Griffon

A griffon is a large magical beast with a lion's body, an eagle's head and claws, and feathered wings. They are intelligent creatures, and while unable to speak can understand most languages spoken by the humanoids living close to them. The name of this magical beast has a couple of variant spellings, namely griffin and gryphon.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Most griffons found in Avistan are large creatures with the hindquarters of lions and the wing forequarters of brown-and-white eagles, but certain populations are known to resemble different types of birds and felines. Desert-dwelling griffons often resemble tawny or black hawks and mountain lions, while those found in jungles combine the bodies of tigers and panthers with those of colorful parrots. In addition, a wingless-type of griffon called the alce also exists. Alces are swifter runners than winged griffons.

Ecology and Habitats

Griffons are predators, and are particularly fond of horse meat; they also hunt and eat hippogriffs. Male griffons attempt to impress females by bringing them gifts of meat and fruit, and thereafter through a complex aerial dance where the prospective mates engage in difficult aerial acrobatics. Griffons mate for life and both mates rear the young; females typically brood the eggs while the males hunt to bring back prey to their mate and offspring, but on occasion, males can be the ones to brood the clutch.

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

A half-fiend griffon named Azramour lives in the Ironforge Mountains. A servant of a demon who somehow escaped his imprisonment, the fiendish griffon's brutal depredations on both dwarves and his fellow griffons have earned him a fearsome reputation in his new home.

Genetic Descendants

• Tubabi Griffon

Geographic Distribution

• Ironforge Mountains