Shapechanger. The aranea can use its action to polymorph into a Medium beast or humanoid, or from another form back into its own form. Its statistics, other than its AC, are the same in each form. A shapechanged aranea reverts to its natural form when slain.
Spellcasting. The aranea is a 3rd-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). It requires no material components to cast its spells. A typical aranea knows the following spells:
Cantrips (at will): dancing lights, poison cloud, shocking grasp
1st level (4 slots): charm person, sleep
2nd level (2 slots): invisibility, mirror image
Spider Climb. Aranea can climb any surface without making ability checks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack. +5 to hit (reach 5 ft.; one creature). Hit. 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature becomes poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is also paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Webs (Recharge 5-6). Ranged Weapon Attack. +5 to hit (range 30 ft./60 ft.; one creature). Hit. The target is restrained by webs. A webbed creature can use its action to attempt a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check to escape. The web can also be destroyed by 5 points of slashing or fire damage against AC 10
Description
Aranea
An aranea is an intelligent, shapechanging spider with sorcerous powers. In its natural form, an aranea resembles a typical giant spider, with a humpbacked body a little bigger than a human torso and venomous fangs. Although considered a Large creature, an aranea’s mass is no more than that of a typical human; its size comes from its long legs.
Parasite of Culture. Aranea often shapechange into a familiar form in order to lure unsuspecting victims into ambush. Less often, they infiltrate primitive humanoid societies, posing as godtouched or otherwordly. In this deific disquise, they found a cult of sacricfice amongst the culture as a steady supply of food.
Drow Hatred. Aranea seldom reveal their true form to a dark elf, except in moments of absolute victory. At all other times, they are cautious predators, going to great lengths to keep their presence hidden. Though wholly self-absorbed and predatory of all humanoids, aranea have been known to work alongside those they consider prey if it results in the death of the hated drow.
Aranea and the Drow
“I believe the drow obsession with spiders began with the aranea. To wit, the aranea are known to corrupt primitive societies for their own ends, and they are known to have an intense dislike of the dark elves. Furthermore, the drow creation known as the drider bears a physiological similarity to the aranea that cannot be denied. It is my theory—and I would pay handsomely to the brave soul who undertook to research it—that one or several aranea influenced early dark elf society for a short while, instilling the practice of spider worship and sacrifice, only to be overthrown after a time. Perhaps the aranea were then the subject of drow experimentation, or perhaps the spiderfolk are simply still miffed about the whole affair.”
—Sage Yuri State
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