Messageboards

[Shade]

Converting prehistoric creatures

Gigantopithecus
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 6d8+13 (51 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 15 ft.
Armor Class: 15 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +4 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+13
Attack: Slam +9 melee (1d6+5)
Full Attack: 2 slams +9 melee (1d6+5)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Pummel 2d6+8, stench
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +6
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Climb +13, Hide +0, Listen +6, Move Silently +7, Spot +6
Feats: Alertness, Stealthy, Weapon Focus (slam)
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary or company (5–8)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 7–15 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —

This immense ape is covered in shaggy auburn fur. Even stooped over, it stands taller than a man, and its powerful odor assaults your nostrils.

Gigantopithecus is a large, reclusive ape notable for its specialized diet.

Gigantopithecus feed almost solely on bamboo and wood pulp, which they eat using their immense, powerful jaws. Most of a gigantopithecus' time is therefore spent eating, in order to extract nutrients from this sparse, difficult food. Gigantopithecus are mostly solitary, but the ranges of multiple females overlap the territory of a single male, who defends his land and females fiercely from the attention of other males. Like an orangutan, to which gigantopithecus is closely related, the males of the species are much larger than the females, and have broad, wide cheekbones.

A gigantopithecus stands about 9 feet tall and weighs from 800 to 1,200 pounds.

COMBAT

Shy and retiring, gigantopithecus prefer to use their immense size and powerful rank odor to discourage predators, and flee from most confrontations. A cornered animal, or a male defending his territory, will fight savagely with crushing fists.

Dire (Ex): A gigantopithecus is considered to be a dire animal for the purposes of saving throws.

Pummel (Ex): If a gigantopithecus hits with both slam attacks, its attacks are especially punishing and may knock the opponent senseless. This attack automatically deals an additional 2d6+8 points of damage, and the victim must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or be dazed for 1 round. The save DC is Strength-based.

Stench (Ex): When a gigantopithecus is angry or frightened, it secretes an oily, musk-like chemical that nearly every form of animal life finds offensive. All living creatures (except another gigantopithecus) within 30 feet of a gigantopithecus must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude save or be sickened for 10 rounds. The save DC is Constitution-based. Creatures that successfully save cannot be affected by the same gigantopithecus's stench for 24 hours. A delay poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect from the sickened creature. Creatures with immunity to poison are unaffected, and creatures resistant to poison receive their normal bonus on their saving throws.

Skills: Gigantopithecus have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #95 (1985).