Half-eagle, half-lion, their head, wings, and front legs are bird-like, while their torso and hindlegs are those of a lion. The tail is a big, fox-like brush with a thick layering of a mixture of feathers and fur. They have feathered ear-tufts as well.
They are most often a shade of brown, or metallic in color, and there are also black and white gryphons. Most are one solid color, but sometimes their feathers and fur are two completely different colors, giving the gryphon a 'two-toned' look.
Abilities
Extremely intelligent, and also very fierce fighters. They are an exceedingly sly and clever race, and some say they can manipulate even kings to their own ends. They do not seem interested in forming any sort of higher government or culture, but they like stories and history. All gryphons have magic roughly equivilent in power to that of human mages.
Lifestyle
They prefer to live in the wild and hunt and kill their food, though a few move into human cities and perform useful services. Most of the population lives in high, mountainous areas, far from human habitations. They live in prides of 5-15 gryphons, with a rigorous heirarchy and pride loyalty is enforced. Any gryphon who breaks a law or otherwise displeases the pride's leaders is exiled and forbidden from contact with other gryphons. The various prides are very warlike and fight with each other constantly.