Spider people: Spithra

The web hit Dench in the face before he dropped and began opening holes in it. Aim came forward to see if she could get a shot, that was when the clay pot hit her, coughing from the noxious smell she spotted the Creature, a giant spider, but more intelligent than the ones they had fought earlier. Her arrow struck it in the upper thorax. The creatures moved into sight as the Storm circle took fighting stances. Battle ensued, spell and sword against web and alchemy. Though long the battle went in favor of the heroes of the Storm Circle. "Tell me these things were real spiders, " said Syl. Dench cut into one and examined it. "Spiders, but they have lungs and bigger brains,". "As I said earlier, I hate giant spiders, especially smart ones," "Poison weak, make sick worst," said Keth. "Oh good, is that why they became smart?" "Likely," said Phil.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A jumping spider the size of Shetland pony, with actual lungs and a disproportionately large brain

Biological Traits

360 degree vision, though they must look down to see under them, they cannot see their own spinnerets. See into the unltraviolet, they are red colorblind though. Breathe air like a mammal or lizard. Heart is assisted by the arterial contractions.

Genetics and Reproduction

they lay eggs after the females are impregnated by a male, though five or six survive the maturing only one, at most, will be female, this means the race is slowly dieing out.

Growth Rate & Stages

they take ten years to reach sexual maturity, growing six inches in length yearly, and needing to molt their exo skeleton every year.

Ecology and Habitats

Only in the Eastern forest of Aire.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Animals are their prey, and the only thing they can eat. They inject a toxin that can liquefy the internal organs of creatures.

Biological Cycle

born from an egg, as one of ten eggs, they are born as miniature versions of their parents able to move as soon as they hatch, they climb onto their mother's back and stay there for three months, they eat small insects and rodents given to them by the adults of the Tribe. after three months they have their first molt and then become more independent, capable of catching their own prey though adults will still assist in this. Over the next ten years they learn to hunt and cook in packs, the older they are the more independent, when they reach maturity they leave their parents pack, the female will become a mother AFTER they have run into another youngling pack, the males will then swap females, leaving their sister and following the other female. As young adults they travel to a patch of forest where they can settle down and patrol a territory.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Females mate with the males who provide the best thing for them, they mate only in spring and the eggs hatch in summer. the male and his brothers will protect the budding family until the young are able to look after themselves. normally one female will have up to six unrelated males with her, and their offspring that have not reached maturity. They have set territories. which they have to defend against other families.

Domestication

maybe a deal can be made with them, as they would make good allies.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Their silk is able to be spun into cloth. their poison could be a food additive, like vinegar, if diluted. Their chitin could be manipulated using steam, like wood. Their flesh would be an acquired taste.

Facial characteristics

a jumping spider (Lucas)

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Eastern Forests of Aire

Average Intelligence

10-11 out of 18

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

eight eyes with 360 degree vision and able to see into the ultra violet. poor sense of smell.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

there is a type of mite that likes their vital juices.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Female names end in -gog, male names end in -thum, there will be a three letter sound before the suffix. The Prefix will either be vowel consonant vowel or consonant vowel consanant

Major Organizations

only tribal, tribes of up to 60 ranging in age from new born to nearly ten, the parents are up to thirty years old.

Beauty Ideals

Being female means the males will find you beautiful. Males have to be good providers, coming in with good food or innovation in technology.

Gender Ideals

Males must prove to be cooperative and able to provide.

Courtship Ideals

When the female is ready to mate the males vie to provide the best gift.

Relationship Ideals

raising the brood to adulthood

Average Technological Level

stone age with herbal knowledge.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

They speak only their own language, having no exposure to any others at this stage.

Common Etiquette Rules

Bring a gift for the one you are approaching. Be ready to fight or retreat at any time.

Common Dress Code

nil, no clothes needed, many now carry slings/belts.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Primitive, the tribe ranges over wide areas but have a central hearth where chemicals are brewed and pots made.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Rival Tribes make mock attacks but seldom come to blows.

Common Taboos

Harming a female is taboo, for both sexes.

History

A thousand years ago a group of communal spiders were affected by a Magical Storm, over the next decade they developed into these creatures, they spread through the forests of Aire and began to learn things, like stone tools and fire making, leading to pottery and alchemy/herbalism. They once covered the Island, now they are only in the Eastern Forest, thanks to predation by the Spider Wolves, who are immune to the poison of the Spithra.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

They will think of other peoples as being like them, as intruders in their territory.

Scientific Name

Arachnus Sapiens

Origin/Ancestry

Berissian

Lifespan

thirty years

Conservation Status

They are endangered and live only in the forests of Aire, on Beris

Average Height

four foot

Average Weight

120 pounds

Average Length

seven foot

Average Physique

Stronger than a person, average strength is 14, average con is 12, dexterity 14, wisdom is 8, charisma 6

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Brown from fawn to almost black, in stripes and solid panels.