Homebrew Gorivos Species Details

"I ran and ran, straight into the jungle, but the orcs continued to give chase. They were relentless in their pursuit of me, hunting for sport, I knew they wanted my head. My attempts to lose them in the dense foliage had no effect. I then ran into a small clearing with patches of moonlight beaming down onto the jungle floor, a grave mistake as one of their arrows found their way to my knee and I collapsed. I kept crawling but thought it was the end for me as I heard their sadistic laughter and roaring grew louder and louder. The orcs, they surrounded me and made sure I had no way to escape. One of them kicked me so hard I turned over and saw the blood lust on their faces. The leader of the band approached me, readying his spear to finish me. However, fate offered me mercy as a javelin flies through, slamming into the chest of my adversary, knocking him down, and killing him instantaneously. The orcs, shocked and bewildered looked around to find who was responsible. Leaves and branches on the trees began to rustle all around us and for the first time I saw fear in the eyes of these brutes who knew not what was stalking them. Shadows leapt from the treetops, and under the illumination of the moon they looked like gorillas or great apes. They pounced on the orcs and slaughtered them in mere seconds. I saw one of them land on an orc crushing his ribs. Another grabbed one of them by the neck and crushed it as if it was an apple. They left none of them alive and when they looked at me I saw no hatred in their eyes. No anger, no aggression, but something more majestic, as if looking at a lion. They took their leave, but not before setting down a pouch full of herbs I would use to heal my wound." 

-An unnamed Elven Ranger

Always on the prowl. Always at the ready. Always expecting challenge and struggle. Whether set up in the jungle where the trees are as tall as the world is old or in the mountains with roots that run deeper than any tree, the gorivos are always prepared for what may come. It is not because they do not peace, but it comes out of necessity and survival instincts. If anything, the gorivos strive for peace as they are a very caring and protective people. It is evident by how they build their homes and communities on tree tops or cliff sides, a way to provide a natural line of defense against those who wish the ape folk harm. When not on the lookout for danger, gorivos have a wide range of activities they enjoy such as music, particularly drums, bongos, or their chest, dancing, wrestling, racing, and a myriad of anything that can be turned into a contest or spectacle. Despite their serious demeanor, once a person gets to know a gorivos, they will see the are a warm and friendly side of them, a loyal and stalwart companion that enjoys life's simple pleasures and will fiercely defend it and those they care for. 

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 Close-knit Clans

Gorivos live in small to medium sized groups called a troop. Unlike their distant cousins such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans, gorivos troops can range from thirty to sixty due to their superior intellect and far more complex cognitive thought. Gorivos young are raised by the elders, their grandparents while their parents have the responsibility of hunting and gathering as well as defending the troop. The elders teach the young most things such as how to read and write, simple mathematics, art, song and dance, how to forage, and etc. The young however are encouraged to enhance their knowledge and wisdom by exploring areas under the protection of the troop and to take in the world and understand what life is. 

Gorivos reach adulthood around the age of 14 and as a rite of passage, the father and mother take their child on their first hunt. They do not kill the quarry however as they are only there to witness and advise the young gorivos hunter, and when the young gorivos slays their first prey they make a trophy out of the carcass such as a jawbone amulet, a bone club, pelt cloak, or some other memento of their first hunt in which they sport their entire life. The troop will then hold a feast in honor of the young gorivos' coming of age which consists of their first slain prey and foraged fruits and vegetables. The moment they take their first bite into the meat of their prey they become an adult in which holds new responsibilities for the gorivos. Males are often hunter gatherers while females stay within the troop to protect and defend the young and elders. Gorivos find marriage through a matchmaking system run by the elders who pick which pair would be best for each other and put to the test when the gorivos couple copulate. If the female does not find things agreeable during copulation, she will fight and throw the male out of the hut and lock herself in as a sign of incompatibility. 

When gorivos become elders, it is usually because they are no longer capable to hunt or move as fast as they can anymore in which they will willingly step down from the troop leader or no longer have ambitions to become the troop leader. There they will take new responsibilities in raising the troop's young and teaching them the ways of the gorivos and basic knowledge, creativity, and independence. Gorivos elders, in the case of emergencies will help defend the troop if they come under attack as the safety of the young is the first priority in order to continue the bloodline. 

Protective Wardens

Gorivos are very protective of their territories but see to it that violence is the last resort. Whether there is a immediate danger to the troop or outsiders such as poachers encroaching on their hunting grounds, gorivos will offer multiple and clear warnings to those they do not wish to stay in their territory. From a warning toss with a javelin impaling the ground near trespassers, to attempting to scare trespassers by creating unsettling noise such as rustling the leaves on tree tops or howling in the distance, to even direct confrontation with verbal warnings and beating of their chests. 

Gorivos are insightful though as they can understand those who wish to pass through their territories, seek something within their territory, or are simply lost. As long as their intentions are hostile and does not seem a threat they may offer help in order for them to leave sooner or to even befriend them and make a possible ally that they can reach out to for help. They tend to be partial to elves and firbolgs as they seem to respect and hold nature in high regard, but are open to other friendly outsiders. However if they happen to chance upon a gnoll war band, an orc hunting pary, loggers, or poachers, they will use their best judgement to conclude that they have evil or hostile intentions. The adults of the troop will gather and discuss what their best move would be whether to strike at the trespassers, wait for them to leave, or pack up and move depending if they cannot fight a great force or not. Violence however is only to be used as a last resort if their warnings and attempts to scare them off are ignored. 

Competitive and Honorable

Gorivos at a young age are encouraged to settle their differences through games and contests. Such can include wrestling, racing, dancing, or other methods. Though it may seem like fun and games, it teaches young gorivos to be ready to face challenges as life is full of struggle and challenge. At older ages, adult gorivos will contest each others' differences through wrestling or seeing who can hunt the largest game or gather the most food for the troop. No matter what age, the loser must honor the outcome and the winner must also respect and honor the efforts of their competitor as working for the greater good of the troop is far more important than petty squabbles.

Under no circumstance is cheating a viable way to win in the eyes of the gorivos, whether it meant life or death. If a gorivos is caught cheating while settling a difference with a fellow gorivos, the entire troop shuns the cheater until they atone. Atonement can consist of hunting a great beast and preparing a feast for the troop or providing a service for each member of the troop, even the young. If a gorivos cheats in a life or death situation such as defending itself from a beast that overpowers it or a hostile enemy, such as low blows or throwing sand in their eyes, if the gorivos manages to defeat them they are expected to atone by not taking anything from them and remaining silent until the next sunrise. If their adversary has been slain then they would not take anything from them, remain silent until the next sunrise, and properly and respectfully honor the body by disposing of them into the river or under a great tree leaving with them valuables or food. 

Strength and cunning are ideals of gorivos. The leaders of troops are called the strongback. In order for a gorivos to become the strongback of the troop they must seek approval of the majority of both the elders and adults if they can challenge the current strongback. Once a challenge is issued, three contests are proposed. One of them by the elders' choosing, one by the adults' choosing, and if there is a tie then there is the third contest which is the 'Buga Naushi" which translates to "Punching Contest" in which the the left or right hands of the contestants are tied together and with their untied hands they take turns punching each other until one is knocked out and the one standing is proclaimed the new strongback. The decision whether the left or right hand is decided by the current strongback but it is the challenger who gets to throw the first punch. If the challenger wins, then the former strongback will honor and warmly congratulate them on their new found responsibilities and position as they step down and serve as a second-in-command. If the strongback wins, then the challenger will bow their head and promise the strongback that they will strive to be stronger as the strength of the troop as a whole is better if each individual works to better themselves. There will be no killing as every member of the troop has the ability to provide and make the troop stronger. 

Spiritual Animists

Gorivos do not have a particular god or patron. They do believe a form of animism, in which all things have souls such as plants, rocks, animals, food, tools, objects, and anything that takes a physical manifestation in the world. They will not kill for sport and will see that killing is only necessary if it is a must such as hunting for food or self defense. Gorivos are also hesitant on destruction and waste. They see that the destruction of things such as forest fires or a weapon breaking on them as a great tragedy and will put aside time in order to show their respects for the death of such a being. When it comes to killing or breaking things out of necessity such as hunting and killing game, killing in self defense, or breaking down doors they will always do so without hatred or prejudice and instead they will always set aside time for later before or as they rest to show their respects and give a prayer to those they have slain. For eating and drinking, they see waste as a great disrespect to the creature or object they have taken from as their deaths would be sullied and the importance of their very being is disregarded and not seen as holding meaning to the world. Gorivos make sure to eat every bit of food in their bowls, drink every drop from their cups, and give thanks and prayer for providing nourishment. 

A gorivos who becomes a cleric, paladin, or holds a greater being as a patron will see that serving that patron would be serving all forms of life therefore not losing any meaning to the belief that all things have souls.

Gorivos Names

Gorivos are given a one word name at birth which will be followed by a "title" followed by "of the" followed by their troop name

Female Gorivos Names: Asibi, Delu, Habibi, Ifrah, Jahzara, Kia, Kiho, Koko, Mapenzi, Muna, Naja, Nala, Nuru, Oba, Qwara, Raziya, Saada, Saidi, Tani

Male Gorivos Names: Ali, Asib, Batak, Bilal, Boingo, Darius, Darmani, Daruk, Ebizo, Goron, Habib, Kojo, Kors, Mukasa, Nasser, Oingo, Oringo, Rakar, Yamar, Yaruk

Gorivos Titles: Child, Daughter, Defender, Elder, Hunter, Son, Warrior

Gorivos Troop Names: Blue Feet, Jagged Spear, Mountain Top, Rock Fist, Silver Grin, Strong Hand, Stone Club, Tall Tree

Gorivos Traits

Your gorivos character has the following racial traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Constitution scores increase by 1, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age

Gorivos reach adulthood at age 14 and can live up to a century

Alignment

Young gorivos tend to be chaotic, but upon a year or two after reaching adulthood will shift towards lawful as they have a great many responsibilities in their troop. Gorivos who grew up outside their troop are seen as soft and deserters but whether they are lawful, neutral, or chaotic depends on where they grow up. Due to their spirituality and beliefs in animism, they are good as they see that all things have souls and therefore has a meaningful existence.

Size

Gorivos are usually taller than 6 feet and can reach up up to 8 feet tall, however most of them will walk on with their knuckles on the ground making them appear shorter than they are. They are stocky and can weigh from between 350 and 450 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

You have a walking speed of 30 feet and a climbing speed of 20 feet

Simian Superiority

You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, and Survival.

Great Ape Leap

Whenever you make a moving long or high jump, you only need to move 5 feet instead of the required 10 feet, the movement can be walking or climbing. In addition, after take falling damage you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack or an unarmed strike against an object or creature within your reach. When you do so, you may roll for bonus damage of a d6 for every 10 feet you fall up to a maximum equal to your proficiency bonus. 

Strong Hands

Because of walking on your hands and knuckles for the majority of your life, when you are not holding anything in either hand you can sprint on all fours. When you do so, your walking speed increases by 10 feet. In addition, when you make an unarmed strike, you can deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage instead of the normal damage.

Semi-Opposable Feet

Your big toe is longer and placed lower on the foot in comparison to other humanoid big toes. You can grasp things with your feet and even dangle off things that can support your weight such as branches and ledges for example. You can also 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. It 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.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write common. You can also communicate through Gorivos sign language. Gorivos sign language is a fully comprehensive language in itself and those who know how to communicate through at can hold full and complex conversations. It is primarily used during hunting when gorivos hunters must speak to each other without alerting their prey.