The Great Winged Lion

The Winged Lions of the Fringe Realms at first were thought to be an aberrant chimera warped by the taint of magiks. When Hedge Wizards and Scholars flocked to harvest them for their potential alchemical ingredients they were slow to learn the truth. The first hunting party and their guard of Pavise Crossbows were met with tooth and claw, bolts bouncing of hide harder then iron.

The Second Party attempted to ensnare the creatures while they rested at night. For their efforts the discovered the joy of flight and the brief terror of free fall, they were unable to share their findings after the landing however.

It wasn't until attempt twenty-three that, in sheer frustration, a lone wizard simply yelled his questions at the pride they were tracking. The attempts of his terrified sellswords to drag him back out of sight were only halted when a deep growl answered.

"Gold or service, that it the price for your questions."

The Great Winged Lions were no chimera, no aberrant mutation. Rather, they a race as prideful as dragons and as mercenary as any sellsword found in the fringes. Over centuries they have cemented themselves as the symbol of the wider fringes, yet to use them upon your banner is to invite their displeasure.

No one, highborne or low, man or woman, has ever been allowed to mount these proud beings as the imperials do griffons or the elves do dragons. It is said that the first to do so will be fated to united the fringes into a kingdom to rival any that have stood throughout history.