# Runt of the Litter

> Interactive text-based fantasy novel about raising a war gryphon and shaping an empire. (iPhone/iPad app by Choice of Games LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runt-of-the-litter/id1197414846 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Choice of Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/348940935)
- Category: Games, Books, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 37 App Store ratings · 32 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 29 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-02-23
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runt-of-the-litter/id1197414846/reviews.md

## What is Runt of the Litter?

Steal and raise a baby war gryphon! Will you fight dragons together to save the empire, or defy the empire and lead your people to freedom?

"Runt of the Litter" is an 150,000 word interactive fantasy novel by Kelly Sandoval, where your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

The gryphon keepers hold all the power in the Empire of Vaengrea. They make the laws, patrol the borders, and only give gryphon eggs to their chosen heirs. As a poor stable hand, a "thrall," you know you'll never have a chance to prove yourself.

But then, you find the egg. Small, neglected, nudged out of the nest by a disapproving mother. But you can feel warmth growing inside.

Now your gryphon is in terrible danger, both from the other gryphon keepers and from a deadly plague that's wiping out the Empire's gryphons. Can you keep your gryphon safe? Where will you hide your new hatchling? Are you skilled enough to hunt its food or clever enough to steal it? Which of the gryphon keepers can you trust? How will you shape the young gryphon's mind?

Wyrm riders invade from the north on their fire-breathing dragons, the natural enemy of the gryphons. Will you and your gryphon fight in the war, seizing your place among the elite? Or will you defy the empire and lead your fellow thralls to revolution?

Can you keep a runt gryphon safe with the whole world against you? The life of your gryphon, and the fate of an empire, is in your hands.	 	

• Play as any gender and as gay, straight, or asexual
• Choose from a variety of unusual gryphon breeds
• Raise your gryphon with a gentle hand or demand obedience
• Find romance among your fellow thralls or steal the heart of a gryphon keeper
• Rise to the rank of gryphon keeper or lead your fellow thralls to freedom
• Battle fire-breathing wyrms to protect your empire
• Find a cure for the devastating gryphon plague

## Key features

- Steal and raise a baby war gryphon
- Text-based interactive fantasy novel
- Choices control the story
- Battle dragons and fight in a war
- Lead a revolution or save the empire
- Romance options
- Customize gryphon breed and training

## Recent user reviews (10 of 32)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runt-of-the-litter/id1197414846/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Great fun

*2024-02-14, version 1.2.6*

So far the few I’ve tried are awesome, gets your imagination going. But there’s one I’d like to see made. One where it’s like choice of the dragon but with horses. Maybe have the choice between being a wild stallion or mare, or perhaps a humans view on a wild herd. The possibilities are endless from what I’ve come to see with these little stories so to speak.

### 5/5 — AMAZING

*2021-11-24, version 1.2.4*

It’s 2021, the boring year. I just found this game a week ago and I LOVE IT it is rich in story and truly beautiful. There are so many ways that you can really make to story change. You can be a mean selfish thrall only wanting to have everything for themselves or you can be a kind supportive thrall who’s everyone’s friend. And there are many more options too! You can have many different breeds of gryphon (for those of you who do not know it is just another way to spell griffin) (my favorite is personally the Owl-snow leopard, I named her Snowsong)And for those of you who play this game and love it like me, games from then I would recommend are “Choice of the Dragon” which is free, and a kitsune fox-spirit game (sorry I forgot the name) which is about the same price as this one. Anyways, I’m sorry about the lengthy review, I just felt like there was a lot to say. If you got a bit bored and just skimmed the whole review, here is the short review:
Short review: I highly highly recommend this game to any fantasy lovers. I think it deserves 5 stars.
DOWNSIDES
Just telling you all, this game can be hard, especially because you can just click the wrong thing on accident kind of easily with a new update of swiping to choose.
————————
Again, so sorry for such a lengthy review, I’m not sure if it will even let me post it, but I again, had a lot to say, even if I repeated myself a bit. I hope this helped!

### 5/5 — Breathtaking

*2019-07-09, version 1.2.3*

I luv this game I replay it all the time. (SPOILER ALERT) My fav story was when I had a secretary and cheetah gryphon I named Quickfeather and had a romance with arvo and discovered the cure to dropfeather. Overall great game.

### 5/5 — I love this!

*2018-07-02*

First of your games I played and it’s AMAZING! I love it!

### 4/5 — First game bought

*2018-05-30, version 1.2.0*

This is the first game that was bought I love the stories you make but I’m kinda sad that I finished this in such a short time i wish it was longer other than that I love it I’m going to replay it for a while

### 2/5 — Meh

*2018-03-15, version 1.2.0*

Nothing special.

### 4/5 — Fun

*2018-01-14, version 1.2.0*

I really liked it, the weird pronouns were awkward and out of place but the rest of the story was enjoyable.

### 5/5 — One of the greatest story's EVER!!!🦅🐣😜❤️

*2018-01-08, version 1.2.0*

I personally think that this is your best one yet(even though I only did one other-the dragon one, which I think should be longer.)Anyway, I love how you can make friends with the characters in the game(
Eini was my favorite friend!) I also really like your gryphon the most, of course! I think you should make a second one, and at first run you through a quick quiz at the beginning, saying stuff like:"what was your name in our last book?","who was your closest friend?", "what was your gryphon's name?",and "what did you choose to be your goal at the end of the last book?",finally,"what breed of gryphon did you have?"so then that would have a effect on the next part of the story.Anyway, please take my advice and make a "Runt of the litter 2"!❤️🐣🦅😜😝

### 5/5 — I loved it!

*2018-01-01, version 1.2.0*

Great text game!

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2017-11-10, version 1.2.0*

Very well written! The fantasy world is an excellent backdrop, and explores the world of human and griffins well. I've played multiple times, and each time discover more about each of the characters.

One of my issues with other stories released by Choice of Games: the gender you choose for the main character affects the gender of other characters. Since gender does affect how (and what) a character will say, this created some unlikely dialogue. This story avoids that trap: it has well drawn supporting characters who have distinct personalities, no matter the gender of the main character.

I look forward to more stories by this author!

## Frequently asked questions about Runt of the Litter

### What is Runt of the Litter?

Runt of the Litter is a 150,000-word interactive fantasy novel. It is entirely text-based, meaning it relies on your imagination rather than graphics or sound effects. Your choices directly influence the unfolding narrative and the fate of the characters and the empire.

### What are the key features of this app?

You can steal and raise a baby war gryphon, making critical decisions about its upbringing and your role in the empire. The game offers choices for gender and romantic orientation, allows you to choose unusual gryphon breeds, and presents paths to either rise within the empire or lead a rebellion.

### How much does Runt of the Litter cost?

The application is free to download and play. However, it does offer in-app purchases, which may enhance the gameplay experience or provide additional content.

### What kind of story can I expect?

The story is set in the Empire of Vaengrea, where gryphon keepers hold significant power. You play as a stable hand who finds a neglected gryphon egg. You must protect your gryphon from dangers like a deadly plague and external threats, while deciding whether to fight in a war or lead a revolution for freedom.

### Is this app available on all devices?

While the description doesn't explicitly state compatibility, interactive text-based novels like this are typically available on a wide range of mobile devices, including both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.7 — 2026-01-08

You can now choose a font in the Settings menu. Switch to Helvetica for crisp sans-serif text, or try the OpenDyslexic font, designed against some common symptoms of dyslexia. If you enjoy "Runt of the Litter", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.2.6 — 2023-06-27

Bug fixes. If you enjoy "Runt of the Litter", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.2.5 — 2023-04-28

Now you can disable touch slide controls in Settings. If you enjoy "Runt of the Litter", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.2.4 — 2021-10-26

Bug fixes. If you enjoy this game, please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.2.3 — 2018-06-01

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Added support for iPhone X. If you enjoy playing "Runt of the Litter," please leave us a written review. It really helps!

## Apps similar to Runt of the Litter

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Choice of Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-games/id1363309257) | 4.8 (24) | Free | Games |
| [Hosted Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hosted-games/id1302297731) | 4.7 (853) | Free | Games |
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| [Choice of the Vampire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-the-vampire/id388848648) | 4.0 (40) | $5.99 | Games |
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## More apps by Choice of Games LLC

- [Choice of the Dragon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-the-dragon/id348940932)
- [Choice of Broadsides](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-broadsides/id365660770)
- [Affairs of the Court (Legacy)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/affairs-of-the-court-legacy/id386916020)
- [Choice of the Vampire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-the-vampire/id388848648)
- [Affairs of the Court](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/affairs-of-the-court/id438137959)
- [Choice of Zombies](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-zombies/id494073073)

All apps by Choice of Games LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/348940935

## Related topics

[gryphon homebound](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gryphon-homebound) · [choice of the dragon](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/choice-of-the-dragon)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*