Giant Sand Spiders

Prompt 3: Somewhere in your world describe a species that survives in an unlikely place.
Giant Sand Spiders Giant sand spiders are an ever-present threat to those who wander the northern desert deep dunes, and a reason why the Duskshar’ri avoid travelling on the open dunes, tending to stay closer to rocky outcrops and plateaus.
The giant sand spiders are corrupted sand spiders that have grown to massive proportions the largest on the record being 1 meter tall and 3 meters in leg span, weighing in at over 300 kgs. They are tan in color, hairy with brown and red markings on their backs, and are terrifyingly ferocious to look upon. Their bodies are flatter and more slender than the average spider and from the rear of their abdomen extends two long whip-like appendages. These have evolved from the traditional web-spinning appendages and now serve as sensors to detect vibrations in the sand, as the spider is blind and relies entirely on these sensors to detect its prey, this of course means they cannot spin webs. Far from being a disadvantage the spider has developed lightning-fast reflexes and pinpoint accuracy. So long as one of its sensors is touching the ground it will know exactly where any moving object is within 90 ft of it.
The Sand Spiders are nocturnal creatures and solitary hunters. During the day they bury themselves deep in the sand so little of their body can be seen, few will notice the red and brown markings that poke out above the sand before its too late, or will mistake them for rocks and realize their mistake only when the fangs of the spider cut deep into their body. They hunt by burying themselves in the sand and waiting for unsuspecting creatures to approach before they spring onto their prey, launching themselves up to 30ft in a leap. They attack with their only weapon, a poisonous bite attack which causes both piercing damages from the bite and poison damage from the venom. The venom causes small damage but will paralyze the target for later consumption if the target is rendered unconscious. What it lacks in an arsenal, it makes up for in its lightning speed, which enables them to attack twice in one move. Solitary and aggressive by nature the giant sand spider is territorial and will attack any other Sand spider that enters its territory unless it is a potential mate. It is not uncommon to glimpse the horrifying visage of two giant sand spiders fighting on the ridge of a dune on a moonlight night.
Some tribes of the Duskshar’ri have taken to hunting the spiders for food and to harvest their poison. Mostly this is done in the daylight when the spider is less likely to react to their approach. They surround the spider on camelback and move in a circle pattern to close in on the resting. They are waiting for the spider to begin moving to identify the motion and settle on a target. As soon as the spider begins to reveal itself two hunters jump down to the rear of the spider and attempt to sever the tails of the spider before it can attack, rendering the creature permanently blind. The hunter then continues to circle the spider and attack it with spears and bows until it falls. It is a very dangerous hunt as likely to fail as it is to succeed, but for those tribes in the furthest northern regions, this is worth the risk.

Stats
Giant Sand Spider Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)
Hit points: 26 (4d10+4)
Speed: 30 ft., jump 30 ft.
Roll Initiative: +3
Str        Dex         Con          Int       Wis         Cha 14(+2)  16 (+3)     12 (+1)   2 (-4)     11(+0)    4 (-3)
Skills: Stealth +7
Senses: Blindsight 90 ft., Passive Perception 10
Languages: --
Challenge 1 (200xp) Proficiency Bonus: +2
Special Abilities:
Vibration Sense: While one of the spider's two sensor tails is in contact with the ground the spider knows the exact location o any creature within 90 ft.
Actions: Multi attack: The spider can use its Frightful presence. It then makes two bite attacks. Bite: Melee Weapon attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7(1d8+3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Frightful Presence: Each creature of the spider’s choice that is within 30 ft. of the spider and aware of it must succeed on a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If the creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the spider’s frightful presence for the next 24 hours.

Scientific Name

Arachnid