Griffon

A griffon is an intelligent beast with the body of a lion and the wings, forelegs and head of an eagle. In the wild they live in open caverns set in hills and mountain regions. When acquainted with humans, they are usually stabled in airy, doorless stone halls, vaguely resembling their lairs.

Griffons are majestic magical beasts that combine the features of eagles and lions. These creatures are often used as heraldry symbols and mounts by skilled knights.

A griffon has the body of a lion with the head and wings of an eagle. The forelimbs of the griffon are often like those of an eagle, ending in sharp talons, but this is not always the case. Just as lions and eagle have varying physical characteristics based on where in the world they are found, so too are griffons. An adult griffon is about 8 feet long, with a wingspan of 25 feet. The average griffon weighs about 500 pounds.

Griffons are intelligent creatures that make their homes in high places in the mountains. They do this so that their young can be safe from those who would seek to steal them and use them as mounts. Due to the fact that these beasts are intelligent, using a griffon as a mount is seen as a form of slavery in some locations.

Mounts
Griffons are commonly found as mounts throughout the Realms. Some notable examples:
 * The griffon riders of Tith Tilendrothael of ancient Netheril are thought to be the first such riders.
 * The Griffon Guard of Waterdeep
 * The Griffon Legion of Thay
 * The Brotherhood of the Griffon mercenary company

Notable griffons

 * Brightwing, the griffon of Aoth Fezim