Deathjump spider

Deathjump spiders were a species of huge spider that appeared in the Realms following the Spellplague.

Abilities
These spiders could not spin webs, though they could leap great distances and were skilled at landing softly. Like many spiders they had poisonous fangs. And they viewed their surroundings through tremorsense.

Combat
Being unable to spin webs, these feral hunters relied upon ambushing their prey. They would lie within dark crevices, large trees, or underneath a thin layer of dirt and leaves that resembled a trapdoor. Once their prey was in range a deathjump spider would leap upon them.

History
In the late 15 century DR, deathjump spiders could be found beneath the ruins of Cragmire Keep, inside the Cragmire family's crypts, as well as around the the Ebon Downs. Around that time they could also be found in the pit fights conducted by the Gray Wolf tribe in Vellosk.

In the, an expedition of drow slavers from House Xorlarrin laid siege to a small farming town in Rothé Valley and employed many spiders in this effort, including deathjump spiders.

Habitats
These creatures could be found throughout Silverwisp Swamp on the Sword Coast North, as well as within the Underdark of Toril.

Relationships
Deathjump spiders were sometimes found in the company of ettercaps. The drow members of House Xorlarrin were known to use them. And the driders of the drow city of Tel Verinal, deep beneath the western end of the Moonsea, commanded small obedient packs of deathjump spiders..

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Scepter Tower of Spellgard • Dungeon #216: "The Sun Never Rises" • Undermountain: Halaster's Lost Apprentice
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * Web of the Spider Queen
 * Video Games
 * Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of Neverwinter • Dungeons & Dragons Online (Menace of the Underdark) •