Aye, half-eagle, half tomcat, just like on the lord's crest. 'Cept this 'un was carryin' me dead cow 'stead of a scepter. — Griffin attack witness, name unknown

Mountain Hunter. Griffins were once only found high in the mountains, where they would hunt marmots and wild goats. When humans encroached on their lands, however, griffins soon discovered a new source of much more plentiful and easier-caught prey: cows, sheep and shepherds, though they are still wary of main roads and towns (where fold with the means to hire a party of adventurers are likely to dwell). Griffins prefer their meat raw and screaming, though they'll scavenge if no other prey presents itself. This is fairly rare, though, as their hunting grounds tend to range for hundreds of miles around their chosen mountain aerie. Their eyesight is a sharp as raptors and they can see motion from miles away.

Fierce and Merciless. Griffins are often mistaken for the smaller griffon, which whom they share general features with. They are also significantly larger and stronger than the classic griffon, their lesser cousin. Their bone structure differ as well, with a morphology more akin to that of a wyvern, having long feathery wings ending with deadly claws. It is impossible to tame a griffin in the way griffons can be, for they are far more cunning and rebellious, with a strong sense of vengeance and grief. Skilled and efficient fighters, griffins do not kill indiscriminately, although they show no reluctance when hunting or protecting their territory. They are fierce and merciless, but rarely cruel.

Loyal Partner. Griffins, to the contrary of griffons, are solitary creatures. Until they reach full maturity they live in isolated territories and do not interact with other members of their species. Once they are ready they find a mate to found a nest, and stay loyal for life to their partner, raising their young together. There is nothing worse than a griffin that lost its partner, for they will slaughter everything they encounter, mad with grief. The eggs, claws and feathers of griffins are frequently use as spell components for they carry strong healing abilities. It is said that the feather, or claw in some tales, of a griffin will turn black if exposed to poison, a property that most king would find appealing for their safety.

Gracious and Deadly. Survivors of griffin attacks often have dreams of being hunted down and rent limb from limb for years afterward. Despite being large and monstrous creatures, griffins have reputations as noble beasts. This is in part due to their proud and regal bearing – griffins are not ravenous and frenetic like manticores. Instead a griffin strikes with swift and precise grace, its motion poised and controlled. Yet this elegance in no way undermines its deadliness, for a griffin is more than capable of using its talons and razor beak to rip a foe apart. The cry of a griffin is often enough to send enemies running. For the griffin, this is an ideal situation as it prefers its meals on the run, and alive. They can roar at such a high pitch that even a grown man can be put off balance. From the sky, griffins try to repeatedly claw their targets as they sweep past, or attempt to dive and grab their prey, leading it to a deadly fall.

Royal Griffin

Noble Beast. Especially feared are the subspecies known as royal griffins or archgriffins. Royal griffins owe their name to the broad and thick mane that surrounds their head. Their plumage range from brown to black, snow white in cold areas or almost red in arid regions. A royal griffin distinguishes itself by its increased aggressivity, stouter frame and its majestic presence, a rare and unexplained ability that will put doubt into the heart of even the most dedicated hunter.

Fearsome Predator. Archgriffins represent a real threat for civilization, for they are not afraid to hunt in small towns and trade routes, where preys, people mostly, are abundant. Royal griffins have few natural predators and are not afraid to attack preys bigger than them, sometimes even hunting gigantic roc birds, small dragons or giants for sustenance. Surprisingly the feathers of a royal griffin makes it immune to extreme temperatures, allowing it to live under the searing sun of the desert or in arctic climate.