The data blocks below are basic templates for Greater Apes of various size classes. The brief descriptions following each data block are for "ordinary" Greater Apes. Following the data for "ordinary" Greater Apes of each size class are briefs concerning various notable types of greater apes, with their variances from the basic greater Ape templates.
All "ordinary" apes are gentle if sometimes mischievous, shy yet sociable. They rest in primitive nests. Apes may be territorial, especially if there are young present; males get more aggressive if there are females to show off for. Their carnivorous cousins, (which have given all a fiercer reputation, deserved or not) have +1 HD per size class, and +10% or more damage per size class (round points up).
Many Greater Apes could be Folk if they were just a bit more intelligent, or at least able to organize a bit more. Some clearly are civilized Folk. The simpler rest in nests, either crude platforms (Semi int.) or artfully woven nests (Low int.) and use simple tools but are uncomfortable with fire. The civilized are as clever and culturally varied as any other sapient species.
With their long arms, strength, and dexterity, Greater Apes can throw stones as accurately and with as much effect as a sling; they are bright enough to hide caches of stones up in the trees throughout their range. Their tools are crude but effective enough, generally fashioned from stone, bone, or wood. Those of Semi intelligence use armaments equal to bludgeons, while those of Low intelligence use an array; 40% bludgeons, 25% daggers, 25% short swords and 10% picks (in addition to slinging rocks). (These "armaments" are likely to actually be nutcrackers, scrapers, and thatch-splitters only secondarily being used as weapons; they aren't as war-like as the ignorant would lead us to believe.)
There are usually (90% of the time) a few at their village at any given time, mostly nursing mothers and elderly tool-making specialists. When resting (these diurnal creatures take mid-day siestas and mid-night naps), all but a few scouts or lookouts will be present.
10% will be stronger and tougher than average, the band's defenders. (Improve armour and to-hit by 1 each and add 1 hit point per die.) Bands of Low Human intelligence will, 10% of the time, have a "sub-shaman," able to semi-instinctively work very basic nature-majic. This individual may create custom fetish bags or amulets (+1 for wearer, non-transferable), "war paint" (of similar value), anti-venom chaws, or other minor charms of a very primitive nature useful in their natural life.
| Class: | Beast to Folk |
| Hab: | Arboreal, usually tropical |
| Fre: | Common to Rare |
| Num: | 20-200 swarm |
| Lair: | 50% |
| Size: | 10-20 lb. |
| Move: | Branchiate through trees faster than a Human can run; slower on ground |
| Def: | Great dodge, tough skin |
| Bite, minor (usually), possibly a weapon for Folk varieties | |
| Int: | Bright beast to Folk |
| Spec: | Light; fall without harm |
| Posns: | Incidental if Beast (1-10 cups of dried fruit about nest), more if Folk |
Tiny Greater Apes live in swarms, relying in speed and their ability to branchiate through the slenderest of branches for safety. Shy, they will respond en mass if members of their band are threatened. They weave sturdy spherical nests in the inaccessible branches, one per 1-4 individuals.
One advantage of their tiny size is that they can leap downwards for 100 foot or more without sustaining any damage. Those of Low Human (or better) intelligence may use giant leaves as "gliders."
| Class: | Beast to Folk |
| Hab: | Arboreal, usually tropical |
| Fre: | Common to Rare |
| Num: | 10-100 swarm |
| Lair: | 50% |
| Size: | 100-150 lb. |
| Move: | Branchiate through trees faster than a Human can run; slower on ground |
| Def: | Great dodge, tough skin |
| Att: | Bite, claws (Folk varieties: probably weapons) |
| Int: | Bright beast to Folk |
| Spec: | Light; fall 50' without harm, can hurl stones or nuts = sling stones |
| Posns: | Incidental if Beast, more if Folk |
- Small Greater Apes include Bonobos and Chimpanzeebra, the mandrill and baboon.
| Class: | Beast to Folk |
| Hab: | Arboreal, usually tropical |
| Fre: | Common to Rare |
| Num: | 10-50 (more if smarter; depend on richness of habitat) |
| Lair: | 60% |
| Size: | 200-400 lb. |
| Move: | Branchiate through trees faster than a Human can run; slower on ground |
| Def: | Great dodge, tough skin |
| Att: | Bite, claws, grapple for auto-bite (Folk varieties use weapons) |
| Int: | Bright beast to Folk |
| Spec: | Light; fall 20' without harm, can hurl stones or nuts = sling stones |
| Posns: | Incidental if Beast, more if Folk |
- Medium Greater Apes include the less intelligent proto-human or barely sapient Orang-Utan, the fully intelligent Sasquach and Wookie, and both Beast and Folk varieties of Skunk Ape (spray causes crippling nausea and the vapors blind).
As Apes' size and thus food requirements increase, fewer individuals can stay together in one area; either they must live in smaller bands, or develop other resources; intelligence can help.
| Class: | Beast to Folk |
| Hab: | Semi-Arboral, usually tropical |
| Fre: | Common to Rare |
| Num: | 10-20 (more if smarter; depend on richness of habitat) |
| Lair: | 60% |
| Size: | 1,000-2,000 lb. |
| Move: | Branchiate through trees as fast as a Human can run |
| Def: | Very tough skin, thick pelt |
| Att: | Bite, claws, grapple for crush & auto-bite (Folk varieties use weapons) |
| Int: | Bright beast to Folk |
| Spec: | Hurls stones or nuts = crossbow bolts |
| Posns: | Incidental if Beast, more if Folk |
- Large Greater Apes include Gorillas, both gentle vegetarians and vicious, often albino Carnivorous Cave Gorrillas (Add one Hit Die and +2 to damage) and their cousins the Banderlog and six-armed Spider Ape, famed for its slashing claws and venomous bite (Add one Hit Die and double damage). They are great climbers despite their size; given large enough trees, they can be fully arboreal, but many must come to earth to travel between trees. Their strength is legendary.
| Class: | Beast to Folk |
| Hab: | Forests, usually tropical |
| Fre: | Common to Rare |
| Num: | 1 or 1-10 (more if smarter; depend on richness of habitat) |
| Lair: | 60% |
| Size: | 5,000-50,000 lb. |
| Move: | Would branchiate if there were any trees large enough; most are ground-bound. Gargantuan strides are nearly horse-fast. |
| Def: | Extremely tough skin and very thick pelt |
| Att: | Massive Bite & Claws, grapple for crush & auto-bite (Folk varieties use weapons) |
| Int: | Bright beast to Folk |
| Spec: | When you're this big, you are inherently special; may be occassionally possessed by a divine nature spirit. Hurls stones like cannonballs. |
| Posns: | Incidental if Beast, more if Folk. Some have years worth of offerings from local peoples. |
Gargantuan Greater Apes are sometimes called "Kongs," after their most famous example, King Kong. Obviously, these are too large to nest in trees and must make to with caves or cliff alcoves. Some are intelligent enough to carry out crude building projects.
With life-spans as great as their size, Gargantuan beings often become an expression of the local nature spirit, a sort of 'living idol," occasionally possessed by or motivated by a major nature spirit.
Gargantuan Greater Apes often spend most of their time resting in their lairs. Many only go out to forage once a month. Most are vegetarian, as a mammalian carnivore of this size will have great difficulty finding enough food - but if a special treat of meat is available, even some "vegetarian" Apes will indulge.
Other Types of Greater Apes
- Green Apes (SEE Ape, Green)
- Scaled Apes (SEE Apes, Scaled)
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