Roc

Gargantuan Animal — CR 9

Monster Manual v.3.5 (MM), p. 2153.5
Hit Dice
18d8+126 (207 hp)
Initiative
+2
Speed
Land 20 ft
Armor Class
17, touch 8, flat-footed 15
Base Attack / Grapple
+13/+37
Attack
Talon +21 melee (2d6+12)
Full Attack
2 talons +21 melee (2d6+12) and bite +19 melee (2d8+6)
STR
34
DEX
15
CON
24
INT
2
WIS
13
CHA
11
Fort / Ref / Will
+18 / +13 / +9
Challenge Rating
9
Alignment
Always Neutral
Organization
Solitary or pair
Treasure
None
Environment
Mountains
Level Adjustment

Special Abilities

Feats

This creature is an enormous bird, easily the size of a building.

Description

Almost too big to be believed, rocs are huge birds of prey that dwell in warm mountainous regions and are known for carrying off large animals (cattle, horses, even elephants).

A rocs plumage is either dark brown or golden from head to tail. In a few rare instances, red, black, or white rocs are sighted, but they are often considered bad omens. These enormous creatures are 30 feet long from the beak to the base of the tail, with wing spans as wide as 80 feet. A roc weighs about 8,000 pounds.

Rocs lair in vast nests made from trees, branches, lumber, and the like. They prefer to dwell high in the mountains, far from other rocs, to avoid straining their food supply; they hunt within a radius of about 10 miles around their nests.

Combat

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. A solitary roc is typically hunting and will attack any Medium or larger creature that appears edible. A mated pair of rocs attack in concert, fighting to the death to defend their nests or hatchlings.

Skills: Rocs have a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks.