Fiction:The Firmament/Roc

"I've seen birds large enough to carry an infant... but birds large enough to carry an adult elephant? You've gotta be kidding."

- Anonymous Volklander hunter

Rocs are a species of rare and immense bird of prey who live atop the highest peaks of the continents of Dryadala, Gromkazul and Ruchera. They are closely related to thunderbirds.

Appearance
Rocs appear like colossal birds of prey, with a body over fifteen meters tall and with wingspans of 25 meters, making their adults rival the size of some species of large dragon. Rocs have long, clawed talons and sharp hooked beaks ideal for tearing flesh. They come in a variety of colours including brown, red, black and white.

Ecology
Rocs normally live in mountainous areas, ideally making their nest upon a crag inaccessible to ground dwellers. These nests are normally made of large trees, rocks, and even chunks of masonry stolen from the local landscape.

Society
Rocs only mate once a decade and are highly anti-social otherwise, often even attacking other rocs that venture into their hunting ground. After mating, the female lays a clutch of three to five eggs; the parents then alternate hunting patterns, with one parent always remaining close to the nest.

Abilities
Their large size and powerful claws mean rocs are typically the apex predator of whatever area they happen to inhabit. When hunting, they normally grab their prey, snatching them skyward before dropping them from a great height and feasting on what remains. Rocs are strong enough to easily lift elephants from the ground with their talons.