These are wild and dangerous creatures that hunt from the tallest crags of the northern World Edge Mountains. Brave adventurers seek out their high nests and steal their chicks to raise in captivity. Only in this way can a Griffon ever be made tame enough to allow anyone to ride it, and even then they are temperamental and ferocious beasts.

Griffons have fierce heads with a hooked beak like that of a huge bird of prey. Their forequarters too are feathered, with scaly limbs bearing powerful claws that are bird-like and razor sharp. Behind its huge feathered wings, the Griffon`s body is furred and it has huge taloned paws and a tail like mountain lions, others have skins which are spotted or striped, or which are as black as night.

The Emperor Karl Franz is famous for his extensive collection of creatures at the Imperial Zoo in Altdorf, including the Griffon Deathclaw, which the Emperor has ridden into battle on many occasions. Taken from its nest as a chick and raised by the Emperor himself, the Griffon has formed an unusually close bond with his master and has learned to obey commands. Deathclaw frequently flies freely above Altdorf, returning to his cage at nightfall (much to relief of the citizens).