Most groups of large mammals have been
thoroughly described in the AD&D® game
rules. For instance, all of the major kinds of
big cats have been detailed, including some
species that are extinct in the real world.
The same applies to canids (dogs and
wolves), rhinos, elephants, and other biggame
animals. Apes, however, have not
received such attention. Aside from some
imaginary or fanciful ape-like creatures (the
dakon, the gorilla bear, the yeti, and the
carnivorous ape), there is only the rather
truncated description of the gorilla in the
Monster Manual. To further broaden the
scope of AD&D game adventures, here are
given new descriptions of three types of
apes, plus a somewhat lengthier treatment
of the gorilla.

Just as in our real world, apes in the
AD&D game world occupy an ambiguous
position. They are not really animals, but
neither are they full-fledged persons. In the
game, they are subject to such spells as
speak with animals, conjure animals, locate
animals, hold animal, animal summoning,
and animal growth, but they are unaffected
by animal friendship, and the more intelligent
individuals among them are not fooled
by invisibility to animals. Though they have
an intelligence rating of low, just as some
humanoids do, apes do not make weapons,
containers, or shelters ? other than very
crude implements for breaking open or
poking into things, or the nests they weave
to rest in at night. Neither do they have a

proper language, though their understanding
of gestures allows a considerable degree
of communication. Nevertheless, they are
inventive and inquisitive, and can plan
ahead and foresee consequences as can
more humanlike creatures. If speak with
animals is used, they might be instructed in
the operation of simple tools, though they
are unlikely to become proficient with
weapons.

Typically, apes have no fixed abode,
though they move from place to place
within a home range. They keep no treasure.
Generally, apes will not fare well
where humanlike creatures are found (especially
humanoids), and they tend to keep to
sparsely settled or wilderness areas. They
have certain other common features as well,
summarized here in the form of Monster
Manual statistics:

ARMOR CLASS: 6
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Rending
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

Though not especially quick when moving
over open ground, apes are not hindered
by difficult terrain so much as
humans are, and can usually outdistance
humans over rough ground or through the
jungle despite their otherwise unimpressive
movement rates. Apes weighing 200 pounds
or less are also superior climbers. Male apes
are generally larger than females, and
armed with longer fangs, though the extent
of this difference varies with the type of ape.
All apes have surprising strength in their
arms and shoulders. If an ape hits with both
hands in combat it may do additional rending
damage equal to its bite damage.

GIGANTOPITHECUS
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-20
MOVE: 12?
HIT DICE: 4 + 4 (females) or 5 + 5 (males)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4/1-4/1-6 (females)
or 1-6/1-6/1-8 (males)
SIZE: L (8? tall, very broad)
LEVEL/XP VALUE: females III / 130 +
5/hp; males IV / 225 + 6/hp
Gigantopitheci are huge prehistoric apes.
Unlike other apes, they are found in tem

perate as well as tropical climates, and may
frequent fairly open country. They live on
seeds and tubers as well as on bits and
pieces of the local greenery, and those on
the edge of civilized territory may raid
farmers? fields. Gigantopitheci are sometimes
confused with ogres, which they resemble
only in size; their appearance is
actually like that of a gorilla rather than that
of a man. A band of gigantopitheci consists
of a single male and a number of females
with offspring. One in five of the members
will be an immature individual with no
effective attacks. Gigantopitheci are peaceful,
and are not dangerous if given a wide
berth, though they will defend themselves
aggressively if too closely approached, since
they tend to err on the side of suspicion in
encounters. They fear few things other than
fire or large numbers of humans. Female
gigantopitheci weigh about 600 pounds,
males somewhat more than that. Females
have troll-like strength (18), while males are
as strong as hill giants (19).

GORILLA
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-20
MOVE: 12?
HIT DICE: 3 + 1 (females) or 4 + 1 (males)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3/1-3/1-4 (females)
or 1-4/1-4/1-6 (males)
SIZE: M or L (up to 6? tall and
very broad)
LEVEL/XP VALUE: females III / 85 +
4/hp; males III / 130 + 5/hp
Gorillas are found only in undisturbed
tropical forests, where they live in small
bands, moving from clearing to clearing in
search of succulent plants. Each band consists
of a number of females with their
young (one-fifth of any group are individuals
too young to have effective attacks) and

a single adult male. Gorillas will try to drive
away intruders with a display of force, and
anyone who does not move away, or who
moves quickly ? even to flee ? is likely to
be attacked. Female gorillas weigh about
200 pounds and have strength ratings of 17
or 18. Males are twice as heavy as females
and have strength ratings of 18 or 19.

ORANGUTAN
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
MOVE: 9? @ 12?
HIT DICE: 1 + 1 (females) or 2 + 1 (males)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-2/1-2/1-2 (females)
or 1-3/1-3/1-4 (males)
SIZE: M (4? to 5? tall and very broad)
LEVEL/XP VALUE: females II / 28 +
2/hp; males II / 50 + 3/hp

Orangutans are solitary, tree-dwelling
apes. They live deep in tropical forests, and
eat mostly fruit. They dislike being approached
or followed by humans or other
humanlike creatures, and if speak with
animals is used they are almost invariably
surly and evasive due to their unsociable
nature. An orangutan has intimate knowledge
of the surrounding terrain, especially
with regard to fruit trees. If two orangutans
are encountered, they will be a female and
an infant. A group of three will be composed
of either a female with an infant and
a half-grown child, or a female with an
infant and a male consort (50% chance of

either grouping). Though orangutans are
generally unaggressive, 15% of all solitary
males will be so enraged at an invasion of
their privacy that they will attack immediately.
Male orangutans have 17 or 18
strength and weigh about 200 pounds.
Many males are so heavy that they must
travel on the forest floor rather than
through the branches. Females weigh no
more than a small human and have 16
strength.

Ape

Nobody's home

Dear Dragon:
I have a question concerning the article in issue
#95, "The many shapes of apes." In the section
describing "certain other common features" of
apes, the "% in lair" was noted as "Nil." In the
Monster Manual, the "% in lair" is "10%."

What happened?

Mike Cleckner
Atkinson, N.H.
(Dragon #97)
 

The Monster Manual states that the “% in
lair” for a normal ape (a gorilla) is “Nil”; the
carnivorous ape is described as being found in a
lair 10% of the time.

Normally, apes have no fixed lairs, tending to
wander and make temporary camps or beds in
tree limbs. Carnivorous apes are more territorial
and actually establish fixed lairs, such as in caves,
hollow trees, and ruins.

— RM
(Dragon #97)