Labyrinth Critical Class: Planetary Ape!

Ability Requirements: STR 9 INT 9 WIS 9
Prime Requisites: STR and WIS
HD d8
Level limit 12

The Planetary Ape- intelligent ape men from a world not unlike our own.

A Planetary Ape can use all weapons, armors, and shields. He can also use magic weapons, armors, rings, and potions.

An Ape begins with Common as a starting language.

A Planetary Ape fights and saves as a Dwarf.

In addition a Planetary Ape has the following abilities:

Great Hunter: Due to his superior position and structure of his society, the Planetary Ape has long studied the ways of Man. A Planetary Ape gains a +1 bonus to hit and damage vs. Humans.

Brachiator: A Planetary Ape can climb sheer walls as a thief of the same level.

Scholar of the Sacred Scrolls: The writings of the Lawgiver form the backbone of Ape society's legal and religious life. As a result, Planetary Apes consult the scrolls for direction in matters great and small.

Once a week, a Planetary Ape may consult the writings of the Lawgiver, studying them with Talmudic scrutiny for simple answers to questions. In practice, this operates exactly as the spell Contact Other Plane, although the Ape is not truly questioning the Lawgiver directly.

A minimum of three hours may be spent in contemplation of the texts, up to a maximum of 12  (which corresponds with the spells plane level).

This academic pursuit is fraught with the same perils as the spell. The scholar does not know if his inquiry was done properly to ensure a correct answer. In addition, the frustrations to interpreting the teachings of the fountainhead of Ape culture can cause the inquirer to sink into madness, as per the spell.

XP/Level/HD

0/1/1d8
1960/2/2d8
3920/3/3d8
7840/4/4d8
15680/5/5d8
31360/6/6d8
62720/7/7d8
122500/8/8d8
245000/9/9d8
367500/10/+2hp
490000/11/+4 hp
612500/12/+6 hp

At 9th level a Planetary Ape may build a stronghold, the basis of a new Ape City. He may attract other apes, as well as other races, including humans.