Monstrous Lair: Hippogriffs' Nest
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Nesting in remote spots far from civilisation, hippogriffs mate for life. They have magical origins and are fierce fighters. For all intents and purposes, hippogriffs appear to be a cross between an eagle and a horse.
Outside the Lair
Steep cliffs and jagged, knife-like ridges dominate the area around the hippogriffs’ nest.
A crumbling cliff and deep ravine make approaching the nest difficult and dangerous.
Splintered bones and splotches of dried blood—the hippogriffs’ leavings—dot the nest’s environs.
Dark clouds hang low in the sky, and a heavy mist coils about the nest and its environs.
What’s Going On?
One of the nest’s occupants is away hunting; the other sits on a pair of eggs.
Two hippogriffs slumber in the nest; they are alert, however, and are not easily surprised.
The adult hippogriffs wheel and circle in the air above the nest. They almost certainly spot any non-invisible characters approaching their home.
One of the hippogriffs has just returned with a goat carcass for its young. The young mewl shrilly in anticipation of their imminent feeding.
Major Lair Features
The nest’s woven wooden walls are thick and well-made. Virtually no wind enters the nest through them.
The nest stands hard against a deep, crumbling precipice. It is well made, though, and in no danger of falling into the abyss below.
The nest fills the entrance to a large cave, which the hippogriffs also use: bones, bits of wood and broken equipment cover the floor.
The nest stands upon an upthrust pinnacle of wind-blasted stone. From here, the hippogriffs have incredible views of the surroundings.
Minor Lair Features
Two large, mottled white eggs nestle against one another at the bottom of the nest.
A smattering of feathers stirs in the faint breeze penetrating the nest’s woven walls.
The hippogriffs use old cloaks, scraps of cloth and so on as a soft bed for their eggs.
The small nest is cramped and barely big enough for two adult hippogriffs.
Hippogriff’s Appearance
This winged horse has the wings and head of a majestic, gigantic eagle. Its yellow beak is curved and sharp—as are the talons on its forelegs.
This eagle-headed winged horse has an almost human-like cast to its features. Its unblinking, unafraid eyes regard the characters.
With a mottled black-and-white body and greyish wings, this powerfully muscled eagle-headed horse has the look of a savage predator.
Dried blood mars a jagged slash on this noble-looking winged horse’s chest. Pain clouds the creature’s eyes.
Treasure
A large grey and white egg—mere days away from hatching—lies at the centre of the nest.
The hilt of a gleaming two-handed sword juts through the nest’s wall. The blade emits a soft glow.
Although bloody, this scarlet traveller’s cloak is in excellent condition. An inner pocket contains a map of the environs protected by a leather wrap. The map shows several ruins lurking further into the wilderness.
Several pristine hippogriff feathers hang from the nest’s walls; they would make excellent quills for a wizard planning to scribe magic scrolls.
Trinkets & Trash
A deep pile of rotting and rusting equipment lies about the nest. Sharp edges within may injure an incautious character searching for treasure.
The skeletal remains of a horse yet wear a torn and slashed leather saddle of once fine make.
The end of a jagged spear haft juts from the nest wall; clumps of fur and feathers cling to the surrounding wall.
A steel breastplate, punctured by a hippogriff’s talons, still holds the rotting remains of its last owner.
Credit
This is a short system-neutral extract from Monstrous Lair #95: Hippogriffs’ Nest by Robert Manson.
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