Arachnian (5e Race)

Arachnian

Physical Description

By Yanied

Arachnians are a black, hairy, eight-eyed, squat race. Their body type resembles driders best, with clear connections to spiders. Their upper body, however, is far from humanoid, appearing like that of a furry tarantula-faced being. Their two pairs of hind legs stabilize their footing. Unlike driders or normal spiders, they do not have large abdomens. They have four arms, ending in three-finger hands with pincers. They are known best for their bite, which is their preferred weapon. These fangs are hidden next to the furry mandibles on the sides of their oblong head.

History

Arachnians were a failed experiment of Lolth, who cast them away to rot. This was supposedly before her rise to prominence and finding the drow to be her faithful followers. As a result, the arachnians despise Lolth and drow. Supposedly, the arachnians were cast into another plane that was inhospitable to them. However, few know exactly where, as it was apparently to horrible that they do not speak of it. What their ancestors did mention was that a traveling wizard allegedly opened a portal back to the Material Realm for them, allowing them to return to livable conditions. This wizard was supposedly of elven heritage. As a result, the arachnians may hate drow, but they feel a sense of debt towards other elves.

Society

These spiderfolk live in hidden clusters, and their families can grow enough to a populate a whole town. Due to their appearance, most cannot live anywhere with many prying eyes. Most arachnians originate from caves or dens they build within lush forests near elven settlements, with whom they are typically friendly. Originally, the arachnians were mistaken as monsters to be slain by the horrified elves. However, upon establishing they have a common enemy, the arachnians were reluctantly accepted by some elves as useful allies. Arachnians are very simple people and are happy to help. They are also avid admirers of elven culture, including the respect for nature and whimsy of the fey. Every year they give one child to the nearest elvish priest, to thank them for their hospitality. Because of this, arachnians can also be found around elvish priests and wizards as apprentices or assistants. Sometimes they are mistreated as "lower" by the elves, which can lead to individual mistrust. It is said that current generations of arachnians are less receptive of elves than their original grateful ancestors.

Arachnian Names

Arachnians don't have a personal language or common names. They generally take Elvish names, because of their bond with the race.

Arachnian Traits

Kind spiderfolk that have escaped Lolth and befriended elves.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Arachnians live very short life spans compared to elves, though to humans, they live the average amount of time. Unlike humans, they mature completely a few weeks after birth.
Alignment. Arachnians are regarded as being a kind race and their alignment is generally neutral good.
Size. Arachnians are short, squat, and unbelivably light, from 3 feet to 4 feet tall, and around 30 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Darkvision. 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.
Knowledge of the Web. You ignore movement restrictions caused by webbing. In addition, when you are in contact with a web, you know the exact location of any other creature also in contact with the web.
Spider Bite. Your fangs are natural weapons loaded with venom with which you can bite. As an action, you can attempt to bite and poison a creature within 5 feet of you. The target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC= 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier, taking 1d10 poison damage on a failed save. This damage increases by 1d10 at 5th (2d10), 11th (3d10), and 17th (4d10) level.
Spider Climb. You can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Superfluous Limbs. Because of the fact that you have two extra stabilizing legs, you have advantage on saving throws against falling prone, but it takes twice as much speed to stand if you are prone. In addition, you have four arms, these additional limbs can hold objects and wield weapons as normal. Your arms get in each other's way at times; while wielding a two-handed weapon, you cannot benefit from a shield or wield a second two-handed weapon.
Spider Web. As an action, you conjure a mass of thick, sticky webbing at a point of your choice within 60 feet. The webs fill a 20-foot cube from that point for the duration. The webs are difficult terrain and lightly obscure their area. If the webs aren't anchored between two solid masses (such as walls or trees) or layered across a floor, wall, or ceiling, the conjured web collapses on itself at the start of your next turn. Webs layered over a flat surface have a depth of 5 feet. Each creature that starts its turn in the webs or that enters them during its turn must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is restrained as long as it remains in the webs or until it breaks free. A creature restrained by the webs can use its action to make a Strength check against a DC of 8 + your Dexterity + your proficiency bonus. If it succeeds, it is no longer restrained. The webs are flammable. Any 5-foot cube of webs exposed to fire burns away in 1 round, dealing 2d4 fire damage to any creature that starts its turn in the fire. After you use your spider web, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language, choosing from Elvish and Undercommon.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
2′ 8''	+2d8	20 lb.	× 1 lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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(2 votes)

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