The Monkey Cults

Gorilla Shaman

Monkeys occur naturally in the Jungle of the Overworld, amongst the wooded foothills of its surrounding mountains and beyond into the Gakkil-Zelg and the Eastern fringes of the Southern Desert. They may also be found in the Great Swamp. Monkeys, especially of the smaller species, have been captured for sale as pets, and can be purchased in the markets of the Jungle Ports, the Southern Cities, Kuntax, Milmar and Hapral. Inevitably, many have escaped and feral troops roam all of these cities and towns, stealing fruit and trinkets.

The Monkeys of Anarea include Apes, with the Great Apes dwelling mostly in the heart of the Jungle. "Simian" is an adjective for all Monkeys, including Apes, but excluding People (who are not Creatures of Nature). Giant Monkeys occur, especially Giant Gorillas, but these are Simian Monsters rather than Animals. The Yeti of the Icelands are also Simian Monsters. Lycanthropy can occur amongst Monkeys, especially amongst the larger, more aggressive species, but Weremonkeys are rarer than the other Weres.

Monkey Cultists tend to be Chaotic and Thievish, and Monkeys are popular pets of Pirates and Bandits. There are Monkey Cultist Thievish Brotherhoods in Mabul’Adib, the Jungle Ports, Milmar and Iklaron, but they have been excluded from the other ports where Monkeys roam by rival Thieves' Guilds (in particular the Dock Rats). The Monkey Cults go by many names - often for the same Cult. For example the Brotherhood of the Bold Baboons in Iklaron is also known as the Blue Bananas (after the mark they leave to show premises under their protection).

There are Jungle Tribes and Beastmasters of the Jungle and Swamp for whom the Monkey is their Totem Animal. Gorilla Cultists in the Deep Jungle worship and summon Giant Gorillas and may ride them into battle. Cults of other Monkey species dwell in tree houses and swing from tree to tree with their Monkey companions.

Weremonkey Lycanthropism (in particular Weregorilla Lycanthropism) is believed to have originated in the Deep Southern Jungle; probably introduced by Dark Monkey Cultists, who have spread it across the Southern Uplands of the Jungle into the Gakkil-Zelg, where there are now some vicious Goblin Weremonkey Cults.

Monkey Cultists worship HANDAMAN, the Monkey God: an Aspect of TIPRE. Dark Monkey Cultists worship HANDAMAN as an Aspect of CORNUTUR The Troublemaker, Whose Clerical Spells are powered by TERRIK. Evil Gorilla Cults worship THE GREAT BLACK GORILLA, an Aspect of TERRIK Who appears as a huge, black, chest-beating Giant Gorilla. Temples of HANDAMAN may be found in the Cities of the Jungle and in some Streets of False Gods, including in Iklaron, and are usually fronts for the Monkey Cultist Thievish Brotherhoods (and good places to fence stolen goods). Monkey Totems of HANDAMAN are carved by His Shamen and Clerics in wood or ivory and the Monkey Tribes of the Jungle worship His Totems rather than in Temples. The Gorilla Cultists of the Deep Jungle have built hidden Temples of Stone carved with heads and bas reliefs of Giant Gorillas.

The Dream Kingdom of Monkeys is The Simian Empire, ruled from its Sacred Heart by HANDAMAN as a Giant Gorilla. Monkeys also roam the Tree Kingdoms in their Dreams, sometimes becoming lost in the Monkey Puzzle Kingdom in their Nightmares. The Dark Simian Empire is ruled by HANDAMAN as an Aspect of CORNUTUR or by THE BLACK GORRILA.

THE BLACK GORILLA

Monkey Cultists are noted for their boldness and cheeky attitude. They can be fierce fighters but prefer sneak attacks rather than direct confrontation. They are open to bribes - especially of fruit.

Go to Druidic Spell List of the Monkey Cults

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