Saru Bakemono (5e Creature)

Saru Bakemono

Medium humanoid (goblinoid), chaotic neutral (50%) or chaotic evil (50%) Armor Class 12 (natural armor) Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 4 (-3) 9 (-1) 10 (+0) Skills Athletics +4, Perception +3, Stealth +5 Senses passive Perception 13 Languages Common, Goblin, Orc Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) ACTIONS Multiattack. The bakemono makes two attacks, only one of which can be with its bite. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage. Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 25/50 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Saru bakemono are the most idiotic of all goblinkind and they have many similar ape and orcish features. Many people say if an orc bred with an ape then the saru bakemono would have been born. But these strange creatures have been around before orcs or any goblinoids existed so many scholars speculate that they come from autochthonic birth or that they spring from the very earth itself. Saru bakemono appear like a larger ape but with tusks jutting out from their mouth, they have a rather strong and robust frame and walking on all fours come up to four feet tall, or around five feet when standing on their hind legs. Their skin comes in strange colors like green or orange or even bronze and they sprout brilliant colored fur manes much like baboons, which can be a host of strange colors like bright orange or even blue. Generally though most bakemono can be more mundane colors like tan and copper. They easily climb trees and seem to breed at an alarming rate. Thankfully various other creatures feed upon them and most samurai and even well-armed ashigaru can make quick work of them when organized. They seem to be able to eat anything; roots, branches, carrion, offal, rotten fruit and they behave much like apes if apes had no common sense and got themselves killed frequently from being too bold at the wrong times. When they die, strange mushrooms and lichens can be found growing on their bodies which are not poisonous but are foul-tasting. People have witnessed bakemono breed in the normal way with the mother popping out a litter and then quickly leaving them to fend for themselves, which they seem to do quite well or even resort to cannibalism. But there have also been reports of bakemono younglings literally crawling out of mud and sand as if they came from the earth itself, especially in places where numerous saru bakemono have been slain. Many people say the bakemono are the very definition of stupid. Saru bakemono are famous for hurling themselves at enemies with no heed getting slaughtered wholesale but also breaking formations of pike wielding ashigaru with the sheer weight of their tough bodies and ferocity in combat. War Beasts. Strangely enough when saru bakemono become dominated by goblins, orcs, hobgoblins or what have you they can serve as loyal war beasts and even as mounts for smaller humanoids. Goblins ride on their backs and fire arrows because the saru bakemono can climb vertically up trees with ease, They have strong and sharp claws that easily get a footing on the vertical surface of trees and even stone cliffs. Orcs and hobgoblins use them as savage ambush beasts to engage the enemy from the flanks or literally to fall upon them from cliffs and ceilings. orcs, hobgoblins and goblins also just eat them because they are so idiotic they do not even understand they are being taken to slaughter. They can be taught to listen to goblin or orcish commands and seem to follow simple instructions well, some can even speak but only in simple one-word utterances. Variant: Kamikaze Saru Bakemono Sometimes orc or hobgoblin armies even strap large explosives onto the back of the bakemono that when detonated can bring down a fortress wall. If the defenders see these they immediately fire fire-arrows at the beast to have it explode among its allies. A kamikaze saru bakemono has a challenge rating of 2 (450 XP) and gains the following additional trait: Death Burst. When the bakemono dies, it explodes. Each creature within 20 feet of it must then make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

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