Planar Adventures for Dummies: Ecology of the Griffin

The griffin as described in the monster manual is fairly boring in comparison to its portrayal in the medieval bestiaries from which it originates. Here are some ideas for making griffins more interesting and closer to their mythological origins.

Variant spellings: grifon, gryfon (obsolete), gryphon, griffon
Etymology/origin: speculated from same root as cherub and ultimately tutelaries

Assorted facts about griffins

Griffins are known as kings of beasts and lords of the skies.
Griffin are wholly natural creatures, not hybrids created by a mad wizard.
Griffin feathers may cure blindness, and possibly other ailments.
A drinking horn made from a griffin's claw changes color in the presence of poison.
Griffin ribs and feathers make for excellent bows and arrows.
Griffins often eat livestock and sometimes humans, making them dangerous pests.
Griffins lair in the mountains of Hyperborea, Ethiopia, Caucasus, Scythia and India.
Griffins are known for digging gold from mines, which they use to line their nests.
Griffins lay agate eggs, which alchemists may use to cure any illness.
Griffins zealously guard the precious stones found in their habitats.
Because of their attraction to precious materials, they commonly guard treasure.
Griffin taming is a booming industry.
Mountain dwarves tame griffins as metal detectors and steeds.
There are many different varieties of griffins.

Famous griffins

Although typically described as resembling the combination of a lion's hindquarters and an eagle's forequarters, the extended griffin family includes many varieties which may resemble any feline and avian combination. Griffins have a high degree of physical diversity, and some recurring varieties have been given unique names. Here are some examples.

Alce

The alce, simply put, is a wingless griffin. Like winged griffins, they come in many varieties such as the keythong and Grecian griffin.

Axex

The axex is native to Egypt. They possess lean, powerful physiques and a crest of feathers atop their heads. Some sages speculate that this crest, which resembles a rooster's comb, distinguishes the males of the species. They may be the same as the Grecian griffin.

Classical

The classical griffin, or simply "griffin," is the most widespread in art and heraldry from Britain through the Middle East. It is mistakenly believed to be the standard example of the species, so all other varieties are named after it.

Griffiness (female griffin)

A griffiness is any female griffin, though it may also refer to an exclusively female variant of the classical griffin. Their male counterparts are the wingless keythong.

Grecian

The Grecian griffin is native to the islands of Greece. They had leopard-like bodies with white fur, and fringes of colorful feathers on their head and shoulders. They were depicted in Minoan and Mycenaean art: one fresco depicts a wingless griffin lounging in grass, another depicts winged griffins tied in a stables. They may be the same as the axex.

Hieracosphinx

The hieracosphinx resembles a wingless griffin wearing kohl makeup, but it is actually a celestial being tasked to guard the temples and tombs of the Pharaohs. It represents the power of the eagle-headed forms of the deities Ra and Horus.

Hippogriff

The hippogriff (“horse-griffin”) is a hypothetical hybrid of griffin and horse. Griffins eat horses, so the idea of the two coupling is used as a idiom to refer to relationships that cannot possibly work out. Even if a really, really gifted animal tamer convinced the two to couple, they would be physically unable to produce offspring.

Any creatures named "hippogriff" are unrelated to the griffins proper. A hippogriff has the forequarters of a bird and the hindquarters of a hoofed mammal. Although commonly described as resembling a combination of eagle and horse or of raven and stag, this is just one of many varieties. They may display horns or antlers.

Keythong, aka "Male Griffin"

The keythong lacks wings and is covered in bony spikes. Sometimes they display horns. They are presumed exclusively male, in contrast to the griffiness.

Opinicus, aka Epimacus

The opinicus or epimacus (probably from ophiomachus, “snake fighter”) has the forelegs of a lion and the shorter tail of a bear or camel. It is a nocturnal scavenger, coming out into urban streets at night to find scraps. In the first edition Monster Manual II, and the more recent Adventures Dark & Deep Bestiary, it was depicted with simian features.

Lesser known griffin-kin

In addition to the more famous examples above, there are lesser known examples that are no less intriguing.

Cynogriffin

The cynogriffin (“dog-griffin”) has the forequarters of a canine instead of a feline. The most famous are the Chamrosh and Simurgh of Persian folklore and the Simargl of Slavic folklore (which are probably the same creature from different perspectives).

Hippalectryon

The hippalectryon (“horse-rooster”) has the forequarters of a horse and the hindquarters of a rooster, in a reverse of the hippogriff. It appears only in early vase painting and is speculated to be an early artistic depiction of the pegasus.

Lion-griffin

Also known as the "reverse griffin," the lion-griffin has the forequarters of a lion and the hindquarters of a griffin bird. It appears in the art of Assyria and Persia, and rarely in European heraldry. They are most common in the Middle East and Asia Minor.

Noffig

Another so-called reverse griffin, the noffig is more accurately described as a leftover griffin. While griffins are wholly natural creatures, not the hybrid creations of a mad wizard as popularly believed, it seems that the universe has a sense of humor. A noffig has the head and forelegs of a lion on the body and tail of an eagle, and are as clumsy as the griffin is regal. They are no less diverse than griffins are: some varieties have an eagle's talons and/or wings. They make up for their shortcomings with a surprisingly violent inferiority complex. Do not taunt the noffig!

Noffig have medicinal properties similar to, but opposing, those of the griffin. Their feathers may be used to craft potions of illness or cursed arrows that will bring doom to their archer. Their claws and bones will turn water into blood and sour wine into vinegar. They are drawn to fool's gold, mercury, lead, uranium and other toxic metals and line their nests with these. Their eggshells are likewise toxic. The Romans use noffigs to find lead (to make plates and seasonings) while hatters use them to find mercury (to make hats).

Research materials

Presented below are internet links and books I read to prepare this post.

Internet links

Reading list

Fictitious and Symbolic Creatures in Art, by John Vinycomb
Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth, by Carol Rose
Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, by Theresa Bane
Octavirate Presents: Lethal Lexicon Vol 2, by Trent and Marcus Troop

Planar Adventures for Dummies

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Monday, March 19, 2018

Ecology of the Griffin