Roc

Rocs were gargantuan birds of prey that inhabited the highest mountains in warm and subtropical regions.

As large as these great birds were, they paled in both size and ferocity to the mighty Zakharan rocs of the Land of Fate.

Description
Rocs were massive avians with feathers that ranged from dark brown to golden in color. From head to tail, rocs were a minimum of long, and as much as. Their wingspans were a staggering, and rocs weighed some.

Ecology
Rocs were birds of immense size that preyed upon large creatures—they were known to snatch horses (and their riders), elephants, and even whales to feed upon. The roc swept down upon prey, seized it in its powerful talons, and carried it off to its lair to feed. If the prey resisted, the roc would strike with its beak.

The lair of a roc was a vast nest of trees, branches, and the like. Its treasure was strewn about, for the creature did not place any value upon it. The egg was large, green, and spotted.

Rocs were usually solitary, but sometimes found in mated pairs.

Rocs often guarded the nests of simurghs until they were mature.

Uses
Rocs were occasionally tamed and used by giants.

Roc feathers were commonly used in manufacturing Quaal's feather tokens and brooms of flying.

Homelands
Rocs were found in the Utter East, making their nests in the Serpent Valley, Web Mountains, and even underground in the Realm of Fire. Their nests could hold treasure from past victims, if one dared brave the parent and hatchling.

History
Lord Charles Frederik LaVerne Blacktree IV was known for wearing a roc feather in his hat.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Curse of Strahd • Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
 * Novels
 * Realms of the Dead: "The Bone Bird"
 * The Magehound
 * Video Games
 * Blood & Magic • Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
 * Neverwinter • Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
 * Card Games
 * Dragonfire (Moonshae Storms)
 * Board Games
 * Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins
 * Gamebooks
 * Big Trouble
 * Gamebooks
 * Big Trouble