Griffon
Large carnivorous creatures resembling lions with the head, foreclaws and wings of eagles
Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game
| Armor Class | 18 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 7 |
| Number Appearing | Wild 2d8, Lair 2d8 |
| Attacks | 2 claws/1 bite |
| Damage | 1d4/1d4/2d8 |
| Movement | 40' (10') Fly 120' (10') |
| Save As | Fighter: 7 |
| Morale | 8 |
| XP | 670 |
| Treasure Type | E |
Griffons are large carnivorous creatures resembling lions with the head, foreclaws and wings of eagles. From nose to tail, an adult griffon can measure as much as 8 feet. Neither males nor females are endowed with a mane. A pair of broad, golden wings emerge from the creature’s back and span 25 feet or more. An adult griffon weighs about 500 pounds.
Griffons nest on high mountaintops, soaring down to feed on horses, the beast’s preferred prey. They hunt and travel in ocks. A Griffon will attack a horse over anything else, diving low to swipe with their claws. They are not above retreating and coming back later, when there may be less of a defense mounted.
Griffons can be trained as mounts if raised in captivity, but even in this case they may try to attack horses if any come within about 120’. Roll a morale check in this case; if the check is failed, the griffon will try to attack immediately. A light load for a griffon is up to 400 pounds; a heavy load, up to 900 pounds.
Special Abilities
Other Sources
Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy
| Armor Class | 5 [14] |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 7 (31hp) |
| Number Appearing | 0 (2d8) |
| Attacks | 2 × claw (1d4), 1 × bite (2d8) |
| THAC0 | 13 [+6] |
| Movement | 120' (40') / 360' (120') flying |
| Saving Throws | D10 W11 P12 B13 S14 (4) |
| Morale | 8 |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| XP | 450 |
| Treasure Type | E |
Special Abilities
OSRIC
| Armor Class | 3 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 7 |
| Number Encountered | 2d6 |
| Attacks | 3 |
| Damage | 1d4/1d4/2d8 |
| Move | 120-ft; 300-ft flying (AA:IV) |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Intelligence | Semi- |
| XP | 7/225+8/hp |
| Treasure Type | 1d12×1,000 cp (20%), 1d6×1,000 sp (30%), 1d4×1,000 ep (10%), 1d6 gems (25%), 1d3 jewellery (20%), 2 magic items (10%), 2d4 potions (40%) |
| Size | Large |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
| Lair | 25% |
Griffons build nests on cliff faces and rocky outcrops. Where possible they even have been known to build nests inside shallow caves. Horses are their favourite meal and being the fearsome hunters they are, griffons will usually attack their prey on sight.
Hatchlings are particularly valuable as they can be trained as mounts. This takes time, effort, and money. The training takes years and must begin early in a griffon’s life. Once the griffon reaches maturity there is no chance of training it.
When ridden by a creature weighing more than 100 lbs, a griffon’s aerial agility decreases to III.