Homebrew Drider Species Details

Lore/Story

Driders were once among the most powerful and ambitious drow priests, champions, generals, and nobles who drew the attention of Lolth, the Queen of Spiders. When Lolth deemed a drow worthy of judgment, she subjected them to a cruel divine trial meant not to test virtue, but obedience.

The trial had two parts.

The first was Strength. The chosen drow was forced to battle an opponent far stronger than themselves—sometimes a demon, sometimes a favored champion of Lolth. Survival was never guaranteed, and mercy was never offered.

The second was Loyalty. The drow was commanded to kill a loved one: a sibling, a parent, a mate, or even a child. This act was meant to prove absolute devotion to Lolth above all else.

If the drow succeeded in both trials, they were allowed to remain drow, elevated in status and favor. If they died, their failure ended there.

But any other outcome hesitation, refusal, mercy, rebellion, or even victory without obedience—was punished far worse.

Those who failed were transformed.

Their bodies were twisted in an agonizing, drawn-out metamorphosis as Lolth reshaped them into driders: half-humanoid, half-spider, forever marked as a living reminder of disobedience. Their screams were said to echo through the Underdark, pleasing the Spider Queen.

Unlike Lolth’s faithful, driders remember everything. The trial. The choice. The pain.

As a result, most driders harbor deep hatred for Lolth and her clergy. Many flee the Underdark, reject drow society, or wage quiet, personal wars against spider cults. Others struggle with guilt over the choice they were forced to make or the life they refused to take.

Appearance

A drider’s upper body resembles that of a tall elf or humanoid, while their lower half is that of a massive spider. Their chitin ranges from obsidian black to deep crimson or pale bone, often marked with natural patterns resembling runes or veins.

Their many eyes gleam faintly in low light, and their movements are unsettlingly smooth never wasting motion. Despite their intimidating silhouette, driders often wear carefully fitted armor, cloaks, or adornments that reflect their culture or personal identity.

Though physically imposing, a drider’s build is compact and controlled rather than bulky, allowing them to maneuver through spaces that seem far too small for their size.

Playstyle/Tactics

Driders are ambushers, skirmishers, and battlefield controllers. They excel at controlling terrain, attacking from unexpected angles, and refusing to stay pinned down. A drider rarely stands still constantly repositioning, climbing, and retreating just out of reach before striking again.

They rely on awareness and mobility over raw strength, using their environment as a weapon as much as claws or steel. When injured, a drider’s instincts kick in instantly, pulling them away from danger before a killing blow can land.

Driders traverse walls and ceilings with ease, striking from unexpected angles before skittering out of reach.

Arachnid Body

Wall Climber. You have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, and you can climb vertical surfaces made of stone, wood, or similar materials without needing to make an ability check. However, your weight prevents you from clinging to ceilings or moving while upside down.

Imposing Figure

Your size grants you exceptional strength for carrying and pushing. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Despite this, your flexible body allows you to move through spaces sized for Medium creatures without squeezing.

Spider Reflexes

Your spider-like instincts sharpen in the chaos of close combat. When a creature provokes an opportunity attack from you, your many legs tense, ready to spring. If that creature then hits you with an attack before the start of your next turn, you can use your reaction to rapidly skitter up to 10 feet away from it. This movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks, as you dart away in a sudden burst of speed.