AVIANS

GRIFFINS

a collage of wonder and strength

Griffins (gryphons) are an ancient race of winged beasts with a murky origin. They were once thought to be gifts from the holy realm to just kings and rulers, but no one has been able to prove such a theory. These beasts are very interesting to look at, like a great menagerie of what most deem noble or royal looking. They are long lived naturally but they have been so heavily hunted recently that most don't make it to their natural end. They tend to live for a few hundred years naturally. Griffins are physically powerful beasts who rely much more on physical strength and ability than magic.


» APPEARANCE.
» Human Form --//
The human form of a griffin is no different than any human. They blend in extremely well and over the years have adapted to do so, therefore they do not really stick out very much, if at all.


» True Form--//
They have the head of a bird of prey, typically an eagle, but they are known to present with the heads of hawks, owls, or falcons as well. They're covered in feathers from head to just past the shoulders and down their front legs which end in bird's feet with great talons. They have huge wings off their shoulders for flight that will match the bird head they have. The feathers will taper off on their backs, though some will have a bird's tail over the lion tail. The back half of the griffin is typically a lion, though they are known to present with other large feline back ends as well. Griffins are always large, they typically stand at around 7 feet at the shoulders with a variation a foot or so in either direction. They are largely very feline in body shape and will move as such, though their head sometimes moves in the twitchy fashion of a bird.


» ABILITIES.
» Inhuman Strength --//
These creatures are very physically strong, not quite on par with dragons, but a step ahead of weres.

» Enhanced Senses --//
They have beyond human senses, they can smell and hear very well. Their strongest sense, however, is their eyesight. They can see perfectly from almost any height with incredible sharpness.

» Sharp Claws and Beak --//
They're primary defense is the curved hook shaped beak on the front of their face. They will often bite and pull downward to sink the hooked tip of the beak in and then yank to rip through muscles. They're very well equipped with sharp feline claws on their back feet, but they are nothing compared to the strong talons these beasts are rocking in the front. They are very capable of shredding you with those. Griffin's talons are able to cut through just about anything and are said to never dull which makes them incredibly valuable.

» Flight --//
They're very skilled flyers though they aren't the fastest. They are still very quick, though. This ability is limited to their true form because they very much need their wings to fly.

» Shifting --//
They can shift freely, though like unicorns, dragons, and phoenixes they may be a bit reluctant to reveal what they are to anyone.

» Hardy --//
They can withstand pretty substantial physical trauma, though they will bruise and cut with enough effort. They are not invincible.

» One Psychic Ability --//
They are granted ONE psychic based ability from our power guide. However, griffins are always a bit hesitant to use these powers because it doesn't seem to be as honorable as beating someone in physical combat. Most griffins ignore these abilities until they either wither and become minute or until they manifest and go out of control. It is not uncommon to see an older griffin who still has no control over their psychic ability.

» WEAKNESSES.
» Shackles Made of Iron --//
The use of iron shackles around their ankles will prevent them from flying or walking away. It is unsure why, but they need not be enchanted, just fastened and locked around their ankles. It's thought to be a psychological block, but it will always work.

» Gold --//
The griffins, much like the dragons, have a weakness for hoarding up treasure. Gold brings out a very dark, greedy side of them and if they are left alone with large amounts of it, it is said to drive them mad.

» Magic --//
They are no more resistant to magic than a human. They can take kinetic blasts better but as far as actual magic goes they are vulnerable.

» Mortal --//
They can still be hurt or killed in most normal ways, though they are very physically substantial, they are not invincible.

» Average Healing --//
They heal at human rates of speed and must nurse wounds like the average person would for them to get better.