Spiders

Spiders are the consummate niche creatures. They readily adapt to a variety of environments and locales. One of the Valorn species listed below lives in an abandoned mine with what at first glance appears to be very little prey. They are predatory invertebrates with eight legs and two segments to their bodies. All spiders produce silk; however, only some spin elaborate webs which are used to trap their prey. Others are known as free hunters. The silk can be used not only in hunting but as a climbing aid, in bedding, wrapping prey and myriad other tasks.

Their eyes are single lens and vary in ability with some specially adapted for lower light conditions. Most spiders have eight eyes in various positions about their head. The species that tend to lie in wait for prey as opposed to hunting it down tend to have less developed vision. Instead these spiders detect vibrations and use that for hunting.

Spiders only eat their prey in liquid form. Predigestion methods vary in order to reduce prey to a liquid form. Some spiders spit fluid on their prey as they chew, reducing them to liquid. Others encase their prey in silk, inject them, and wait for the insides to liquefy, before sucking it out leaving the outer shell behind.

The spider’s circulatory system is open, making their bodies appear goo-filled when struck. In the more normal sized spiders this is not much of a concern; however the varieties discussed further here can create rather sizeable messes. Many the Adventurous returning from battle with the various spiders craves a good wash and soak. Others appear to wear the goo with a palpable sense of pride.

Spiders reproduce via eggs. Some species have elaborate mating displays. Males tend to be smaller and often bring a courting gift (bribe) to distract the female and escape afterwards.

In Valorn, some spider species migrate as they grow in size and appetite. While the young may be found one place, the adolescents and adults may be found in other places. As of this writing their form of travel is unknown. In smaller species, young often ‘kite’ away on strands of silk. None of the more sizeable Valorn versions have ever been seen to do this but there is proof that at least one species must find some way to do so.

Rock Spider

Closest in appearance to a giant Wood Spider, Sparassidae Granitus spends its time in the dark mineshafts north of Branishor. No other populations have been found in other areas, so this might be a local mutation due to the event which caused the Black Wasteland generations ago. They are a dull grey in coloration although some dull brown specimens have been recorded as well. Due to the environs, the eyesight of these spiders has atrophied and they respond more to sound and vibration. They can travel extremely rapidly, and walk on walls and ceilings in a most disconcerting manner. They generally make a threat display first, but if will attack if approached too closely.

Tiger Spider

Phoneutria Sanguinus is the true traveling spider. From observation, it appears to have as its ancestor the nocturnal wandering spider. This species has a highly venomous bite, and is found in various places across Valorn. Rumor has it the young of the species are sometimes found in the welcome center itself! Attempts to clear out the infestion have failed so far. It shares some of the same hunting niches as Stalkus Plainus but no altercations between the species have been reported.

Water Spider

Argyroneta Spinnerus is so named this due to the fact that it spends most of its time near the water. Unlike some may believe, it does need to breathe air and does not breathe water when submerged. When it submerges, it spins a tightly woven web which maintains an air reserve. The hair on its abdomen and legs also traps a thin layer of air. Of all the spider species and subspecies in Valorn, this one has the sturdiest silk. This webbing is so strong that remnants of it have been used in various clothing and human weaving as well as in decorative wristbands. So far only one population has been found in Valorn. It moves a little slower than the other spider species and appears to be a bit more fragile. It appears to have some of the smaller, true water spiders as distant relatives that spend all of their time in the water.

Derema: “No words can describe my hate for spiders!!”

Iron Knight Purazon: “Ahem, the tiny or the large ones? Never mind...Many eyes, many legs, scary cheeks.... What's to like about them. And don’t forget their hairy backs.”