Shaggy Spider

The shaggy spider is a massive arachnid that possesses psychic abilities.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Like all arachnids, shaggy spiders have eight legs and eyes. The spiders are covered in loose brown fur, hence the name. A shaggy spider's venom glands are full of eggs.

Genetics and Reproduction

All shaggy spiders are genderless. They reproduce by injecting eggs into the blood of their intended victims.

Growth Rate & Stages

As a spiderling, the shaggy spider ranges from nearly microscopic to the size of a jumping spider. Once emerged from the hosts, the spiderlings grow over a period of ten years before reaching adult size.

Ecology and Habitats

The shaggy spiders are native to the northernmost reaches of Ter Eira, a rocky tundra.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The spiders feed off of any meat they can find, save for the hosts.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

The spiders possess a hive intelligence and retain most of the memories of their host body. As such, spiders born of humanoids are much more intelligent than those that emerged from mammoths.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The spiders are capable of detecting all living things within thirty feet via psychic senses. For non-living things, the spiders rely on their extraordinary eyesight.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Shaggy spiders can turn just about anything into a host, but prefer humanoids, especially elves. Apparently, the spiders value the longevity of the host. Entire communities of spider hosts are maintained, raising elves to become hosts a hundred years down the line. The spiders can use humanoid hosts to communicate. When the spiders reach a large enough size, only a few remain in a given host.

Lifespan

20 years

Average Length

Eleven inches