Gryphon Rider
Gryphons are powerful hybrid beasts, with the body of a lion and the head, wings, and talons of an eagle. Gryphons are intelligent hunters, using their flight and size to swoop down and take their prey by surprise at an alarming force. They can be quite territorial, and many stories of gryphons protecting their nest from larger, more monstrous foes has led to a legacy of courage and boldness. So much so that some armies and courts have adopted this majestic beast as their crest, claiming it represents their fearlessness even in dire situations.
The truly fearless, though, are those who embark to tame a gryphon. Many foolish eccentrics try to tame wild gryphons, but few actually succeed in the challenge. Those who do typically refuse to actually call it ‘gryphon taming’ because the notion of ‘taming’ an animal as intelligent as a gryphon is misleading. True gryphon riders much prefer to call their gryphons companions or partners.
Some military troops have recognized the potency of having domesticated gryphons on their side, and have set out to start breeding programs. When successful, these breeding programs make taming gryphons (after the first generation) much easier, since they grow up in captivity rather than in the wild. Such military programs are an invaluable asset to the kingdoms that have them, giving them an edge in combat as well as swift cross-kingdom communication.
Gryphon
Aspects
Large lion-eagle hybrid • Territorial hunter • Courageous • Can fly
Skills
- +3 Talons (Fight)
- +3 Muscular (Physique)
- +2 Deft (Athletics)
- +1 Keen (Notice)
Health
Stress
[1] • [2] • [3]
Mild consequence [2]
Stunts
Violent landing
The gryphon can land in such a way that it throws its body weight into its enemies. When the gryphon ends its movement for the turn by landing, it can make a free Muscular (Physique) attack against one character in the zone.
Snatch
When the gryphon succeeds on a Talons (Fight) check against a target on the ground while flying it may choose to reduce the stress inflicted by one to impose a Snatched aspect on the character. Until Snatched is removed, the gryphon is holding the character in its talons
Gryphon Rider
Aspects
Gryphon jockey and trainer • Fearless enough to try it • Saddle suited for flight
Skills
- +3 Jockey (Athletics)
- +2 Javelins (Shoot)
- +2 Spear (Fight)
- +1 Gryphon training (Lore and Empathy)
Health
Stress
[1] • [2]
Stunts
Gryphon Riding
When mounted in the saddle, the gryphon rider automatically succeeds on any checks related to remaining mounted to the gryphon if the source of opposition is related just to the speed or movement of the gryphon.
Eccentric Combat
The gryphon rider gets a +2 to any Athletics checks related to leaping from one place to another, grabbing something, maintaining a grip on something, or rolling with a fall or impact