Dawn of the Plane of the Apes: Gigantopithecus, Dire Ape

Today's Monster Monday is part III of our month-long series about apes. This week, we're looking at the dire ape, or gigantopithecus. Gigantopithecus stood nearly 10 feet tall at full extension, making it a gigantic hulk of an ape. Older depictions of gigantopithecus often make it look like a giant gorilla, but the closest living relative of this giant Asian ape is actually the orangutan.

Gigantopithecus blacki, by KaekArt, via Wikimedia

We don't have a lot of fossils of gigantopithecus - mostly teeth from caves in China, India, and Vietnam. One thing missing are its pelvic bones, so we don't know for sure whether it walked upright like a human or on all fours like most apes. Given its bulk and the rarity of upright locomotion, it seems most likely that it used its arms and legs to walk, like a gorilla. But that hasn't stopped cryptozoologists from speculating (unfounded speculation is what they do, after all) that relic populations of gigantopithecus are responsible for sightings of sasquatches and yeti. That is, of course, dumb, but it is a gigantopithecus fun fact.

Since I reworked chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas, I had to rework the dire ape as well. As previously statted up, the dire ape was a CR 3 monster with 19 Strength. That would make them less powerful than my gorillas. Heck, it puts this giant ape roughly on par with a walrus. So the new dire ape is a CR 6 monster with 23 Strength. It has two slams, a bite attack, and rend. In combat, the gigantopithecus will bring its incredible strength to bear on any attackers, rending them limb from limb.

The following text in gold is available as Open Game Content under the OGL. Open Game Content is ©2018 Jonah Bomgaars.

This gigantic ape moves on all fours, bellowing and hooting and beating its chest

Ape, Dire (Gigantopithecus)            CR 6

XP 2,400

N Large animal (intelligent)

Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +9

DEFENSE

AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +4 natural, -1 size)

hp 76 (8d8+40)

Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +5

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.

Melee 2 slams +11 (1d8+6), bite +6 (1d6+3)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks rend (2 slams, 1d8+9)

STATISTICS

Str 23, Dex 14, Con 21, Int 3, Wis 13, Cha 12

Base Atk +6; CMB +13; CMD 25 (29 vs trip)

Feats Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Intimidating Prowess^B, Iron Will, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Acrobatics +8, Climb+10, Intimidate +9, Perception +9

ECOLOGY

Environment warm forests

Organization solitary, pair

Treasure none

Standing nearly 10 feet high and weighing over a thousand pounds, this gigantic orangutan-like ape is even larger than a silverback gorilla. Its powerful muscular arms are draped with ropes of thick orange fur, and its leathery black face is rounded out by protruding cheek flaps. Like its smaller orangutan cousins, the gigantopithecus primarily eats fruits, grasses, and insects, but it will opportunistically eat animals as well, including smaller primates. Dire apes are solitary creatures who control large swathes of jungle territory, which they aggressively defend against other primates, including humans. 

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Plot Hooks and Encounter Ideas

• The PCs have finally discovered the entrance to the ancient dungeon, only to find that a dire ape has made its home in the cave-like doorway, and it is not pleased by the intrusion. 
• When a chained gigantopithecus breaks loose from the circus sideshow and begins to wreak havoc on the city, it is up to the party to put a stop to the chaos.
• The barbarian's dream-visions are clear - if he is to unlock his true power, he must wrestle the giant ape of the forest.

-your giganto d20 despot