A Vadalis griffonmaster is a dragonmarked member of House Vadalis who is a veteran rider of griffons . [1]
History
In the last years of the Last War , following a short internal struggle, House Vadalis started to train its own griffon riders and thus entered the mercenary business. The armies of Khorvaire deployed their Vadalis griffon riders against the griffon riders of other nations. [1] [2] [3]
Activities
A Vadalis griffon rider is a specialist combat role, a trained soldier who uses a domesticated Vadalis-bred griffon as their mount to fight as aerial cavalry. [1] [2] The greatest griffon riders are the dragonmarked Vadalis griffonmasters, who help in the training of new griffon riders, as well as their griffons. [1]
Culture
Following the end of the war, some griffon riders may miss the thrill of flying. A few face grudges from enemy riders defeated and downed in battle. [2] Some now work as mercenaries. [3]
Prerequisites

Griffon riders perforce need to be adept in riding, acrobatics, and of course the handling of their mounts. [2] Griffonmasters are particularly talented at this, thanks to their Mark of Handling . [1] They must also be rangers capable of having animal companions. [1] [4]
Possessions
Obviously, a griffonmaster requires a griffon. For preference, this is a Vadalis-bred griffon, which is tamer and less bloodthirsty. [1] [5]
Abilities
The Vadalis-bred griffon is trained to attack with its claws simultaneously with its rider's attack when they charge together into the fray. Furthermore, for a griffonmaster, the griffon may be treated as an animal companion. [1]
The griffonmaster and their griffon learn additional tactics. First, the griffon may move or act more often at the rider's direction. Second, the griffon may snatch foes in its beak and yank them closer for its rider to strike at. [1]
In a dive or charge, the griffonmaster and griffon alike may feel invigorated by the rush of wind and the thrill of the battle, and so be refreshed and ready to fight on. [1]
At the height of their prowess, a Vadalis griffonmaster may have their griffon snatch a foe up in their talons and carry it aloft. [1]
An advanced griffonmaster learns magical rituals to commune with nature and summon a phantom steed . [1]
Appendix
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 David Noonan , Ari Marmell , and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide . ( Wizards of the Coast ), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1 .
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 David Noonan , Ari Marmell , and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide . ( Wizards of the Coast ), p. 158. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1 .
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Keith Baker , Ari Marmell , Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked . ( Wizards of the Coast ), p. 130. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8 .
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo , David Noonan , Robert J. Schwalb , Chris Sims (November 2008). Martial Power . ( Wizards of the Coast ), pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-0-7869-4981-6 .
- ↑ Mike Mearls , Stephen Schubert , and James Wyatt (2008). Monster Manual (4th edition) . ( Wizards of the Coast ), p. 147. ISBN 0-7869-4852-3 .