Stromling Apes, originally known as Maelstrom Apes, are mini-bosses found in Gnarled Forest. Stromling Apes were first created when the Darkitect searched Gnarled Forest, looking for potential allies for his Stromling Pirate Armada in their battles against Captain Jack Knife and Venture League. During his search, he discovered an ape and was inspired to recreate the colossal creature as a menacing, aggressive Maelstrom servant. Stromling Apes have been known to ambush pirate travelers passing in and out of the Pirate Camp, and these Stromling Apes keep these pirates' parrots as loot.