Gryphon

Gryphons are a type of chimeran with the head, wings, and forelegs of an eagle, and the mane, back legs, and tail of a lion. They are considered lordly creatures, since they combine features of the most kingly of beasts. A gryphon is the symbol of Illikon and occasionally appears in other Imperial heraldry.

As with all monsters, one had best leave any potential hunting of gryphons to the Venatori, as gryphons are incredibly powerful and clever. It is easy to find death in their mighty talons. Even the most experienced hunters of ordinary creatures will die attempting to face down a gryphon.

The following passages are quoted from Midgard's Noblest Beasts, written by an anonymous monk of Astra Aeterna.

Behavior

Gryphons often living in seclusion in mountains and passes, far away from the civilizations of Men, perhaps driven there in ancient times. They are said to hate horses with the greatest of passions. They will take and kill livestock, such as cattle. One adult gryphon can carry off a single fully-grown ox or even two oxen yoked together, returning them to the nest to feed its young. What god created a thing such as a gryphon, combining the noblest of all ordinary animals into a single creature, remains unknown. Some believe them to be the result of magical energy gone awry, corrupting existing creatures into an amalgamation.

Similar to another noble creature, the dragon, gryphons sometimes hoard treasure, particularly precious jewels and gold, using it to line their nests. They are fierce protectors of their nests and eggs, putting the lives of their young above all else.