Kletta'gawer

Cliff Spider

Many of the Realm’s fauna are incredibly mundane or hold a caliber of interest of that of a cat, or perhaps a crow. However, the Kletta’gawer is of note and interest for many reasons.
When first seen many many citizens are initially drawn to them. The Kletta are beautiful having bright colouration and of the right size to be cute, and not intimidating; puppy sized.
They are social. For some reason, they are drawn to citizens. They like social interaction and bond quickly with individual people.
Certainly, once citizens not familiar with the Kletta realize that this lovely beasts are spiders, a sudden coldness and distance, perhaps even disgust or fear becomes apparent. After all, for many spiders the size of puppy dogs is frequently the substance of childhood horror stories, or even adult terrors.
But, the citizens of Ti Sti'duram'iti are very familiar with these enjoyable, beautiful spiders.
Many children have them as pets, and manage to teach them simple tricks.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kletta’gawar are spiders. Larger then expected perhaps, but in all senses of the word; spiders.

Biological Traits

The following traits are for individual K'letta'gawer. Those K'letta'gawer who have create a Matriarch Hive are significantly larger.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kletta’gawar have two biological genders. Females are larger then males on average, and tend to be less common. The Brotherhood and other ecologists determined that for every 5 males, there tends to be 1 female. 
If a female is a hive Materiarch, they will produce egg sacks containing on average 120 eggs every winter and summer equinox. These egg sacs are fertilized and cared for by the males. 45 days after the sacs are fertilized, they burst releasing the baby spiders into the Hive.
The adult spider immediately begin to cocoon, paralyze and feast on the babies. During this frenzy, an average of 10-25 baby Kletta survive to into the wilds of the Child. Of this group, approximately 80% will mature into adults.

Growth Rate & Stages

Kletta mature quickly once hatched. Reaching maturity takes less then three weeks if the Kletta manage to find prey and eat daily.

Ecology and Habitats

The Kletta are found through the Child, but are particularly common in the southern regions that are populated and have a greater variety of prey animals. They are adapted well to the vertical nature of much of the Child, its mountains and ravines. Ecologist theorize that due to the fact that much of the Kletta’gawer’s habitat is vertical, this makes large gathering of them (Hive) less common. The argument is that a more horizontal habitat would soon see an over abundance of Hives, however this is not the case in the high plateaus, so this theory is not given much credibility.

Dietary Needs and Habits

These spiders typically eat animals smaller then them. They are trap laying spiders who create elaborate traps with their webs. These traps seem to be developed around local conditions. Citizens have found K'letta that have used pit traps, where thin webbing is used to hold up camouflage materials over a large fall. Others have recorded the use of drop traps, where webbing is used to delicately suspend rocks and a trip wire is used. And, sometimes the K'letta just waits in a hole covered by a clever camouflaged blind, and then pounces on the innocent unsuspecting prey.

Biological Cycle

First eggs, then a brief period as a juvenile, followed by many yeas as an adult.
However, when gathered together to form a Hive, the Kletta’gawer undergo an evolutionary mutation.
In this mutated form, they are considered a very dangerous hazard.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Typically K'letta'gawer are found alone, but this may be due to the constant efforts of Citizens to destroy Hives due to their danger.
It could be argued that the natural state of the K'letta'gawer is a Matriarchal Hive. They are very successful predators in that social structure, and even as individuals they enjoy social interaction which makes them great pets.

Domestication

Yes.
Many families have a K'letta'gawer or two in the rural areas of the Child. They are good companions, trainable, and are excellent at small rodent and pest management. Further, as all domestic K'letta are male, they never breed or require extensive care. Females are killed as they are too dangerous to manage with males and rarer. 
Ironically, there are now groups of ecological conservationists who are concerned that there may not be enough female K'letta to maintain the species in the wild. The Brotherhood is considering dedicating a mission to investigate this possibility.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The are fairly common in the south zone of the Child inhabiting the mountain ranges and cliffs. They can also be found in the High Plateaus.

Average Intelligence

Animal

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They do not seem to have any extraordinary senses beyond those of a typical spider.

Lifespan

Unknown. Domesticated K'letta seem to live up to 13 years.

Conservation Status

Jade List Status:
Least Concern

Average Height

20 cm.

Average Weight

1 kg

Average Length

30 cm diameter - legs included.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

They have a fine short torso fur covering that is almost always of distinctive bright colouration. This colouration is typically considered beautiful. Many have theorized that the colouration can be adjusted based on diet, and there does seem to be some evidence that this is that case. 
Additionally, when the K'letta'gawer for Matriarch Hives the male colouration adjusts to uniformity and to complement the Matriarch female. This is very convenient as it clearly distinguishes Hive spiders from lone spiders. 
And, they smell good. Kind of fruity with a little bit of spice.

Geographic Distribution

• Ti Sti'duram'iti

Size Type -
Small
Danger Level -
Little to High
Speed -
Fast in a short distance. Very good sprinters and jumpers. They can jump easily .... 15 ft. 
Armour Class -
Average. They do no have body armour, but can be difficult to strike.
Attacks each round -
2 Slashes - from front legs causing minor wounds,
or 1 bite - deadly or crippling depending on body size due to venom. Medium creatures tend to experience crippling pain. Small creatures die from nerve damage. Large creatures are merely distracted. 
Reach -
5ft
Special Qualities -
Typical cute spider qualities. Seriously, they are cute. 
Treasure -
random bits. Typically, nothing of significance. 
Tactics -
K'letta'gawer are trap layers and ambushers. Alone or in Matriarchal Hives this behaviour is consistent. The traps and ambushes become more elaborate and deadly in the case of the Hives, which can be very disturbing for those caught or who actively destroy them. 
In general, those Engineers or contractors who hunt K'letta Hives speak of the Hive as if it has its own mind and personality. They also report that Hives can be very deadly, and can be 10 to 100x more dangerous than any single male K'letta or even a group of males. 
The smallest Hive that has been recorded by hunters is 12. 11 males and 1 female.
The largest Hive that has been recorded was the Tallis Cross Roads Hive. These hive was discovered in the sewers of Skala-Tuq by a cleaning crew. After days of hunting, the Engineers reported that the Hive numbered more then 134 spiders. 133 males and 1 female. The hive had devoured a significant amount of animals, street children, a few adults and various civic employees. The hive had also done a great job of reducing the vermin in the area to ... none. 
After this incident, the city council banned K'letta'gawer as pets and identified them a controlled item within 100km of the city territory.