In the times before time after the gods created the dragons bahamut and tiamat the race of dragons spawned and flourished.
The gods wishing to try their hands once more created the gryphon to be the guardians to the heavens. such worked for a while until the gargoyles were to created and also wished to be guardians of heavens.
Dragons ignored the two races as they fought. But soon the heavens were too vast to protect, to dominance of the skies was wished for all three races.
Soon the three mightyraces engaged in mortal combat in the skies above the world: the dragon, the chimera and the gryphon. The dragon used fire and his ability to fly to crushing effect, while the chimera(gargoyle) looked in all directions at once with his many heads, appearing an invincible enemy. The gryphon watched his two foe for a long time, seeking out their strengths and weaknesses. At last he engaged in conflict. Using his wit and intelligence he lured the dragon into the depths of the ocean where his fire was extinguished forever. Burrowing through the earth beneath the chimera, the gryphon attacked from the one direction the chimera had not expected. The chimera never recovered from the surprise and was easily vanquished. In this way a creature thought much smaller and weaker than its adversaries won a great victory! For a time Though the war has never ended, newer stronger and wiser dragons came to fight the smaller gryphon. and it remained a stalemate for a long time until recently went hunting the gryphon (a very social creature) caused their numbers to dwindle.
gryphon were highly monogamous. Not only did they mate for life, but if one partner died, the other would never re-mate. The egg-laying habits of the female is rarely seen, though it is said that , the expectant mother would search out a cave with a very narrow entrance but plenty of room inside, sheltered from the elements. Here she would lay her eggs (about the size of Ostrich eggs), and stand guard over them, especially protecting them against the mountain lions which then roamed the areas inhabited by the gryphon. Some say claimed that griffins hatched out of chunks of agate rather than eggs.
Griffins love gold and gemstones, which they steal, hoard and guard with savage strength and ferocity, they are symbols of guardianship, protection and the retribution of justice.
The vast majority of gryphon's belong to the one species, Raptopantthera gryphos. There are two main varieties: the northern, or Hyperborean griffon, and the Indian griffon. The northern gryphon lives in the hilly forests and mountains of north-eastern Europe and Russia. These forested areas once extended deep into the Ukraine - much further south then they do today. The Indian griffin is found in mountainous regions of North-Eastern India and the Middle East. The only other species of the genus is the opinicus, Raptopanthera opinicus, recognizable by its feline, as opposed to aquiline, forelimbs. It was always rare and is now most certainly extinct.
The griffon is a large, fierce looking creature, about 2 ft higher then a shire horse. The strong wings sprouting from its back are strong enough to carry it at enormous speeds, and lift it off the ground bearing heavy prey. Long ears, sharp eyes and cruelly hooked bills make the griffon a fearsome beast. The tail functions as a rudder in flight. The heavy rear paws help provide extra thrust during take-off and are used to hold pray down while the beak and claws do their worst. The claws are like massive eagles' feet. As the griffon swoops on its quarry, the rear talon sinks into the flesh first. Then the front claws close to form a deadly cage, firmly gripping the doomed creature.
They are a curious creature, always longing to find more knowledge about the world around them. and nothing will stop this quest to learn. Often they are found to be friendly, though they are experts are reading body language and demeanors can alter quickly to turn them from a curious creature to the visious predator that they also are.
Claws/Beak- The claws of the gryphon are one of the sharpest things known. Able to easily tear though dragon scales an most other armors, though they must be constantly maintained and sharpened
Feathers- Feathers look much like any other feather, though closer inspection would show that they are highly resistant to magic and elemental attacks. They constantly re grow but also require extensive maintenance.
Flight-The most aglie creature with wings that the gods ever created, fast and swift upon their wings the gryphon are known to toy with lightening during storms, swirving and dodging in deadly games.