Monster: Adamarach

Adamarach
Armour Class: 2
Hit Dice: 1*
Move: 120' (40')
climb 120' (40')
Attacks: 1 bite
Damage: 1-3 + poison
No. Appearing: 1-4
Save As: F1
Morale: 9
Treasure Type: Nil (special)
Alignment: Chaotic
XP Value: 13

Adamarach are large spiders -- generally the size of a decent watermelon, though some are larger or smaller -- composed entirely of glittering crystal. Even their eyes are like beads of obsidian; and the abdomen of an adamarach carries a rosy tinge in its core, signifying the presence of the creature's crystalline entrails. Adamarach prefer to hunt out warm bodies less for their own sustenance as for incubating their offspring.

In combat an adamarach bites for 1-3 hit points of damage, injecting a liquid-crystal venom that paralyzes the victim for 1-4 rounds if a save vs. poison is failed. Paralyzed victims are then injected with a spherical, crystal egg (assuming the adamarach has the opportunity to "attack" the victim again), inflicting another 1-2 hit points of damage.

Unless removed -- a process requiring a save vs. death ray or the subject dies, or else the intervention of a ranking cleric -- the cyst-like egg remains in the body for 1-2 weeks before the hatchling splits its way through the skin. During this time the host effectively loses two points of Constitution, but gains a +3 bonus to Armour Class as the flesh semi-crystallizes. Unfortunately, the host will also detect as Chaotic, regardless of actual alignment, so long as the egg remains implanted.