Uakari - singing sloth people of the woods

BOZ

Creature Cataloguer
Here is what I have so far on my tree-people. Suggestions are more than appreciated. :) I want them to be ECL 1 (or whatever it is that standard humans are).


Uakari
Medium-Size Humanoid (uakari)
Hit Dice: 1d8 ( hp)
Initiative: + (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft, climb 40 ft
AC: X (+ Dex, + natural)
Attacks: ? + melee
Damage:
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/5 ft
Special Attacks:
Special Qualities: Brachiation, poison resistance
Saves: Fort +, Ref +, Will +
Abilities: Str 9, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 13
Skills: Balance +, Climb +, Jump +
Feats:

Climate/Terrain: Temperate and warm forest
Organization: Pair, squad (3-6), or tribe (10-60)
Challenge Rating:
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Often neutral good
Advancement: By character class

The uakari are a race of herbivorous humanoids that live in deep forests. They resemble a cross between sloths and great apes, and are covered in thick fur of deep blue, indigo, or even black. Their shiny eyes are black, and hide the silent intelligence therein. Uakari wear little or no clothing, usually little more than a shoddy loincloth, and some sacks and pouches to hold possessions. Uakari stand about 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet tall, and weigh between 200-350 pounds.

Uakari have their own language, but nearly all of them know Common, and many know Elf, Gnome, and Goblin as well. The wizards of the uakari have developed a system of writing that involves weaving their own hair into yarn, and making intricate knots and patterns that replicate normal and magical writing.

COMBAT
Uakari are non-aggressive and pacifistic by nature, but are more than ready to defend their forest home from aggressors.

Brachiation (Ex): Uakari are at home in the trees and get along as well there are most humans do on the ground. Uakari receive a +10 racial bonus to Climb checks while in a forest, and are able to swing from branches and vines at their normal land speed.

Poison Resistance (Ex): Uakari have adapted to the bites and stings of insects and snakes, and to the natural poisons of some plants, giving them a +2 bonus to their saving throws against poison.


Skills: Uakari receive a +4 racial bonus to Balance, Climb, and Jump checks.
+X racial bonus to Hide, Listen, and Move Silently checks while in heavily forested terrain.


UAKARI SOCIETY
Uakari spend most of their days hanging from trees and singing in their unusual hooting language, leading other races to think of them as lazy and stupid. These tree-folk are a nocturnal people, however, and are very active at night. Their society is actually very complex, and they have shelters and other nonstandard structures built high into trees and well hidden.

Elves call these people Uoro and gnomes and dwarves know them as Baumari; humans properly call them Arborillas or just "tree-singers".

These tree-folk are amazingly apt towards intelligence, charisma, and dexterity. Their beautiful singing ability makes them naturals as bards, but they like to become classes that require study, including wizards, clerics, and monks. Rangers are also not uncommon.


UAKARI CHARACTERS
A uakari’s favored class is bard, and uakari leaders tend to be bards or bard/wizards. Uakari clerics can choose from the Good, Healing, Luck, or Protection domains.
 
Last edited:

log in or register to remove this ad

I think it's an entertaining concept.

I would suggest that their climb speed be about 30 ft or so (I'm not too savvy on modern sloths, however, that may be a conservative suggestion). If they're supposed to be wonderful swingers, they may be able to get a Brachiation ability (IIRC what some primates have received).

My initial suggestion for their stats would be:

Str 10, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 14
- Devon
 

thanks devon, sounds like a good start. :)

remember - just because they are similar to sloths and apes, does not mean they are restricted to be just like them. i made the climb speed high to make them get around quickly in the trees - but maybe even a 30 would make them climb a whole lot faster than the average humanoid.

where can i find Brachiation?
 

I checked the SRD Animals listings and Brachiation wasn't among the primates' abilities.

Either I hallucinated its existence, or it popped up in one of the Monsters of Faerun. It could have been given to the Su-Monster as well, but I'm inclined to believe I just made it up. My apologies.

- Devon
 

Devon,

You may have been thinking of the Brachiation feat from Masters of the Wild. It allows you to move through trees at your normal land speed.

BOZ,

I'd suggest giving them a racial bonus to Balance, Climb and Jump skills. And although they are usually non-agressive, perhaps give them the Pounce ability to simulate dropping from the trees onto adversaries while defending their homes.
 

BOZ, I loved these guys back when they were a cncept, and I like 'em even more now that they have the name I suggested :)
Maybe their racial ability mods and other assorted bonuses could be...
Climb speed 40ft (just to average it between the two ideas)
+4 to Balance, Climb and Jump checks
+2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Str: Uakari are nimble and sophisticated, but tend to develop their reflexes at the expense of their muscles.
+2 to saving throws vs. poisons: Uakari have adapted to the stings of the insects and bites of the snakes that share their jungle homes.
So, good? Bad? Ugly?
Demiurge out.
 


Brachiation is a spell in Magic of Faerûn. Let me check my übercompendium of spells...

Oops, sorry, it's Branch-to-branch. Maybe there's a brachiation feat somewhere, however.

Branch to Branch
+10 to Climb checks and normal movement in trees.
Source: Forgotten Realms: Magic of Faerûn
School: Transmutation
Level: Rgr 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Area, Target or Effect: You
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throws: None
Spell Resistance: No

You gain a +10 competence bonus on Climb checks made in trees. You can brachiate (swing via branches and vines) at your normal speed.
 

thanks gez. :) i'll just turn brachiation into an ability they have. extraordinary power should do it, i think.
 


Remove ads

Top