[Scott Hebert]

I tend to agree with you, PvK, on this issue. While you can compare the Gryphon Rid.. [slight disconnect over mod idea] er to the Machaka 'big-spider-thingy', a better comparison might be to the Wind Rider of Arcoscephale, though an initial thought is that since the Wind Rider was made after the Gryphon Rider, it probably used the Gryphon Rider as a starting point.

I do know, though, that trying to take over Ruby Amazon territories is really annoying, because of the Gryphon Riders. You can take this one of two ways. One, that the Gryphon Rider should be better, because the cost of being able to recruit one is higher than normal. Or two, the Gryphon Rider is already 'good enough' because of that very difficulty with taking their provinces.