Gidh and Garuda

Garuda

Griffon DnD template

Garuda are ferocious avian carnivores with the muscular bodies of lions and the head, forelegs, and wings of eagles. When they attack, garuda are as swift and deadly as eagles, even as they strike with a lion’s savage might and grace.

Garuda like to prey on camelids and other herd and mount animals.

Garuda lair in high rocky clifftop aeries, building their nests from sticks, leaves, and the bones of their prey. Once garuda establish a territory, they remain in that area until the food supply has been exhausted. They defend their nests and will attack any flying creature that comes near. They're clever enough to drop flightless prey off cliffs to kill it.

The Desh once trained garuda and used them as mounts for aristocrats, back in the First Empire. However, they retired most of their garuda troops in favour of dirigibles. After the dragon offensive, most of the remaining garuda population was decimated. One or two linger in the mountains round le Grand Cro.

Gidh

The carrion eating version of a Garuda. It's less aggressive and has a bald head and neck. Gidh tend to have a larger wingspan and they're a bit more heavyset, but they'e not interested in being tamed, and they have a repulsive smell.