Roc

Rocs are giant eagles that, due to their connection to sky magic, are famously powerful flyers. In nature they are known to hunt large animals. A full grown Roc can easily pick up a full grown bull to high peak where they choose to nest. There talons are powerful and sharp enough to kill most prey. Those that survive have to deal with the Rocs powerful beak.
Due to their power and relative agility for their size, they are great flying Steeds . In fact, they are capable of flying while carrying a full grown man while wearing armor, just at a reduce speed. They are famously used as the steed of the guard of the Muoran side of Endbridge , Know as the Skyraptors

Basic Information

Anatomy

A eagle like bird large enough that they can be ridden and can take large prey into the sky.. Their coloration depends on the regions they are from. They have long, curved talons and beaks sharp enough to easily pierce flesh.

Genetics and Reproduction

Rocs reach maturity around 7-9 years of age. However they will typically start looking for a mate around the age of 6. Rocs mate for life and and are know to creat large nest with their mates. Females lay 1-2 eggs year two years.

Growth Rate & Stages

Rocs have 3 life stages, Hatchling, fledgling, and Adulthood

• Hatchling

  The the first 5-9 months of a Rocs life after hatching. They are born with down feather that serves as a better insulation but no capable of flight. During this time they depend on their parent for food and as they get older they begin to molt their down feather for their flight feathers

• fledgling

  This stage begins once a ro molt all their down feathers and have their flying feather. For about another year a fledging will master flyght and hunting skills with their parents. them once they are skilled enough a fleding will leave a nest and search for their own territory. Once they find a new territoy fledging will being the greatest time of growth in size as well.

• Adulthood

  At about 3 years old a Ro is considered an adult. They spend most for their early adulthood hunting and growing in size. As they approach sexual maturity they will seek out a mate and build a nest. Their reminder of they life is spend raising their brood and maintaining their territory.

Ecology and Habitats

The live in mountainous environments as they can create their nest on peaks and crayons cliffs, away from creature that can harmed their eggs or hathlings. However they commonly travel to valleys and open area to hunt prey.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Roc are carnivores. There size of prey depend on their size. The typical dive high from the sky to surprise attached prey. the initial impact which can be used to stun prey. Their powerful talon pierce and grip prey. They then use their beak to snap a preys spine or open a prey neck. In some cases Roc can lift prey and drop them from high heights.

Biological Cycle

Roc do not change much between seasons. They only change their food source based on what is available.

Additional Information

Social Structure

It the young stages of live ORcs are solitary. However the mate for life and life in pairs. Once they find a mate Pairs will create a nest on high peaks or cliff sides.Once one mate dies many rocs will find a new mate. However Older Rocs tend to stay solitary.

Domestication

Full grown wild Rocs are difficult to tame without the use of wild magic. However Rocs that are exposed to humans at a young age came be easily domesticated to be become flying steeds. If fact some human communities, such as the Skyraptors of Endbridge raise populations of Rocs from a young age

Uses, Products & Exploitation

• Roc Feathers can be used in magic manipulations involving sky magic.They also cam be used as a writing instrument along with ink or to carve runes. Some even use Roc feather as a decorative element.
• Roc Eggshells contain extremely strong and nutrious. Thus the eggshells can be crushed and turned into a powder that can be used reinforcement magic manipulation or as a dietary supplement
• Due to their size and ability to fly with additional weight Rocs can be trained to be flying steeds .
• Their connection to sky magic makes them good sky familiars as well. When bonded correctly they can be powerful allies.

Average Intelligence

Rocs have great hunting instincts and memory, But do not appear to have a higher sense of intelligence

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They share many of the sensory abilities with eagles, especially their excellent sense of eyesight. They also have and incredibly strong grip strength and flying power. They are capable of naturally connecting with sky magic to assist in there flight. However they are not capable of crafting more complex magic manipulations

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Rocs are fierce rivals with Griffins, as they are competitors for same food, and one if the few creatures that can battle with in the sky.

Species Overview

Common Names

Skyraptor

Tier

Second

Magics

Sky

Natural Regions Found

Muora, Blacklins,Autumia, and Parts of Summedia

Lifespan

25-35 years

Conservation Status

Roc are not as common in nature as they have large territories. However they are also raised by the warriors of Endbridge.

Average Height

8-10 ft

Average Weight

350-500 lb

Average Length

18-25 ft wingspan

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The coloration of rocs varies betwe the regions they are from. Most of the northern Rocs of Muora and Summedia are have feather ofvarious shades of brown and Umber with yellow scaled feet and beak. The southern Rocs of the Blanklins and Autumia have feathers of shades of gray or black with gray scaled legs and black beaks

Diet

Carnivore

Steed Type

Flying Steed

Harvested Products

Eggshell fragments, RocFeathers