Forest apes

"It is said that the Ape is the wisest creature in the world, because He chooses not to speak."

From Oliver Yoddlehopper's Beasts of Saramoth

Gentle giants of the deep forests, the apes form complex social structures and live in the treetops of Saramoth. Apes are often hunted for their value as luxury meats, and are revered by some cultures as the wisest creatures in Saramoth. In the past, apes were some of the most dominant species on Saramoth, and even hunt animals for meat themselves. It is believed some of the worse predators of Saramoth only adapted to be so after the continual persecution from the apes.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The apes have long arms and legs, can walk upright on the ground but prefer climbing through the trees. Apes have three fingers and opposable thumbs on both their arms and feet, which aid in climbing.

Ecology and Habitats

The Apes live in the temperate oak tree forests south of the Durnhalla mountains, were small game, berries, and fruit are abundant. They can survive through easy winters or hot summers, but don't do well when snow covers the ground, or water is scarce.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Apes mainly eat berries and fruit from their homeland forests. They also hunt small game, birds and squirrels, and can eat bark when food is scarce.
Apes sleep in treetops to defend themselves against large ground predators, as Saramoth has no birds large enough to hunt them. The apes spend long hours making and perfecting their tree-nests, and will sleep in a nest for up to a week at a time before moving to a different area to hunt.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Apes are sub-sapient, lacking language, morals, and tool-use. The Apes do form complex social structures, and congergate in 'tribes' of 10-200 individuals, ruled by an Alpha Male. These Males delegate time consuming tasks to lesser 'servant' members of their tribes.

Scientific Name

Maymun Trollus

Lifespan

~45 years

Conservation Status

Forest Apes are very rare, and in danger of extinction. It it believed about 300 survive in the King's forest, and an unknown number in the wild Thieves forest.

Average Height

~1.25 meters

Average Physique

Alpha male apes are amazingly strong, outmatching humans or dwarves in any fight. These apes can also to resist mild poisons, and survive major injuries. Most of the apes it much less food and are consequently much weaker, and easily defeated by bows or slings.