Icedaemon
2011-03-15, 07:01 AM
One thing I've noticed when creating Walufar is that one of the major hazards in real-world tropical regions, potentially deadly insects and spiders, are not all that wholly represented in D&D. Sure, there are poisonous spiders and centipedes, but only the ones which are absurdly large or act in swarm form secrete poisons which are reliably deadly.
The only proper arthropod in the sourcebooks that I found is the bloodsilk spider in MM IV (which I do like a lot and will definitely use). Even when browsing this forum, this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5818438&postcount=515)is the only interesting form of horrible insectile critter I found which is smaller than a dog.
Of the rules-as-written monsters, normal-sized spiders such as the Monsters of Faerun Hairy Spider tend to have a poison with a pitiful (DC 11) initial and secondary 1 point of temporary Dexterity damage which, granted, is actually in line with some species of tarantula, but is decidedly lower-end-of-the-scale.
I would definitely like to see uniquely deadly insects and spiders, like creatures who try to paralyze animals to lay eggs under the skin. At least in my mind, insects should not be huge monsters that one fights with a greatsword, but more like naturally occurring traps.
Now, for example, the King baboon spider (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelinobius_muticus) has an interesting hallucinogenic venom. Why not capitalize on it, perhaps increase the potency a bit? Since the other stats of the Hairy Spider are OK, let's go with:
Hallucinogenic Spider (pelinobius)
Fine Vermin
Hit Dice: 1/8 d8 (1 hp)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 20 ft., climb 10 ft.
AC: 20 (+2 Dex, +8 size)
Attacks: Bite +3 melee
Damage: Bite 1d2–5 plus poison
Face/Reach: 1/2 ft. by 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison
Special Qualities: Poison immunity
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +0
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 14, Con 10, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +6, Hide +25, Jump +4, Spot +15
Climate/Terrain: Warm land
Organization: single (1) or swarm (2–20)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
These hand-sized, hairy reddish-orange spiders are found mostly in jungles and savannas. They do not spin webs, but instead prefer to hunt small and tiny mammals. To prevent them becoming prey themselves, Hallucinogenic spiders
Poison (Ex): Those hit by a Hallucinogenic spider’s bite attack must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 15) or be injected with poison. The initial effect is similar to a confusion spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/confusion.htm) with a 2-round duration. Secondary damage is 1d4 points of temporary Wisdom damage due to pain and lesser hallucinations.
Skills: Hairy spiders have racial bonuses of +4 on Hide checks,
+6 on Jump checks, and +12 on Spot checks.
Is this a daft idea, or might I be onto something?
The only proper arthropod in the sourcebooks that I found is the bloodsilk spider in MM IV (which I do like a lot and will definitely use). Even when browsing this forum, this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5818438&postcount=515)is the only interesting form of horrible insectile critter I found which is smaller than a dog.
Of the rules-as-written monsters, normal-sized spiders such as the Monsters of Faerun Hairy Spider tend to have a poison with a pitiful (DC 11) initial and secondary 1 point of temporary Dexterity damage which, granted, is actually in line with some species of tarantula, but is decidedly lower-end-of-the-scale.
I would definitely like to see uniquely deadly insects and spiders, like creatures who try to paralyze animals to lay eggs under the skin. At least in my mind, insects should not be huge monsters that one fights with a greatsword, but more like naturally occurring traps.
Now, for example, the King baboon spider (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelinobius_muticus) has an interesting hallucinogenic venom. Why not capitalize on it, perhaps increase the potency a bit? Since the other stats of the Hairy Spider are OK, let's go with:
Hallucinogenic Spider (pelinobius)
Fine Vermin
Hit Dice: 1/8 d8 (1 hp)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 20 ft., climb 10 ft.
AC: 20 (+2 Dex, +8 size)
Attacks: Bite +3 melee
Damage: Bite 1d2–5 plus poison
Face/Reach: 1/2 ft. by 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison
Special Qualities: Poison immunity
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +0
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 14, Con 10, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +6, Hide +25, Jump +4, Spot +15
Climate/Terrain: Warm land
Organization: single (1) or swarm (2–20)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
These hand-sized, hairy reddish-orange spiders are found mostly in jungles and savannas. They do not spin webs, but instead prefer to hunt small and tiny mammals. To prevent them becoming prey themselves, Hallucinogenic spiders
Poison (Ex): Those hit by a Hallucinogenic spider’s bite attack must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 15) or be injected with poison. The initial effect is similar to a confusion spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/confusion.htm) with a 2-round duration. Secondary damage is 1d4 points of temporary Wisdom damage due to pain and lesser hallucinations.
Skills: Hairy spiders have racial bonuses of +4 on Hide checks,
+6 on Jump checks, and +12 on Spot checks.
Is this a daft idea, or might I be onto something?