Griffin

Introduction

Guided by the winds above the high mountaintops and the flourishing fields, these animals resemble courage and honor. With their large wings and four feet, they are griffins.

Description

A griffin is a noble creature, being a blend of the body of a lion with the body of an eagle. Their lower body resembles a lion, they have four feet to stand on. However, they have talons attached to their paws. Their lion body usually has the same color or color pattern as their feathers. Their head is that of an eagle, featuring colored feathers and a beak. Griffins have a large wingspan, sometimes up to 2.5 meters. The colors which they can appear in range from tints of gray and white to more golden or brown hues. They are usually found flying above mountainous regions, but often in the forests of the wilderness too. Griffins are most often found solitary, but on rare occasions, two can be found mating or group hunting. They always look greater and more menacing than they are, looking almost majestical. A griffin does not have a distinct smell, but sometimes you can smell the scent of their dead prey after they have hunted.

Behavior

Griffins are creatures that value honor and strength. They hunt together in groups over the mountains and forests. However, they are very wary of unknown people. These individuals will always need to prove their worthiness and honor or the griffin will act aggressively towards them. But when the respect is earned, the griffin will not forget a face. Griffins reproduce during the season of Emerald Dusk, during which male griffins will seek out a female and show their strength in order to earn the female's respect and mate. Rarely, two male griffins will fight over a female or over the hunting domain. This is a fight of strength to assert dominance over the other.

Habitat

A griffin flies over large areas during the day, looking for food. During the night, they go to their nest and sleep. Every griffin has its own solitary nest, even when they hunt in groups during the day. Their nests are most often made from twitches and are located on large mountains or within wild forests. Griffins are mostly spotted on the Spine of Eden, but can also be found in the Heartlands and in the Glade.

Abilities

Griffins do not attack anything they see, but when threatened or aggressive they have a variety of combat abilities. When a griffin is in melee range it will attempt to use its talons to slash and pierce its opponent, which are as sharp as swords (2D3). They are also able to take off and fly as part of their movement. When flying, they can use their talons to grapple an enemy instead, pinning them (D4). When a target is pinned by its talons, a griffin will attack with its beak (D3+3). A griffin is not immune or resistant to any form of damage.

Drops

Griffin Feather

When a griffin dies, several parts of it can be scavenged from its body. Most commonly a feather is taken, which can serve as a writing tool or as decoration.

Griffin Claw

Another part of the body that can be taken is the talons of the griffin. They are sharp and can be used to create unique knives or necklaces.