Homebrew Vanara (Monkeyfolk) Species Details

Jungle Homeland. Vanara are a race of simian humanoids originally from tropical jungles, where they make their homes in treetop villages. Although most vanara still live in their homeland, their restless tendencies have led many of them to venture forth and explore distant lands. Vanara can be found living alongside humans and other races in villages, towns, and cities throughout the world.

Insatiable Curiosity. Vanara are intrigued by strangers and are constantly asking questions, often beyond the point where this becomes annoying. Their innate curiosity and good-hearted nature means that kapi will sometimes throw their lot in with adventurers, priests, and other wanderers. Several famous tales recount the escapades of bold and brave vanara who accompanied legendary heroes and pious monks as sidekicks and protectors.

Playful Tricksters. Vanara enjoy playing harmless pranks on others and sometimes acquire unattended items that don’t belong to them, using their prehensile tails to grab small objects
while no one is looking. These playful antics can often be misunderstood by humorless folk. When this happens, the vanara's ability to scamper up the nearest tree to get out of harm’s way proves very handy.

The Monkey King. While worship of gods of nature and peace is fairly common among the vanara, many worship a mysterious figure of their folklore known as the monkey king. This figure is said to be incredibly strong and wise, but a great trickster. They believe him to be the patron of their race, and strive to live up to his example of helping people while also being playful. Sages that have studied the vanara believe the Monkey King to have some connection to the feywild and the more chaotic upper planes. 

Monkeyfolk. A vanara’s body is covered in a thin coat of soft fur, and individuals with chestnut, ivory, and even golden coats are common. Despite their fur, vanaras can grow lengthy hair on their head just as humans can, and both male and female vanaras take pains to wear elaborate hairstyles for important social functions. The hair on a vanara’s head matches the color of its fur. All vanaras have long, prehensile tails and handlike feet capable of well-articulated movements. A vanara stands slightly shorter and weighs slightly less than a typical human.

Language. Vanaras speak Simian, a language that to outsiders sound like screeches and chattering, but is really a very complex language with lots of subtleties. It has no written form. This language also allows them to communicate with any natural simian creature, including apes, monkeys, and baboons. 

Names. A vanara receives a name within a week after birth, as soon as the parents observe some sign or portent that suggests an appropriate name for the child. The vanara keeps this name through life, and considers it shameful to use any other name, such as a nickname or alias. some have clan names, but this is far rarer, and if a vanara has one, it always comes before their given name. 

Male Names: Amanu, Khanu, Mindra, Rava, Thetsu, Vaki, and Vindu.

Female Names: Aki, Kiri, Ghuna, Lakshi, Sitha, Tani, and Vina.

Clan Names: Sun, Zhen, Kong, Son, Cao, Shi

Height and Weight. Base Height: Male=4'8", Female=4'2". Height Modifier: +2d8 inches. Base Weight: Male=105 lbs, Female=90lbs. Weight Multiplier= x(1d6) lbs.

Vanara (Monkeyfolk) Traits

Vanara are highly nimble and despite their attitudes, wise. A vanara character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by +2, and your Wisdom score increases by +1.

Age

Vanara reach adulthood by around 15 years of age. They typically live at most 80 years, although unusually long lived elders have been documented.

Alignment

Vanara love their individuality and freedom. Because of their innate nature to be tricksters, they love a good-natured prank or jest. Vanara tend to be chaotic good.

Size

Vanara usually have a hunched posture in their natural gait, but when standing at their full height, they stand between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 feet tall. Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed. 

Darkvision

Accustomed to dense jungles and the shady treetops, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, and can speak Simian, which has no written form. Simian is a language that to outsiders sound only like screeching and chattering, but is surprisingly subtle and expressive. Simian can also be used to convey and understand simple ideas with simian beasts, such as baboons, monkeys, and apes.

Monkey Leaps

You gain proficiency in the Acrobatics skill, and can treat any Strength (Athletics) checks to jump as Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks instead. You can also use Dexterity instead of Strength to determine your jump distance, and you are always treated as having a running start when jumping, even when standing still. 

Stealthy

You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Prehensile Tail

The vanara can use its tail to pick up or hold a small object that isn’t being worn or carried. It has a reach of 5 feet, and it can lift a number of pounds equal to two times your Strength score. You can use it to do the following simple tasks: lift, drop, hold, push, or pull an object or a creature; open or close a door or a container; grapple someone; or make an unarmed strike. 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. 

While the tail itself can't generally carry heavy items, a vanara can use it to hang from any branch, beam, or other outcropping that can support the vanara's weight. 

Simian Speech

Using their simian language, a vanara can communicate an understand simple thoughts and ideas to and from simian beasts; such as monkeys, apes, and baboons.