Griffon (Dungeons & Dragons)

Infobox D&D creature


caption=A griffon flies above the City of Greyhawk, from the cover of "The Doomgrinder" (1998).
name=Griffon
alignment=
type=Magical beast
subtype=
source=
first=
mythical=Griffin
based=
wizards_image_URL=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG140.jpg
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/monstersG.html#griffon

In the "Dungeons & Dragons" fantasy roleplaying game, the griffon is a powerful, majestic and highly intelligent magical beast.

Publication history

The griffon was based upon the griffons of various mythologies.Fact|date=August 2008

Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)

The griffon was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" set (1974), where they were described as being the most prized of steeds, and fond of horse flesh. [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson. "Dungeons & Dragons" (3-Volume Set) (TSR, 1974)]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)

The griffon appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), [Gygax, Gary. "Monster Manual" (TSR, 1977)] where it is described as an aggressive carnivore whose favorite prey is horses; it seek cliffs and rocky habitats in which to build its nest.

Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)

This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the griffon, in the "Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set" (1977), [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974] , edited by J. Eric Holmes. "Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set" (TSR, 1977)] "Expert Set" (1981 & 1983), [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974] , edited by Dave Cook. "Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set" (TSR, 1981)] [Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974] , edited by Frank Mentzer. "Dungeons & Dragons Set 2: Expert Rules" (TSR, 1983)] and the "Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia" (1991). [Schend, Steven E., Jon Pickens, and Dori Warty (Editors). "Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia" (TSR, 1991)]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

The griffon appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), [Cook, David, et al. "Monstrous Compendium Volume Two" (TSR, 1989)] and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). [Stewart, Doug, ed. "Monstrous Manual" (TSR, 1993)]

The griffon is further detailed in "Dragon" #161 (September 1990), in "The Ecology of the Griffon.". [Kederich, Christopher. "The Ecology of the Griffon." "Dragon" #161 (TSR, 1990)]

Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)

The griffon appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). [Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. "Monster Manual" (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)]

"Savage Species" (2003) presented the griffon as both a race and a playable class. [Eckelberry, David, Rich Redman, and Jennifer Clarke Wilkes. "Savage Species" (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)]

Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)

The griffon appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)

The griffon appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), including the rimefire griffon. The hippogriff also appears under the griffon entry in this edition's Monster Manual. [Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. "Monster Manual" (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)]

Physical description

Griffons have the hindquarters of a lion, and the forequarters of a giant eagle. Large wings come from their backs, and their tail is a mix of fur and feathers.

ociety

Griffons are highly prized as aerial steeds due to their gracefulness and valor. In order for this, a griffon must have a friendly attitude towards the tamer/rider. As they are goodly creatures, the rider must be good or neutral himself. Riding a griffon requires six weeks of training, and an exotic saddle. Sometimes griffon eggs are stolen and they are raised to be mounts from birth, but this is rare, as griffons defend their eggs well. Griffons attack by pouncing or diving from above, and then slashing with the claws of their front paws. For some reason, griffons hate horses with a passion.

Griffons cannot speak, but understand Common.

Griffons are neutral in alignment.

Griffons in Eberron

In the Eberron campaign setting, the Griffon is the heraldic beast of the Dragonmarked House Jorasco.

References