The Strange Bestiary
Combining the traits of lion and eagle, the griffon features prominently in heraldry on Earth and is symbolic of strength and vigilance. But in some worlds operating under the law of Magic, griffons are real, one of the many perils facing people who venture beyond the settled lands and into the wilderness where anything might lurk.
Griffons are about the same size as steeds. They have the head, wings, and talons of an eagle and the trunk and limbs of a lion.
The most likely places to find griffons are at the tops of mountains or in the canopies of redwoods and other massive trees. Their nests resemble those built by eagles and are quite disgusting, with bits of rotting meat, scraps of cloth, feathers, dung, and other detritus worked into the material.
Griffons hate horses and attack them on sight, focusing on them first if the horses are part of a mixed group. Griffons are less antagonistic to lions and eagles.
Motive: Defense
Environment (Magic): Anywhere, singly or in groups of three
Health: 12
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (6 points)
Movement: Short; long while flying
Modifications: Perception as level 6; Speed defense as level 5; attacks as level 5 when diving at ground-based prey.
Combat: Griffons soar through the skies, their keen eyes watching the ground below for suitable prey. When a griffon spots something it can eat, it dives from above and attacks with its claws. A victim hit by this attack must make another Speed defense roll to twist away; on a failure, the griffon grabs her and flies an additional short distance as it climbs back into the air. On its next turn, the griffon drops its prey to dash her against the rocks. It might repeat this tactic several times until the prey stops moving.
On the ground, griffons are no less fierce. They can attack with their claws and beak as one action. A griffon fights to the death only if protecting a nest. Otherwise, it flees if it takes significant damage.
Interaction: Griffons are wild animals and behave as such. Griffons found as chicks can be trained to bear riders as mounts. Even trained griffons may lash out against their riders if startled or in pain.
Use: The PCs search out a griffon's nest to steal its eggs on behalf of a patron. Alternatively, PCs on Griffons hate horses and attack them on sight, focusing on them first if the horses are part of a mixed group. Griffons are less antagonistic to lions and eagles.
GM Intrusion: A diving griffon snatches something its target was wearing or carrying, and now the item is caught in the flying griffon’s claw.