Griffon
- Size: Large
- Type: Monstrosity
- Alignment: Unaligned
- AC: 12
- Initiative: +2 (12)
- HP: 59 (7d10 + 21)
- Speed: 30 ft, Fly 80 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| DEX | 15 | +2 | +2 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| INT | 2 | -4 | -4 |
| WIS | 13 | +1 | +1 |
| CHA | 8 | -1 | -1 |
- Skills: Perception +5
- Senses: Darkvision 60 ft.; Passive Perception 15
- Languages: None
- CR: 2 (XP 450; PB +2)
Actions
Multiattack. The griffon makes two Rend attacks.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) Piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 14) from both of the griffon's front claws.
Lore & Background
Griffons are majestic creatures that combine the nobility of eagles with the strength of lions, soaring through mountain skies as symbols of courage and divine power. These magnificent beasts have the head, wings, and front talons of a giant eagle merged with the body and hind legs of a powerful lion. Griffons are often associated with deities of the sky, sun, and justice, serving as mounts for celestial messengers or champions of good.
These creatures are fiercely territorial and protective, especially during mating season or when raising their young. Griffons mate for life and build their aeries in the highest, most inaccessible peaks where they can survey vast territories. They are intelligent creatures capable of forming bonds with worthy individuals, though earning a griffon's trust requires proving one's courage and honor through deeds rather than words.
Combat Tactics
Griffons are aerial combatants who use their superior mobility to maximum advantage. They prefer to attack from above, diving down with their Multiattack to strike with both beak and claws before soaring back out of reach. Their Keen Sight allows them to spot enemies from great distances and plan their attacks accordingly.
When protecting their territory or young, griffons fight with desperate courage, using their flight to stay mobile while delivering devastating attacks. They're intelligent enough to use terrain features like cliff faces and rocky outcroppings to break up enemy formations and create tactical advantages.
Encounter Ideas
The Sky Patrol: A griffon has been attacking flying creatures and airships that pass through its territory, mistaking them for threats to its nest. The party must find a way to communicate with the creature or relocate it without harming it.
The Noble Mount: A griffon seeks a worthy rider to partner with, testing potential candidates through trials of courage and skill. The party member who succeeds gains a loyal aerial mount, but must prove themselves worthy of the honor.
Nest Raiders: Poachers have been stealing griffon eggs to sell to wealthy collectors, enraging the parent griffons and making the entire mountain range dangerous to traverse. The party must stop the poachers and return the stolen eggs.
The Fallen Hero: A griffon mourns its deceased rider, a paladin or hero who died in battle. The creature has become aggressive and unpredictable in its grief, and the party must find a way to help it process its loss.
Environmental Effects
Griffons create distinctive signs of their presence through their aerial activities. Large shadows passing overhead and powerful wing beats announce their approach. Their hunting creates patterns in local wildlife populations, with smaller flying creatures avoiding areas where griffons are active.
Aeries built on mountain peaks often contain scattered bones and prey remains from the griffons' hunting. Territorial markings in the form of claw scratches on prominent rocks serve as warnings to other creatures.
Treasure
Griffons are attracted to shiny objects and may collect gems, precious metals, and reflective items in their nests. Coins and jewelry from their riders or victims may be found among the bones and feathers that line their aeries. Magical items related to flight or the sky are particularly prized.
Griffon feathers are valuable components for magical items and potions, while griffon eggs (when ethically obtained) are worth enormous sums to collectors and researchers. Equipment from fallen riders may be preserved in the nest as trophies or mementos.
Plot Hooks
The Royal Mount: A kingdom's traditional griffon mounts have begun refusing to serve, suggesting some disturbance in the natural order. The party must investigate what has caused this change in behavior and restore the ancient partnership between griffons and the royal guard.
Sky Pirates: Criminals have been using trained griffons to attack merchant caravans and flying vessels, creating a new form of aerial piracy. The party must track down the pirates' sky base and put an end to their operations.
The Migration: Griffons across the region have begun migrating toward a common destination, abandoning their traditional territories. The party must discover what is calling them and whether this mass movement represents a threat or opportunity.
Divine Messenger: A griffon appears bearing a message from a deity or celestial being, but the creature is injured and the message is incomplete. The party must heal the griffon and help it complete its sacred mission while protecting it from those who would interfere with divine will.
Lore & Background
Griffons are majestic creatures combining eagle nobility with lion strength, soaring through mountain skies as symbols of courage and divine power. These magnificent beasts have eagle heads, wings, and front talons merged with powerful lion bodies and hind legs. Griffons are often associated with sky, sun, and justice deities, serving as mounts for celestial messengers or champions of good.
These creatures are fiercely territorial and protective, especially during mating season or when raising young. Griffons mate for life and build aeries in the highest, most inaccessible peaks where they can survey vast territories. They are intelligent creatures capable of forming bonds with worthy individuals, though earning a griffon's trust requires proving courage and honor through deeds.
Combat Tactics
Griffons are aerial combatants using superior mobility to maximum advantage. They prefer attacking from above, diving down with Multiattack to strike with both beak and claws before soaring back out of reach. Their Keen Sight allows spotting enemies from great distances and planning attacks accordingly.
When protecting territory or young, griffons fight with desperate courage, using flight to stay mobile while delivering devastating attacks. They're intelligent enough to use terrain features like cliff faces and rocky outcroppings to break up enemy formations.
Encounter Ideas
The Sky Patrol: A griffon attacks flying creatures and airships passing through its territory, mistaking them for threats to its nest.
The Noble Mount: A griffon seeks a worthy rider, testing candidates through trials of courage and skill.
Nest Raiders: Poachers steal griffon eggs for wealthy collectors, enraging parents and making mountains dangerous.
The Fallen Hero: A griffon mourns its deceased paladin rider, becoming aggressive and unpredictable in grief.
Environmental Effects
Griffons create distinctive presence signs through aerial activities. Large shadows and powerful wing beats announce their approach. Their hunting creates patterns in local wildlife populations, with smaller flying creatures avoiding active griffon areas.
Aeries on mountain peaks contain scattered bones and prey remains. Territorial markings as claw scratches on prominent rocks warn other creatures.
Treasure
Griffons collect gems, precious metals, and reflective items in nests. Coins and jewelry from riders or victims may be found among bones and feathers lining aeries. Magical items related to flight or sky are particularly prized.
Griffon feathers are valuable magical components, while griffon eggs are worth enormous sums to collectors. Equipment from fallen riders may be preserved as trophies.
Plot Hooks
The Royal Mount: Kingdom griffon mounts refuse to serve, suggesting natural order disturbance. Party investigates the behavioral change.
Sky Pirates: Criminals use trained griffons for aerial attacks on caravans and flying vessels.
The Migration: Griffons abandon traditional territories, migrating toward unknown destination.
Divine Messenger: An injured griffon bears incomplete divine message, needing party protection to complete its sacred mission.
Lore & Background
Griffons are majestic creatures combining the features of eagles and lions, embodying the nobility and ferocity of both. These proud beasts are symbols of divine power and are often associated with deities of the sky and sun. Griffons are intelligent and possess a strong sense of honor, making them potential allies for those who prove themselves worthy.
Combat Tactics
Griffons use their flight advantage to dive-bomb enemies, striking with their powerful talons and beak. They prefer aerial combat where they can use their superior mobility to avoid ground-based attacks while delivering devastating strikes from above.
Encounter Ideas
Sky Patrol: Griffons guard a mountain pass or sacred site from intruders. Noble Mount: A griffon chooses a worthy rider for an important quest. Territorial Dispute: Griffons clash with other flying creatures over hunting grounds. Divine Messenger: A griffon delivers an important message from celestial powers.
Environmental Effects
Griffon presence indicates clean air and open skies. Their territories often feature strong winds and clear weather patterns that favor aerial hunting.
Treasure
Griffons collect shiny objects for their nests, particularly items that catch sunlight. Their eyries may contain valuable gems and precious metals gathered over years of flight.
Plot Hooks
The Griffon's Egg: Heroes must protect or retrieve a griffon egg from poachers. Sky Cavalry: A military force seeks to train griffons as flying mounts. The Ancient Bond: A family has an ancestral pact with griffons that needs renewal. Storm Riders: Griffons behave strangely during severe weather phenomena.