Hippogryph
From WoWWiki
| Hippogryphs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Faction/Affiliation | Night elves |
| Racial leader(s) | Cenarius |
| Racial mount | Self-powered flight |
| Homeworld | Azeroth |
| Primary language(s) | DarnassianMoM 57 |
| Secondary language(s) | Common and other languagesMoM 57APG 209 |
- For the Warcraft III unit, see Hippogryph (Warcraft III).
A hippogryph is an ancient, magical beast with the hindquarters of a mighty black stag and the head, wings, and forelegs of a large raven. Antlers rise from its black-feathered head.APG 209
Within World of Warcraft, hippogryphs serve as the primary flying public transport mount between cities controlled by the night elves and the draenei.
In order to travel by hippogryph, you must first speak to a Hippogryph Master at the destination point. Upon doing so, the location will be added to your list of known Flight Paths.
Contents |
Description
Contrary to common belief, hippogryphs are not simply domesticated beasts that serve as night elf mounts. They are no less intelligent than most humanoid races, in fact - though they are wary of non-elf races, as kobolds and humans have both attempted to enslave hippogryphs in the past. Most hippogryphs dwell in Ashenvale and other forested regions commonly inhabited by night elves, and have been the staunch partners of the Kaldorei from time immemorial. Indeed, some legends say that hippogryphs may have originally been created by the night elves, or that they were gifts from Cenarius. While kind and generous to their night elf companions, hippogryphs are ferocious and fearsome beasts when fighting any creature they deem hostile.APG 209
Night elf Sentinels watch over nests of hippogryph eggs. Likewise, hippogryphs care for the children of the night elves. Though most prefer to stay and protect communities, young hippogryphs taken with the urge to explore and see the forest beyond their nests often serve as willing mounts for night elf windwarriors.
Hippogryphs speak Darnassian, but are capable of learning Common and other languages.APG 209 MoM 57
Hippogryphs have a keen awareness of aerial tactics. Without riders, they attack in quick dives, striking with their beaks followed by swipes with their talons. Female hippogryphs avoid direct combat. If trapped on the ground, hippogryphs charge, trying to get space to regain the air. Carrying night elf archers, hippogryphs make careful circling attacks, darting within range long enough for a shot before wheeling away.APG 209
Named Hippogryphs
Hippogryphs as flying mounts
The Cenarion War Hippogryph is available as a reward from the Cenarion Expedition at exalted as of Patch 2.3.0. Wrath of the Lich King later brought two additional hippogryphs as rewards from the Argent Tournament, the Argent Hippogryph and the Silver Covenant Hippogryph.
These mounts do not currently have walking animations, but this is set to change in patch 3.3.0.
Myth
The Hippogryph is traditionally the offspring of a mare (female horse) and a gryphon (which in turn is part eagle). See Hippogryph on Wikipedia, The Gryphon in Legend.
Note: Within Warcraft, the spelling is "hippogryph", but outside the World of Warcraft, the spelling "hippogriff" is also valid, as "gryphon" is also spelled "griffin" or "griffon."[1]
- See also
