Why would dwarves ride griffins? [closed]

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Something I noticed is that a fair amount of famous fantasy fiction depicts dwarves riding griffins (e.g. Warhammer, Warcraft). Ignoring for a moment why dwarves seem to have little difficulty operating outside of their typical subterranean habitat, why domesticate griffins in particular? Is it because, according to real medieval bestiaries, griffin sniff out precious metals like gold and line their nests with it?







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closed as primarily opinion-based by Ash, Mindwin, elemtilas, JBH, RonJohn Aug 27 at 18:37


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.










  • 11




    Counterpoint: Who WOULDN'T ride a freaking griffin if they could?
    – Morris The Cat
    Aug 27 at 12:58










  • Just as important: #1 How does a griffin fly with a lion's body and tail instead of a bird's body? #2 Even if it can fly, how does it generate enough lift and velocity with an armored -- and very anti-aerodynamic -- dwarf sitting on top?
    – RonJohn
    Aug 27 at 13:18






  • 2




    It's more likely Warcraft is copying Warhammer, the original Warcraft started as a licenced game set in the Warhammer universe until Blizzard lost the licence.
    – Sarriesfan
    Aug 27 at 14:30






  • 1




    ...because horses are too tall
    – nzaman
    Aug 27 at 15:58






  • 1




    Because an elf said they couldn't possibly be good enough to do so. So the dwarves set out to prove the elf wrong.
    – CaM
    Aug 27 at 18:29














up vote
2
down vote

favorite












Something I noticed is that a fair amount of famous fantasy fiction depicts dwarves riding griffins (e.g. Warhammer, Warcraft). Ignoring for a moment why dwarves seem to have little difficulty operating outside of their typical subterranean habitat, why domesticate griffins in particular? Is it because, according to real medieval bestiaries, griffin sniff out precious metals like gold and line their nests with it?







share|improve this question














closed as primarily opinion-based by Ash, Mindwin, elemtilas, JBH, RonJohn Aug 27 at 18:37


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.










  • 11




    Counterpoint: Who WOULDN'T ride a freaking griffin if they could?
    – Morris The Cat
    Aug 27 at 12:58










  • Just as important: #1 How does a griffin fly with a lion's body and tail instead of a bird's body? #2 Even if it can fly, how does it generate enough lift and velocity with an armored -- and very anti-aerodynamic -- dwarf sitting on top?
    – RonJohn
    Aug 27 at 13:18






  • 2




    It's more likely Warcraft is copying Warhammer, the original Warcraft started as a licenced game set in the Warhammer universe until Blizzard lost the licence.
    – Sarriesfan
    Aug 27 at 14:30






  • 1




    ...because horses are too tall
    – nzaman
    Aug 27 at 15:58






  • 1




    Because an elf said they couldn't possibly be good enough to do so. So the dwarves set out to prove the elf wrong.
    – CaM
    Aug 27 at 18:29












up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











Something I noticed is that a fair amount of famous fantasy fiction depicts dwarves riding griffins (e.g. Warhammer, Warcraft). Ignoring for a moment why dwarves seem to have little difficulty operating outside of their typical subterranean habitat, why domesticate griffins in particular? Is it because, according to real medieval bestiaries, griffin sniff out precious metals like gold and line their nests with it?







share|improve this question














Something I noticed is that a fair amount of famous fantasy fiction depicts dwarves riding griffins (e.g. Warhammer, Warcraft). Ignoring for a moment why dwarves seem to have little difficulty operating outside of their typical subterranean habitat, why domesticate griffins in particular? Is it because, according to real medieval bestiaries, griffin sniff out precious metals like gold and line their nests with it?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Aug 27 at 17:25

























asked Aug 27 at 12:41









Anonymous

3,85431048




3,85431048




closed as primarily opinion-based by Ash, Mindwin, elemtilas, JBH, RonJohn Aug 27 at 18:37


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.






closed as primarily opinion-based by Ash, Mindwin, elemtilas, JBH, RonJohn Aug 27 at 18:37


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.









  • 11




    Counterpoint: Who WOULDN'T ride a freaking griffin if they could?
    – Morris The Cat
    Aug 27 at 12:58










  • Just as important: #1 How does a griffin fly with a lion's body and tail instead of a bird's body? #2 Even if it can fly, how does it generate enough lift and velocity with an armored -- and very anti-aerodynamic -- dwarf sitting on top?
    – RonJohn
    Aug 27 at 13:18






  • 2




    It's more likely Warcraft is copying Warhammer, the original Warcraft started as a licenced game set in the Warhammer universe until Blizzard lost the licence.
    – Sarriesfan
    Aug 27 at 14:30






  • 1




    ...because horses are too tall
    – nzaman
    Aug 27 at 15:58






  • 1




    Because an elf said they couldn't possibly be good enough to do so. So the dwarves set out to prove the elf wrong.
    – CaM
    Aug 27 at 18:29












  • 11




    Counterpoint: Who WOULDN'T ride a freaking griffin if they could?
    – Morris The Cat
    Aug 27 at 12:58










  • Just as important: #1 How does a griffin fly with a lion's body and tail instead of a bird's body? #2 Even if it can fly, how does it generate enough lift and velocity with an armored -- and very anti-aerodynamic -- dwarf sitting on top?
    – RonJohn
    Aug 27 at 13:18






  • 2




    It's more likely Warcraft is copying Warhammer, the original Warcraft started as a licenced game set in the Warhammer universe until Blizzard lost the licence.
    – Sarriesfan
    Aug 27 at 14:30






  • 1




    ...because horses are too tall
    – nzaman
    Aug 27 at 15:58






  • 1




    Because an elf said they couldn't possibly be good enough to do so. So the dwarves set out to prove the elf wrong.
    – CaM
    Aug 27 at 18:29







11




11




Counterpoint: Who WOULDN'T ride a freaking griffin if they could?
– Morris The Cat
Aug 27 at 12:58




Counterpoint: Who WOULDN'T ride a freaking griffin if they could?
– Morris The Cat
Aug 27 at 12:58












Just as important: #1 How does a griffin fly with a lion's body and tail instead of a bird's body? #2 Even if it can fly, how does it generate enough lift and velocity with an armored -- and very anti-aerodynamic -- dwarf sitting on top?
– RonJohn
Aug 27 at 13:18




Just as important: #1 How does a griffin fly with a lion's body and tail instead of a bird's body? #2 Even if it can fly, how does it generate enough lift and velocity with an armored -- and very anti-aerodynamic -- dwarf sitting on top?
– RonJohn
Aug 27 at 13:18




2




2




It's more likely Warcraft is copying Warhammer, the original Warcraft started as a licenced game set in the Warhammer universe until Blizzard lost the licence.
– Sarriesfan
Aug 27 at 14:30




It's more likely Warcraft is copying Warhammer, the original Warcraft started as a licenced game set in the Warhammer universe until Blizzard lost the licence.
– Sarriesfan
Aug 27 at 14:30




1




1




...because horses are too tall
– nzaman
Aug 27 at 15:58




...because horses are too tall
– nzaman
Aug 27 at 15:58




1




1




Because an elf said they couldn't possibly be good enough to do so. So the dwarves set out to prove the elf wrong.
– CaM
Aug 27 at 18:29




Because an elf said they couldn't possibly be good enough to do so. So the dwarves set out to prove the elf wrong.
– CaM
Aug 27 at 18:29










3 Answers
3






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up vote
6
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Maybe the griffins build their nests in mountain regions that can't be reached by climbing or even if you'd reach them you could hardly defend against them if you are hanging in a wall at 4000 meters.



So dwarfs could build access tunnels to these nests and slowly domesticate them. The first griffins could have been discovered when the dwarves carved a watch tower out of the rocks. The guards would have fed them and in return the griffins would live near the towers. And one time a brave (and probably a bit stupid) dwarf would have tried to ride one of them.






share|improve this answer




















  • The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
    – Michael Kutz
    Aug 27 at 23:10










  • @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
    – Mr.J
    Aug 28 at 0:01

















up vote
6
down vote













Large flying animals typically need to drop from high altitudes in order to take off. Some theorize that this is how Quetzalcoatlus got off the ground.



Thus, these griffins would probably live in mountainous areas, just like dwarves. That way, you have a flying animal strong enough to carry a dwarf that lives locally and is less expensive than a mechanical aircraft (If the dwarves are as advanced as that).






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Okay, think for a minute about horses. We domesticated them thousand of years ago because of their ability to travel vast distances many times faster than we can. Griffens, and or peagasi, have the advantage of being able to fly, which is an amazing trait to harness for any species that wishes to travel, trade, or go to war. Unless there's significantly better choices in a very close proximety, there's no reason not to tame griffens.






    share|improve this answer




















    • Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
      – Hosch250
      Aug 27 at 17:04











    • @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
      – Clay Deitas
      Aug 27 at 17:42

















    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Maybe the griffins build their nests in mountain regions that can't be reached by climbing or even if you'd reach them you could hardly defend against them if you are hanging in a wall at 4000 meters.



    So dwarfs could build access tunnels to these nests and slowly domesticate them. The first griffins could have been discovered when the dwarves carved a watch tower out of the rocks. The guards would have fed them and in return the griffins would live near the towers. And one time a brave (and probably a bit stupid) dwarf would have tried to ride one of them.






    share|improve this answer




















    • The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
      – Michael Kutz
      Aug 27 at 23:10










    • @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
      – Mr.J
      Aug 28 at 0:01














    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Maybe the griffins build their nests in mountain regions that can't be reached by climbing or even if you'd reach them you could hardly defend against them if you are hanging in a wall at 4000 meters.



    So dwarfs could build access tunnels to these nests and slowly domesticate them. The first griffins could have been discovered when the dwarves carved a watch tower out of the rocks. The guards would have fed them and in return the griffins would live near the towers. And one time a brave (and probably a bit stupid) dwarf would have tried to ride one of them.






    share|improve this answer




















    • The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
      – Michael Kutz
      Aug 27 at 23:10










    • @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
      – Mr.J
      Aug 28 at 0:01












    up vote
    6
    down vote










    up vote
    6
    down vote









    Maybe the griffins build their nests in mountain regions that can't be reached by climbing or even if you'd reach them you could hardly defend against them if you are hanging in a wall at 4000 meters.



    So dwarfs could build access tunnels to these nests and slowly domesticate them. The first griffins could have been discovered when the dwarves carved a watch tower out of the rocks. The guards would have fed them and in return the griffins would live near the towers. And one time a brave (and probably a bit stupid) dwarf would have tried to ride one of them.






    share|improve this answer












    Maybe the griffins build their nests in mountain regions that can't be reached by climbing or even if you'd reach them you could hardly defend against them if you are hanging in a wall at 4000 meters.



    So dwarfs could build access tunnels to these nests and slowly domesticate them. The first griffins could have been discovered when the dwarves carved a watch tower out of the rocks. The guards would have fed them and in return the griffins would live near the towers. And one time a brave (and probably a bit stupid) dwarf would have tried to ride one of them.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Aug 27 at 12:56









    CKA

    80616




    80616











    • The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
      – Michael Kutz
      Aug 27 at 23:10










    • @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
      – Mr.J
      Aug 28 at 0:01
















    • The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
      – Michael Kutz
      Aug 27 at 23:10










    • @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
      – Mr.J
      Aug 28 at 0:01















    The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
    – Michael Kutz
    Aug 27 at 23:10




    The first dwarf did it due to peer pressure. Did I just say "peer pressure"? I ment to say "BEER pressure".
    – Michael Kutz
    Aug 27 at 23:10












    @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
    – Mr.J
    Aug 28 at 0:01




    @MichaelKutz can they be charged with DRUNK DRIVING?
    – Mr.J
    Aug 28 at 0:01










    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Large flying animals typically need to drop from high altitudes in order to take off. Some theorize that this is how Quetzalcoatlus got off the ground.



    Thus, these griffins would probably live in mountainous areas, just like dwarves. That way, you have a flying animal strong enough to carry a dwarf that lives locally and is less expensive than a mechanical aircraft (If the dwarves are as advanced as that).






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      6
      down vote













      Large flying animals typically need to drop from high altitudes in order to take off. Some theorize that this is how Quetzalcoatlus got off the ground.



      Thus, these griffins would probably live in mountainous areas, just like dwarves. That way, you have a flying animal strong enough to carry a dwarf that lives locally and is less expensive than a mechanical aircraft (If the dwarves are as advanced as that).






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        6
        down vote










        up vote
        6
        down vote









        Large flying animals typically need to drop from high altitudes in order to take off. Some theorize that this is how Quetzalcoatlus got off the ground.



        Thus, these griffins would probably live in mountainous areas, just like dwarves. That way, you have a flying animal strong enough to carry a dwarf that lives locally and is less expensive than a mechanical aircraft (If the dwarves are as advanced as that).






        share|improve this answer












        Large flying animals typically need to drop from high altitudes in order to take off. Some theorize that this is how Quetzalcoatlus got off the ground.



        Thus, these griffins would probably live in mountainous areas, just like dwarves. That way, you have a flying animal strong enough to carry a dwarf that lives locally and is less expensive than a mechanical aircraft (If the dwarves are as advanced as that).







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Aug 27 at 13:22









        SealBoi

        4,1951549




        4,1951549




















            up vote
            3
            down vote













            Okay, think for a minute about horses. We domesticated them thousand of years ago because of their ability to travel vast distances many times faster than we can. Griffens, and or peagasi, have the advantage of being able to fly, which is an amazing trait to harness for any species that wishes to travel, trade, or go to war. Unless there's significantly better choices in a very close proximety, there's no reason not to tame griffens.






            share|improve this answer




















            • Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
              – Hosch250
              Aug 27 at 17:04











            • @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
              – Clay Deitas
              Aug 27 at 17:42














            up vote
            3
            down vote













            Okay, think for a minute about horses. We domesticated them thousand of years ago because of their ability to travel vast distances many times faster than we can. Griffens, and or peagasi, have the advantage of being able to fly, which is an amazing trait to harness for any species that wishes to travel, trade, or go to war. Unless there's significantly better choices in a very close proximety, there's no reason not to tame griffens.






            share|improve this answer




















            • Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
              – Hosch250
              Aug 27 at 17:04











            • @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
              – Clay Deitas
              Aug 27 at 17:42












            up vote
            3
            down vote










            up vote
            3
            down vote









            Okay, think for a minute about horses. We domesticated them thousand of years ago because of their ability to travel vast distances many times faster than we can. Griffens, and or peagasi, have the advantage of being able to fly, which is an amazing trait to harness for any species that wishes to travel, trade, or go to war. Unless there's significantly better choices in a very close proximety, there's no reason not to tame griffens.






            share|improve this answer












            Okay, think for a minute about horses. We domesticated them thousand of years ago because of their ability to travel vast distances many times faster than we can. Griffens, and or peagasi, have the advantage of being able to fly, which is an amazing trait to harness for any species that wishes to travel, trade, or go to war. Unless there's significantly better choices in a very close proximety, there's no reason not to tame griffens.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Aug 27 at 13:17









            Clay Deitas

            3,470722




            3,470722











            • Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
              – Hosch250
              Aug 27 at 17:04











            • @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
              – Clay Deitas
              Aug 27 at 17:42
















            • Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
              – Hosch250
              Aug 27 at 17:04











            • @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
              – Clay Deitas
              Aug 27 at 17:42















            Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
            – Hosch250
            Aug 27 at 17:04





            Technically, I think we domesticated horses first because they could carry vastly larger loads than we could. Also, if you want to go faster, you have to have multiple horses. There's a reason the infantry could keep up with the cavalry on marches--horses can't go much farther than humans--just faster over short periods of time (a few hours).
            – Hosch250
            Aug 27 at 17:04













            @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
            – Clay Deitas
            Aug 27 at 17:42




            @Hosch250 Fair enough. Most domesticated animals were used as beasts of burden, riding them was a secondary function.
            – Clay Deitas
            Aug 27 at 17:42


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