Shattered Kingdoms

More naturally-intelligent, perhaps... but also more short-lived, and often with a tendency toward a certain youthful naivete despite their powers of observation. The distinction can be subtle, and it's one that it might take time to iron out, but it makes all the difference in the world.

That's all I really have to add. Thanks for taking the time to post this, Forsooth.

I'll happily agree with that, Thuban. Especially since they start adventuring so young, griffons can be quite naive. Young griffons make great comic characters; I'm usually disappointed more non-griffons don't play along by taking advantage, at least with a little teasing.

My concern was that occasionally someone goofs by playing griffons as though they were giants. A griffon doing the "Me smash" bit is very disconcerting. Griffons think well enough; they just have a different platform of experience than a human at the same stage of life.