Spider


 * This article is about the creature. For the character, see Spider Parrafin.

A spider is an air-breathing chelicerate arthropod. Spiders are found all over Faerûn. They are arachnids that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and coloration. Spiders are characterized by two body segments, eight legs, and no chewing mouth parts and the ability to spin webs of silk in which they capture their prey and feed upon their still-living bodies.

In a fantasy world, spiders can reach impossibly massive sizes, being larger than human and sometimes even bigger than whales. These monstrous spiders retain the characteristics and mannerisms of their smaller cousins, but are far more dangerous in that they can feed upon much larger prey.

Some spiders build giant webs to capture their prey. These creatures lie in wait for food to come to them. Other spiders are active hunters, stalking their territory for any living creature within the area. There are even breeds of spiders that live within small burrows and grab prey as it walk near the trapdoor entrances of the spider’s lair.

Species

 * Aranea : The aranea is an intelligent, shape-shifting spider thought to have been created by a Calishite wizard to infiltrate drow armies.
 * Drider : The drider is a drow aberration whose lower half is that of a spider. They inhabit the Underdark and require blood for sustenance. Driders are created from drow who fail a loyalty test to Lolth.
 * Ettercap : The ettercap is an aberration between a humanoid and a spider. They have gray or purple bodies with white underbellies and sharp, chitinous claws. They often keep spiders as pets.
 * Giant spider : Any spider of a giant size. They are found in a variety of appearances and sizes. Goblins use giant spiders as mounts.
 * Monstrous spider : An aggressive predator that comes in hunter or web-spinner varieties.
 * Phase spider : Aggressive predators that can move between the Ethereal Plane and the Prime Material Plane.
 * Snow spider : A warm-blooded mammal with eight legs and an arachnid form.
 * Spider swarm : A large number of hand-sized venomous spiders grouped into a swarm.
 * Spider-horse : A magical cross between a spider and a horse.

Locations
Spiders inhabit the forest known as the Neth Stand.