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Griffons are powerful aerial predators. Part eagle, part lion, they are fiercely loyal to one another, and they mate for life. Their favourite food is horse flesh.

Outside the Lair

Splotches of dried blood and lumps of viscera dot the ground about and below the griffons’ nest.
The shattered bones of a horse are scattered over a 20-foot diameter area; it looks like the horse fell from a great height.
A rotting backpack hangs by one strap from a high branch of a tall tree. Intriguingly, the branch is bent under the pack’s weight.
The area immediately surrounding the nest is curiously free of large animals.

What’s Going On?

The griffons are off hunting when the characters reach the nest.
A griffon egg nestles at the bottom of the nest; it shivers and cracks as the characters approach.
A slumbering griffon sits atop an egg.
The griffon is busily engaged tearing a horse’s carcass apart; blood and gore cover the creature’s head and chest. It is distracted.

Major Lair Features

The nest perches on a ledge jutting from a high cliff; the nest commands sweeping views over the surroundings.
The griffons nest on the roof of a ruined tower; most of the tower has fallen to rubble and ruin; only the outer shell remains.
One part of the nest is weak; if a human-sized creature stands on that spot, it could fall through and plummet to the ground far below.
The nest has high walls of interwoven wood and so on; it is sheltered within.

Minor Lair Features

Scraps of sharp bones and rusting equipment line the nest. Incautious explorers could injure themselves in a manner similar to standing on a caltrop.
The griffon’s nest sits in an exposed position; savage winds often batter the nest.
A jumble of bones fills the bottom of the nest. They create an area of shifting, difficult terrain.
The griffon cares nothing for shiny treasures; such items lie intermingled among the general detritus of the nest.

Griffon’s Appearance

With the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle, this warhorse-sized beast is an impressive sight.
This large, part eagle, part lion creature has an impressively vast wingspan. Intelligence glimmers in its unblinking eyes.
This powerful half-lion, half-eagle has large claws at the end of its legs and a wickedly curved beak. Its long, golden tail swishes from side to side.
The sunlight glimmers and shines on the resplendent golden coat of this majestic winged lion that has the head of an eagle.

Treasure

A large mottled white and yellow egg lies at the bottom of the nest. The egg is almost ready to hatch.
A baby griffon—barely days old but already the size of a human male—lies sleeping at the bottom of the nest.
Nine small jet-black stones—unworked onyxes—lie amid the ruin of a rotting pouch.
A bony hand juts from the nest wall; several plain golden rings yet glimmer on its bony fingers.

Trinkets & Trash

Scraps of fabric and leather cling to the splintered bones of the griffons’ many humanoid victims.
A slashed and bloody horse’s saddle yet has its saddlebags attached. Most of the contents are ruined, but a treasure may lurk within.
The remains of a rent suit of chain barding sized for a horse lie scattered about the floor. The barding is—essentially—unrepairable but could be used for scrap.
A broken lance—its tip missing—lies in the nest. Deep scratches festoon its haft.

Credit

This is a short system-neutral extract from Monstrous Lair #92: Griffons’ Nest by Robert Manson.

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