species [Lore] Chamroshes

[RarityDash]

Chamroshes - Griffonkind's Unique and Illusive Kin

(Art by community artist Zeig)

 

Chamroshes are a rare intelligent species closely related to griffons, with the head and wings of a raptor but with the body of any variety of wolf or dog. Emphasizing their resemblance to griffonkind, they are often widely and popularly referred to by the alternate name of cynogriffons, which most are happy to accept. They vary in color, shape and size just as griffons do and are in fact often times very easily mistaken for griffons. The average chamrosh is smaller than the average griffon, being about comparable in size to a large stallion. Despite this, they are very often as physically capable as or more physically capable than their griffon cousins, but are often said to have less stamina, exhausting themselves with greater ease.

Chamroshes are not native to the continent, hailing from across the Reintight sea in a land far to the west beyond the deserts of Saddle Arabia. Only small numbers have reached our shores, almost all of which have settled within Aquellia's borders where they blend in with greater ease. They are known to prefer making their homes in wooded areas and among the mountains as opposed to in the larger griffon cities. The greatest populations of charmoshes on the continent can be found in the forests just off the Clopton Shores and high in the Talonclaw and Tarpan Mountains.

Though closely related to griffons and even able to interbreed with them, producing either griffon or charmosh offspring, charmoshes are known to be quite different culturally. They are known to be more in tune with the natural world than griffons and are more at home living simple and rugged lives than they are in modern cities. They have a keen respect for ponykind, who with their magics are able to direct nature, but are generally content to live apart from both ponies and griffons in small familial packs in the wilderness. They are very proud creatures, as griffons are, but value collective strength more than they do individual strength. The average chamrosh believes that none in the pack should ever be forced to stand alone and resents those who call undue attention to their accomplishments.

Chamroshes also value the use of cunning and intelligence to solve problems, as opposed to resorting first to physical strength. Their philosophies dictate that violence should be used sparingly, and never against other intelligent beings, save to protect one's self or others. Confrontation with other species is thus something they actively seek to avoid, though when pushed they can prove especially ruthless. They are perhaps more aggressive carnivores than their griffon cousins, and are regarded as incredibly ferocious hunters, a good sized chamrosh pack working together in harmony even able to subdue hydras and other large feral beasts.

~Canterlot Research Journal