Saru

Saru were a species of intelligent gorilla-like apes that dwelt in the jungles of the Malatran Plateau of Kara-Tur.

Description
Saru's similarity to gorillas came from their strong large upper arms with the span of, and short stout legs. Saru, on average were between and. Their entire bodies were covered in black or copper-red fur, leaving faces, palms, and soles of their feet bare. Saru had slight sexual dimorphism with the females usually being slightly shorter than males.

Personality
Saru were kind and peaceful creatures that felt no animosity towards other sentient species of the jungle. They were friendly towards the korobokuru folk who, for some reason, felt strong antipathy to saru. The only creatures saru truly hated were the dreaded leopard katanga who payed on and consumed saru children. They also felt special kinship with animals, whom saru considered to be "persons." Saru delighted in communicating with animals of the Living Jungle and loved being responded to by those creatures who understood them, such as apes, monkeys, humans, and demihumans. This affection to all living things often led to saru approaching hippos, lions, sloths in search of a conversation, and just as often, sent them fleeing for dear life from predators less inclined to converse.

Most saru took on the roles of warriors, thieves, or combinations of thereof. On rare occasions, saru were known on taking religious roles of witch doctors and shamans, exclusively female occupation.

As a species, saru often displayed fright of magic, especially its visual displays, that could leave them paralyzed in fear.

Saru spoke their own complex langue that consisted of vocal sounds like grunts, hoots, and screams, as well as rich use of hand motions and facial expressions. They were capable of learning other languages and many adventuring saru did.

Abilities
Because of saru's natural affinity to animals, they were treated as friends by domesticated and wild beast alike, as if they were under the effects of the friends spell. This ability to commune with animals could be triggered once per day by all saru.

All saru were great climbers but could not swim.

Combat
In combat, saru relied on the use of weapons, learned from the Nubari and shu neighbors. They relied on such arms as clubs and spears of their own creation, but they were perfectly capable of wielding more complex weapons acquired from other communities of the jungle. However, saru were never truly disarmed as their great arms were powerful weapons in their own right. When entering unarmed combat, saru pummeled their opponents with both hands dealing significant damage in the process.

Society
Saru valued family above all else. Their clans often consisted of individuals related by blood. Mates were considered to be as close of a family as those of the same blood. Saru society did not know the concept of marriage and saru couples were simply called mates. Saru clans did not hesitate to adopt strays of orphans into the community and the family. An average clan consisted of three or four adult males apes, four to six females, and up to four children. Saru reached adulthood at the age of 16, while females traditionally were caregivers for the young. Males typically were hunters and fighters. Some saru communities consisted of four or more clans forming villages, while other clans preferred solitude, only gathering together in the time of strife or seasonal dire weather. Traditional saru communities did not have settlements. They lived nomadic lives, moving from one part of the Living Jungle to another.

It was a common assurance for saru youth to leave their homes in search of adventure and thrill.

Saru worshipped a demigoddess named Chee'ah, who walked the Malatran Plateau. Those females who received a call from the deity, embarked on a pilgrimage to find her and take on a role of Chee'ah's "clerics".

Following their first contact with tribes of the Living Jungle, saru began adapting cultural aspects of their new neighbors. From them, saru adapted the custom of wearing simple clothing like loincloths, belts to holder weapons, and rough-hewn jewelry.

Ecology
Saru were omnivores. Their diet consisted of vegetables, nuts, roots, insects, and small animals. Despite having small amount of meat in their diet, saru equated eating flesh to cannibalism, the belief that made them bad dinner guests among other tribes of the Malatran Plateau.

History
As of the 14 century DR, saru were still relatively new members of the Malatran tribes. Saru's first contact with the Nubari and shu happened only a century prior.