Roc (Dungeons & Dragons)
| Roc | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Characteristics | |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Image | Wizards.com image |
| Stats | Open Game License stats |
| Publication history | |
| Mythological origins | Roc |
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.
Publication history
The roc was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game.
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" set (1974), where they were described as large and fierce birds that nest in mountains, and are hostile to creatures of Chaos and Neutrality.[1]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The roc appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977),[2] 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 Set (1981 & 1983),[3][4] and later in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).[5]
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),[6] and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[7]
The Athasian roc for the Dark Sun campaign setting appeared in Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix: Terrors of Athas (1992).[8]
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).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The roc appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).[9]
The chaos roc appeared in Monster Manual II (2002).[10]
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).[11]
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.
References
- ↑ Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson. Dungeons & Dragons (3-Volume Set) (TSR, 1974)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Dave Cook. Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set (TSR, 1981)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 2: Expert Rules (TSR, 1983)
- ↑ Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991)
- ↑ Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (TSR, 1989)
- ↑ Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1993)
- ↑ Baas, Walter. Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix: Terrors of Athas (TSR, Inc., 1992)
- ↑ Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
- ↑ Bonny, Ed, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Skip Williams, and Steve Winter. Monster Manual II (Wizards of the Coast, 2002)
- ↑ Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)
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