Ape, Snow
by Sheldon MorrisFound mainly in forests of northern climates and high altitude mountain ranges, the snow ape is a squat, baboon-like creature protected from the cold weather by near-white coats of fur. They are intelligent beasts; able to make and use simple weapons, but more impressively, they are able to communicate with each other through a complicated sign language and system of stacking stones or snowballs.
Nearly anything is a potential meal for them, being omnivores, but they really enjoy giant insects and red meat (which includes humans and demi-humans). They are certainly intelligent enough to realize when a single creature, or a group of creatures, is too large for them to attack, and they generally avoid settlements altogether. It is not unheard of, however, for people to be snatched away by snow apes from the outskirts of villages during shortages of food.
Clever Ambushers. Using the natural camouflage provided by their hides, the snow ape can lie in wait for an unsuspecting victim to pass close by, before springing upon them. They often do this next to trails that they find, leaving messages for other snow apes using rocks or snowballs to tell them know what creatures use the trail and the size of the groups. Peoples in the north have learned difficult lessons about finding curious pilings of snow just off their trails. The coordination demonstrated by groups of snow apes is often the last surprise their quarry experience.
Huggers & Hitters. The snow ape employs a very intimate method of combat. While capable of ranged attacks, such as throwing rocks, they prefer to start their hunt as close as possible the their prey by ambushing them. Then, they attempt to grab them with their strong grip and pull them into a crushing squeeze with their arm. All the while beating on their prey with a club or fist.
SNOW APE
Medium beast, unaligned
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Armour Class 13 (natural armour)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
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STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA
17 (+3)|14 (+2)|15 (+2)|7 (-2)|12 (+1)|7 (-2)
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Skills Athletics +5, Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages -----
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
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Snow Camouflage. The snow ape has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy terrain.
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ACTIONS
Multiattack. The snow ape makes two melee attacks; one with its club and one with its fist. When it has a creature grappled, it can use its crushing hug attack in place of its fist.
Greatclub. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, the snow ape can grapple the target (escape DC 15) provided the target is Medium or smaller.
Crushing Hug. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Rock. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 25/50 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
