Roc

Codex Entry
From a distance, it appears almost as a dragon. Wings spread for many feet, leaving a shadow across the ground. The creature is rapidly approaching, and the scream is almost deafening, echoing far across the rocky terrain. Fortunately it hasn’t spotted you, but with terrifying speed it advances on some other creature. In seconds it has snatched up the poor thing in talons as lengthy as swords, carrying it off into the mountains. Perhaps it’s best for you to clear out before it comes back …

The Roc is yet another byproduct of genetic engineering. Resembling hawks of a gargantuan size, Rocs are built for speed. They boast incredible intelligence, using sharp talons to dig at the earth and flip over stones where prey may hide. However, perhaps most remarkable are the glands located along their throat. Natural generators of electrical energy, Rocs use beaks made of steel along with sets of paper-thin, steel edged feathers to conduct this electricity through their body to use in attack. As Rocs fly, the movement of their wings generate friction, creating static currents that can prove deadly if interfered with.

Living generators, Rocs require few resources to survive, eating prey creatures naturally found on Europa. Rocs may be trained in use as a generator, and when hooked up correctly energy can be siphoned from their bodies to be stored in batteries and put to practical use. After targeting their prey with keen eyes, Rocs may drop like a stone to earth and stun or even kill with a burst of electrical energy. With their use of electricity in offense and defense within a battle, Rocs have frequently been referred to as Thunderbirds.

Rocs have also been known to be employed as scouts, the large birds circling high overhead or flying rapidly through an enemy's territory to collect information. Highly intelligent and with a good memory for numbers, Rocs have proved highly useful in the past. Others put these great birds to use for exploration, sending the birds out to find land across the sea or to scout out unexplored terrain for possible settling areas. Fairly territorial, it is unwise to keep more than one Roc in a small area. Competing Rocs are known to cause currents that mimic thunderstorms, creating a highly unstable environment. Still, a single Roc makes a great addition to the community, providing both a generator and a fierce fighter.