Aviara

Aviara is full of winding canyons and plantless regions. It is occupied by cliff-dwelling fauna--mainly Gryphons and independent wind dragons. The northern islands have a large amount of natural resources that supports the rest of the country.  As they contain predominantly inhospitable lands, they have the least amount of Abrendese influence, despite being right across the ocean from them! Some people even refer to Aviara as a monarchy still, with the royals still acknowledged as a powerful noble family.

The wild animals treat newcomer and resident alike--everyone is prey to them. As such, traversing without a Gryphon, dragon, Tombre or other large beast that can navigate vertical surfaces with ease is ill-advised. Gryphons are central to their culture and far more popular than dragons (feral or otherwise), horses, Tombre, Keo, and any other sort of domesticated beast. The creatures are intrinsically wild, but they can be befriended by the most patient of people. Once someone earns the trust of a gryphon, they have a loyal friend for life. A family cannot be considered a 'household' until they care for at least one Gryphon, leading to a two-caste system.  The loss of a household gryphon is considered a loss of prestige, putting the family back into the lower caste. The extent of classism varies from family to family, with some not caring at all, and only allowing communications between families of equal status, and all sorts of in-betweens. Those who live outside the natural range of Gryphons are either treated as neutral or lower class, depending on the strictness of the Aviaran they're dealing with.