DESCRIPTION: Relps (originally an acronym for "Rupert’s Extremely Large Primates") are 3.2-meter tall humanoid mammals found in the forests of Rupert’s Hole. Living (near watering holes) in small family-like groups, relps are the most advanced animals native to the planet. They appear as large, thick-limbed humanoids with short fur that becomes long at the end of their limbs. The fur is dark brown to black. Relps’ eyes have large pupils, allowing them to see well in the dark, but without any of the daylight sensitivity problems that plague Yazirians. Relps have a mass of 430 kilograms.

Relps are peaceful primates who seldom enter civilized areas. Their diet consists of leaves, nuts, and any animals or fish they can catch with their hands. Their appetites are huge and their reactions to characters quite variable. If the relp is hungry and the characters are moving slowly, the relp will probably consider them a food source. On the other hand, and quickly moving character is ignored as too difficult to catch. Relps will flee from loud noises such as explosions, but fight if cornered. Their are unconfirmed reports of relps mistaking Yazirians and Hummas for young relps, and treating them accordingly.

If attacked, relps will fight back with their incredible (STR 200) strength, either smashing their target with both fists (for 4d10 damage) or with small logs (6d10 damage). Relps seldom hold onto such clubs for long, and are only found carrying them about 10% of the time.

Relps have no language and are not considered sentient. Like many primates in the Frontier, they are a protected species on their homeworld.

Some After-The-Fact Notes

This creature is half-inspired by Gigantopithecus (and extinct Old World primate), and half-inspired by tabloid stories of Bigfoot.

In case you’re wondering about the name: I figure anybody who would name a planet "Rupert’s Hole" can’t be taking planetary exploration too seriously and/or lacks a knack for naming. So, almost all the native creatures of Rupert’s Hole have unexeceptional names like "Rupert’s Birds", "Rupert’s Fish", and so on. The "relp" actually is the most ambitiously-named one of the bunch.

(That’s all right; my players didn’t get the joke, either.)

This Alien Creature Update is a slightly-edited version of one I posted to an early version of the long-defunct Star Frontiers™ mailing list.

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