Neogi deathspider

Neogi DeathspiderNeogi deathspiders were the standard spelljamming ships employed by neogi spacefarers. They were easily recognizable for their size and characteristic shape.

Description
Deathspiders were large spider-shaped vessels. Their forward sections contained the spelljamming helm and crew's quarters, while the aft section (the "abdomen") was used as slaves' quarters, weapon platforms, and cargo compartments. During battle, the upper half of the abdomen could slide open to reveal a small citadel containing the weapons.

They were capable of sustaining a compliment of up to 100 individuals and required a minimum crew of at least 30 to remain operational. Typically, eight neogi, each with an umber hulk slave, commanded a deathspider, while the remainder of the crew was composed of slaves working in the deeper sections of the ship. Command hierarchy followed typical slaver neogi logic: the captain owned every other crew member, as well as their own slaves. Should a captain be killed, a replacement would be elected among the remaining neogi on board.

Deathspiders were the pride of the neogi. As their standard vessel, they were employed for a variety of uses, as trade ships, slave hunters and carriers, exploration vessels, and warships. It was also common to see deathspiders that had been modified to carry mindspiders in their abdomens, or to serve as broodships for a great old master. Different configurations did not substantially change the ship's appearance, so deathspiders were either attacked on sight or avoided by other vessels.

Rare, heavily armed deathspider variants known as black widows were sometimes used to fight against enemies against whom the neogi held a particularly vicious grudge.

Appearances

 * Into the Void (mentioned only)