Hairy Spider: Difference between revisions

From Epic Path
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Text replacement - " <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance" --> | Role-Only--Add-Skirmisher-Power--Concentration" to " <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or...)
m (Text replacement - "Distracted conditon" to "Distracted condition")
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
| CR=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|CR}}}
| CR=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|CR}}}
| CR | 1
| CR | 1
   <!-- Value: integer between 1 and 35. -->
   <!-- Value: integer between 1 and 40. -->
   }}</onlyinclude>
   }}</onlyinclude>
| Min-CR = 1
| Max-CR = 6


| MonsterName=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|MonsterName}}}
| MonsterName=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|MonsterName}}}
| MonsterName | Swarm of Tiny Spiders
| MonsterName | Hairy Spider
   }}</onlyinclude>
   }}</onlyinclude>


Line 22: Line 25:


| Role=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Role}}}
| Role=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Role}}}
| Role |  
| Role | Swarm
   <!-- Values: Heavy, Killer, Leader, Legend, Minion, Shooter, Skirmisher, Sneak, Tank, Threat, Villain, or leave blank -->
   <!-- Values: Heavy, Killer, Leader, Legend, Minion, Shooter, Skirmisher, Sneak, Swarm, Tank, Threat, Villain, or leave blank -->


   }}</onlyinclude>
   }}</onlyinclude>
Line 37: Line 40:
| Restrict-Role-Skirmisher =  
| Restrict-Role-Skirmisher =  
| Restrict-Role-Sneak =  
| Restrict-Role-Sneak =  
| Restrict-Role-Swarm =
| Restrict-Role-Tank =  
| Restrict-Role-Tank =  
| Restrict-Role-Threat = Y
| Restrict-Role-Threat = Y
Line 54: Line 58:


| Description=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Description}}}
| Description=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Description}}}
| Description | Massive swarms of spiders are occasional hazards encountered in dark and abandoned places.  Individual spiders of this size are of no threat whatsoever to an adventurer, although they can still give one a good startle.  Several thousand spiders packed atop one another in a seething mass of scuttling legs and poisonous fangs?
| Description | '''''This monster frequently has the Swarm role, but may be set to other roles if desired.'''''
 
Hairy Spider is the name given to dozens of kinds of monstrous spiders that can be found all over the world. The name is not very descriptive, as 'hairy' spiders come in all sorts of varieties, and some kinds aren't even very fuzzy. But to the panicked eyes of adventurers, guards, and civilians who have stumbled upon one of these gigantic spiders, they all look alike: legs and eyes and fangs, scuttling and hairy.
 
Now, 'gigantic' is a poor choice of words. It is possible to find spiders out in the bad parts of the world that are big enough to step over castle walls. Hairy spiders are rarely bigger than your face. But.... They are spiders...as BIG AS YOUR FACE. For many beginning adventurers, that's plenty huge to merit a scary tale at the tavern later. Assuming you survive...
 
Hairy spiders hunt all manner of things such as bugs, mice, and squirrels. As a result, they can be found in ones and twos and six-packs almost anywhere.
 
Far worse is when they gather together. Hairy Spiders are prone to bunch up into huge swarms, and that's even scarier than just one that you find hiding in your boot in the morning.
 
Massive swarms of hairy spiders are occasional hazards encountered in dark and abandoned places.  Individual spiders of this size are of no great threat to a prepared adventurer, although they can still give one a good startle, and bad luck can see one defeat even a doughty sort.  Several thousand spiders packed atop one another in a seething mass of scuttling legs and poisonous fangs?


That's enough to threaten any adventurer and startle just about anybody.
That's enough to threaten any adventurer and startle just about anybody.
Line 70: Line 84:


| Type=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Type}}}
| Type=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Type}}}
| Type | Swarm
| Type | Vermin
   <!-- Values: Aberration, Animal, Construct, Dragon, Fey, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid, Ooze, Outsider, Plant, Protean, Swarm, Troop, Undead, Vermin -->
   <!-- Values: Aberration, Animal, Construct, Dragon, Fey, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid, Ooze, Outsider, Plant, Protean, Undead, Vermin -->
   }}</onlyinclude>
   }}</onlyinclude>


| Subtype=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Subtype}}}
| Subtype=<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|Subtype}}}
| Subtype | Vermin
| Subtype |  
   <!-- If second monster type (e.g. a swarm of vermin): Aberration, Animal, Construct, Dragon, Fey, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid, Ooze, Outsider, Plant, Protean, Swarm, Troop, Undead, Vermin -->
   <!-- If second monster type: Aberration, Animal, Construct, Dragon, Fey, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid, Ooze, Outsider, Plant, Protean, Undead, Vermin -->
   <!-- If Humanoid: Duergar, Giant, Gloom, Gnoll, Human, Kobold, Lizardfolk, Maenad, Norker, Orc, Somber Crool, Troglodyte, Vampire Thrall -->
   <!-- If Humanoid: Duergar, Giant, Gloom, Gnoll, Human, Kobold, Lizardfolk, Maenad, Norker, Orc, Somber Crool, Troglodyte, Vampire Thrall -->
   <!-- If Outsider: Air, Chaotic, Demon, Devil, Earth, Elemental, Evil, Fire, Good, Lawful, Native, Water -->
   <!-- If Outsider: Air, Chaotic, Demon, Devil, Earth, Elemental, Evil, Fire, Good, Lawful, Native, Water -->
Line 233: Line 247:


| NudgeSpace =  
| NudgeSpace =  
   <!-- Values: any positive or negative number, or leave blank. Max recommended is +/-2. This is number of SQUARES; will be converted to feet.               -->
   <!-- Values: any positive or negative number, or leave blank. Max recommended is +/-2. This is number of SQUARES; will be converted to feet.
  <!-- NOTE: If type or subtype is "Swarm", the space will default to 10 ft.                                                                                 -->
        NOTE: If role is "Swarm", only put the space occupied by the COMPONENT CREATURE, NOT the space of the swarm, troop, or horde.
  <!-- NOTE: If type or subtype is "Troop", the space will default to 15 ft. + the normal space for the component creature size (e.g. 20 ft. for size medium) -->
        NOTE: Swarms default to 10 feet. Troops default to 15 ft. + the normal space for the component creature size (e.g. 20 ft. for size medium) -->


| NudgeReach =  
| NudgeReach =  
   <!-- Values: any positive or negative number, or leave blank. Max recommended is +/-2. This is number of SQUARES; will be converted to feet.     -->
   <!-- Values: any positive or negative number, or leave blank. Max recommended is +/-2. This is number of SQUARES; will be converted to feet.
  <!-- NOTE: If type or subtype is "Swarm", the reach will default to 0 ft.                                                                         -->
        NOTE: If role is "Swarm", only put the reach of the COMPONENT CREATURE, NOT the reach of the swarm, troop, or horde.
  <!-- NOTE: If type or subtype is "Troop", the reach will default to the normal reach for the component creature size (e.g. 5 ft. for size medium) -->
        NOTE: Swarms default to 0 ft. Troops default to the normal reach for the component creature size (e.g. 5 ft. for size medium) -->




Line 256: Line 270:
<!--  PRIMARY ATTACK INFORMATION  -->
<!--  PRIMARY ATTACK INFORMATION  -->


| PriAtkName = Overrun
| PriAtkName = Spider Bite
   <!-- name of primary attack, weapons or natural attacks (e.g. "Longsword" or "Bite") -->
   <!-- name of primary attack, weapons or natural attacks (e.g. "Longsword" or "Bite") -->


| Pri-Atk-Dmg-Type = crushing
| Pri-Atk-Dmg-Type = piercing
   <!-- name of the damage type used; if the type isn't defined, create a new page using the 'Dmg-Type' template (see Using Templates) -->
   <!-- name of the damage type used; if the type isn't defined, create a new page using the 'Dmg-Type' template (see Using Templates) -->


| PriAtkNotes =  
| PriAtkNotes = Spider Venom
   <!-- add any specials; adds the word "plus" automatically. (e.g. "filth fever (see below)") -->
   <!-- add any specials; adds the word "plus" automatically. (e.g. "filth fever (see below)") -->


Line 280: Line 294:


| PriAtkIsAuto-Hit = Swarm
| PriAtkIsAuto-Hit = Swarm
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone" or "swarm") -->
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone") -->


| NudgePriToHit =  
| NudgePriToHit =  
Line 316: Line 330:


| SecAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
| SecAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone" or "swarm") -->
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone") -->


| NudgeSecToHit =  
| NudgeSecToHit =  
Line 352: Line 366:


| TerAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
| TerAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone" or "swarm") -->
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone") -->


| NudgeTerToHit =  
| NudgeTerToHit =  
Line 388: Line 402:


| QuaAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
| QuaAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone" or "swarm") -->
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone") -->


| NudgeQuaToHit =  
| NudgeQuaToHit =  
Line 433: Line 447:


| RangedAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
| RangedAtkIsAuto-Hit =  
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone" or "swarm") -->
   <!-- If attack has no to-hit roll; leave blank (for normal to-hits), or describe (e.g. "30-foot cone") -->


| NudgeRangedToHit =  
| NudgeRangedToHit =  
Line 528: Line 542:
<!--  SPECIAL ABILITIES  -->
<!--  SPECIAL ABILITIES  -->


<!--  ROLE-BASED SPECIAL ABILITIES -->
| HideRoleReminder1 =
  <!-- Roles only; Values: Y (for yes) or leave blank (to leave reminder (if any) displayed) -->
| HideRoleReminder2 =
  <!-- Roles only; Values: Y (for yes) or leave blank (to leave reminder (if any) displayed) -->
| HideRoleReminder3 =
  <!-- Roles only; Values: Y (for yes) or leave blank (to leave reminder (if any) displayed) -->
| HideRoleReminder4 =
  <!-- Roles only; Values: Y (for yes) or leave blank (to leave reminder (if any) displayed) -->




Line 552: Line 552:
   <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance" -->
   <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance" -->


| Ability-1-Action-Required =  
| Ability-1-Action-Required = Automatic
   <!-- Values: Full Round Action, Full Attack Action, Standard Action, Move Action, Swift Action, Free Action, Immediate Action
   <!-- Values: Full Round Action, Full Attack Action, Standard Action, Move Action, Swift Action, Free Action, Immediate Action
                 Free Action 1/Rnd, Free Action 1/Enc, Always On, Auto At Start of Encounter, Auto Upon Death, etc.        -->
                 Free Action 1/Rnd, Free Action 1/Enc, Always On, Auto At Start of Encounter, Auto Upon Death, etc.        -->
Line 559: Line 559:
   <!-- Values: "S" for strong caster, "W" for weak caster, leave blank if unneeded; will auto-detect Combat Casting and include it -->
   <!-- Values: "S" for strong caster, "W" for weak caster, leave blank if unneeded; will auto-detect Combat Casting and include it -->


| Ability-1-Description = Any damage inflicted by a Spider Swarm has a chance to inflict a weak poison:
| Ability-1-Description = Any damage inflicted by a Hairy Spider has a chance to inflict a weak poison:
{{Malady
{{Malady
| Name = Spider Venom
| Name = Spider Venom
Line 599: Line 599:
<!--  SPECIAL ABILITY 2  -->
<!--  SPECIAL ABILITY 2  -->


| Ability-2-Name = Distraction
| Ability-2-Type = Ex
  <!--Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance"-->


| Ability-2-Action-Required =
  <!-- Values: Full Round Action, Full Attack Action, Standard Action, Move Action, Swift Action, Free Action, Immediate Action
                Free Action 1/Rnd, Free Action 1/Enc, Always On, Auto At Start of Encounter, Auto Upon Death, etc.        -->
| Ability-2-Concentration =
  <!--Values: "S" for strong caster, "W" for weak caster, leave blank if unneeded-->
| Ability-2-Description = Any living creature that takes damage from a swarm must make a Fortitude save, DC {{Save-DC}}, or become [[Afflicted]]. If the creature makes the save, they are instead [[Sickened]].  If they take damage on any following round while still Sickened or Afflicted, they must make another DC {{Save-DC}} Fortitude save, or move up one step on the Status Array.  While sharing a space with the swarm, you cannot get rid of the Sickened condition. At the end of any round in which you are outside of the swarm, you may make another DC {{Save-DC}} Fortitude save to attempt to move down a step on the status array. (While outside of the swarm's space, you cannot go up on the status array if you fail the save, you simply remain at the status you currently have.)
:: [[Nauseated]] ==> [[Afflicted]] ==> [[Sickened]]
: In addition, spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a [[Caster Check]] against the swarm's Maneuver Defense of {{Maneuver-Defense}}. Using skills that involve patience and concentration require a DC {{Save-DC}} Will save.


   <!-- Insert colons ":" before each paragraph after first; replace any to-hit, damage or save DC numbers with variables:
   <!-- Insert colons ":" before each paragraph after first; replace any to-hit, damage or save DC numbers with variables:
Line 1,306: Line 1,290:
| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Type =  
| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Type =  
     <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance"    -->
     <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance"    -->
| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Action-Required =
  <!-- Values: Full Round Action, Full Attack Action, Standard Action, Move Action, Swift Action, Free Action, Immediate Action
                Free Action 1/Rnd, Free Action 1/Enc, Always On, Auto At Start of Encounter, Auto Upon Death, etc.        -->


| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Concentration =  
| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Concentration =  
Line 1,312: Line 1,300:


| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Description =  
| Role-Only--Replace-Sneak-Power--Description =  
    <!-- Insert colons ":" before each paragraph after first; replace any to-hit, damage
        or save DC numbers with variables:
  {{To-Hit}}                {{Skill-DC|Easy}}          {{Special-Standard-Dmg}}
  {{Touch-Attack}}          {{Skill-DC|Average}}        {{Special-Swift-Dmg}}
  {{Save-DC}}              {{Skill-DC|Challenging}}    {{Special-Alpha-Dmg}}
  {{Hit-Points}}            {{Skill-DC|Hard}}          {{Ability-Dmg}}
  {{Bloodied-Hit-Points}}  {{Skill-DC|Impossible}}    {{Siege-Dmg}}
  {{Hit-Dice}}                                          {{Primary-Dmg}}
  {{Maneuver-Offense}}                                  {{Secondary-Dmg}}
  {{Maneuver-Defense}}                                  {{Tertiary-Dmg}}
  {{CR}}                                                {{Quaternary-Dmg}}
                                                        {{Ranged-Dmg}}
  POISON / DISEASE FORMAT
{{Malady
| Name =
| Intensity =
| Save-Type =
| Save-Mod =
| Frequency =
| Effect =
| Fruition =
| F-Duration =
}}
-->
<!--  REPLACE "PERSONAL SPACE ISSUES" OR "DARKEN THE SKY" POWER
      SWARM ROLE ONLY
        This section lets you write a custom power that will only display if this monster
        is given the "Swarm" role. It replaces the default "Personal Space Issues" power
        (or the "Darken The Sky" power, if it is a Troop), which allows swarms to inflict
        the Distracted condition when they damage a foe (or it grants an area of affect
        ranged attack if it is a troop). Leave this blank if you want the "Personal Space
        Issues" or "Darken the Sky" power to appear when this monster is designated as a
        "Swarm" role.                                                                      -->
| Role-Only--Replace-Swarm-Power--Name =
| Role-Only--Replace-Swarm-Power--Type =
    <!-- Values: Sp, Su, Ex; can also include things like "disease", "poison" or "stance"    -->
| Role-Only--Replace-Swarm-Power--Action-Required =
  <!-- Values: Full Round Action, Full Attack Action, Standard Action, Move Action, Swift Action,
        Free Action, Immediate Action, Free Action 1/Rnd, Free Action 1/Enc, Always On, Auto At
        Start of Encounter, Auto Upon Death, etc.                                          -->
| Role-Only--Replace-Swarm-Power--Concentration =
    <!-- Values: "S" for strong caster, "W" for weak caster, leave blank if unneeded; will
        auto-detect Combat Casting and include it                                          -->
| Role-Only--Replace-Swarm-Power--Description =


     <!-- Insert colons ":" before each paragraph after first; replace any to-hit, damage  
     <!-- Insert colons ":" before each paragraph after first; replace any to-hit, damage  
Line 1,343: Line 1,385:
<!--  COMBAT TACTICS  -->
<!--  COMBAT TACTICS  -->


| CombatTactics = Spider swarms wish to engulf you. They will charge as fast as they can to get into the space of their prey. About the only 'tactic' they use is their fondness for crawling on ceilings.  Whenever possible a spider swarm will crawl up to a ceiling and drop onto victims as a sudden rain of leggy creepy crawlers.  Bleah.
| CombatTactics = Hairy Spiders, in all their varieties, are mean, territorial little things. They will attack you if you get too close, that's almost guaranteed. They will lurk, using their good stealth, and when you are too close to easily evade, they will move in and start biting. Once they begin attacking, they will not stop, being remarkably driven by their instincts.  In individual numbers or small groups, these attacks are bad enough, but Hairy Spiders are prone to forming huge swarms, as if they aren't scary enough on their own.
 
Spider swarms lurk, hiding, then rush to the attack just like individual spiders do, but spider swarms wish to engulf you. They will charge as fast as they can to get into the space of their prey. About the only 'tactic' they use is their fondness for crawling on ceilings.  Whenever possible a spider swarm will crawl up to a ceiling and drop onto victims as a sudden rain of leggy creepy crawlers.  Bleah.


Note that multiple swarms can move into, stop and occupy up to half the spaces that other swarms occupy.  No more than two swarms can inflict effects on a single target.
Note that multiple swarms can move into, stop and occupy up to half the spaces that other swarms occupy.  No more than two swarms can inflict effects on a single target.
Line 1,349: Line 1,393:




<!--  OUT OF COMBAT   -->
<!--  OUT OF COMBAT   -->


| OutOfCombat = Spider swarms can live nearly anywhere &mdash; in forests, shrubbery, amidst crops, basically anywhere that food is likely to pass nearby.  They prey on any animals or humanoids that come too close, and only require such a meal about once a week, thought they'll always save some for later, in their rather prodigious webs.
| OutOfCombat = Hairy Spiders, and the swarms they are fond of becoming, can live nearly anywhere &mdash; in forests, shrubbery, amidst crops, attics, basements, sewers, caves, dungeons, dense meadows, swamps, basically anywhere that food is likely to pass nearby.  They prey on any animals or humanoids that come too close, and only require such a meal about once a week, thought they'll always save some for later, in their rather prodigious webs.





Latest revision as of 20:30, 10 May 2021

Hairy Spider Swarm (SwarmCR 1)

Neutral - Diminutive - Vermin
Lore: Know (Nature)
2 17
Basic DC Full DC
Initiative
Initiative Icon 2.png
0
Perception:
12 +2
Passive Active
Ambush:
10+
on a d20

Senses:

Movement Types:

Defense

AC
Shield Icon 3.png
14
Man Def
Shield Icon 3.png
15
Monster Health
62 31 2
Hit Points Bloodied Hit Dice
Saving Throws
Fort: +0
Refl: +0
Will: +0

Strong Against:

  • (Swarm Role) Hardened (½ damage): slashing (physical, common), piercing (physical, common)
  • (Swarm Role) Immune (no effect): Critical Hits and Flanking
  • (Swarm Role) Immune (no effect): Any attack that targets Maneuver Defense
  • (Swarm Role) Immune (no effect): Any spell that targets a specific number of creatures, except mind-affecting spells (if this creature has an Int score).
  • (Mindless) Immune (no effect): all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, fear, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms)

Weak Against:

  • (Swarm Role) Vulnerable (1.5x damage): area of effect spells (including Channel Divinity)

Offense

Size: Diminutive
10 ft. 0 ft.
Space Reach
To-Hit
+3
Sword Icon 3.png
Man Off
+3
Sword Icon 3.png
Action
0
Points
  • (Component Creatures: 1 ft. / 0 ft.)

Standard Attack (Melee):

  • 1x Spider Bite (Swarm -- Auto-Hit) (1d4/19-20 x2)
    as piercing (physical, common)
    Spider Venom

Full Attack (Melee):

  • 1x Spider Bite (Swarm -- Auto-Hit) (1d4/19-20 x2)
    as piercing (physical, common)
    Spider Venom

Standard Attack (Ranged):

Full Attack (Ranged):

Siege Damage: Not siege capable

Statistics

1
STR
17
DEX
10
CON
INT
10
WIS
2
CHA

Skills:

Languages:

Feats:

Special Abilities

Spider Venom (Ex) Automatic

Any damage inflicted by a Hairy Spider has a chance to inflict a weak poison:

Spider Venom    (Injury vector; Tainted intensity)
Save: Fort DC 14;     Frequency: 1/round for 3 rounds
Effect: 1d2 STR Dilution and 1d4 poison (physical, uncommon) per interval
Fruition: none
Fruition Duration: n/a

Personal Space Issues (Ex; Swarm Role) Automatic After Damage
Any living creature that takes damage from a swarm also becomes Distracted. While sharing a space with the swarm, affected creatures cannot get rid of the Distracted condition. At the end of any of an affected creature's turn in which they are outside of the swarm's space, the Distraction condition automatically ends. However, it is re-applied if they take further damage from the swarm.

Sum of the Parts (Ex; Swarm Role) Always On
Swarms, troops, and hordes follow the squeezing rules based on their component creature size, NOT the size of the swarm, troop, or horde as a whole. This means these groups of creatures can easily move through doorways that are sized appropriately to their component creature sizes. They can even stop in such spaces without suffering squeezing penalties. In such cases, the swarm's shape is unaffected, except that its space excludes any blocked spaces. That is, its space doesn't deform into a non-square shape, it's just treated as not occupying any blocked spaces within its space. This means it cannot threaten through blocked spaces, since it isn't technically occupying them.

Multiple swarms, troops, and hordes can share the same squares without squeezing or movement penalties. They can move through, and even stop on top of (or within) the spaces of other swarms, troops, or hordes.

Swarms, troops, and hordes can also move over, through, and into spaces occupied by enemy creatures without provoking attacks of opportunity, even if they pass through or leave a threatened square. Furthermore, creatures inside the space of a swarm, troop, or horde are treated as flanked while they remain in that space (though this doesn't usually matter much, since swarms, troops, and hordes automatically hit with their attacks).

Finally, a maximum of two swarms, troops, or hordes can attack a single given creature in a round, even if more than two swarms, troops, or hordes are threatening that creature. There simply isn't enough surface area of the enemy creature for more attacks to be inflicted.

Hairy Spider

Hairy Spider Swarm

This creature possesses the Swarm role, and therefore counts as 2 monsters for purposes of encounter size, XP award, and treasure.

This monster frequently has the Swarm role, but may be set to other roles if desired.

Hairy Spider is the name given to dozens of kinds of monstrous spiders that can be found all over the world. The name is not very descriptive, as 'hairy' spiders come in all sorts of varieties, and some kinds aren't even very fuzzy. But to the panicked eyes of adventurers, guards, and civilians who have stumbled upon one of these gigantic spiders, they all look alike: legs and eyes and fangs, scuttling and hairy.

Now, 'gigantic' is a poor choice of words. It is possible to find spiders out in the bad parts of the world that are big enough to step over castle walls. Hairy spiders are rarely bigger than your face. But.... They are spiders...as BIG AS YOUR FACE. For many beginning adventurers, that's plenty huge to merit a scary tale at the tavern later. Assuming you survive...

Hairy spiders hunt all manner of things such as bugs, mice, and squirrels. As a result, they can be found in ones and twos and six-packs almost anywhere.

Far worse is when they gather together. Hairy Spiders are prone to bunch up into huge swarms, and that's even scarier than just one that you find hiding in your boot in the morning.

Massive swarms of hairy spiders are occasional hazards encountered in dark and abandoned places. Individual spiders of this size are of no great threat to a prepared adventurer, although they can still give one a good startle, and bad luck can see one defeat even a doughty sort. Several thousand spiders packed atop one another in a seething mass of scuttling legs and poisonous fangs?

That's enough to threaten any adventurer and startle just about anybody.

Combat Tactics

Hairy Spiders, in all their varieties, are mean, territorial little things. They will attack you if you get too close, that's almost guaranteed. They will lurk, using their good stealth, and when you are too close to easily evade, they will move in and start biting. Once they begin attacking, they will not stop, being remarkably driven by their instincts. In individual numbers or small groups, these attacks are bad enough, but Hairy Spiders are prone to forming huge swarms, as if they aren't scary enough on their own.

Spider swarms lurk, hiding, then rush to the attack just like individual spiders do, but spider swarms wish to engulf you. They will charge as fast as they can to get into the space of their prey. About the only 'tactic' they use is their fondness for crawling on ceilings. Whenever possible a spider swarm will crawl up to a ceiling and drop onto victims as a sudden rain of leggy creepy crawlers. Bleah.

Note that multiple swarms can move into, stop and occupy up to half the spaces that other swarms occupy. No more than two swarms can inflict effects on a single target.

Out of Combat

Hairy Spiders, and the swarms they are fond of becoming, can live nearly anywhere — in forests, shrubbery, amidst crops, attics, basements, sewers, caves, dungeons, dense meadows, swamps, basically anywhere that food is likely to pass nearby. They prey on any animals or humanoids that come too close, and only require such a meal about once a week, thought they'll always save some for later, in their rather prodigious webs.

Rewards

XP: 800 (Swarm role included.)

Treasure: Sellable Goods worth 438 gp.

Weight: 20 lbs.     Volume: 0.8 cu. ft.

Optional Treasure Rules: Roll a d20 on Table 1 below once per encounter (NOT per creature). Any items discovered are in addition to the normal treasure for the encounter.

Table 1: Remnant(s) Found
1 - 10 Nothing Found
11 - 14 1 Languid Remnant (tier 1)
15 - 17 1 Pale Remnant (tier 2)
18 - 19 1 Bright Remnant (tier 3)
20 Roll on Table 2
### Nothing to see here!
### Or here. Move along.
Table 2: Remnant(s) Found
1 - 5 3 Languid Remnants (tier 1)
6 - 10 3 Pale Remnants (tier 2)
11 - 14 1 Intense Remnant (tier 4)
15 - 17 1 Blazing Remnant (tier 5)
18 - 19 1 Vital Remnant (tier 6)
20 Roll on Table 3
### Or here. Move along.
Table 3: Remnant(s) Found
1 - 5 3 Bright Remnants (tier 3)
6 - 8 3 Intense Remnants (tier 4)
9 - 11 3 Blazing Remnants (tier 5)
12 - 14 3 Vital Remnants (tier 6)
15 - 17 1 Prime Remnant (tier 7)
18 - 19 1 Mythic Remnant (tier 8)
20 1 Empyrean Remnant (tier 9)