Homebrew Aranea Species Details

Aranea are a reclusive and enigmatic race of shape-shifting spider-like beings, often referred to as "werespiders." Their natural form resembles a large, humpbacked spider with a distinctive brain-housing hump on their back and a pair of small, dexterous arms beneath their mandibles. These limbs end in hands capable of fine manipulation, allowing them to craft intricate webs and wield tools or weapons.

Gifted with innate magical abilities, Aranea excel in illusion, enchantment, and charm spells, often avoiding fire-based magic. Their spellcasting prowess is comparable to that of sorcerers, and they use their magic to deceive, manipulate, and control their environment.

Aranea possess the extraordinary ability to shift between three distinct forms:

• Spider Form: Their true form, appearing as a giant spider with human-like intelligence and the ability to cast spells.

• Humanoid Form: A specific humanoid appearance chosen at birth, which could resemble a human, half-elf, or drow. In this form, they can integrate into humanoid societies, often living undetected for years.

• Hybrid Form: A blend of their spider and humanoid forms, featuring characteristics like fangs, multiple eyes, and spinnerets in their hands. This form allows them to utilize their web-spinning and venomous bite abilities while maintaining a humanoid shape.

Culturally, Aranea are secretive and value knowledge, particularly magical lore. They often form small, close-knit communities in secluded areas like dense forests or swamps, where they can pursue their arcane studies without interference. While they prefer solitude, Aranea can be found in humanoid settlements, masquerading in their chosen humanoid forms to gather information or achieve specific goals.

In combat, Aranea avoid direct confrontation, instead relying on their webs, venom, and spells to incapacitate foes. They are known to capture enemies, holding them for ransom or using them as bargaining chips. Their strategic minds and magical abilities make them formidable opponents and valuable allies.

Aranea Traits

Masters of disguise and arcane arts, Aranea are intelligent, shape-shifting spiderfolk who navigate the world with a blend of cunning and magic.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age

Aranea mature at the same rate as humans but can live up to 150 years.

Alignment

Aranea tend toward neutrality, valuing secrecy and self-preservation over moral extremes.

Size

Aranea are similar in size to humans, ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You have a climbing speed of 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to dark environments, you have superior vision in dim and dark conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.

Web Weaver

You can produce webbing from spinnerets in your palms. As an action, you can cast the web spell without expending a spell slot. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this trait.

Shapechanger

You can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. As an action, you can transform into a specific humanoid form or a giant spider form. You decide what your humanoid form looks like, including your race, gender, and appearance. You can revert to your natural hybrid form as an action. This trait functions similarly to the disguise self spell, but the transformation is physical, not illusory. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all uses after a long rest.

Innate Spellcasting

You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast disguise self once per day. When you reach 5th level, you can also cast invisibility once per day. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.