Griffons are powerful, majestic creatures with the characteristics of both lions and eagles. Celestial versions of these creatures inhabit the Upper Planes, whence they may be summoned by mages and good-aligned clerics.
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Griffon
This beast’s body resembles that of a muscular lion. Its head and front legs are those of a great eagle, and it has a pair of large, golden wings.
Griffons hunt all manner of prey but favor the flesh of horses above all else.
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. A griffon weighs about 500 pounds.
Griffons make their homes in high places, swooping down with a shrill, eaglelike cry to attack their prey. Although both aggressive and territorial, they are also intelligent enough to avoid obviously powerful enemies. They almost always attack horses, however, and any who attempt to protect horses from a hungry griffon often end up on the menu themselves.
Combat
Griffons prefer to pounce on their prey, either diving to the attack or leaping from above.
Griffon
Large magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision, low-light vision, scent; Perception +14
Defense
AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (−1 size, +2 Dex, +6 natural)
hp 62 (7d8+31)
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +5
Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee bite +11 (1d8+4), 2 talons +10 (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +10, 1d4+4)
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +7; CMB +12; CMD 24 (28 vs. trip)
Feats Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Acrobatics +12, Fly +6, Perception +14
Languages Common (can’t speak)
Morale mercenary (+0)
Ecology
Environment temperate hills
Organization solitary, pair, or pride (1d6+6)
Special Abilities
Pounce (Ex)
If a griffon dives upon or charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.
Rake (Ex)
A griffon rakes with its two rear claws. Attack bonus for each is +10, damage 1d4+4.
Skills
Griffons have a +4 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Perception checks.
Griffon (celestial)
Celestial griffons can be summoned with the summon monster V spell.
Griffon (celestial)
Large magical beast (extraplanar, good)
Init +2; Senses darkvision, low-light vision, scent; Perception +14
Defense
AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (−1 size, +2 Dex, +6 natural)
hp 62 (7d8+31)
DR 5/evil
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +5
SR 12
Resist cold 10, fire 10
Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee bite +11 (1d8+4), 2 talons +10 (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +10, 1d4+4), smite evil
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +7; CMB +12; CMD 24 (28 vs. trip)
Feats Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Acrobatics +12, Fly +6, Perception +14
Languages Celestial, Common (can’t speak)
Morale intrepid (+2)
Ecology
Environment temperate hills
Organization solitary, pair, or pride (1d6+6)
Special Abilities
Pounce (Ex)
If a celestial griffon dives upon or charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.
Rake (Ex)
A celestial griffon rakes with its two rear claws. Attack bonus for each is +10, damage 1d4+4.
Smite Evil (Su)
Once per day, as a swift action, a celestial griffon can add +7 to its damage rolls against an evil creature; this bonus persists until the opponent is dead or the encounter is concluded.
Skills
Celestial griffons have a +4 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Perception checks.