Sword spider

Sword spiders were a variety of subterranean spider and classified based on their body as being a species of hunting spiders.

Description
Sword spiders ranged in lengths of in diameter  and heights of. They had sleek but hairy black bodies with dark-brown-striped fur. Their legs had chitinous plates with sharp ridges that resembled blades.

Combat
Sword spiders attacked with the sharp blades on their legs. They could also jump into the air and bring their legs together to impale an enemy. Additionally, their bite was venomous.

Diet
Like most arachnids, sword spiders were a carnivorous species.

Habitats
Sword spiders were native to the Mhair Jungles. They were introduced by drow traders into the Underdark, where they were kept and controlled by Lolth-worshiping drow as soldiers. Drow worshipers of Selvetarm were also known to use them in battle and as guardians, and introduced them in great numbers into Dolblunde in the Northdark during the 1370s DR.

By the late-14 century DR, these creatures could be found in caves within Neverwinter Wood, where they lived alongside ettercaps.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Resurrection • Sacrifice of the Widow
 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate • Icewind Dale • Icewind Dale: Trials of the Luremaster • Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn • Neverwinter Nights • Neverwinter