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Breadcrumb

Hippogriff

Challenge
str
16
dex
13
con
12
int
2
wis
12
cha
8

AC 12 (natural armor)

HP 39 (6d10 + 6; bloodied 19)

Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft.


Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 13

Skills Perception +3 (+1d4)

Senses passive Perception 15

Languages


Keen Sight. The hippogriff has advantage on Perception checks that rely on sight.


ACTIONS

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Combat

The hippogriff swoops in to attack and then flies away, risking opportunity attacks. It flees when bloodied.


Legends and Lore

With a History or Nature check, characters can learn the following:

DC 10 Hippogriffs are horses with the heads, talons, and wings of eagles.

DC 15 Though their talons can be deadly, hippogriffs fight only when defending their young.

DC 20 Hippogriffs can be trained to serve as mounts.

Description

A hippogriff is a lean, lightly built horse with an eagle’s wings and head. Instead of front hooves, it has talons, and instead of a mane, it has feathers. 

Long Journeys. When the seasons change and grass becomes scarce, hippogriffs migrate across sweeping plains and mountain ranges. A hippogriff typically has multiple eyries in different parts of the world, and it flies unerringly from one to another. It deviates from its route only to avoid predators such as griffons. A hippogriff’s first instinct is to run from a threat; typically, it fights only if backed into a corner or when defending its young. 

Flighty Mounts. Hippogriff eggs sell for a hefty sum. Though hippogriffs lack the strength and speed of griffons, a hippogriff is easier to train and much less temperamental. A stable has no need to fear that a hippogriff will eat one of its horses. The most challenging part about keeping a hippogriff mount is providing it sufficient space to exercise, as they hate being cooped up. 

Behavior

1–2 Flying overhead

3 Wounded wing; can’t fly

4 Watching from nest

5 Guarding eggs; attacks on sight

6 Fleeing from griffon , wyvern , or other predator

Signs

1 Eagle call

2 A mix of claw marks and hoof prints

3 Enormous nest atop a peak or in an ancient tree

4 DC 11 Perception check: large feathers

Encounters

Hippogriffs favor mountain eyries and wild forests.

CR 0–2 1 or 2 hippogriffs

CR 3–4 3 or 4 hippogriffs

Treasure hippogriff egg

Monster Type Description

Monstrosities are magical beings usually native to the Material Plane. Some monstrosities combine the features of beasts and humanoids, like centaurs . Others have bizarre or unnatural appearances, like many-tentacled ropers . Monstrosities could only arise in a world suffused with magic.