Speaking of Griffons ....
I just finished a game (lost again of course). On level 20, I used a scroll of magic mapping and saw a room with a couple of treasures in it. I headed for the room, and guess what I found inside? SIX griffons!! There was also one troll and the two treasures turned out to be Xerocs. I used everything I had (I hasted myself several times, used polymorph, teleport, paralysis) and against all odds I beat them all. Of course, about 10 turns later I got confused by a medussa and went to my reward without the amulet yet again. I hate this game so much. I wish I didn't love it so much
Dave