Categories:Giant Spiders

This creature is rare around Scalvoris

Habitat: Scalvoris Giant Spiders live in the caves and catacombs underneath Scalvoris and the Scaltoth jungle. They prefer warmth so are more likely to be found underneath Faldrass especially, but also Scalvoris Town and the parts of the island where the volcano runs beneath. They are only seen above ground in the Scaltoth jungles.

Details: Really, the major detail is that this is an enormous spider. There are various reports of them, ranging from a six foot body to a twenty foot one, but by the time you add in the legs, the lots of eyes and the very very evident fangs and teeth, you've got as much information as you need.

Lifespan and Development: They live for up to 5 arcs during which time they lay eggs 7 times. They are territorial and they develop very quickly. From hatching to adult is a matter of about 40 trials (no one has stood still and lived long enough to find out) and then they spend the next 5 arcs making webs and terrorising anything they can prey on. For reasons no one knows, when they die of old age, they crack open and fall to dust. This does not happen if they are killed.

Diet: They crave meat, especially if the kill is alive. However they can live on the fungus and so on that grows in caves.

Temperament: Vicious killing machines with eight legs. They can't be trained. They can't be reasoned with.

Abilities: Venomous fangs which deliver a paralysing venom. Lots of very sharp teeth in their strangely shaped mouths. Incredible strength and agility. They can also spin a truly wonderful silken strand which is light and very strong. If you could collect enough of it then you could use it to stitch wounds, make beautiful gowns and many, many other uses. It's sticky, too. Their preferred method of killing is to paralyse, wrap you in their webbing and slowly drink your blood then devour you. Oh, also? Their bodies are covered in chitinous armour which is flexible but solid and is very difficult to pierce with a sword etc.

Weaknesses: They are afraid of fire and bright light. Their eyes (all of them) are vulnerable to attack and very painful if attacked. Be aware, though, if you don't kill it when you poke it in the eye with your sword, you're going to really really annoy it.

Special Notes: In thread, Padraig discovered that there is a spot, right in the middle of the spider's head which, when struck, stuns them. Handy to know! As a consequence of that thread, also, Padraig and Faith discovered that the giant spider venom can cause a long term reaction which leads to eventual loss of sight. There are still more secrets to discover about this creature! If you plan on using one in your writing, please drop me a pm to clarify first!