Shadow Apes
These creatures were first encountered in the city of London, Britain in the early years of the 21st century. Wasteland scholars living in the ruins of post-final wars Britain argue over the origins of these creatures. The only thing that they can agree upon is that the first reported sighting took place one night in 2011. This is where the debate begins. Survivors of the initial encounter with these creatures claim that the monsters they fought were in fact aliens. Conflicting reports state that these were nothing more than a group of mountain gorillas that had escaped from the local zoo and went on a rampage.
Chris Van Deelen is the author of the Skirmisher Publishing LLC sourcebook Creatures of the Tropical Wastes sourcebook and co-author of its Wisdom from the Wastelands game supplement.
No. Enc: 2d8
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120’ (40’)
AC: 5
HD: 8
Attacks: 2 punches or one bite
Damage: 5d6 / 5d6 2d10+3d6
Save: L8
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XII, XIII, XVI (artifacts only)
These creatures were first encountered in the city of London, Britain in the early years of the 21st century. Wasteland scholars living in the ruins of post-final wars Britain argue over the origins of these creatures. The only thing that they can agree upon is that the first reported sighting took place one night in 2011. This is where the debate begins. Survivors of the initial encounter with these creatures claim that the monsters they fought were in fact aliens. Conflicting reports state that these were nothing more than a group of mountain gorillas that had escaped from the local zoo and went on a rampage.
The other school of thought is that these creatures were the first generation of genetically engineered apes that had escaped from one of the clandestine laboratories and weapon research facilities that were hidden in the city and surrounding countryside. Since it is well documented that the Ancients had encountered aliens in the past before the final wars destroyed civilization, either theory could be correct.
If these creatures are in fact aliens, they had to have been the shock-troops, as they showed no signs of intelligence above that of an animal, and used no weapons other than their natural weapons. As such this is the reason that many believe that they are nothing more than genetically engineered great apes.
Physically, these monsters are the size of a Silverback Gorilla, being nearly six feet in height while standing on their rear legs and weighing in excess of four hundred pounds. The creatures are covered with a thick, coarse fur which is so black that it absorbs light. There are two benefits to this. First, these creatures are utterly immune to all light-based attacks, such as lasers. Secondly, when they are in the darkness, they blend in perfectly and are very difficult to spot. As a result, they surprise on a 1-3 on a surprise check. They do not appear to have eyes, but that is just a trick due to the light-absorbing fur. The eyes are as black as the fur and cannot be found without dissection or knowing where to look. The only parts of these beasts that are clearly visible are the teeth. When the mouths are open the teeth are clearly visible. These mutants possess several rows of teeth, and they jagged and incredibly sharp and glow a pale blue.
These creatures live in Troupes; much like the great apes of the ancient world did, although they do not seem to have an alpha male or female. In fact, these creatures appear to be neither, being asexual. The creatures do not appear to become pregnant, nor are any offspring ever seen. It is speculated that they fission into two individuals once they reach a certain age and are essentially clones of one another.
Although they are slightly faster than a normal human, these creatures are a great deal stronger. One would not think that they could inflict as much damage as they can, but these beasts have been known to rip a victim limb from limb, and their bites cause horrible damage as well. Anyone bitten by these monsters must make a saving throw versus death or continue to bleed an additional 1d4 points of damage per round until the wounds are bound and treated.
Currently these mutants still reside in the ruins of London, but troupes have been spotted in other locations on the British isles, and have spread to Scotland and Ireland, and have been reported on the shores of what had been France before the end. Those found outside the ruins tend to prefer living in forests and other green, plant-filled locations. They have never been encountered in open fields or areas where there is no cover available.
The lairs of these creatures are what most would consider being disturbingly neat and tidy. There are sections cordoned off for sleeping, waste, storage for food, and even an area that is typically set up almost like a shrine, where the bodies of their fallen are kept, as well as the loot and artifacts taken from anyone or anything they defeat in battle.
For the most part these mutants prefer to live undisturbed. When they encounter anyone who may end up in their territory, these mutants will usually watch and wait, allowing trespassers to simply pass through, but sometimes if it appears that the trespassers are hunting or scavenging, or if the troupe has had a streak of bad luck when it comes to hunting, they will attack and try to kill the interlopers.
Mutations: Aberrant form (natural weapons), bizarre appearance (d), immunity to light-based weapons, increased physical attribute (strength), increased senses (smell), thermal vision.
Source: Attack the Block (2011)
