Griffon

A griffon was an intelligent beast with the body of a lion and the wings, forelegs, and head of an eagle.

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

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

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

In the wild, they lived in open caverns set in hills and mountain regions. When acquainted with humans, they were usually stabled in airy, doorless stone halls, vaguely resembling their lairs.

Mounts
Griffons were 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