically it would be, being a newspaper and all. But I drew it in glorious color and is it ever so awesome. Just bask in that belligerent griffon attitude. Gilda is a badass muther who don't take no crap off nobody!

Comments

[TheFireman]

I like the chapter! These next interludes sound interesting.

[Von Snootingham]

4111530
Thanks. Next up, I have planned an except from Lazy Bone's book. Or possibly the interview she gave for the Culture section of the Manehattan Times. I haven't decided which order I want to go. I also have an except from a text book on Griffon history and culture later on. Although, I've actually posted alot of those details in a couple of places already.

Also: MUCH THANKS. VERY APPRECIATE. WOW.

[s1]

4111546
Here a good link to help you for ideas for Griffon history and culture. Here

[Von Snootingham]

4111677
Hmm. I've bookmarked this and I'll read through it later. I do have my Griffons down, but it never hurts to browse through fresh ideas. Also, I just added an extra author note with some notes on my griffons to hopefully clear up the picture for reader's convenience.

[Lord Of Dorkness]

Rather interesting idea, and that pic is just glorious.

As as it may be, I rather like the hints that the burning of a certain rainbow colored bridge rather broke Gilda, she's just to stubborn to admit it and seek emends.

[Von Snootingham]

4112291
Well it wasn't like I was trying to be elusive or anything about it, but yeah, you've got the idea. In fact, Gilda (old Gilda) pretty much said it herself in the dream flashback to Discord's attack:

"My temper that, once upon a time, drove me away from my nation, my clan, my younger sisters. My temper that lost me my one and only friend, the mare I secretly loved. My horrible temper that sent me into a downward spiral of drunken ciderhouse brawls, petty crimes, and one-night stands. I lashed out against the world, like a chick throwing a tantrum. That tide of rage eased off when I woke up that morning in that cell and the Guard Captain shook his head at me and asked me why I was wasting my life. I couldn’t answer him and enlisted on the spot. My burning anger was replaced by the discipline of the Guard, the mutual respect of my comrades, and the pride of defending ponies in need. I used that drive to work my way up to First Lieutenant. I had been a selfish hen, considering no one in any way but myself, broken and alone. My comrades... my friends were the ones who soothed me and made me who I am."

Soooo yeah. Also, thanks.

[s1]

4111745

Grizelda proved herself at a young age to be a monster hunter prodigy. At the age of eight, she single-talonedly slew the phantom creature that had been plaguing the eastern Flatwoods for over a decade. At thirteen, she revolutionized the methods by which hunters slay the giants that terrorize the highlands. By her method, the main team attacks on the giant from the front, acting as a distraction, while the slayer flies up from behind and slices the base of the neck, a weak point Grizelda herself discovered. This tactic has become the new standard, and allows for safer settlement in the northern mountains. This achievement was enough to earn her a Title: Titankiller.

Was that a "Attack on Titan‎" reference?

And Are these griffons going to play a role in Gilda's past?:
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/1/18/527955__safe_meta_griffon_rainbow+falls_spoiler-colon-s04e10_irma_gaston_natalya_griffon+team_alliteration.png
s23.postimg.org/etq5j625z/image.png

[Von Snootingham]

4114075
Yes. Yes that was an AoT reference. I was wondering if anyone would get it. (It was even less obvious before I changed the Title from Giantslayer to Titankiller.) It's why I used the awkward phrase "The main team attacks on the giant".

I hadn't planned on these other griffons being involved. Especially since I pretty much planned out her backstory before Rainbow Falls premiered (and a large chunk of her life was spent away from other griffons in Equestria). Also, this was kind of most of it. I mean, I could always throw one of these guys into her past somehow (the male was a potential suitor, maybe?), but at this point, any further backstory is relatively unimportant.
The point of showing this was to show that old Gilda was in a lousy situation and reacted selfishly by running away from it. She was a bad person, but then later redeemed herself and grew into a good person and a leader. We're seeing the same thing from Gayle/new Gilda. It also was meant to juxtapose her relationship with her mother. In the most recent chapter, we see that new Gilda hates her mother because she's too tough and Gilda wants her be softer. Then immediately after, we see that old Gilda hated her mother because she was too soft and Gilda wanted her to be tougher. All she wants is some love and understanding from her mother, which she got an excess of from her old mother. Motherfucking storytelling techniques, y'all!

Also, where did those griffons' names come from? Are those official? Because I'd find that very interesting. And where did that second picture come from? I don't remember seeing those back three (the pink, blue, and purple ones). The look exactly like the other three, just recolored.

[s1]

4115256

where did those griffons' names come from? Are those official? Because I'd find that very interesting. And where did that second picture come from? I don't remember seeing those back three (the pink, blue, and purple ones). The look exactly like the other three, just recolored.

I don't know if those are their official names but I got them from here. And for the second picture it a crop image of this pic.:
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/2/8/546154__safe_rainbow+dash_fluttershy_derpy+hooves_scootaloo_apple+bloom_sweetie+belle_shining+armor_cutie+mark+crusaders_spitfire.png

[Von Snootingham]

4116074
Oh. Huh, well look at that. I guess that's a teaser for later in the season? I actually like the winning names more. Irma and Natalya? Yes please.

[ShadeJak]

100th Upvote Achievement Unlocked! Congratulations, you earned it!!!

[Von Snootingham]

4150364
I did? When did that happen? Yaaay!
Oh, but I'm also up to 13 downvotes, and they say a downvote is worth 20 upvotes, so I'm still in the hole.

[ShadeJak]

4151859

"They" are full of excremental material. Look at the green vs red meter, if that were true the red would be wider then the green, so forget what "they" say!

[s1]

4116202
I know this is late but here some pics to give you some ideas for your story.:
derpicdn.net/img/view/2012/12/5/173253__safe_oc_clothes_armor_griffon_crown_artist-colon-equestria-dash-prevails_axe_throne_weapons.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2012/11/10/147556__safe_gun_armor_griffon_badass_artist-colon-equestria-dash-prevails_snow+goggles.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/1/22/531241__safe_solo_oc_oc+only_gun_armor_griffon_weapon_artist-colon-equestria-dash-prevails_spear.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2012/11/3/140970__oc_grimdark_blood_gun_armor_griffon_fight_death_soldier_action+pose.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/3/2/260093__safe_oc_griffon_fight_artist-colon-equestria-dash-prevails_bar_bar+fight_tavern+brawl.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/8/12/398312__safe_oc_derpy+hooves_clothes_armor_griffon_weapon_raindrops_amethyst+star_sparkler.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/2/6/235287__safe_oc_bow_griffon_artist-colon-equestria-dash-prevails.png

[Von Snootingham]

4162522
Who drew these? Are these from a story? (they have a recurring character.) They're amazing. This is very similar to what I had in mind for Grifinland and griffon culture. Obviously, minus the guns. And there wouldn't be too many ponies there. But this is very much like what I pictured. Maybe a little more ancient Greek in the architecture. Thanks for sharing.

[s1]

4164862
The artist name is "equestria-prevails" and is petty good with putting backstory to the art like this one.

[Von Snootingham]

4279051
That was kind of the point. There's really no real to include the screenshot at all other than as an inside joke. I even pointed it out in the author notes of that chapter:

And finally, for a little meta humor, take a close look at the picture of Steve's desktop. That's my actual desktop, as of the other day (I made the wallpaper too). These two clowns ought to know what's going to happen to them. Steve has the story bible open in notepad!

I don't think I'm going to bother mocking up another one. If it were really a detriment, I'd just remove the thing entirely.

[Von Snootingham]

4281905
THANK YOU! I slipped that in there hoping someone would notice. I'm glad someone finally called it out. There was actually also a reference to the song back in Chapter 6 too. When Gilda is taking her first flight, she says she's "howling at the moon". Originally, this was all going to be in one chapter, so they were all going to be together. But then more and more stuff kept coming up and they ended up two chapters apart.