Jade spider

Jade Spiders are constructs of the drow. Drow city gates, and the entrances to drow temples, vaults, and the dwellings of rich nobles and powerful wizards, are often guarded by gigantic spider statues, known as jade spiders. They got their name because of the sharp-tipped mandibles and saw-edged legs which are made of a paricular sort of magically-treated jade. Umber hulks are nauseated and repelled by the presence of this substance, which is corrosive to their scaly hides, and do not willingly approach jade spiders within 60 feet, or try to win past them. The hulks almost always retreat to hunt elsewhere.

Such constructs are fearless and unthinking. Therefore they will carry out their assigned orders even in the face of certain destruction. Many drow know the secrets of jade spider construction, but drow communitiestake care to keep this and other magical secrets well-hidden. Only the most aged, infirm wizards are taught all the details; they and their written records typically stay inside their wizardly academies and inner House chambers until death or lichdom comes. It is known that the spells animate object, enchant an item, geas, permanency, stone shape and wish are involved, as well as certain types of stone.

Most jade spiders are given set commands to follow, but it is rumored that spells and devices exist that allow individuals direct control over certain jade spiders in battle.