Homebrew Wukong Species Details

Wukong are similar to humans in almost all appearances, the obvious exception being their tails and ears that resemble an elf's. At the high eastern mountain jungles — above the clouds where trees grow and where the air is thin and the cool winds flow — sprawl the active Wukong. Few folk can claim to have seen a Wukong, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Wukong wander a vibrant realm of trees, vegetation, and spiritual strength. Their bodies look as if they are a cross of a monkey and a human and give them great physical strength and dexterity. Their spirits take after the fighting gods, making them strive to be at the peak of their physical/spiritual form and, possibly, a god. Their hearts are infused with the curious spirit of their ancient ancestors, leaving each Wukong with the inner goal to achieve an inner spirit equal to that of a god or whisp away trying.  

Driven Achievers

Every day brings a new event to a Wukong. Training, exploration, and learning ways to prosper are everyday happenings in the uppermost mountain jungle reaches. A single mistake, though, can bring doom to the hopes of an aspiring Wukong, while a single feat of heroism can ensure the entire group’s praises.

Wukong thus place a premium on self-improvement and individual spirit, dexterity, and skill. They have a compulsion to keep going, continuing to do great deeds and flourishing with their accomplishments to show their improvement. Wukong love to win, but they see defeat as a way to improve.

This dedication to more physical improvement than spiritual has a dark side. Wukong are ever-changing fighters and trainers, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a Wukong knocks an enemy down with a combo of punches, kicks and maybe a little magic, he or she might seek out to obliterate their foes with one incredible blow. Some Wukong adventurers reach old age, as most are lost attempting to only reach insane levels of physical performance, instead of improving spiritual connection.

Fair Play

For Wukong, competition exists only when it is supported by a level playing field. Competition measures talent, dedication, and effort. Those factors determine social rank in their home territory, not reliance on magic items, money, or other elements that can tip the balance one way or the other. Wukong happily rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A Wukong who relies too much on them can grow complacent, a recipe for disaster in the woodlands.

This trait manifests most strongly when Wukong interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles intrigues, yet surprises Wukong. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom should take his place. Wukong rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power.

Elders rule

Among Wukong, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is knocked to the bottom of importance, unless their past was filled with helpful acts and they held up their end until old age. A lone Wukong has some, but a small chance of survival, especially an older or weaker one. Wukong have little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves, though a sick or injured individual is treated, as a result of the Wukong concept of fair play.

A permanently injured Wukong are still expected to pull a small bit of his or her weight in the tribe, but they are usually left alone to meditate. Typically, such a Wukong dies of old age, or the Wukong slips away in the night to seek the cold will of fate.

In some ways, the Wukong drive to outdo themselves feeds into the possibility of their decline and/or death. A Wukong would much rather reach peak spiritual and physical prowess instead of outdoing their ability at a young age and possibly halting any future progress. Few folk have ever meet an elderly Wukong, and even those Wukong who have left their people grapple with the urge to go back to their tribe and train once again, even if they are badly crippled and their physical skills are decaying.

Because of their risk-taking, Wukong tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders, except for every couple hundred years when a specially marked Wukong is born to be the next leader. They hope for innate wisdom in their leader, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age.

Wukong Traits

The wukong are a cross between humans and chimps. Their face is certainly ape-like, and they have elf like ears. They stand upright and have mostly human features, but with great amounts of body hair and a monkey tail to help them balance. Unlike apes, their feet are not prehensile. They tend to be similiar to humans in size, and prone to toned bodies. Many are always in motion, making them overall a very healthy race.

Prehensile Tail

Your particular heritage has allowed you to develop a prehensile tail. Your tail is muscular and very long, about your body length, and can support your weight if you aren't encumbered (e.g. while hanging from a branch). While the tail is used primarily to assist in climbing and keeping the hands free for foraging and carrying, you can use it to do the following simple tasks: lift, drop, hold, push, or pull an object or a creature up to 50 pounds; open or close a door or a container; grapple a creature of Small size or or smaller. Your DM might allow other simple tasks to be added to that list of 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. You can also use the tail to make an unarmed strike for 1d4 bludgeoning damage.

Agile Climbing

Due to the experience of living among the treetops the Wukong have gained a natural talent for climbing. They have a climb speed equal to their walking speed.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your wisdom increases by 1.

Primate Ability

You move fast and easily, allowing you to play a trick or two. You are proficient in the Acrobatics and sleight of hand skills.

Age

Wukongs mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than humans, however, often exceeding 200 years.

Language

You can speak Common and your common language, Wukong.