Griffon (Dungeons & Dragons)

Griffon
An illustration of a Griffon
Characteristics
Type	Magical beast
Image	Wizards.com image
Stats	Open Game License stats
Publication history
Mythological origins	Griffin

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

The griffon was based upon the griffons of various mythologies.

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.

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

This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the griffon, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977),Expert Set (1981 & 1983), and the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).

The griffon appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).

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

The griffon appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).

Savage Species (2003) presented the griffon as both a race and a playable class.

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

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.

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.