Hieracosphinx (animal)
The Hieracosphinx is a beast with the body of a lion, and the head and wings of a hawk. Found hunting across the skies of Kemsar, the Hieracosphinx is known to prey upon the those who stray too far from water, killing animals and humans alike while they are weak from thirst. Fast, savage, and capable of flight, it is no easy thing to hunt, and far too easy to fall prey to.
In the baking sun of the Kemsari desert, it is hard to focus on the task of hunting. Locals have told my party of a Hieracosphinx nest on a nearby hill, but the climb proves hard as water and morale begin to dry up. The creature I seek is a formidable foe, and one more likely to spot me before I find it, but it is solitary. I must hope that we are its match, else this suffering has been for nothing.
As we reach the crest of the hill, a surprisingly small nest greets us. The remains of the local wildlife are strewn between three hatchlings, blood still on their beaks. Their mother has not left them long, of that I am sure. The eyasses begin to squeak at us, crawling closer on their clawed paws. Turning to see what garnered their attention, I see their mother returning to the nest.
I must make my move quickly, or else be caught in the creature's grasp.