Treestrider (Hunter Archetype)
When one thinks of arboreal species, one cannot help but think of primates. No matter which broad category you look at, they are social creatures that have mastered the treetops or the undergrowth, and it only makes sense that there would be those that recognize and emulate their strengths.
Whether they were raised by a troop or merely venerate them, today’s subject, the treestrider, represents a hunter that bonds with the ways of apes and other primates, gaining some of their mobility and their combat fierceness.
Calling back to the early days of this blog, when we talked about the ape shaman archetype for druids, we can recall that the reason apes are revered in various cultures is their cunning and sense of community, things we see in ourselves. However, at the same time, we can also see our own viciousness reflected back on us from our nearest relatives as well.
As one might expect, these hunters bond with apes of various species, though I could argue for other primate-type companion stats like megaprimatus or baboon.
Rather than channel the animal foci common to other hunters, treestriders instead use that energy to enhance both their and their companions ability to climb and brachiate through the trees, moving with surprising speed through foliage above the ground.
While not martial artists by any means, These nature warriors learn to master the first, allowing them to fight even when unarmed.
More powerful treestriders can take their travel through trees to supernatural territories, teleporting vast distances through the trees.
A fun archetype for a rainforest-themed character, this might be what you’re looking for if you wish to focus on treetop maneuverability and an animal companion with relatively superior intelligence and tool use, though this is obviously quite limited in the broad scheme of things. The improved unarmed strike feat is neat, but without level-based progression it’s a backup weapon unless you focus heavily on combat maneuvers and flanking with your companion. Overall I’d focus on arboreal ambushing and teamwork with your animal companion.
Like I said before, there is a case to be made for using other ape and primate-type companions for this archetype, but then, you could also use this as a template for other narrow animal-themed archetypes as well.
As for the treestrider itself, much like the ape shaman I mentioned earlier, you can really play up the full spectrum of what apes represent in culture through how you roleplay this character. The playful fun-loving antics, the cerebral contemplation we love to see in ourselves, and the brutal savagery we wish we could forget.
Yansad Heights is a rainforest mountain range known for it’s tall trees and taller mountains. There, vanara and their air-influenced sylph kin rule in peace. Those that live near to the treeline bond with the apes, moving through the trees like their air mages soar through the cold skies.
A derogatory word for humans in the elvish language translates to “ape-folk”, but if the Ruhka people know about this, they don’t seem to care, for their greatest hunters live alongside their fellow primates, and are known for their lighthearted pranks against those who travel through their territory. Heaven help the fool that threatens their people, though.
Though they are best known for living in deserts, there are also girtablilu living in rainforests as well, watching over overgrown temples just as their desert counterparts do. However, the threats the scorpionfolk face are very different, such as the savage charau-ka ape people and their ape companions, who try to force them on the belief they can use the ruins as a position of mystical power.