Charau-ka

This limber, shrieking creature has the visage of an enraged monkey, but it walks upright like a man.

Originally posted on Archives of Nethys 
Source Inner Sea World Guide pg. 308

Although they call themselves the charau-ka, these dangerous jungle dwellers are often known to colonists and explorers as ape-men. Legend holds that the charau-ka stem from the demon lord Angazhan, who transformed the bodies of the first humans that tried to wage war against his cult, causing the dead to rise as the first apemen. Rumors that charau-ka clerics have perfected a hideous ritual to force those slain to reincarnate as new charau-ka are popular tales among jungle explorers’ but proof of such a magic spell has yet to reach civilization.

Today, the charau-ka are one of the most fecund and widespread races of creatures in the Hollow Earth. Not all of them serve the Gorilla King or worship Angazhan; some have become feral monsters little more organized than apes, while others may have turned to the worship of other demon lords or even the snake-god Ydersius.

Charau-ka generally dwell in small tribes of a few dozen members. They often keep dangerous jungle creatures as pets or guardians, trusting to their druids or animal handlers to keep the deadly beasts under control. A typical charau-ka village extends from the jungle floor up into the canopy above, and usually includes several treehouse-style structures connected by vines or rope bridges.

Charau-ka CR 2

XP 600 CE Small humanoid (charau-ka) Init +1; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +2

Defense

AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+1 Dexterity, +2 natural, +1 size) hp 19 (3d8+6) Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., Climb 30 ft. Melee club +5 (1d4+3), bite +0 (1d3+1) Ranged rock +5 (1d4+2/19-20) Special Attacks shrieking frenzy, thrown-weapon mastery

STATISTICS

Strength 15, Dexterity 13, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 12, Charisma 11 Base Atk +2; CMB +3; CMD 14 Feats Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Throw AnythingB Skills Climb +14, Fly +0, Perception +2, Stealth +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth Languages Abyssal, Polyglot

ECOLOGY

Environment warm forests Organization solitary, pair, patrol (3-8), or tribe (9-20 plus 1-3 dire apes, 1-3 fighter sub-chieftains of 2nd level, 1 cleric of Angazhan of 3rd-5th level, and 1 chieftain of any class of 4th-8th level) Treasure standard

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Shrieking Frenzy (Su) Once per day, a charau-ka can enter a state of shrieking frenzy as a free action. While in this state, the charau-ka automatically fails Stealth checks and cannot speak or cast spells that use verbal components (or use items that require command words to activate), but functions as if under the effects of a haste spell. The charauka can continue shrieking for up to 3 rounds, after which it is staggered for 1 round.  Thrown-Weapon Mastery (Ex) Charau-ka are masters of thrown weapons. All charau-ka gain Throw Anything as a bonus feat. In addition, a charau-ka gains a +1 racial bonus on all thrown weapons, and their threat range for thrown weapons is doubled, as if the charau-ka possessed the Improved Critical feat for all thrown weapons. This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.

Charau-Ka Encounters

Source PCS:ISMC

While charau-ka can be encountered alone, they typically travel with other simians as either a hunting party or an entire tribe, using superior numbers against whatever quarry they find in the wilderness. Hunting parties may include as few as two hunters or as many as eight. When a charau-ka tribe traverses the jungle, members move in hooting and whooping groups ranging from 12 to 25 adults, attempting to panic outnumbered enemies before overwhelming them. As many as three lieutenant warriors lead the attack, supported by a demon-worshiping cleric and directed by a powerful and experienced chief who commands up to three dire apes. Charau-ka pelt opponents into submission with rocks expertly thrown from trees above their targets, and with a gesture by their leader, they disappear into the foliage in an instant. Fiercely territorial, they respond to any sizable incursion on their hunting grounds and engage any group deemed weak enough to defeat.

Charau-ka attack as a pack, aiming to separate the weakest target from a group of enemies. They focus their assault to subdue opponents one at a time in order of perceived frailty. Should their foes respond with powerful magic or potent physical attacks, they disappear into the jungle and wait for another chance for an ambush. Tribal leaders allow infighting only when within range of a blood totem; as a prelude to internal conflicts, lieutenants often attempt to capture powerful opponents and force them to battle for sport in front of the charau-ka before challenging the chief for leadership of the tribe.