Spider

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A kind of Giant Spider.[3a]

Spiders are a family of arachnids commonly found across the forests and caves of the Warhammer world.[1a][5]

Overview

Enormous variability cam be found across this widespread group, owing both generally to geographical distribution and particularly to the effects of Chaos exposure.[9b] A similar bodyplan defines spiders, with eight legs supporting a head, thorax, and abdomen, but nearly everything else is variable, from colors and patterns to features as fundamental as number of pairs of eyes.[2][7] Possibly their greatest variable is size. Most spiders are tiny, ranging from smaller than a pea[12a] to the size of a rat or a man’s palm.[1b][2] Some species, however, grow much larger, like the pony-sized Giant Spider,[7] Troll-sized Gigantic Spider,[7] and the largest of all, the Arachnarok Spider, whose bulk rivals that of Dragons[1a] and Imperial townhouses.[6b]

Whether spiders are or can be intelligent is unclear. They can certainly communicate with one another[10] and some with members of other species in simple terms,[6b] and it’s not unheard of for their actions to be attributed to malice or hatred. Still, at least most examples are little more than animals, subject to their own instincts.[6b][9a][10]

Diet and Behavior

Variability is also seen in spider’s behaviors. Many of the smallest species live in swarms of many individuals,[3b] something also observed in pack-oriented Giant Spiders,[7] some of whose packs revolve around queens.[3a] The largest species, like Cave Spiders, all tend towards solitary lifestyles, only rarely coming together for the purposes of producing the next generation.[5][6c][7]

Although all spiders are predators, given this diversity it’s no surprise that diets vary. Small game like birds and foxes are common quarry, while larger spiders are known to drag off livestock like pigs, goats and sheep[9a] - the latter giving rise to the myth that consuming wool and cotton is how they create their webs.[2] Humanoids of many races often form considerable portions of a spider’s diet, including Goblins,[6b] Ungor,[12b] and Humans.[2] The biggest spiders can trap and consume Giants, Cygors, and entire herds of Beastmen[7] and completely depopulate forest villages.[6b]

Universally relentless hunters, spiders obtain prey through ambush or use of their webs, with unique cases like giant trapdoor spiders combining the two.[8] Most, however, will simply use their mandibles to kill foes, their bites strong enough to pierce platemail.[6a] Not all species are venomous but it is a common trait.[5] Their poison can act like a hallucinogen,[12a] paralytic,[4], or solvent, and can be incorporated into webs, allowing them to dissolve trapped prey as effectively as if it had been bitten.[6b]

Uses

A great many uses have been found for various spiders. Their flesh can be pried out and eaten,[1a] carapace made into strong armour or ornaments,[11][12a] weapons crafted from fangs,[6c] clothing made from spider silk,[14] and spells use their body parts as components.[13b] They are kept as pets,[1a] ridden as mounts,[7] and serve as trade goods.[12a] By far their most coveted use is in the creation of poisons and potions. Their venom can be extracted through milking,[12b] gland removal,[9a] or grinding up the dried remains of bite victims,[4] and Goblins,[12b] Skaven,[9a] and Humans[13a] are all known to seek it out.

Notable Varieties

Forest Goblins and the Spider-kult

Further information: Forest Goblin, Spider-kult, and Feaster from Beyond

A symbiotic relationship has developed between Forest Goblins and spiders. Both predator of and prey to the diminutive Greenskins, spiders of all kinds are incorporated throughout their society.[1a] Spider Riders serve as light cavalry and skirmishers for the tribes, able to silently move across forest canopies, skitter over city walls, and squeeze inside of open windows.[6a][7] Some are even worshiped as part of the Spider-kult of the Feaster from Beyond.[6a][7]

Sources