Homebrew Arachni Species Details

"A noiseless patient spider,

I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated,

Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,

It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,

Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them."

 

"And you O my soul where you stand,

Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,

Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,

Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold,

Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul."

 —Walt Whitman

Born from spiders, Arachni weave their webs all across the land. Some fear their presence, some admire their craft, and some seek their guidance in ultimate artisanship. Descendants of ancient arachnids, Arachni hatch from eggs as humanoid creatures with prominent spider attributes. Granted the gift of silk weaving by their ancestors, Arachni carry on their legacy in craft, survival, and battle.

Great Arachnids

Arachni look like humans with spider-like attributes, having four large spider-legs in the back that can retract and extend at will. They can stand from 4ft to under 6ft tall on long, insectoid legs and human arms with larger fore-arms that produce and store webbing, with sharp finger-tips that spin those webs. They have 8 black eyes (2 big "beady" eyes surrounded by 6 smaller ones) fitted on a normal human head with white or yellow web-like hair, a jaw that can be split on will, and similar teeth to humans but with the canines being replaced with fangs that can spin venomous silk.

There are many subspecies of Arachni (over 45,000 to be more specific), and depending on the subspecies, that will determine many visual attributes such as height, color, weight, and/or hairiness. They have tough, spotted skin that can range in a large number of skin-color from matte white, jet black, dusty brown, muted blue, and many more colors on a color wheel. Their spots create beautiful patterns that can also come in a large spectrum of colors.

Misunderstood and Conformation

While being vastly different from actual spiders, Arachni are unfortunately recipients of the reputation of the creepy crawlies. Some fear Arachni for being too closely related to spiders, and those who are capable have tried to attack these beings. Because of how common these attacks would be, Arachni evolved to be dexterous and cunning, often being able to trick, hide, and runaway from those who may pose as a threat. Their leaner, shorter build allows them to slip away into hiding, and their crawlers allow them to escape with no restraint to obstacles. 

From Lone Hunters to Comrades

Spiders are generally lone gatherers, using their webs to trap and catch food. This trait passes down to Arachni, but in addition to also being aggressive hunters and excellent farmers. They use their webs to not only trap prey, but also poison them. Having amazing artisanship, Arachni use their webs to keep farmed crops raised for maximum harvest. Arachni would survive off of woodland creatures and most fruits and vegetables, but also would still have smaller orb weaved webs that would catch insects and bugs. However, because of those who fear Arachni, Arachni evolved to become pack members, and increased food production and self-preservation.

 

Arachni Traits

Born as spider-like beings, Arachni are skilled hunters and craftsmen. Having a keen sense of ornate detail, great speed, and sheer dexterity, you as an Arachni may have these traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your DEX is increased by 2, and your CHA by 1

Age

Arachni mature a little faster than humans, and can walk within a few hours of hatching. They reach maturity at about mid teens, and can live up to just over a century.

Size

Arachni are taller than humans, reaching heights of 6 to 9ft tall, but are generally lankier and weigh around the same as humans.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. Speakers of Sylvan are frequently natured spirits and animals, and as old as it is, it has not much changed at all through the ages.

Arachnid Damage Resistance and Immunity

You have resistance to fall damage in the form of bludgeoning damage, but are not resistant to all bludgeoning damage. You are also immune to poison damage.

Inferno Vulnerability

Arachni are weak to all heat and fire attacks, and all fire attacks, magic or not, are doubled.

Crawlers

Arachni have retractable legs that grant a 30 feet climbing speed, as well as powerful melee weaponry. Extending these legs must be called out, but does not take any action.

Web Sage

As spider people, you have the ability to use webs you produce for weaponry, craftwork, or tool work.