Old World» Roc

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

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 roc’s 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 wingspans 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 power- ful 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.

A roc can be summoned with the summon nature’s ally VIII spell.

Roc

Attach:roc.png Δ

Huge animal

Init +6; Senses low-light vision; Perception +14

Defense

AC 24, touch 10, flat-footed 22 (−2 size, +2 Dex, +14 natural)

hp 162 (13d8+104)

Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +7

Offense

Speed 20 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)

Melee 2 talons +17 (2d6+10/19–20 plus grab), bite +17 (2d8+10)

Melee 2 talons +14 (2d6+16/19–20 plus grab), bite +14 (2d8+16) (Power Attack)

Space 20 ft.; Reach 15 ft.

Statistics

Str 30, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 11

Base Atk +9; CMB +21 (+25 to grapple); CMD 33 (can’t be tripped)

Feats Flyby Attack, Improved Critical (talons), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Wingover

Skills Fly +7, Perception +14

Morale mercenary (+0)

Ecology

Environment warm mountains

Organization solitary or mated pair

Special Abilities

Grab (Ex)

If a roc hits with a claw attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. The roc can only grab targets smaller than itself.

A roc receives a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.