Ecology of the Girallons
W "e fear what we do not understand. Thus the more we learn, the less we fear. However, I'm afraid I'll never understand the Girallon" - Malary IvyWind Elven Druid of the Glade
Introduction
I don't think I've ever had my purpose summarized so eloquently as Malary Ivywind puts it. Girallons pronounced as Geer-ah-lawns, are a fascinating primate that has become more than the legends they used to be. With more and more sightings, locals are starting to worry that the massive 4-armed apes are a danger. I am here to find that answer and dispel fear.
Girallon Physiology
Origins of Girallons
Girallons are becoming more common as we know more about our Prime Material Plane. These giant gorillas have been around since ancient times, as we know they acted as bodyguards in Yuan-Ti civilizations new and old. With the many similarities to Gorillas, they are in some way related. Their features are far enough that there could be a whole lineage of 4-armed primates that we currently do not know.
We do know that Girallons likely came from jungle environments as the same with originating Yuan-Ti culture. With their widespread domination of the Prime Material plane also came their favorite bodyguards, Girallons. Many of the behaviors and adaptations of Girallons likely came from their mutualism with Yuan-Ti society.
Physical Appearance
Girallons are ample sized for most primates. While different species have their distinct sizes, the smallest of those species are over 6 feet tall at their typical postures, and 10 feet tall when upright. Covered in fur except for their faces, part of their heads, the chest, stomach, hands, and feet, Girallons share their fur coverage with many other primates.
Their most stark differences with other primates are their 6 limbs, 4 arms, and 2 legs. With both upper and lower limbs on each side, it's easy to recognize a Girallon. They also differ in 2 other ways. They have tusks that come from the backs of the lower jaws and stick outward from the mouth several inches. Lastly is their sharp claws on their hands and feet.
4 Arms 2 Legs
Their upper arms are much larger but proportion wise similar to that of a Gorilla. The second set, the lower arms, is about half the size of the first and less muscled. When walking, they are usually using their upper arms and much like a Gorilla in gait and style. Their lower arms reach out between the larger ones and clear away brush and other obstacles in the dense foliage they most often inhabit.
Not only do their 4 arms make them imposing, they like a Gorilla, are also very strong in comparison to a human. Girallons are known to pick up a foe and tear their limbs off.
When fighting or making displays, they tend to walk on their legs alone. This behavior is also seen in gorillas to make them taller, which suggests that they may share ancestors with gorillas, but I still suspect there are a few missing links. This tactic to make themselves more significant seems unneeded as most Girallon varieties tower over other animals already.
Meat and Fruit
The Girallon's closest relatives are vegetarians. Girallons are omnivores that heavily favor meat. When not eating meat, they eat fruits from trees. While protein is what they eat the most, sugary plant materials provide a quick boost of energy.
Large amounts of food are essential to Girallons as they must eat large portions, given their larger sizes. Thus they must eat daily and several pounds of animal flesh. They supplement the diet with small amounts of fruit. Hunting is a daily activity, possibly even multiple times a day.
Large amounts of fruit are a danger to Girallons as they can become drunk on the sugars. This phenomenon of fruits intoxicating animals usually only happens when the fruit ferments before ingestion, but Girallons ferment plants internally.
The reason why fruits ferment internally comes from the 2 separate stomachs these large primates have. When a Girallon eats meat, they tear off the flesh and chew much like any other primate. When they eat fruit, it is always whole and shoved with a finger into a separate esophagus to the plant processing stomach behind the larger meat processing one. When they consume too much fruit, they can't dilute the sugars quickly enough, and it converts into alcohol.
The mystery of the Tusks
Girallons are formidable and frightening creatures with their size, strength, and 4-arms. The reason why they sport tusks is seemingly for aesthetics alone. While females can be seen playing with a Male's tusks, they are not unique or varied enough between individuals, in my opinion, as an ecologist to warrant them as a desired trait in a mate.
Withing my research outside of the slight acknowledgment of their existence by the females, the tusks seem to serve no real purpose. However, recovered bones from the Girallons have much more elaborate and decorated tusks. Some of these recovered relics have intricate carvings on them and faint traces of magic.
Either they are now a vestigial display, which I find less likely, or they were favorably bred by the Yuan-Ti. The reason why Yuan-Ti would cultivate this aspect of the giant apes isn't well known. I have a theory that ritualistic carvings on the teeth uncovered served as vessels for enchantments. It may have also been a symbol of status between Yuan-Ti to have bodyguards with more exquisite designs.
Ground Hunters
Girallons love to hunt and kill. While it's an undeniable fact when seen in person and how they fight, it's also shown in their enthusiasm for the kill. Girallons hunt alone, despite the fact they live in a troop. They aren't very cooperative in their blood-lust.
When hunting, they aren't exactly stealthy. Girallon tactics are to lumber through the woods and attack the first food item they perceive. With their enormous size and incredible running speed, just sighting prey is enough of a chance. Catching prey isn't a sure deal. While prey such as deer can outrun a Girallon, they have to bound around trees where Girallons with enough speed can topple smaller ones. It also helps that larger herbivores such as elephants are on the menu as well.
Excellent Climbers
It's easy to see why a 4-armed ape could climb a structure easily. While most trees won't support their weight, Girallons are fond of climbing. Large trees, structures, and mountains are a favorite activity for bored Girallons. Part of the reason why they are attracted to ruined civilizations, especially with large buildings, is they make for great playgrounds. Their aptitude for climbing often surprises spectators to see such a massive creature climb so fast and easily. When reaching the pinnacle of their climbs, Girallons are known to hold on with their lower arms while beating their chest with their upper arms roaring in triumph.
Climates and Habitats
Girallons are not a familiar creature in the realms. At least in the more settled parts of civilizations. These more remote areas are usually more extreme in climates as well. Thus Girallons have adapted to many regions of the Planes as long as they're isolated. Everything from freezing forests to active sweltering volcanos can be the home of a population of Girallons. This rapid adaptation may be reptile made though, if it weren't for the Yuan-Ti's favoritism of the creatures, they have not have spread so widely.
Sleeping in the Stars
Girallons are hardy creatures that often sleep in the rain. It happens so frequently that rain itself makes them feel sleepy if they aren't actively hunting. Even the sounds of a babbling brook make for a quick lullaby. Often a troop of Girallons will hang around such bodies of water and have a home of patched together foliage as bedding next to a stream. Girallons are also fascinated by stars and often are stargazing at nights, especially from their favorite climbing spots. They tend not to like being inside buildings. The naive who thought they could keep a Girallon indoors have suddenly seen their indoors become outdoors.
Life Cycle
Girallons don't live as long as humans. The average age of Girallons who perish with time is only 35 years. They mature relatively quickly, though, and reach adulthood around 12 years. Once a Girallon is born, it is raised by its parents until about 10 years old and, it will either leave or stay with the family. Most males end up moving on to form their own troops taking some amount of females with them.
While young and growing, they stay close to their mother, who is very protective of her children. In her life-span, she will usually produce 3 children and generally, at some point, have all 3 under her care at various ages. Once she has had enough children, she will usually refuse any mating. For both males and females, once they reach the last years of their life, they tend to be loners leaving their troop behind for a more peaceful existence. During this time, they still love to hunt but end up making up for their waining strength, with more experienced tactics.
Interactions with other Creatures
Yaun-Ti
As we know, Yaun-Ti and Girallons once held a secure connection. These days with the Yuan-Ti civilizations at their lowest and only in remote regions of the world, Girallons have become less frequent. Girallons can still be found in modern Yuan-Ti cultures but seemingly less so these days. Even Girallons who do not apparently have regular contact with Yaun-Ti have no trouble warming up to the snake beings quickly.
Reptiles
Girallons are not fond of harming and tend to either ignore or even protect reptilian creatures. More aggressive varieties such as T-Rex and allosaurs are often avoided by Girallons if possible. However, Girallons have no trouble defending themselves from attacks by a reptile if need be.
It's unclear if this comes from a learned or a natural behavior since there is no way to know before Yuan-Ti influence. Either way, Girallons refuse to eat reptilian meats.
This behavior has 2 exceptions, though. Both Dragons and Hydras are treated as any other being. I would guess that is a learned behavior as Yuan-Ti hold no love for either of these reptilian lines.
Prey
Girallons consider almost any other creature prey. Elephants, Giraffes, Catoblepas, and Sauropods are their favored prey as they can catch them quickly and pose a challenging fight. Girallons are fond of breaking necks for a kill, which makes Giraffe's prime targets. The Girallon will eat their fill then drag the remains back to the troop to share after they've eaten.
Kirin
It may seem a strange interaction, but Girallons and Kirins have a common legend together. While this only concerns a specific and rare variation of Gorillians, the myth still prevails. Rajang, the lightning enchanted Goriillians, are said to gain their powers by eating a Thunder Kirin's horn. Given how rare both creatures are, I find this more speculation than hard fact. None the less, it seems that at least there could be some truth to the tale. They both can inhabit the same biomes, and I'm sure a blood-thirsty Gorillian wouldn't shy away from eating a Kirin horn. A Kirins' superior speed and control of elements would suggest an easy win in its favor. However, I could see now that if a Girallon could catch a kirin, it would be in serious trouble. If is the keyword, though.
Battle Tactics
Girallon love to fight and relish in the hunt. When faced with an opponent, they will lead, sometimes incredible distances, straight at an opponent. Fits of flying fists often quickly defeating any defenses by a foe may have. While the smaller arms may be less fatal to receive a blow from, they undoubtedly can grasp at an opponent. Once held, the Girallons will slam their upper fists on the head and shoulders of a restrained foe, usually with lethal effect.
When surrounded, Girallons make wide-sweeping attacks bounding from foe to foe. If there's no time to finish an enemy before another comes, they will grab one throwing them as far as they can or swat them away. While Girallons relish the fight, they are practical and quickly finish kills if they are in a tight spot. It's not uncommon for them to use downed foes against their allies, especially after rending their limbs off.
Variations
Jungle Girallons
The most common and well-known variety is that of the Jungle Girallons. They are between 8 and 10 feet tall with pure white hair and tan skin. Their red eyes make for a vicious stare as well. These Girallons are what we understand are also the first and oldest varieties and first used by the Yuan-Ti.
Georganta is the name of the minor demi-god of Girallons acknowledged by Yuan-Ti society. It is said he was the leader and king of the Girallons, according to Yuan-Ti writings.
Blangongas
Also covered in white fur, Blangongas are blue in the skin as well. The tops of their heads remain bald as well, sometimes giving them the nicknames of friars. Blangongas are more massive, standing between 10 and 12 feet tall when on 2 legs. They have larger chest cavities as well as housing much larger lungs to compensate for the often higher mountainous and colder climates. They can use their massive lungs to blow snow into large swaths causing it to stick to a foe, making them a slower target. Their roars can be heard for miles.
Blizzard is the name of a minor demi-god said to be one of the great Girallons. While still bestial and unintelligent the Yuan-Ti considered Blizzard a dangerous yet benevolent benefactor to the Girallons who followed Yuan-Ti to the Northern parts of the world.
Congalalas
Found only in smaller island chains laden with fruit Congalalas are between 8 and 10 feet as well. Their fur is a brilliant pink, the skin is grey, and sport Hippo like tusks. They use their modified teeth to puncture and devour coconuts and hard fruits. Congalalas are less susceptible to fruit drunkness and instead process the fruits quickly, although with large amounts of gas.
Chaos, the evil and untrusted Girallon demi-gods, was said to be like a Congalala. He was responsible for their fits of rage and unpredictable behavior. With proper reverence, he would keep a Girallons anger at bay according to some.
Rajangs
The most substantial and arguable most dangerous Girallons are that of the Rajang. Initially, from the deserts and wastes that Yuan-Ti spread into, Rajang can live in extreme environments. They are even found in volcanic regions. Standing between 17 and 20 feet tall, they have much more narrow faces and sporting 2 twisted horns that reach directly from the sides of their heads. Their fur is brown, and skin is dark brown or black.
Rajangs produce high amounts of body heat from both their cooling systems to avoid overheating in hot environments and high metabolisms. This also allows them to live comfortably in colder regions. This heat is transferred by both their uniquely adapted hearts and nerves to produce bio-electrical abilities. Much like that of an electric eel. This energy can be unleashed orally in a tremendous burst or a quick jolting ball once enough energy is built up. This is why when they fight, they are particularly fond of hopping around. Working up a bolt.
The final Girallon demi-God is that of Aldonis, who was said to be a Rajang. He took slain Girallons into his troop in the afterworld. He was represented often holding the skulls of old Girallons. More neutral in demeanor as Yuan-Ti see death as part of the cycle of life.
DM's Notes
Girallons are fun and brutal fights to throw at a party. I have used a few myself, but my favorite will always be that of a re-skinned Girallon as a manager of a barrel factory, Foreman Donkey Kong. I found their stated ties to Yuan-Ti fascinating and thanks to /u/PantherophisNiger's article on Yuan-Ti and this info it made a much more fleshed out creature.
Thanks for Reading!
Thanks for reading my 62nd ecology!
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