The origins of these mysterious creatures are lost. They are a fearful fusion of feline, avian and serpentine, and they take the best of each race; the head, beak and wings of an eagle, the body of a lion and occasionally the tail of a serpent or scorpion. Thus they can FLY, and they use their formidable lion's claws and serpent's bite to combat any foe. It is also hard to hurt a griffon, for their pelts offer provide hide-like protection. Griffons are creatures of great intelligence; unfortunately, their physical form is poorly designed for the subtle motions of spellcasting, and so they make poor spellcasters.
As with their bodies, their abilities are a mix of all. They are long-lived, and though they learn slowly, they are perhaps the most versatile of all the creatures in the realm.