Flyer (Griffin or Chamrosh) @ 2 AP x 1
Griffins had a special place in Persian literature as guardians of light. Since griffins (called Shirdal by the Persians) are widely depicted in Achaemenid iconography and they’re fine looking critters, I think they belong in my HOTT army.
Their relationship with the Persians is a little enigmatic. They’re depicted as being defeated in combat by Persian heroes, as well as standing guard over Persepolis. I interpret this as the savage griffins/Shirdal have been bested by the flower of Persian manhood and are now incorporated into the empire.
Herodotus has them dealing very rough justice to those who would steal the gold and jewels strewn across their home on the Scythian steppe.
Arguably, these griffins/Shirdal act in myth more like savage beasts than harassing flyers. They could fly but apparently only over short distances and in Achaemenid art, they are seen to be fighting on the ground, not flying around.
Nonetheless, griffins/Shirdal have wings and are creatures of the plain. To see them gallivanting through forests like common beasts doesn’t ring true. So, let’s stick with flyers.
Another candidate for flyer in the Persian army is the Chamrosh, a creature with body of a dog and the head and wings of an eagle.
According to the Avesta, Persia is protected by the chamrosh. Every three years Persia is pillaged by outsiders, and when this happens, an angel sends the Chamrosh out to protect the land by snatching up the invaders and dropping them from the mountaintops.
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