Play Your Next 5E D&D Game as a Simian Adventurer with this New Race Option

Here for your perusal is a custom race for fifth edition Dungeon & Dragons — simians. Deep in the untamed forest lives a race of intelligent apes and monkeys.  Whether they exist due to natural evolution or as the result of a druid who began awakening them no one knows for sure. One thing is known — they have staked out their own territory and guard it fiercely. Simians are fierce at whatever they do. They are fiercely loyal if you have gained their trust.  They are fierce competitors if you feel the need to engage them in combat. Those filled with compassion love with the heat of a volcano. And lastly those who have been wronged hunt down the one who wronged them until the end of their days. Being creatures of nature simians build their homes in trees and at times you might look into the trees and see nothing out of the ordinary as they try to blend their homes into the natural surroundings for protection. They live off of the land and are a part of it.

Ruthazek, the Gorilla King. [Art by Mauricio Herrera]

Custom race option for 5E D&D — Simian

Simian Traits

Your Simian character has a variety of natural abilities.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1

Age

Simians reach maturity rather quickly, within 8-10 years. They typically live between 50-60 years.

Alignment

Simians feel a part of nature and some long to protect it. Rarely do they unify on any side of law and chaos or good or evil. They tend toward neutrality. Player character simians may be of any alignment.

Speed

You have a walking speed of 30. You also have a climbing speed of 30.

Subrace

Your ancestral heritage determines you overall size and abilities. Ape or baboon each possess their own abilities and appearance.

Simian Ape

As an ape you are the more powerful and larger of your simian brethren. You are the natural leaders of your kind. Apes tend to be more serious then their babooon cousins.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2.

Size

Simian apes tend to be between 6 and 7 feet tall. You have a humanoid build but your arms are longer than an average human of your size. Your size is Medium.

Naturally Athletic

You are proficient in Athletics. Some Simians train in physical traits but all of them posses a natural affinity with using their Strength.

Physically Intimidating

As an action you can release a roar against an enemy within 30 feet of you. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom Modifier. If they fail they must drop what they are holding and are frightened by you for 1 minute. Once you use this feature you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Simian Baboon

As a baboon you are smaller than your ape relatives. While they are strong you are agile.  You use this sometimes for grace other times for fun. While you still adore nature you tend toward a more carefree lifestyle. Perhaps that is why the apes are the leaders.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Size

Simian baboons tend to be between 4 and 5 feet tall. You have a humanoid build but your arms are longer than an average human of your size. Your size is Medium.

Naturally Agile

You are proficient in Acrobatics. From an early age you swing through the trees without a care, flipping and swinging the whole time.

Prehensile Tail

You have a tail that can be used as an appendage. It has a reach of 5 feet, and it can lift a number of pounds equal to your Strength score. You can use it to hold an object, pick something up or even open a door. Your DM might allow other tasks to be added to these options. Your tail can’t wield weapons or shields or do anything that requires manual precision, such as using tools or magic items or performing the somatic components of a spell.

Stories your games

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