Monkeys & Apes of Castrovel

Along with Lashunta and Elves, Castrovel, with its tropical megadendra-dominated arboreal environment, is home to hundreds of primate species, some of them nearly as intelligent as Lashunta. While not conclusive, here are some examples:   ~Seala~ is the Lashunta word that translates most closely to ‘monkey’. It generally means a tailed primate, which may or may not have opposable thumbs.   ~Rauza~ is the Lashunta word that translates most closely to ‘ape’. It means a tailless primate, and having opposable thumbs on both hands and feet.   ~Rauzinyaza~ (“stealthy-apes”) are gibbons, various species of small apes who dwell in the upper heights of the megadendra. They exhibit beast-level intelligence without language. While Shotalashu may hunt them for prey, civilized Lashunta will not, deeming such the mark of a savage. Rezinyaza are stealthy fruit-eaters who typically avoid Lashunta settlements at all costs. Some Lashunta beast-cults venerate Rezinyaza and seek communion with them.   ~Rauzadissa~ (“cloud-apes”) are a gorilla-like speechless carnivorous species of ape inhabiting the Stormshield Mountains, with sub-species appearing among the Shattersea Islands. They hunt the upper-height bamboo groves and mountain dales, fearing Shotalashu and preferring to avoid Lashunta, unless they venture alone into big apes’ hunting ranges. Occasionally, after a major storm strikes the mountains, they will descend to the lower slopes and raid Lashunta treeholds. Their name comes not only from the homes within and above the cloud-layer but also from their silver-gray fur, which on a snowy slope or within the mist can make them almost invisible.   ~Monuala~ are an intelligent, omnivorous speech-capable species of ape, ranging in size from chimpanzee to gorilla, inhabiting a diverse area of central and southern Asana, with whom Lashunta have a complex and often violent relationship. Monuala practice stone-age technology, though they will trade or steal for metal tools and weapons. They often clash with Lashunta for territory or resources, of which both sides are guilty of raids or initiating all-out warfare. Monuala hold a deep hatred of Shotalashu, perceiving them as the reason why physically weaker and less nimble Lashunta can vie for supremacy within the jungle heights. Stories circulate among Lashunta communities of Monuala capturing Damaya or children to eat, though how verifiable these accounts are is open to debate. Yet some Lashunta and Monuala communities achieve peaceful relations and foster trade.   ~Sealnea~ are an intelligent, speech-capable species of large monkey, who, while omnivorous, mainly prefer insects, frogs, and lizards to supplement their main diet of fruit, most closely corresponding to Vanaras on Golarion. Their main territory lies in the Golden Monkey Mountains lying east of Lake Arasene in the north of Asana. Sealnea have developed an advanced civilization, including literature, philosophy, and stone construction, though they have lagged in embracing metallurgy. Lashunta and Sealnea scholars and philosophers have engaged in notable exchanges, though this has not precluded war from breaking out, particularly with Ofu-Laubu and the ancient Thief Queens.   Both Sealnea and Lashunta attribute their culture’s success to the life and career of Shazha-Sealnevaeas - the Golden Monkey-Emperor, who first united all Sealnea tribes from the eastern shores of Lakes Arasene with those of the Voliashu Jungle and freeing the city of Lea from the Thief-Queens. Then, in a mystery whose details remain secret to this day, he somehow offered affront to the Queen of Ofu-Laubu, causing a bitter war that ended only with the intervention of the hero-sage Yaraesa. As penance for his part in the war, Shazha-Sealnevaeas became Yaraesa’s disciple and traveled southward to her monastery near Nivaea, where he studied and spent time as a counselor at the royal court in Nivaea, before returning to the Golden Monkey Mountains. Afterward, the followers of Yaraesa believe he followed his teacher in achieving apotheosis and joining her among the sage-gods.   ~Rauzalava~ are monstrous, four-armed giant apes that have become the boogeymen of Lashunta nightmares. Rumors tell they were brought to Castrovel by the Elves from Akiton (which the Elves deny), and bred to survive this planet’s stronger gravity before they escaped into the jungles east of Qabarat. Whatever the truth, they have been seen as far east as Than and as far south as Nivaea and beyond.