Size Modification Vs. Common Sense

[Pale]

In my efforts to create a flying monkey (monkey/eagle hybrid) I noticed something odd about the size conversion rules.... that loss of dexterity in some animals is really bugging me. If I were of the mind to use the Monkey in creating, say, a Mountain Gorilla, (tiny to large) I would have to decrease the Dex score by 6 points (giving the Mountain Gorilla a Dex of 9) and increase the strength by 16 points (19). The beed here is that the average Dex of a gorilla, IMO, is more than that of your average human (fine dexterity is another thing, I'm talking gross movement and overall body coordination here).

The other problem would be the Orangutang... Assuming a medium-sized ape that would be a dex and str of 11 each. Both way underpowered.

This leads me to believe that there would be the same inconcistensies (sp?) in other size modifications.

Thoughts? Arguments?

[Wolf72]

use the Arrowhawk for ideas ... they grow in size yet don't seem to loose that much dex bonus. With an Increase in HD they might increase in Dex, offsetting the modifiers.

[Devon]

If I were of the mind to use the Monkey in creating, say, a Mountain Gorilla

I wouldn't think one could scale an ape up from a monkey. From a purely naturalistic standpoint, they're two different creatures... a monkey isn't normally going to grow to Medium or Large, and if it did, it would probably have problems with dexterity, speed, and coordination (see Andre the Giant). An ape, which naturally attains size Medium, is likely going to be more at ease in its immensity than an overgrown monkey.

No, if you want a gorilla, best to start over. And if you're not comfortable with a mutant monkey becoming less limber than its smaller brethren, then I'd say you should feel free to take charge and give it a better Dex/Str/etc. .

Devon

[Pale]

I'm fully aware that they are two different creatures, it's just the closest thing that I have to base the stats off of. It still leaves the orangutang in the cold, though (and as far as I know, apes and monkeys have similar musculature.)

[Krishnath]

No, Apes and Humans have similar musculature. But what I don't get is why you just don't base the different apes such as gorillas, gibbons, chimps and orangutangs off of the Ape from the Monstrous Manual?