Carnivorous Ape
A highly aggressive, huge gorilla deliberately altered by the addition of ettin-blood and other gestation practices in order to breed a carnivorous variety. The ape is sterile and occurs only in the male form. The lifespan of the beast is more than 40 years, so though difficult to reproduce there are many of these creatures roaming about, predominantly in Africa. As the beast is possessed of some intelligence, it can be encouraged to become fiercely loyal to a tribal shaman or witchdoctor of sufficient wisdom or intelligence, thus becoming a vicious protective animal for a given village. Tribal chieftains have been known to have as many as 1–4 of these creatures, serving as trained watchdogs.
In the wild, they are almost always encountered as isolated carnivores, preying on whatever they can find. They are cannibalistic in regards to other apes. They will roam any landscape where large animals appear in number, preferring jungles and savanna woodlands.
Carnivorous apes walk on their hind legs but run on their feet and hands. Their reach is formidable, in that they can attack enemies two combat hexes away. These apes have been known to employ heavy animal bones as weapons, making full use of their 18/51 strength (+2 to hit, +3 damage).
Half the time, however, they will not be armed; in such cases, they will always focus their three attacks on a single defender. If they hit with both their hands, this will indicate that they've taken hold of the defender. The ape's arms will then crush the defender against its chest, causing an additional 4–10 damage of mauling damage. If the defender is stunned, thus going limp, the ape will toss the defender away (two hexes) and attack someone else. If the defender is yet able to resist, the ape will continue to crush for an additional 4–16 damage the following round, while also attacking with its fearsome bite.
If met with more than five defenders, the ape will run, seeking a large, high tree to climb. Carnivorous apes will never be encountered more than 50 hexes from such a tree, and more likely no more than 10 hexes away. They do not like to move in open country, except at night.
Carnivorous apes are surprised only on a 1 in 6.
See Bestiary.
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