Griffon
This majestic beast combines the features of a sleek black eagle and the strong, lean musculature of a panther.
Mythic Griffon CR 5/MR 2
XP 1,600
N Large magical beast (mythic)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +12
Defense
AC 19, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +8 natural, –1 size)
hp 62 (5d10+35)
Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +4
DR 5/epic
Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (average)
Melee bite +8 (1d6+4 plus grab), 2 talons +10 (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks mythic power (2/day, surge +1d6), pounce, power dive, rake (2 claws +8, 1d4+4)
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; CMB +10 (+14 grapple); CMD 22 (26 vs. trip)
Feats Flyby AttackB, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (talons)M
Skills Acrobatics +10, Fly +6, Perception +12; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Perception
Languages Common (cannot speak)
Ecology
Environment temperate hills
Organization solitary, pair, or pride (6–10)
Treasure incidental
Special Abilities
Power Dive (Ex) A flying mythic griffon can move up to four times its speed when it charges. If its charge begins 40 or more feet above its target, its first attack deals double damage. It must be flying downward at an angle of 45 degrees or steeper to use this ability.
A mythic griffon is a superior specimen—perhaps augmented by magic, blessed by a nature goddess, or the descendant of an exceptional line of mighty griffons dating back to the first of its kind. Stronger and faster than other griffons, it is aware of its superiority (even though it is no more intelligent than a non-mythic griffon) and will only consent to a truly heroic rider who respects it as an equal rather than as a mere steed.
If approached by a suitable rider, a mythic griffon is no more difficult to train than a non-mythic griffon. The eggs of a mythic griffon usually sell for twice as much as those of a common griffon, though there is no way to tell if a particular hatchling is mythic until it is several weeks or months old. Mythic griffons are extremely protective of their mates, eggs, and offspring, and may spend the rest of their lives in the search for vengeance against thieves or murderers—even working with lesser beings as allies or riders.
A mythic griffon who cannot find a suitable griffon mate may consort with unicorns, awakened horses, or mythic horses or unicorns. The offspring of such unions is usually a hippogriff, but in rare cases is a mythic hippogriff. Because of prejudice against a hippogriff's animal-level intelligence, a mythic griffon usually leaves its offspring once they are grown.
A mythic griffon can carry up to 400 pounds as a light load, 800 pounds as a medium load, and 1,200 pounds as a heavy load.
