Roc (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the roc is a gargantuan, eagle-like animal, based on an earlier creature from myth and fantasy also named the Roc.
(1974), where they were described as large and fierce birds that nest in mountains, and are hostile to creatures of Chaos and Neutrality.
The moon roc appeared in the module Needle (1987).
(1981 & 1983), and later in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).
The Athasian roc for the Dark Sun
campaign setting
appeared in Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix: Terrors of Athas (1992).
The common Zakharan roc, the two-headed Zakharan roc, and the great Zakharan roc for the Al-Qadim
campaign setting appeared in Land of Fate
(1992).
The chaos roc appeared in Monster Manual II (2002).
A roc is always neutral in alignment, and generally prefers warm mountainous terrain. Rocs are usually solitary, but sometimes found in mated pairs.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the roc is a gargantuan, eagle-like animal, based on an earlier creature from myth and fantasy also named the Roc.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The roc was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" setDungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1974), where they were described as large and fierce birds that nest in mountains, and are hostile to creatures of Chaos and Neutrality.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The roc appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a huge eagle-like bird that inhabits the highest mountains, and preys upon large creatures such as cattle, horses, and elephants.The moon roc appeared in the module Needle (1987).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the roc, which came in three sizes: the small roc, the large roc, and the giant roc. These all appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Expert SetDungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
(1981 & 1983), and later in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
In the second edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the roc appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The Athasian roc for the Dark Sun
Dark Sun
Dark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting featuring the fictional desert world of Athas. The original Dark Sun Boxed Set campaign setting was released in 1991....
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
appeared in Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix: Terrors of Athas (1992).
The common Zakharan roc, the two-headed Zakharan roc, and the great Zakharan roc for the Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim is an Arabian Nights-themed campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The setting was developed by Jeff Grubb for TSR, Inc., and was first released in 1992. Al-Qadim is set in the land of Zakhara, called the Land of Fate...
campaign setting appeared in Land of Fate
Land of Fate
Land of Fate is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1992....
(1992).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The roc appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).The chaos roc appeared in Monster Manual II (2002).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The roc appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The roc appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).Description
Rocs are birds so large that one can carry off an elephant.A roc is always neutral in alignment, and generally prefers warm mountainous terrain. Rocs are usually solitary, but sometimes found in mated pairs.