Rukh

Gargantuan Beast, Neutral

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Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 210 (17d20 + 85)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
26 (+8)	14 (+2)	20 (+5)	3 (−4)	16 (+3)	10 (+0)

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Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +9, Wis +7
Skills Perception +11
Senses Passive Perception 21
Languages —
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +4

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Traits

Two-Headed. The rukh has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, or stunned.

Keen Sight. The rukh has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Flyby. The rukh doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.

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Actions

Multiattack. The rukh makes four attacks: two with its Beaks and two with its Talons.

Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.
Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) piercing damage.

Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC 16). Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained. The rukh has two talons, each of which can grapple one target.

Swallow. The rukh makes one Beak attack against a Large or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the rukh, and takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the rukh’s turns.

If the rukh takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the rukh must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of it.

If the rukh dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained and can escape from the corpse by using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.

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Bonus Actions

Twin Shriek (Recharge 5–6). The rukh unleashes a piercing, two-voiced scream. Each creature of the rukh’s choice within 60 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of the rukh until the end of its next turn.

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Tactics & Combat Style

The rukh is an aerial ambush predator that relies on altitude, surprise, and overwhelming force. It prefers to begin combat from extreme height, circling beyond bow range before folding its wings into a steep diving assault. Its opening strike is almost always a talon grab against an isolated or lightly armored target.

Once engaged, the rukh prioritizes mobility. It avoids remaining grounded unless forced, using Flyby to reposition without provoking opportunity attacks. If it successfully grapples a creature, it ascends immediately, attempting to isolate and swallow the victim midair or drop them from a lethal height if threatened.

The creature fights pragmatically rather than savagely. It targets smaller foes first, especially those that appear lightly defended, such as spellcasters or ranged attackers. If heavily injured or faced with concentrated resistance, it disengages vertically, climbing to reassess before committing again.

When defending a nest or mate, however, its restraint vanishes. In such circumstances it becomes relentless, focusing on eliminating threats one at a time, using its twin heads to maintain constant battlefield awareness and prevent flanking or stealth approaches.

The rukh’s greatest strengths are:

• Superior aerial control
• High-altitude reconnaissance
• Grapple-and-remove tactics
• Fear-based disruption with its shriek

Its weaknesses lie in confined spaces, magical restraint, and sustained ranged pressure.

In open desert skies, the rukh is a devastating encounter. On the ground or underground, it becomes far less dominant — though never harmless.

Rukh

Beating its greasy, night-black wings, this gigantic two headed vulture picks it way across the ground upon two earthshearing talons. Craning its massive, wrinkled heads forward, the terrible avian opens its giant twin beaks to unleash a bloodcurdling shriek.

Source Archives of Nethys

Source Pathfinder #21: The Jackal’s Price pg. 84

Rukhs are a gigantic, divergent species of foul-tempered, vulture-like rocs, most recognizable by their two featherless heads. In addition to having two deadly heads to feed, these ravenous avians prove exceptionally alert in their endless hunt for food – both living beasts and carrion. These repulsive birds of prey typically glide high above the desert, watching for creatures that might provide a suitable amount of food for them and their young.

Horses, camels, and humanoids passing below often attract their attention, though they are careful to avoid creatures of roughly the same size or that most likely would be too powerful for them to best.

A typical adult rukh stands nearly 35 feet tall with a wingspawn of over 60 feet. Although often starving, they can weigh upward of 800 pounds. Juvenile rukhs usually stand about 10 feet tall, with a relatively small wingspan of near 18 feet. Most weigh about 200 pounds.

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Rukh CR 10

Always N Gargantuan animal Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision; Listen +12, Spot +21

Defense

AC 21, touch 8, flat-footed 19 (+2 Dexterity, +13 natural, -4 size) hp 184 (16d8+112) Fort +17, Ref +12, Will +8

Offense

Speed 40 ft., Fly 80 ft. (average) Melee 2 bites +20 (2d8+12) and 2 talons +18 (2d6+6) Space 20 ft., Reach 15 ft. Special Attacks improved grab, swallow whole

Statistics

Strength 34, Dexterity 15, Constitution 24, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 11 Base Atk +12; Grapple +36 Feats Alertness, Flyby Attack, Iron Will, Multiattack, Snatch, Wingover Skills Listen +12, Spot +21; Racial Modifiers +8 Spot

Ecology

Environment warm mountains or deserts Organization solitary or pair Treasure none Advancement 17-30 HD (Gargantuan), 31-45 (Colossal)

Special Abilities

Improved Grab (Ex)   To use this ability, a rukh must hit an opponent of up to one size smaller with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can try to swallow the foe the following round.   Swallow Whole (Ex)   A rukh can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of up to two sizes smaller by making a successful grapple check. The swallowed creature takes 2d8+12 points of bludgeoning damage and 8 points of acid damage per round from the rukh’s gizzard. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 12). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A rukh’s gizzard can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium, 32 Small, 128 Tiny, or 512 Diminutive or smaller opponents.

Rukh

Gargantuan Animal
Hit Dice: 16d8+112 (184 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 80 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 21 (–4 size, +2 Dex, +13 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+36
Attack: Bite +20 melee (2d8+12)
Full Attack: 2 bites +20 melee (2d8+12) and 2 talons +18 melee (2d6+6)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Low-light vision

Saves: Fort +17, Ref +12, Will +8
Abilities: Str 34, Dex 15, Con 24, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 11
Skills: Listen +12, Spot +21
Feats: Alertness, Flyby Attack, Iron Will, Multiattack, Snatch, Wingover
Environment: Warm mountains or deserts
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 17–30 HD (Gargantuan); 31–45 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: —

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Improved Grab (Ex)

To use this ability, a rukh must hit an opponent of up to one size category smaller with a bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can attempt to swallow the opponent on the following round.

Swallow Whole (Ex)

A rukh can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of up to two size categories smaller by making a successful grapple check. A swallowed creature takes 2d8+12 points of bludgeoning damage plus 8 points of acid damage per round from the rukh’s gizzard.

A swallowed creature can cut its way out by dealing 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 12). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out.

The rukh’s gizzard can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium, 32 Small, 128 Tiny, or 512 Diminutive or smaller creatures.

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Tactics & Combat Style

The rukh is a high-altitude ambush predator that relies on aerial superiority and battlefield isolation.

Opening Strategy:
A rukh typically begins combat from altitude, circling at extreme range while assessing prey. It uses Flyby Attack to swoop down, make a bite or talon attack, and continue moving without landing. Its first priority is grappling a Medium or Large opponent using its bite (triggering Improved Grab).

Mid-Combat Control:
Once it secures a hold, it ascends rapidly, forcing ranged attackers to deal with cover, distance penalties, and elevation. If unchallenged, it attempts to swallow its victim midair. If threatened during ascent, it may release prey to cause falling damage before repositioning.

With Snatch, it can carry off smaller opponents outright, removing them from the battlefield entirely. The rukh prefers eliminating isolated or lightly armored targets first.

Defensive Behavior:
Though ferocious, the rukh is not reckless. It avoids engaging creatures of similar size unless defending its nest. If reduced below roughly one-third hit points and not protecting young, it disengages by climbing vertically and retreating beyond effective missile range.

Battlefield Awareness:
Its two heads grant it exceptional perception; it is difficult to flank or surprise. The rukh constantly scans for secondary threats while attacking, making it resistant to stealth-based tactics.

When Defending a Nest:
A nesting pair fights with unusual aggression, coordinating Flyby strikes and attempting to separate enemies across vertical space. In such cases, they fight to the death.