Monster: Striygryph

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Striygryph

A massive beast with the body of an enormous snow panther and head and wings of a giant owl.

CR 9; XP 6,400
N Huge Magical Beast
Init +8; Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +26

Defense
AC 23, touch 13, flat-footed 18 (+4 Dex, +1 dodge, +10 natural, –2 size)
hp 114 (12d10+48)
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +8
Defensive Abilities acrobatic flight; DR 5/cold iron; Resist cold 10

Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
Melee bite +15 (1d8+4), 2 claws +15 (1d8+4)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks flying grab, pounce, rake (2 claws +15, 1d8+4)

Statistics
Str 18, Dex 18, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 19, Cha 13
Base Atk +12; CMB +18 (+22 grapple); CMD 32 (36 vs. trip)
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (bite), Weapon Focus (claws)
Skills Fly +21, Perception +26, Stealth +19; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception, +8 Stealth
Language Common, Sylvan (can't speak)

Ecology
Environment temperate forests, hills, and mountains
Organization solitary, pair
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Acrobatic Flight (Ex) A flying striygryph can make Fly checks in place of Acrobatic checks, and while perching on narrow surfaces.

Flying Grab (Ex) A flying striygryph can make two claw attacks as a standard action. If both attacks successfully hit against a creature two or more sizes smaller than the striygryph, it can follow with a free grapple attempt that doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.


Occasionally, a gryphling doesn't stop growing after reaching its maturity. Instead, it gets bigger and bigger as the years pass, its intelligence also developing to be more complex. It is unclear what exactly what triggers such growth, though exposure to fey dabbling and Otherworldly energies are suspected as the main factors.

Like their smaller siblings, striygryphs are curious, playful creatures, and, despite their higher intelligence the predatory nature is still strong in them.