The banner of Griffon Gate
The Griffon Gate is the oldest of Ulthuan's great mountain fortresses. It is also held to be unlucky by those High Elves who serve within it, for it always seems that foes besiege the Griffon Gate long before they consider carrying their blades against its sister fortresses. Yet the Griffon Gate's defenders forgive their fortress its odd fortunes, for there is still honour to be earned upon its walls.[1a]
Furthermore, there are few more glorious sights than when the first rays of sun strike the colossal golden statues that stand watch over the gate. To be present upon the walls of the Griffon Gate at sunrise, it is said, is to be reminded of the Golden Age of the Elves, and to know one's hope reborn. Perhaps this is why, despite many hundreds of sieges over thousands of years, the Griffon Gate has never once fallen to its attackers. No matter how overmatched its defenders, the golden fortress of the western mountains has always held true.[1a]
Soldiers of the Griffon Gate pride themselves on being as unblinkingly watchful as the Griffon from which their fortress takes its name. The Griffon itself can be found on all their banners and shields. The Griffon Gate is also the only Ulthuani fortress to include Shadow Warriors as part of its garrison. No one knows why this is so, for the Shadow Warriors remain silent if asked.[1a]
The Eagle Claw Bolt Throwers of the Griffon Gate are sited in accordance with the instructions of the garrison's Shadow Warriors, for none know the fortress' approaches better than they.[1b]
The gigantic Griffon statue towering above the gate was constructed during the rule of Phoenix King Aethis the Poet. The five hundred feet high statue is wrought so cunningly that it seems to leap from the mountain and legends tell that it comes to life to guard the pass against invaders.[2a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer: Uniforms & Heraldry of the High Elves (Background Book)
- 2: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 26
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