Hairy spider

Hairy spiders were a variety of subterranean spider, although they could be found on the surface as well. They were favored by drow wizards as familiars.

Description
Hairy spiders were about the size of a human hand. Despite their size, they were strong enough to carry small items, and so were sometimes entrusted with small treasures by wizards using them as familiars. They were hairy and black.

About 40% of hairy spiders had the innate ability to detect invisible creatures.

Behavior
Hairy spiders were viscous hunters. They could not spin webs, but they could climb on the webs of other spiders.

Combat
Hairy spiders swarmed on their target&mdash;sometimes as many as forty would cover the body of a single humanoid &mdash;infecting them with their poisonous bites and tearing out chunks of flesh. They were unafraid of fire and were remarkably difficult to crush or throw off, and so had to be individually plucked off or struck once they latched onto a target.

The poison of a hairy spider was not very potent, but could leave a victim feeling sluggish and slow. Hairy spiders themselves were immune to all known spider venoms.

Habitats
Hairy spiders could be found in any non-arctic environment, but often dwelt in and around drow settlements in the Underdark, as well as in jungles, tombs, and caverns. They could be found haunting ruins on the surface.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Secret of Spiderhaunt • Dungeon #53: "Steelheart"