Griffin (creature)

Griffins

Details
Class	Hybrids
Variations	Royal griffin Archgriffin
Occurrence	primeval highlands, unreachable mountain summits
Immunity	silver
Vulnerable to	Grapeshot Hybrid oil Aard
Tactics	Flying attacks
Loot	Griffin mutagen Griffin's egg Griffin feathers Infused dust Raw meat Monster brain Monster claw Monster eye Monster heart Monster tongue

The griffin (also "Gryphon" or "Griffon") is a creature with the body, legs, and tail of a lion and the head, wings, and talons of an eagle.

“

The griffin looks like a combination of a ferocious cat and a giant bird. It usually inhabits primeval highlands and builds its nests on unreachable mountain summits. The griffin preys on large mammals and, being a highly territorial creature, fiercely defends its hunting grounds. When the first colonists appeared and trade routes expanded, griffins were known to attack settlers and merchants in defense of their territory. Griffins are tough opponents and their strength should not be underestimated. Obstinate and aggressive, they make deadly use of their ability to fly during combat, swooping down on their enemies, knocking them to the ground and ripping them to shreds with their claws and beak.

”

~ Official description.^[1]

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[ | ]

The griffin is a hybrid, a cross between an enormous cat and a bird of prey. According to some researchers it is one of the creatures that arrived during the Conjunction, whereas others claim it is a native species that appeared in this world long before that event. Due to the paucity of sources from this (...) ^[2]

Reading the book Heraldic Animals provides a bestiary entry for griffins.

Bestiary entry[ | ]

Aye, half-eagle, half tomcat, just like on the lord's crest. 'Cept this 'un was carryin' me dead cow 'stead of a scepter.
— Griffin attack witness, name unknown

Griffins were once only found high in the mountains, where they would hunt marmots and wild goats. When humans encroached on their lands, however, griffins soon discovered a new source of much more plentiful and easier-caught prey: cows, sheep and shepherds. Though still wary of main roads and towns (where fold with the means to hire a witcher are like to dwell), these half-eagle, half-wildcat creatures have gone from rarities to oft-encountered pests known throughout the Northern Realms. Especially hated are the subspecies known as royal griffins and archgriffins.