The Vanara (वानर) are simian monkey-like beastborn humanoids based loosely on indian and chinese mythologies. Said to be close relatives of humans, the vanara range in appearance from more monkey-like features to more ape-like features. They have prehensile tails and hand-like feet, owing to their origin in the western jungles of Eqos. They are generally slightly shorter than the average human, and are covered with short fur that varies in color. Most vanara don’t have long hair on their head, with a few exceptions. Generally dexterous, they are adept climbers and incredibly nimble. They are said to be endlessly curious and tricksy, but usually lacking any actual malice.
To others, they can come across as amusing or childish, or even irritating and blunt. However, they are often known to be some of the most loyal and courageous friends and followers, despite their tricksy nature. Some attribute their nature to a fey-like origin, while others believe that they’re closer to humans than other beastborn. All of this together makes them very persuasive and charming, often being able to talk their way out of tough situations even the ones that they create with their own pranks. In Abmarah, the vanara are found across Eqos, primarily in the Goldheim Rainforest and the floodplains of the Rethi River. However, many vanara have spread across the world in search of adventure, and there is a sizable population even as far as Xi-Di.
Outside of villages, vanara integrate decently into big cities and existing civilizations despite their preference for forested terrain. The vanara are often considered to be more divine than some of the other beastfolk, with many links to gods and divinity. Aeterism does not consider them to be one of the god-created peoples, but does recognize that at least one vanara, the hero known as Wemana, could be considered a minor-god. Wemana is a mythological figure from the first era, a vanara who became the champion of the god of fate Dradeva who blessed him with endless luck. Perhaps that is why almost all vanara seem to be “lucky” in some form or another. It isn’t known if this blessing of luck extends to their entire species or only certain individuals, but it is undeniable that vanara are a lucky folk as compared to other species.
A Vanara character has the following traits:
Age. Vanara tend to live fast and die young, at least compared to other people. They reach adulthood by 16, and usually live to around 75 years of age.
Alignment. Most Vanara tend to lean towards more chaotic and good alignments.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Size. Vanara stand between 4 and 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Monkey Nimbleness. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics or Stealth. In addition, your long and high jumps are 20ft with or without a running start.
Furthermore, you can move through the space of any creature larger than you without considering it difficult terrain.
Prehensile Tail. You can grasp things with your tail, and you can use it to hold your body weight while hanging. It counts as an additional arm and can perform any actions you can use your other arms to perform with the following exceptions:
You can use your tail to wield a weapon that has the light property, but you can't use it to wield other kinds of weapons.
You can't wield a shield with your tail.
Lucky Talk. You have proficiency in Persuasion. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and creatures have disadvantage on saving throws against being charmed by you.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
In addition, Vanara players have access to unique Species Feats that they can choose to take in addition to other General Feats. Species Origin Feats can be chosen during character creation replacing any Origin Feat you would’ve received from your background.
Illusory Shapeshifter (Species Origin Feat). Some Vanara are born with the ability to disguise themselves naturally, often appearing as shapeshifters. You can cast the disguise self spell once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
When you cast disguise self, you can choose to appear as a tiny, small, or large humanoid or beast ignoring any restrictions about body types and limbs.
Cloud Rider (Species Feat). You become one with the wind, and gain the ability to ride the very clouds themselves.
Increase one ability score of your choice by 1, to a maximum of 20.
As a bonus action, you gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed for the next 10 minutes. You can stand on clouds while flying. Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.