Gryphus

Gryphus is a predatory flying zoafreyan. Its name comes from the Latin word for griffin.

Description
Gryphus is a small zoafreyan with a deep body and proportionally large head. Its wings are long and are made of thin skin, similar to bats or pterosaurs, the tips of which are supported by unconnected fingers, giving it a similar appearance to to primary feathers of some birds of prey. The base of the wings extend to the tail into a split swallow shape. The wings are folded back and upwards against the body when not in use. The long and narrow head is supported by a short but flexible neck, and the eyes are thin and are set roughly in the middle of the skull. The end of the kormostoma is hardened and sharp, and is used like a harpoon to impale prey in flight.

Religious significance
In the Sandoval culture, Gryphus is highly sacred and believed to have connections with the dead and the sun. The Sun Spirit is often depicted as a glowing Gryphus representing the sun.