Page 37 - Eng Темная магия

digest tainted by the necrotic energy that animated them,
deathcrest apes have specifically adapted to this purpose, filling a
very large niche in the food chain.
Protected by the Raven Queen. As one of the few natural
predators of the undead, deathcrest apes are venerated by the
Deathcrest Ape followers of the Raven Queen. Since the Raven Queen believes
the undead to be a blight on the the land, any creature that reduces
Savage predators and skillful hunters, deathcrest apes climb their population is a welcome guest in her realm of the
through the dark chasms and destitute forests of the underdark, shadowfell.
searching for sustenance. They hunt in small packs, devouring Because of this, the followers of the Raven Queen actively seek
those that they come across in a frenzy of claws and teeth. to protect these creatures, and they do not hunt the apes, even
Beastial Origins. Deathcrest apes are the descendants of when they are in grave need of food. If these creatures were to be
normal apes from the material plane, brought to the shadowfell hunted to extinction, the undead would be even more numerous in
through the dark portals that occasionally manifest in the deep the shadowfell than they already are.
gloom of dense jungle caverns. Against all odds, a few of these Companions of the Shadar-kai. Due to a number of mutual
creatures managed to survive long enough for the shadowfell to interests and benefits, the shadar-kai occasionally domesticate
corrupt their bodies, causing their claws to become larger and deathcrest apes, making them serve as bodyguards against the
more monstrous, and transforming their hind feet into hooves. undead. While the shadar-kai gain protection, the apes gain a food
The Shadowfell has a dispiriting effect on its denizens, such that source and a shelter against the harsh storms of the shadowfell.
the longer a creature remains on the plane, the more it accepts the However, these creatures are quick to anger and not loyal in the
plane's malaise. As the years passed, these creatures became slightest, so they are quick to turn on their masters if they run out
aware of the transformation being wrought upon them, and yet of food or are harmed by them.
could do nothing to prevent it. A deathcap ape can be as intelligent as a dim-witted human,
Devourers of All. In order to survive in the shadowfell, and therefore they can easily understand the commands of the
creatures must find a way to make do with whatever they find. Shadar-kai, and a few of them even learn Common, though this is
One of the greatest adaptations of these creatures is their ability to extremely uncommon. Those that do serve as leaders of a pack,
eat any type of flesh - even the remains of an undead. While most and spend much more time in the presence of the Shadar-kai,
creatures refuse to eat the undead due to their inability to using their communication skills to foster their relations.

CHAPTER 4 | CREATURES
37