Homebrew Arachne Species Details

Arachne

Pure-bred arachne are born between two arachne parents or a humanoid being graced/cursed with the power of a spider goddess, while the more commonly found “hybrid” Arachne are born between an Arachne and a non-Arachne humanoid. Arachne are powerful warriors and agile hunters, capable of operating in a wide range of terrain but a fairly narrow climate. Their domineering presence on the battlefield is enough to intimidate the hardiest of warriors, and they’re no stranger to a violent bloodbath. An Arachne is the bane of unwary travellers and fledgeling adventurers. Others are vain but flattering, making their names as diplomats or aristocrats. They are an ally’s greatest asset and an enemy’s worst nightmare.

Physical Description

Arachne are half-humanoid spider hybrids, with their lower body resembling that of a large eight-legged spider, belonging to their arachne parent, and the upper body resembling their non-Arachne parent, whether they be human, elf, dwarf, orc, or another. Arachne stand on at roughly 7 feet tall on average. Their spider’s half retains the attributes of the species of spider they belong to. Commonly found arachne sub-species includes wolf spiders, jumping spiders, and widow spiders. Arachne are much more likely to be female at birth, giving the impression that all arachne are female when in reality male arachne are simply much rarer.

Society

Most arachne are solitary by nature and prefer living on their own, whether on the fringes of the city or the depths of the wilderness. Most arachne are seen with fear and disgust and have become accustomed to hostile met by strangers and travellers, developing a darker, more cynical world view. On the rare occasion, an arachne will be met with hospitality and will live with other races in small villages serving as wilderness guides, weavers, builders, and alchemists.

Arachne Names

Arachne claim a wide variety of names, usually pertaining to the non-arachne parent they belonged to, while the pure-bred arachne usually refer to each other in their arachnid tongue, comprised of soft clicks and chirps, with no actual meaning in Common. Pure-bred arachne are thus usually given nicknames by the other races in common.

 

Arachne Traits

Your abilities are heavily related to your spider cousins.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Arachne, much like spiders, mature quickly, becoming adults at the age of 2 or 3 and having lifespans comparable to elves'.

Alignment

Arachne do not sway in any direction in particular. 

Size

Arachne are taller and heavier than humans, standing well over 7 feet tall and averaging almost 340 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Despite your large appearance, your base walking speed is 40 feet. 

Arachnid Ancestry

You have Arachnid ancestry. meaning you have several abilities of your spider siblings. 

Webbing. You can cast the spell web once per short or long rest.  Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. Once you do so, you can't cast it again until you finish a short or long rest.   Each short or long rest you regain three webbing charges, you can create traps with your webbing, each webbing action consumes 1 charge of webbing.

• When a target is restrained by webs, they are restrained. A webbed creature can use its action to attempt a DC 12 Str (Athletics) check to escape. The web can also be destroyed by 5 points of slashing or fire damage against AC 10.

Spider Walk. You have a climb speed equal to your walking speed. You can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, you ignore movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Venom Glands. Once per short rest as an action, you excrete venom onto your fangs and weapons, until combat ends, your melee attacks do an additional 1d4 acid damage, add another 1d4 acid damage for each level. 

 

 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Undercommon.