Spider, Giant Black Widow 4 (12)

Lost Company Press

This monstrous arachnid is the epitome of nightmares for those who fear spiders. Its bulbous black body glistens with a sinister red hourglass marking, and its thick, barbed legs span the length of a grown human. Lurking in the shadows of caves and forests, the Giant Black Widow weaves webs of unnaturally strong silk to capture its unsuspecting prey.s

Motive: Instinct to feed and protect its territory

Environment: Dark and isolated places, usually forests or caves (Wilderness)

Health: 12

Damage: 4 points

Armor: 2

Movement: Short, can climb on any surface

Modifications: Stealth as level 6; Climbing as level 5; Attacks as level 5 due to potent venom and Speed defense as level 5 when in its web

Combat: The Giant Black Widow strikes with its fangs, injecting a potent venom that inflicts a moderate wound (5 points) and paralyzes its victim. The victim must make a Might defense roll to resist the paralysis. Failure results in being unable to move for ten minutes, during which time the creature can wrap the victim in silk. Each round the victim remains wrapped, they suffer an additional minor wound (2 points) as the spider's digestive enzymes begin to liquefy their insides.

• Ensnare: The spider can attempt to trap a target in its web at long range, immobilizing them unless they succeed on a Might task to break free.
• Venom Spray: Once per encounter, the spider can spray venom in a short cone, requiring all in the area to make a Speed defense roll or suffer damage and potential paralysis.
• Silk Sprint: If the spider must retreat or pursue prey, it can move a long distance in one round by creating a silk line to swing from or rappel down.

Interactions: This spider acts purely on instinct and has no capacity for negotiation or mercy. Its interaction with other creatures is limited to hunting, trapping, and occasionally defending itself or its nest.

Uses: A druid has tampered with the balance of a local ecosystem, resulting in overgrown and aggressive wildlife, with the Giant Black Widow at the top of the new food chain.

Loot: Spider silk of exceptional strength and value if harvested carefully; venom sacs useful for potent alchemical concoctions.

GM Intrusion: While avoiding a Giant Black Widow, a character accidentally steps into a nearly invisible web, getting stuck and alerting the creature to their presence.