Buy me a coffee“The Jungle’s Fury: Dinopithecus (Dire Baboon), Lord of the Shadows”
“Dinopithecus: The Giant, Terrifying Baboon Stalking the Shadows of the Lost World!”
Towering over its smaller relatives, the Dinopithecus is a terrifying sight. Standing nearly 6 feet tall when on all fours, with a stocky, muscular build, it moves with a mixture of brute force and surprising agility. Its fur is a patchy blend of dark browns and grays, offering it excellent camouflage in the shadowy jungles of the Lost World. The face is dominated by a set of menacing, sharp canine teeth that gleam as it bares them in warning. A pronounced brow ridge shadows its deep-set eyes, and its long, powerful limbs end in large hands and feet capable of both powerful grasping and climbing.
Behavior:
Though it moves in small groups, Dinopithecus is a highly territorial creature, its behavior dictated by the need to dominate the jungle. In the wilds of the Lost World, it’s a cunning, opportunistic hunter and a fierce defender of its domain. During the day, the troop forages for fruit, roots, and small game, but when food is scarce, they will attack anything that crosses their path. Their behavior is ruthless — they employ a frightening combination of loud vocalizations and primal gestures to intimidate rivals or predators. Group hierarchy is established through displays of aggression and strength, with dominant males asserting control over the group, particularly over females and territory.
Habitat:
The Dinopithecus roams the dense, mist-covered forests and rugged cliffs of the Lost World, areas few other creatures dare to enter. These primeval jungles, filled with towering ferns and towering trees, provide ample cover for hunting and shelter. Caves and rocky outcrops serve as refuges when the creature feels threatened. It favors places near water sources, where the dense foliage hides both its movements and the bounty of the land. However, it’s not just the jungles it dominates — Dinopithecus is equally at home on rocky ledges and steep cliffs, where its agility and strength allow it to ambush prey from above.
Modus Operandi:
In the Lost World, survival is a deadly game, and the Dinopithecus plays it to perfection. It is a hunter, scavenger, and opportunist all in one. A typical day involves a mix of raiding fruit trees, foraging in the underbrush, and stealing carcasses from less powerful predators. When food is scarce, it will actively hunt smaller creatures — using its sheer size, intelligence, and brute strength to overpower anything in its path. The troop works together, using coordinated attacks and distractions to bring down prey or drive off other predators. When threatened, the Dinopithecus will not hesitate to fight to the death to protect its territory or young.
Motivation:
The Dinopithecus is driven by the need to survive, thrive, and dominate its environment. In the harsh world of the Lost World, food is a constant struggle, and every creature fights for its share. The Dinopithecus seeks to maintain its position at the top of the food chain, using its strength, cunning, and social structure to hold onto its territory. Its motivations go beyond hunger; it desires control over the land, power over other creatures, and dominance over rival troops. The troop is everything to the Dinopithecus — its hierarchy, its protection, and its survival. Anything that threatens that will meet the full wrath of the ape.
In the wilds of the Lost World, the Dinopithecus stands as an apex predator, a creature of terrifying intelligence and strength that commands respect from both its own kind and the other denizens of this untamed land.
Dinopithecus 5e
Dinopithecus Pathfinder
Dinopithecus
Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 142 (15d10 + 60)
Speed: 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 6 (-2) | 14 (+2) | 8 (-1) |
Saving Throws: Strength +8, Dexterity +6, Constitution +7
Skills: Athletics +8, Perception +5, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from non-magical attacks
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages: Understands Sylvan but cannot speak
Challenge: 7 (2,900 XP)
TRAITS
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the Dinopithecus can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature it can see.
Keen Smell. It has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics. It has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Dinopithecus’ allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Territorial Instinct. When a creature enters the Dinopithecus’ territory (within 300 feet of its lair), it gains advantage on all attacks against that creature for 1 minute.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. It makes three attacks: two with its claws and one with its bite.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be knocked prone.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Terrifying Roar (Recharge 5-6). The Dinopithecus lets out a bone-chilling roar. Each creature within 30 feet of the Dinopithecus that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Rock Throw. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage. The Dinopithecus can throw a large rock or boulder it has picked up, dealing damage and potentially knocking down smaller enemies.
REACTIONS
Counterattack. When a creature within 5 feet of the Dinopithecus hits it with a melee attack, the Dinopithecus can use its reaction to make a bite attack against that creature.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
The Dinopithecus can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Dinopithecus regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Claw Strike. The Dinopithecus makes one claw attack.
- Lash Out (Costs 2 Actions). The Dinopithecus strikes with its tail, making a melee attack. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
- Roar of the Pack (Costs 2 Actions). The Dinopithecus lets out a rallying roar, granting itself and all allies within 30 feet advantage on their next attack roll.
TACTICS AND COMBAT STYLE
Pack Hunter:
Dinopithecus are incredibly territorial and rely on their pack to overwhelm enemies. Alone, they are formidable, but in groups, they use Pack Tactics to gain advantage on attacks and focus on taking down single targets with coordinated strikes. Their fighting style is a mix of ferocity and calculated brutality, where they will charge into combat with terrifying speed.
- Priority Targets: They will typically focus on squishier or isolated enemies first. If a creature appears to be weaker or alone, expect a Terrifying Roar followed by coordinated attacks, especially against spellcasters or ranged fighters.
- Tactical Roars: The Terrifying Roar isn’t just for fear—it’s a method of disorienting and separating enemies. When faced with a group, they will often use it to break up formations, isolating prey or causing panic.
- Hunting Grounds: If a fight occurs within their jungle home or near their lair, they may attempt to use Rock Throw from high ground or terrain features to destabilize opponents and take advantage of their environment.
- Intelligent Combat: Although they are beasts, Dinopithecus are surprisingly tactical. If the terrain allows, they may leap or climb trees to gain the high ground, using their superior strength and dexterity to drop down on enemies. They may also retreat to a higher vantage point, tossing rocks or leading the enemy into traps or ambush points.
ENVIRONMENT AND HABITAT
Dinopithecus are typically found in dense jungles, thick forests, or mountain slopes, where their climbing ability allows them to move freely through the treetops and terrain. Their lair is often a high cave or tree fortress, where they can easily survey their territory. Their Territorial Instinct ensures that they are fiercely protective of their domain, and they will attack anyone who dares to enter it. This can include wandering adventurers, rival predators, or even other Dinopithecus from rival groups.
Lair Actions (Optional)
When encountered in their lair, the Dinopithecus can take lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties). They can choose one of the following:
- Vine Snare. Thick vines erupt from the ground in a 10-foot radius around the Dinopithecus. All creatures in that area must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw or become restrained by the vines until the start of the Dinopithecus’ next turn.
- Tremors. The ground shakes violently in a 20-foot radius. All creatures within this area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
- Alert Pack. The Dinopithecus roars loudly, calling to its pack. All allies within 300 feet gain advantage on their next attack roll.
Legendary Actions (Optional)
If the Dinopithecus is facing particularly difficult opponents, it may have access to a few additional legendary actions for more strategic depth:
- Coordinated Strike (Costs 1 Action). The Dinopithecus commands a nearby ally to attack, allowing one other Dinopithecus or beast to take an immediate attack on a target.
- Fearsome Presence (Costs 2 Actions). The Dinopithecus lets out a terrifying roar, forcing all creatures within 60 feet to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.
Dinopithecus
A hairy, stout animal with opposable thumbs, this creature has a pronounced muzzle and bright red buttocks.
Baboon Dire, Dinopithecus CR 3
XP 800
Neutral Medium Animal (Animal)
Init +3; Senses Low-light Vision; Perception +3
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +5 Natural)
hp 38 (1d8+3d8+20);
Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 40ft.
Melee Bite +7 (1d6+7)
Space 5ft ft.; Reach 0 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 20, Dex 17, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 9
Base Atk +2; CMB +7; CMD 20
Feats Weapon Finesse;
Skills Climb +9, Perception +3
Languages
ECOLOGY
Environment Warm plains
Organization Solitary, Troop 10-40
Treasure None