Rocs are birds similar to eagles, but even a “normal” roc is huge, being about 9 feet long and having a wingspan of 24 feet. A roc’s plumage is either dark brown or golden from head to tail. Like most birds, the males have the brighter plumage, with females being duller in color and thus more easily hidden (if anything so large can even be hidden, that is).

A light load for a normal roc is 150 pounds, while a heavy load is 300 pounds. Obviously only the smallest characters can hope to ride upon a normal roc.

A roc attacks from the air, swooping earthward to snatch prey in its powerful talons and carry it off for itself and its young to devour. Any successful hit with both claw (talon) attacks against a single creature results in that creature being carried off, unless of course the creature is too large for the roc to carry. While being carried, the victim will not be further attacked, so as to be as “fresh” as possible when given to the hatchlings (or consumed by the roc itself if it is solitary).

When rocs are encountered they are almost certainly hunting, and will generally attack creatures of horse size or less. If facing a large group the rocs may make passes close overhead to scatter them first before each chooses a single target to prey upon. Mated pairs found in their nests will fight to the death to protect their eggs or offspring (morale of 12 in this case).

Rocs are powerful creatures living at high elevations in warm environments, and look somewhat like a huge eagles. They will sometimes be found with giants, who keep them as pets. The immense size of a roc is accompanied by its equally immense appetites, as rocs will frequently consume large mammals including horses and cattle. A roc hunts much like an eagle, swooping down on its meal and capturing it in its immense claws, carrying it back to its nest. A roc will silence struggling prey by impaling it with its powerful beak for 4d6 hit points of damage.

Any treasure found in the gigantic nests of rocs is there purely on accident, since rocs have no concept of wealth. The belongings of past victims will be found woven into the intricate nest.