Griffon

The griffin resembles a combination of a ferocious cat and a giant bird. It usually inhabits primeval highlands and builds nests on unreachable mountain summits. The griffin preys on large mammals and fiercely defends its hunting grounds, making it an obstinate and aggressive opponent. During combat, griffins make deadly use of their ability to fly, swooping down on enemies, knocking them to the ground, and tearing them apart with their claws and beak. Griffin are part of the Quasigriff order.

Culture

Griffins mate for life and fiercely defend their partners. They are considered symbols of courage, loyalty, and fighting spirit. When provoked, they will not cease their attack until they have torn their opponent to shreds. Griffins have an extraordinary perceptive sense of smell, which they use to find their victims.

Mounts

Griffon trainers establish strong bonds with their animals. Griffons choose their riders themselves and refuse to carry riders they do not want. This makes the training of griffon riders difficult, and griffons are viewed with caution and respect. The bond between rider and griffon is strong, and when a griffon's rider dies, the griffon often mourns.
When tamed and raised from a young age, griffons can become loyal and fierce mounts. They are highly sought after, with eggs fetching prices of around 2,000 gp and fledglings going for around 5,000 gp
The griffin is a rare and powerful creature. While Tana's empire has squadrons of soldiers mounted on flying mounts, they prefer to use hippogriffs instead of griffins due to the latter's tendency to hunt and eat horses, which are more abundant. However, north of the empire, a species of sentient dire wolves are often befriended by the locals and serve as mounts and companions. As a result, griffins are not hunted down in those regions.

Characteristics

Physical features

A griffon has the body of a feline with the head and wings of an avian. The forelimbs of a griffon are often like those of an eagle, ending in sharp talons, though there are variations. An adult griffon can grow to be more than 12 feet long from beak to tail with a wingspan of 25 feet. Male griffons can weigh over one thousand pounds, while females are slightly lighter, the average griffon weighs about 500 lb. Griffons and their lairs exude a mix of two smells: a musky odor of great cats and the scent of falconer's mews. They possess beaks powerful enough to break bone and claws capable of shredding armor.

Diet

Griffons are carnivorous and have a particular fondness for horses, often attacking them when they are within sight or smelling distance. They are known to toy with their prey, eating it alive, piece by piece.

Mental traits

Griffons are somewhat intelligent creatures, though they have a penchant for aggression. Young griffons are generally not combative.
Griffons are expressive creatures. They have bright gold eyes that they close halfway when pleased, and they purr when content.

Abilities

They attack by swooping down from great heights, and their swift and powerful strikes often end fights. In direct combat, they employ their sharp, curved beak and powerful talons, inflicting deep wounds and causing powerful bleeding. Griffins have no true weaknesses.

General Information

Scientific name
Felinus Gryphus
Geographic Distribution
Mountains
Languages
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Physiologie

Average Lifespan
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Size
Large
Average Height
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Average Weight
500 lb

Others