1. Prowl-70%
2. Track by sight-70%
3. Wilderness Survival: Forest-98%

Description: Half-lion, half-eagle, Gryphon are ferocious avian carnivores that prey upon horses and their kin (hippogriffs, pegasi, and unicorns). This hunger for horseflesh often brings Gryphon into direct conflict with humans and demihumans.

Adult Gryphon stand five feet at the shoulder and weigh over half a ton. Their head, upper torso, and forelegs are like those of a giant eagle. This eagle half is covered in feathers from its wing tips to its razor-sharp beak. Their powerful forelimbs end in long, hooked talons. Wings, with a span of 20 feet or more, rise out of their backs. The lower half of a Gryphon is that of a lion. Thick, windproof fur covers the lion half's muscular rear legs and clawed feet. Foot long tail feather's fan out from above the lion's tail that hangs down from the Gryphon's powerful rear haunches.

Gryphon speak no languages, but communicate with different vocal pattern's and physical expressions.

- Laying ears flat - anger, frustration
- Constant Blinking - annoyance
- Parted Beak - amusement, happiness
- Beak clacking - confusion, nervousness
- Lashing tail - strong anger
- Binding feather's to body - fear, confusion, apprehension
- Fluffing of feathers - happiness, contentment (Intimidation)
- Fluffed fur - fear
- Dialating pupils - excitement
- Preening - cleaning (only when comfortable & content)
- Mantling - guarding a kill
- Head tucked under wing - sleeping gryphon
- Eagle Cry: An eagle sound, this call can mean many things. The "scree" is usually a call to other Gryphon, or a hunting sound. The differences between the two are too subtle to describe but to a Gryphon itself. It is sharp, piercing, and a poetic sound. The "call", which is lower pitched but still sharp, is usually uttered in fear. The "screech" is the lowest pitched and rather hoarse, but still recognizable as an eagle sound. It is one of anger.
- Lion Growl: Anger and irritation are denoted by this low pitched rumble. This is a warning or a threat to knock it off or pay the price.
- Roar: Long distance communication, this is an obviously lion sound, uttered either drawn out (stating "this is my territory") or in barks of sound (meaning "come to me").
- Snarl: This lion sound is one of intense anger, usually uttered during a fight. It is a very "mountain lion" or "puma" type noise, not typical of African lions.
- Scream: An entirely Gryphon sound, the scream is a combination of the screech and snarl and is uttered only during extreme anger and often a fight. It starts out the high pitch of a eagle screech and lowers and rumbles in the snarl of a catamount.
- Purr: Unlike lions, Gryphon can truly purr. It is a low, calm rumble deep in the Gryphon chest. It denotes happiness and contentment.

Combat: Gryphon hunt in groups of 12 or less, searching the plains and forests near (within 20 miles) their lair for horses and herd animals. With their superior vision and sense of smell, Gryphon can spot prey up to two miles distant. If the prey is horse or horse-kin, Gryphon are 90% likely to attack even if the horses have riders. Gryphon hunt only for food, so a rider who releases one or two horses can usually escape unharmed (though in all likelihood his horse won't). Any attempt to protect a horse brings the full fury of the attacking Gryphon on the protector.

When attacking ground targets, Gryphon use their great size and weight to swoop down from above and raking their opponent with the talons before landing nearby. Gryphon always fight to the death if there is horseflesh at stake.

In aerial combat, Gryphon are equally fierce, lunging into battle and tearing at their opponent until they or their prey are dead. Many a Gryphon has plummeted to its death with a struggling hippogriff caught firmly in its grasp.

Habitat/Society: Gryphon prefer rocky habitats, near open plains. Once Gryphon establish their territory, they remain until the food supply has been exhausted.

Gryphon, like lions, live in prides, with each pride comprising several mated pairs, their young, and one dominant male. The dominant male is responsible for settling territorial disputes with other prides and choosing the direction the hunt will take.

Female Gryphon, like female raptors, are larger than the males. Other than that, there are no distinguishing outward characteristics, as the genetalia of a Gryphon (unlike of a lion) is internal, like a birds.

Each pair of mated Gryphon in the pride has its own nest, located near the pride's other lairs. Gryphon nests are usually situated in shallow caves, high along a cliff face.

The nests are made of sticks and leaves, as well as an occasional bone. Gryphon collect no treasure, but their caves frequently contain the remains of unfortunate travelers who tried to protect their horses from the Gryphon.

During spring, female Gryphon lay one or two eggs that hatch in the late summer. For the first three months Gryphon young are known as hatchlings; thereafter, until they mature the young are called fledglings. Gryphon young grow rapidly for three years until they are large enough to hunt with the pride. Adult Gryphon are extremely protective of their young and attack without mercy any creature that approaches within 100 feet of the nest.

Ecology: If trained from a very early age (three years or less), Gryphon will serve as mounts. The training, however, is both time-consuming and expensive, requiring the expertise of an animal trainer for two years. Once trained, though, Gryphon make fierce and loyal steeds, bonding with one master for life, and protecting him even unto death. A Gryphon mount knows no fear in battle, but attacks any horse or horse-kin in preference to other opponents.

Acquiring a Gryphon fledgling is a very dangerous venture as the adults never stray far from the nest and fight to the death to defend eggs or young. Any given Gryphon nest is 75% likely to contain one or two fledglings or eggs. Fledgling Gryphon sell for 5,000 gold pieces on the open market; eggs sell for 2,000 gold pieces each.