Zihal ("flame spider")
Armour Class: 4
Hit Dice: 4+4*
Move: 150' (50')
Attacks: 2 claws or 1 bite
Damage: 1-6/1-6 or 1-8 + poison (see below)
No. Appearing: 1-4 (2-16)
Save As: F4
Morale: 8
Treasure Type: G
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 200
Monstrous spiders, zihal are arachnids with nearly spherical abdomens, as large as a pony and nearly as fast. Their chitin is a glowing, deep red mottled with fiery orange growths, and both their mandibles and legs are tipped with fangs and claws of a translucent ruby. Their two major eyes are black, and their smaller subsidiary eyes a phosphorescent green. A zihal spins dense, amber-tinted silk which it uses to construct a labyrinthine lair within caverns or dungeons, and often shares space with humanoids such as kobolds or goblins as its allies -- or servants.
In combat a zihal will attack with either its bite or its two foreclaws. Each claw inflicts 1-6 hit points damage and coats the wound with an inflammable secretion that causes it to burst into flame on the next round, inflicting 1-3 hit points of damage. The zihal's fanged bite inflicts 1-8 hit points of damage and poisons the victim; 2-8 hit points of damage from the fiery venom, and a -2 to all rolls for an hour, if the save vs. poison is failed. Two doses of venom will charm a victim, if it survives. Zihal take no damage from fire.
Zihal produce live young parthenogenically; a clutch of 2-20 new flame spiders have 1/2 HD and inflict only 1-2 hit points of damage but still cause ignition (1-2 hp) and have venom (1-4 hp damage, -2 to rolls for an hour, but no charm effect). The zihal broodmaster may take control of a hatchling, or watch through its eyes.
17 comments:
I love spiders.
The older ones have to be very intelligent, in my world(s). They can speak, they may even have magical abilities. They still hunger though.
@Chgowiz:
I love spiders.You and me both, then ;3
The older ones have to be very intelligent, in my world(s). They can speak, they may even have magical abilities. They still hunger though.I'd considered having some zihal have spellcasting abilities but was afraid of them being too much like aranea, I admit. I hadn't thought of speech, though ... they'll have to be happy with claw-signing ;3
Speech is a damned nifty idea *grins*
Although I'm hard pressed to include a lot of Harry Potter, the talking ancient spider was just the coolest damn thing. I loved that scene. In my mind, that makes very old, very ancient spiders (like Shelob) able to have a lot of varied abilities.
@Chgowiz:
Although I'm hard pressed to include a lot of Harry Potter, the talking ancient spider was just the coolest damn thing. I loved that scene. In my mind, that makes very old, very ancient spiders (like Shelob) able to have a lot of varied abilities.I could see that!
I've also been tempted to base a spiderish critter on the Tsuchigumo ...
... and if I don't find out why Blogger isn't giving my line breaks soon, I'm going to strangle someone -_-
You know, I assumed speech since they had that charm ability.
Another great monster with lots of wicked possibilities.
I LOVE this Creature, I might have to 'borrow' this for my 4e Games!
@Drew:
I'm glad you like it! By all means, borrow away -- *grins*
Lol! - Thankies!
Its got an added Bonus, one of my players is TERRIFIED of Spiders :-)
@Drew:
Eeeheeheheheh ... excellent ;3
If I have another eight-legged notion, I'll be sure to toss it up --
Coolios - I can't wait!
Spider-like monsters (actually Insects/Arachnids generally) stir something in the Players subconscious that even more evocative monsters (such as Dragons) don't.
Keep up the good work!
O_O
>_< *shudders* GUH. TERRIFYING!
Although I like the spawn thing, because then you have something extra to throw at the players, adn the don't know if they'll be there. And if they don't know the monster at all, then they might not realise that an attacking horde of largish flame spiders is not all.
Seriously, pony-sized. AUGH.
@eliyes:
So, no zihal for Leo then? ;3
So, no zihal for Leo then? ;3
I did not say that. >_>
Honestly, I'd probably feel more triumphant over defeating things I dislike (except zombies).
Leo: ...This is going to increase my rep as a pyromaniac, I can see it now... *faceplam*
Lol, that reminds me of a Game I ran YEARS ago. When me and the Mrs were first Dating (she played in those days).
She killed a Giant Scorpion and LITERALLY danced around the room Lol.
(She hates all Insects/Arachnids equally Lol).
@Drew - those are the best moments. :)
@Chgowiz
THATS what I love about Roleplaying in general (and DnD in particular) it ALWAYS leaves you with good experiences and GREAT memories.
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