Homebrew Arachnid Species Details

The Arachnid are a reclusive people whose existence is bound to the shadowy tapestry of the multiverse. Legends whisper that they were born from the Weave itself stray threads of magic spun too tightly in the hands of Lolth during her fall from grace. When the Spider Queen was cast into the Abyss, fragments of her power seeped into the Material Plane, giving rise to creatures that shared her likeness but not her will. These were the first Arachnids: not demons, not elves, but something wholly new.

 

Unlike the drow, the Arachnid did not inherit Lolth’s cruelty. Many turned away from her worship, seeking survival outside of her endless schemes. Instead, they formed colonies in the forgotten spaces of the world deep caverns untouched by drow cities, ruins lost to time, and canopies where moonlight barely filters through. In these hidden places, they weave vast silken halls, shimmering with arcane resonance, and teach their young the virtues of patience, loyalty, and resilience.

 

While some colonies still revere Lolth as a mother of their kind, others look to rival powers:

 

Mssrang  is honored by Arachnids who walk under starlight, valuing secrecy and the cycles of renewal.

The Wickss draws those who feel tied to fate, viewing webs as metaphors for mortal souls entangled in destiny.

A few even whisper of Weaver, a nameless primordial spirit said to spin the first threads of existence itself.

To outsiders, Arachnids are unsettling at best and monstrous at worst. They are mistaken for driders or Lolth’s spawn, often hunted before their intent is understood. Yet those who truly meet them find something else entirely: hunters who strike with precision, weavers of bonds as much as silk, and guardians of knowledge hidden in shadows. Adventuring Arachnids are rare, but when they do leave their colonies it is often out of exile, visions, or an irresistible pull toward the wider world.

 

To travel beside one is to feel the quiet weight of many eyes, the patience of a hunter waiting for the perfect moment and the knowledge that if they call you ally, their loyalty will cling as tightly as their webs.

 

 

General Anatomy:

 

Body Structure: Bipedal and humanoid, standing between 5–6 ft tall. Lean and wiry with elongated limbs, often slightly longer than a human’s.

 

Skin/Carapace: Smooth but tough, with patches of chitinous plating on forearms, shoulders, shins, and sometimes along the spine. These plates can shimmer faintly under certain light.

 

Eyes: Arachnids have a pair of primary eyes (humanoid in placement, though darker and reflective) and several smaller secondary eyes on the forehead or temples, giving them a slightly unsettling gaze. Secondary eyes don’t grant extra vision but are a clear mark of their heritage.

 

Mouth/Teeth: Normal humanoid mouths, but with elongated canines/fangs that fold neatly when not in use. These deliver venom when extended.

 

Hands & Feet: Humanoid but with subtle claw-tipped nails for climbing and chitin ridges for grip. Feet can cling to rough vertical or inverted surfaces.

 

Other Features: Spinnerets are small, discreet nodules at the lower back/hips, hidden under clothing or armor. They allow silk production without being overly monstrous.

 

Arachnid Traits

Your Arachnid character has a variety of natural abilities inherited from their spider-like ancestry. From venom-laced fangs to silk-weaving spinnerets, your traits reflect a life shaped by both instinct and adaptation. Some Arachnids are reclusive and cautious, weaving intricate lairs in dark places, while others are bold explorers who test the limits of their unique gifts.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life in shadowed lairs, 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. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

 

Arachnid Resilience

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