Roc

ROC

A roc is a legendary bird of prey of tremendous size and strength that resembles a huge raptor, such as an eagle or perhaps a falcon with large, almost reptilian eyes. An adult roc is nearly the size of an elephant or small house. Hiding amongst the rocks, these birds intently watch prey and dive down upon them unexpectantly, with mammoth jaws easily able to snatch up a full-grown man. As a scavenger, rocs issue a terrible smell like old, rotting meat, have fetid breath, and are commonly infested with fleas. Rocs are known to live in the Eastlands, both underground and high in the Flathead Mountains where their nests are made from skillfully woven tree trunks, small bushes, detritus, and large amounts of mud and roc guano for glue.

Roc chicks are nearly three times the size of a human, nearly featherless at birth, and like all young birds, ravenously hungry the instant they break forth from their wagon-sized egg. Thus, large animals, including humans, are captured by the mother and brought into the nest for the moment of birth. Rocs are fiercely protective of their young. A word to the wise: if you are captured by a roc and brought to its nest, do not threaten its egg, even by enchantments, for these giant birds have been designed with the instictive nature to detect spells, and in reprisal squawk so raucously to break all magical incantations immediately.

During the Great Monster Uprising of the Second Age of Magic, rocs were reported in the following regions: The Casino in Port Foozle, Flathead Mountains, Flathead Fjord, The Gray Mountains (including The Gray Mountains Asylum), Fields of Frotzen, Grubbo Hills, Kovalli Desert, Mithicus Mountains, The Lonely Mountain, The Southern Wastes, and the G.U.E. Tech Training Grounds in the Ethereal Plane of Atrii.

TRIVIA:

Roc Teriyaki was a delicacy during the days of Dimwit Flathead, and served at many of his banquets.