Savage Bloodshadows: Blood of Tarrian Wilderness Creatures
Pit Spider
Pit Spiders resemble a tarantula, with a body the size of a common house cat or larger. Its exoskeleton is rugged, with jagged spines and ridges for a more menacing look. It’s eight thick, segmented legs ending in sharp, claw-like tips, enabling it to scale walls and dig deep into the ground. The legs are covered in spiky hairs that could be venomous or used for sensory detection. It’s wide, triangular head has glowing, multi-faceted eyes that can see in darkness. Large mandibles with serrated edges for gripping and crushing prey protrude from its head and behind them are fangs, oversized and curved, dripping a luminescent venom that sizzles on contact with surfaces. Traditionally, they are dark, earthy tone colors like deep browns, black, or charcoal gray, with occasional streaks of red or glowing bioluminescent patterns to intimidate prey or predators.
The Pit Spider’s abdomen features a depression in its center, housing spinnerets capable of ejecting webbing infused with corrosive acids or toxins. It glows faintly, luring curious prey into the pit spider’s clutches. Its webbing is corrosive and when it solidifies, it is like rock. The Pit Spider can burrow rapidly, creating sinkholes or collapses to trap its prey. Its venom could paralyze or dissolve flesh, allowing it to consume prey efficiently.
They are typically found in the dark, damp areas of the Wilderness such as caves, ravines, or underground tunnels, where it digs elaborate pitfall traps to ambush prey. Its lair could be a maze of interconnected webs and burrows. The Pit Spider is stealthy ambush predator that uses its trap-building skills to immobilize or ensnare prey. It could also emit low-frequency sounds to disorient its victims. When threatened, it might rear up, revealing a brightly colored underbelly or spiny forelegs to appear larger and more intimidating.
Rank: Veteran
Environs: Wilderness
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6 (A), Spirit d8, Strength d6, Vigor d8
Skills: Athletics d6, Fighting d10, Notice d8, Stealth d8
Edges: Edges: Improved Frenzy: The spider can make two Fighting attacks per round at no penalty.
Pace: 8; Parry: 7 (with natural armor bonus); Toughness: 8 (2 from natural armor); Alignment: (C) 1
Special Abilities:
- Size: -2
- Venomous Fangs: Damage: Str+d6. On a successful bite, the target must make a Vigor roll or be paralyzed for 1d6 minutes. Wild Cards roll each round to recover.
- Ambush Predator: Gains +2 to Stealth rolls in its natural environment (dark caves or rocky areas). If attacking from surprise, the Pit Spider gains The Drop (+4 to attack and damage).
- Web Trap: The spider can create webbing in a Medium Burst Template. Anyone caught in the web must make an Athletics roll at -2 to break free (Strength roll for inanimate objects). The webbing has Toughness 8 and is flammable.
- Climb: Can climb vertical surfaces at normal Pace with a +2 bonus to Athletics rolls related to climbing.
- Darkvision: Ignores penalties for Dim or Dark lighting.
- Terrifying Presence (-1): When the Pit Spider is revealed, all characters within 6″ must make a Fear check. Increase penalty if they Swarm.
- Weaknesses: Bright Light – The Pit Spider suffers -2 to all rolls in bright light, such as sunlight or magical illumination.
- Vulnerability: Fire – Attacks involving fire deal +4 damage to the spider.