Huge spiders were a common variety of monstrous spiders in the Realms.[1][2]
Description[]
These arachnids were typically bigger than mundane or large spiders, but smaller in size compared to giant spiders.[2]
Behavior[]
Like any arachnid, huge spiders were aggressive creatures.[1][2]
Abilities[]
Unlike other arachnids, huge spiders did not spin webs. They could leap up to 30 ft (9.1 m) into the air and delivered poison to victims through their fangs.[1][2]
Combat[]
Some species of huge spider roved around in search of prey, such as the giant wolf spider. Other species, such as the trapdoor spider, would carefully construct camouflaged tunnels and holes to hide in until prey passed by.[1][2]
History[]
During Halaster's Higharvestide, huge spiders were occasionally encountered in the Sea Ward of Waterdeep.[3]
Around 1368 DR, House Phylund was experimenting with a variety of huge spider species.[4]
Species[]
- Deathjump spider
- A species of huge spider that could leap great distances and often waited to ambush its prey.[5][note 1]
- Giant wolf spider
- a species of huge spider similar to the mundane wolf spider. Though they typically hunted across open ground,[6][2] they also were known to hide in burrows, crevices, or hidden cavities beneath debris.[6]
- Huge tarantula
- a huge variety of the mundane tarantula. Their bites imparted a paralytic poison. Some were known to be found in the Raurin desert.[7]
- Trapdoor spider
- A huge variety of the mundane trapdoor spider. Some were known to be found in the Raurin desert.[8]
- Watchspider
- a species of huge spider that were specially bred to act as guard animals.[9]
Ecology[]
Diet[]
These arachnids were carnivorous hunters.[1][2]
Habitats[]
Huge spiders could potentially inhabit almost any region, except for those with cold climates.[1][2]
In North Faerûn they could be found throughout the regions of Daggerdale, Shadowdale, Zhentil Keep,[10] and the fertile areas of the Plain of Standing Stones.[11] In the North they could be found in parts of Cormanthor's forests[12] and the Rat Hills.[13]
In the Hordelands they were quite common in the Ama Basin and Hagga Shan.[14] Elsewhere in the region of Kara-tur, they could be found in the forests of Akari island.[15] In the land of Maztica they could be found in many hills and mountains.[16] In the Zakhara region's Crowded Sea, they could be found on the island chain of Nada al-Hazan.[17]
Relationships[]
Huge spiders were often found in the company of driders.[18] The Tanor'Thal family of drow kept many within their residence at Skullport.[19]
Some creatures in the Underdark used them in groups to transport goods as a caravan.[20]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Though not stated to be a "huge spider" in its Monster Manual entry, both the size and traits of this species match up with the defining traits of "huge spiders."
Appearances[]
Connections[]
Magical spiders: Bloodsilk • Electric • Glass • Gaze • Goblin • Halruaan (Glass • Scaled) • Pet of Kalistes • Spellgaunt • Steeder • Woodspider
Planar spiders: Demonweb terror • Fire • Myrlochar • Phase • Shadow • Tomb • Vortex
Constructs: Arachnar • Bone spider • Jade spider • Retriever • Spiderwalker • Stone spider
Outsiders: Bebilith • Darkweaver • Greelox • Inferno spider • Red widow • Yochlol
Creations of Lolth: Abyssal widow • Chwidencha • Drider (Vampire) • Shunned
Humanoids: Aranea • Chitine • Choldrith • Ettercap • Werespider
Miscellaneous: Kitthix • Neogi • Rhylfang • Susurrus
Undead spiders: Wraith spider
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 326. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 90. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (January 1997). Undermountain: Stardock. Edited by Bill Olmesdahl. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 0-7869-0451-8.
- ↑ Monstrous Compendium included in Ed Greenwood, Steven E. Schend (July 1994). City of Splendors. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 246. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 330. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, Philip Meyers, Peter Rice, William John Wheeler (May 1987). Desert of Desolation. (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 978-0880383974.
- ↑ Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, Philip Meyers, Peter Rice, William John Wheeler (May 1987). Desert of Desolation. (TSR, Inc.), p. 87. ISBN 978-0880383974.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 326. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and George MacDonald (April 1989). Curse of the Azure Bonds. (TSR, Inc.), p. 92. ISBN 978-0880386067.
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Anauroch”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 13. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (March 1993). “Campaign Guide to Myth Drannor”. In Newton H. Ewell ed. The Ruins of Myth Drannor (TSR, Inc.), p. 11. ISBN 1-5607-6569-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 66. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ David Cook (August 1990). “Volume II”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), p. 122. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (1987). Ochimo: The Spirit Warrior. (TSR, Inc), p. 16. ISBN 0-88038-393-3.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Tim Beach (September 1991). Fires of Zatal. (TSR, Inc), p. 19. ISBN 1-5607-6139-3.
- ↑ David Cook (October 1992). “Nada al-Hazan”. In Bill Slavicsek ed. Golden Voyages (TSR, Inc.), p. 2. ISBN 978-1560763314.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 113. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1992). Menzoberranzan (The Adventure). Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 1-5607-6460-0.