AC 12
HP 57 (6d10 + 24; bloodied 28)
Speed 30 ft., fly 80 ft.
Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 14
Skills Perception +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages —
Keen Sight. The griffon has advantage on Perception checks that rely on sight.
Storm Sight. A thunderbird’s vision is not limited by weather.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The griffon attacks once with its beak and once with its talons.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage.
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage, or 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage if the griffon started its turn at least 20 feet above the target, and the target is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the griffon can’t attack a different target with its talons.
Lightning Strike (Recharge 6). The thunderbird exhales a blast of lightning at one target within 60 feet. The target makes a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw , taking 28 (8d6) lightning damage on a failure or half the damage on a success.
Combat
Griffons dive on their prey from above. If horses are present, they target them first. If a griffon catches a Large or smaller creature in its talons, it flies at least 30 feet in the air and drops it, or it brings the victim back to its lair. If reduced to 15 hit points or fewer and not in the presence of horses, it retreats.
Legends and Lore
With a History or Nature check, characters can learn the following:
DC 10 A fearsome mix of eagle and lion, griffons are some of the most formidable predators in the sky.
DC 15 A griffon’s favorite meal is horseflesh; untrained griffons will attack horses in preference of all other targets.
DC 20 Unhatched griffon eggs are priceless to anyone looking to raise a griffon as a mount.
Thunderbirds resemble giant gray eagles. They ride thunderstorms or, some say, summon them.
1 Cruising high overhead; will only attack groups with horses, screeching to attract more griffons
2 Chasing a hippogriff through the air
3 Watching from a rocky cliff top aerie; will only venture out to attack horses
4 Hungry; will attack on sight
5 Sleeping off a recent meal
6 Looking for a meal to bring to its young
1 Loud eagle cry
2 DC 12 Perception check: giant feather on the ground or atop a crag
3 A dead, half-eaten horse
4 An enormous nest
While griffons can be found in any wild environment, they are most commonly seen flying over mountains and hills.
CR 3–4 griffon , flying lion , or thunderbird
CR 5–10 2 or 3 griffons , flying lions , or thunderbirds ; griffon and 1d4 young (statistics of giant eagles)
Treasure gold bracelet set with chrysoberyl (750 gp), messenger satchel containing a state secret