Yinbi

Late in the night of Christmas all the neighborhood children were gathered around a quaint little house; the elderly couple living there were long time Griffi breeders and had decided to give each child their own Griffi. There were many different eggs of beautiful colors and designs and the children were eagerly looking at them, snatching them up before others took them. However there was one egg in particular that everyone avoided: it was much smaller than the rest and was simply the color of dirt; why would anyone choose that pitiful one of the countless extravagant ones available?

However one boy walked of to it, his golden eyes intrigued by this small, plain egg. He had never been one for extravagance, his family was poor and he was used to seeing the other children with things he could never dream of having. That didn't stir up any feelings of wanting to be superior or to have the same things as them, but instead made him want to give this egg a chance. Seeing the boy holding the egg, the elderly couple walked over,

"Child is this the egg you want?"

The boy nodded his head, he had made up his mind.

"We have had that egg for a long time and yet it has never hatched, it simply appeared in one of our nests one evening. Do you still want that egg?"

He once again nodded and the elderly couple, though surprised, let him keep it. After a few weeks the egg hatched. The baby Griffi was unusually small and it's color was a patchy brown and yellow. Though he was laughed at by the other kids the boy did not care, he loved the misfit Griffi and it returned his love. However as it reached adolescence a stunning change took place; having molted her original brown and yellow feathers, beautiful blue and teal feathers grew in their place. She gave off a regal appearance and while she was cold to the other children who now looked at her in awe, she was incredibly loving to the boy.

The boy realized how fitting her name was. Although he had originally named her Ynb, meaning hidden, to represent her hidden nature under her poor appearance, now her name stood for the hidden beauty that was waiting to be shown to the world. He never regretted choosing that egg, not once.

~Vayla, the Child's Dream~

Ask any boy or girl in the realm of Sylestia, and they will tell you the well-known and beloved story of Vayla, the Child's Dream.

Vayla is a griffi unlike any other griffi, not only for her soft and whimsical traits, but also for her caring and loving demeanor. For you see, while most wild griffi are known to be fierce, self-sufficient, and independent, Vayla is a griffi as gentle as the feathers that coat her body for warmth.

Vayla is well-loved among the children, for they swear she comes at night and whisks them away into the depths of winter, where they may dance with sugarplum fairies and enchanted snowmen. To a place where they may eat delicious sweets and play with presents beyond their wildest imaginings. A safe, magical haven where their troubles do not find them, and no adult may tell them 'no'.

It lasts only for a night, once a year, during the eve of the Winter Feast, and after the night of fun, Vayla safely delivers them to their beds, leaving only a single feather charm behind as a memento of their magical night.

As some grew to be adults, they lost their dreams of Vayla. But while some would question whether this griffi exists or not, many continue a loving tradition of planting a peacock feather in their children's bed on the eve of the Winter Feast.

And thus the story of Vayla, the Child's Dream, has become a beloved part of their Wintery season.

Annwyl

Everyone knew the story, it was talked about all over the forest. How that pixie was playing pranks again, caused that poor regal Griffi and that dashing young Aurleon with the beautiful feathers to fall in love. Noone expected anything out of it, least of all the two sylesti involved. They were happy though, making their home as well as they could together. Soon though the young griffi was becoming sad, and her dashing Aurleon mate was frantic. How was he to make his beloved happy? All she wanted was a youngling, but not enough to leave her love to find a proper griffi to give her one. As the story goes, that dashing young Aurleon was determined his mate would have her hearts desire, he no longer cared if their love was just a prank by a pixie. After much seeking and searching he found what he needed, though he quailed inside at his temerity, he hoped the wicked sense of humor hed heard of was true. Tyrielle was known for being tied closest to the cold, and thats what he needed, a strong sorceress who dealt with the beasts of winter.

Gathering his courage, he approached her, offering all he had and all he was if only his love could have her egg. Quaking in his feathers he refused to back down. "Would you give YOUR feathers for this child?" Oh.. his feathers? They were his pride and joy, the beautiful markings? Oh for her to ask so much, but he took a deep breath and agreed, losing his tail and wings beauty in exchange for this favor. He returned home, a much different looking Aurleon, no longer dashing, now he is drab. His beloved didnt care though, she still loved him regardless. When she realized he carried an egg for her, that this was their child her heart was even more filled with devotion to this strangest of mates.

With much excitement, the duo waited for their youngling, but one day while they were both away from their home.. the egg was stolen. Heartbroken they turned to each other for comfort once more, adopting many a youngling as they went trying to ease their broken hearts, for their beloved child was gone. This was the story all knew, and it spread across the land.

The pixie who had started this story had found the egg, and knowing Tyrielle had to be involved worried the young pair would be disappointed. So she had taken it, hoping to spare them pain. However.. pixies are not known for their long attention spans or great memories.. and she forgot where she put it for safe keeping.

Under a tree in a secluded grove, the youngling hatched. Alone and bereft of family she was confused, but she was a Griffi she knew the basics of survival and did well enough for herself finding food and shelter as needed. Not realizing she was different, she never saw another Griffi. One day though she heard the calls, and carefully snuck through the forest, watching avidly at the large open space before her. Yet she did not leave the forest, for none looked like her. A form walked out across the field, long red hair moving in the wind as she laughed and threw flowers at the various sylesti around her.

A noise from the woods, our young griffi had stepped on something, the woman in the field turned and called softly, "It is safe to come out, all are safe here." Her eyes opened wide as this Griffi stepped into view, and her mouth dropped open. The story she had heard just a few nights before flashed into her mind. This beautiful Griffi must be that result. "Oh Annwyl, you are found." The Griffi was surprised.. Annwyl? Was that her name? It seemed to be, and the young woman came and laid one hand on her shoulder. "You will find others who may not look just like you, but you are beloved young one, and you were beloved before you were born, thus you name is Annwyl meaning Beloved." She smiled up at the Griffi, "You are welcome to stay here young one if you choose, but know you carry the body of your mother, and the feathers of your father, both who shaped you well."

Yuisa
On a far and distant plane, where the unexpected is expected and myths are only truth, a young Griffi waits. Her name is Yuisa, and she is going to the Physical Realm. Only one Griffi is chosen for this journey in a thousand years. Her mission is to join the Physical Griffi in their migration to the Viridian Meadows and become one of them. She will then return to her own plane of existence and live out a happy life of fame and purity. An old, faded blue Griffi walked up to her, it's pure white wings flashing in the light of their blue sun. "Grugleora..." said Yuisa, standing up immediately. "Yuisa," said Grugleora, her voice raspy with age. "Your mission has been changed." What? she thought, confused. "A new species has been spotted among the Slylesties of the Physical Realm. The council has deemed them 'Human'. Your new mission is to socialize with this creature and learn about the 'Human' species." Yuisa gulped. "Yes ma'am." she replied nervously.

That's the end, sorry if it's a bit of a cliff-hanger.
Happy Holidays!

Name: WinterSerene


Backstory:
As her race, She was different from the others, She stood out boldly, her other kind thought she was different, so she set out on a journey to find a master, and she stumbles apon a human.

Elu Doli

You look at the Griffi and smile, trying to think up the perfect name for this majestic creature. As you ponder it, she cocks her head, looking at you with curiosity filling it's gaze. You finally figure out the perfect name for this beautiful Griffi. "How about Elu Doli?" She nudged you again and you took it as a yes. "Elu Doli it is. A perfect name for the most majestic of creatures. May I?" You indicate to the creatures back and she nods in agreement. She bows down enough for you to get on. You gently guide her to your home and smile at her. "You are as dazzling as the brightest star, Elu Doli. I'm glad I was lucky enough to find you and that you chose me out of the millions of others out there. You are the most wondrous and majestic of creatures. I hope that my humble home will be a pleasant place for a creature as beautiful as you are. I should probably introduce myself. I am (name)." You know that animals can't smile, but you could swear you saw the smallest hint of one on Elu Doli. "I hope you get along with the rest of my family." She looks at you in confusion until you say, "They are animals, just like you. I have a variety of pets, from Aurleon to Griffi and from Kelpari to Zolnixi." She nudges you, as if to say, 'I can't wait to meet them.' You hug her neck and she kneels down again for you to get off. You hop off and enter your stables, leading her with you. "Welcome to Sylestia, Elu Doli." You whisper.

Backstory
Elu Doli came from a far away land called Pandora. Her parents were both killed in a terrible accident when a lone dragon attacked them. Elu Doli was found calling for her parents by a young girl of the age of 7. She called Elu Doli down enough to bring her to the girls home of Melchior. When she got there, she quickly went to find her parents so that the young Griffi could be helped. Her parents both followed her to where the little one was waiting, looking around the room in curiosity. "Elaina, why have you brought this Griffi into the castle?" Her father asked.
"I found her all alone. I think her parents were killed. There was only a sign of one Griffi in recent days and it was her. There was a faint trace of others, but it was hard to tell because of how long ago it was. I want to keep her."
"Elaina, a Griffi is not the kind of pet you keep for yourself. They are wild and protective creatures. Her parents will be mad if they are still alive."
"But what if they aren't? We can't leave her alone!"
Her parents hesitated. Her mother replied, "We will take care of her and train her to fend for herself, but when she's old enough and knows how to fend for herself, we must release her."
Elaina nodded and smiled, rushing over to the Griffi."

A few months later
Elaina sat on her bed crying. Her Griffi friend was leaving to find her own place in the world. She knew that the Griffi could go to the islands of Eirini or Kairos, but she hoped she'd stay on Pandora. Her father was sending her through a portal to a random place and it could end up anywhere. She just hoped it'd be somewhere here.

A couple hours later
Elu Doli stepped up to the portal and looked behind her to the little girl who'd taken care of her. She looked back to the portal and stepped into it. She immediately opened her wings as the portal was up in the air high above another world. It looked like none of the pictures she'd seen that Elaina had showed her of Pandora, Eirini, and Kairos. It was a whole other world. She landed in a clearing in the middle of a forest and stopped when she saw another elf. She walked up behind the elf and stood there. Waiting.

Side Note: Elu Doli means "Beautiful Bluebird".

(Edit was taking off my username. I hope there's nothing wrong with editing. Also, Pandora, Kairos, and Eirini are islands from a trilogy my cousin wrote.)

Name: Paon de Crystal (Meaning Crystal Peacock in French)

Story:

The griffi was wandering along the forest trail, staring somberly at the ground. A particularly beautiful iris caught her eye. (Fun fact: There is a type of iris called the Peacock Flower, though it is not a true iris.) It was shimmering like a diamond and had petals like a peacock's. She stopped, bewildered, and looked at her ugly swamp-colored wings and her muddy brown feet. "Why can't I be like you? Why can't I be beautiful, why can't I be the one that everyone stops and oooohs and aaaahs at?" She started to cry into the beautiful iris, and it's petals started to droop. "Hey, I'm sorry, little flower, I don't know how to compliment anyone. I'm just a worthless mud-bag." The flower started to droop more and more, and it was turning the same gross colors as the griffi. "Don't try to look like me. Just look at these horrible, plain wi-" She was cut off as she stared at her now beautiful blue peacock wings. "Did you... Switch colors with me?" she asked the flower. The iris seemed to bob up and down, as if nodding "Yes." "Thank you." whispered the griffi. She bowed her head to the wilting flower and continued on her way. That's when she saw you. You, in the distance. You seemed to be a safe person to trust. A sylestian, without a doubt. She broke into flight as fast as she could, and came up to you...

The Power of Faith

The Power of Faith, or simply Faith to her friends, acts as a guardian angel to all griffis on Sylestia. Faith sits up in the heavens, blending in and beautifying the stars with her dazzling countenance. She waits until she sees a griffi in need, then floats down to aid with her mystic powers.

Once she leaves the heavens, she is invisible to the world around her. She is humble and wants no credit for her deeds. Faith acts out of the pure goodness of her heart, and strives to fill all of Sylestia with harmony.

One day, peace will rein throughout the land, and Faith's long vigil will be finished. What will her destiny be at that point? Only time will tell.....