This installment of the My First Monster Manual blog series is the Golden Gryphon.
Environment: Grasslands, Hills, and Mountains
Monster Type: Large Beast
Color: Golden Fur, Dark Gold Feathers around the head and upper torso, White Wings, Yellow Talons, Yellow Beak
Features: Body and Tail of a Lion. Head, Talons, and Wings of a Bird
Abilities: Flight, Enhanced Senses
Recommended Equipment: Magic Saddle and Bridle
Introduction:
The Gryphon is a large majestic magical beast with the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion. It has a large feathered head and wings, and the front talons of a massive bird of prey. The Gryphon has superior sight and hearing to humans and elves. With its large wings, the Gryphon flies at high speeds and long distances. A full grown and mature Gryphon is capable of carrying a couple of passengers and many packs of supplies. Training a Gryphon is a long and arduous process, It requires professional expertise and an enchanted bridle and saddle. A rider uses the enchanted bridle to telepathically communicate commands or desires to the Gryphon. While the saddle sends emotions or instincts from the Gryphon to a rider. A Gryphon is an intelligent and faithful companion. They are great for traveling and dangerous in combat.
Investigation:
At the start of our adventure when we visited the rogues guild, we heard rumors that deep in the Tol’dair military barracks was a captured and hidden monster. The rogues told us to contact one of their own by the name of Duncan, ‘The Nose’. He’s called “The Nose” since he “knows” things.
We found Duncan in a run down bar at the end of the last alley. For a large donation of gold, he could take one of us in for a short time to look at the beast. Since our Dwarf noble hosts would frown on us infiltrating their military barracks, I kept Tolume, our dwarf noble guide, distracted by giving me a tour of the business district. My assistant met up with Duncan and made observations of the hidden monster. Duncan took my assistant through several confusing hidden and magical passages. Eventually, they arrived on a small brick balcony overlooking a grass covered outdoor courtyard.
Observations:
Running around the courtyard was a young golden Gryphon. Running behind it were 5 or 6 befuddled and confused dwarfs. The Gryphon’s golden feathers shone in the sunlight as it leapt into the air and pushed itself higher with a swoop of its beautiful white wings. Clutched in one talon was a saddle. Off to one side of the courtyard a rune priest and a few robed wizards studied several books scattered across a table. The Gryphon seemed very content and was enjoying playing with all the dwarfs. She enjoyed playing with one dwarf the most, swooshing gusts of wind at him with her wings and nipping his shirt with her beak. “It’s been this same circus everyday since they found her”, Duncan said as they returned back through the maze of hidden and magic passages.
Conclusion:
According to Duncan, Tol’dair can’t find a Gryphon trainer to help them raise the young Gryphon they stole from a nest. So, they’ve been improvising. They have all the magic items they need; they just don’t know how to use them. Before we could leave him in the bar, Duncan said, “If you liked that, I know someone who can show you something better”. At the cost of more of our gold coin, we couldn’t help but take the lead.
About:
The Golden Gryphon is part of our “My First Monster Manual” blog series where we will feature each of the monsters we are considering for inclusion in our new children’s book. Click here to learn more info on My First Monster Manual.
Artist: Joshua Johnson – joshings.com
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