One of the most powerful predators of Korjuun's forests, the Sloth Ape is neither
particularly slothful nor apelike. It has been given it's somewhat
misleading common name due to it's remarkably long and thick claws,
which are very similar to those of the giant sloth, and due to it's
occasional brachiations, as the sight of something that large
swinging from one branch to another always calls up the image of a
great ape, regardless of it's other features.
Sloth Apes can reach up to four meters in height, and their
massive shoulders can often can reach almost two meters across.
They have a thick coat of dark brown hair that covers their entire
bodies, including their heavy, somewhat badger-like facial
features. This coat is usually marked with a white diamond in
their chest area, and white streaks along their arms, hands, and
head. Sloth Apes are predators of the lower regions of the
forests, though they will occasionally take to the trees to pursue
tempting targets.
Sloth Apes are omnivorous, live bearing animals, which tend to
live in small family groups that will hunt together. The male of
the species tends to be dominant, with the males being somewhat
larger and more powerful than the females. Sloth Apes thrive in
captivity, and have been known to live up to 200 years under those
conditions. Their average lifespan under natural surroundings is
considerably shorter, usually no greater than 50 years, as even the
canniest of the Sloth Apes will occasionally misjudge a prey
creature, and when the animals they hunt include such toxic species
as the U-Uris and the Medel Deer, such a miscalculation is often
fatal.
Dexterity: 2D
Brawling parry 3D, running 6D
Perception: 2D
Strength: 6D
Brawling 9D, climbing/jumping 6D+2
Move: 14
Average Size: 3.8 meters tall
Special Abilities:
Natural Weapons: Claws: STR+3D+2, Bite: STR+2D, and
with each bite, the Sloth Ape injects a dose of venom into the
target. This venom is known as Mikkith by the Mridone, and is highly sought after for it's
paralytic properties. A single Sloth Ape has around 200 doses of
venom in it's poison sacks, but the poison will usually lose it's
potency after a few weeks.
Ferocity: Once it engages in combat with a foe, the
Sloth Ape will not break off it's attack until the target is dead.
It's attack will not slacken even after it is heavily wounded, and
it may continue fighting up to 5 rounds after it is technically
dead.
Weaknesses:
Sloth Apes have little experience with energy weapons, and do
not realize the threat they pose, never attempting to dodge the
first blaster bolt sent in their direction.
Ferocity: As the Sloth Ape never breaks off from it's
initial target, intelligent opponents can use that against it. The
Mridone often have one warrior present himself, fling a spear or
two at the Sloth Ape, and then flee. As it pursues that target
through the trees, the rest of the tribe follows behind it and
pepper it with darts and spears until it dies.