Arachnarok Spider

Arachnarok Spider are amongst the largest and most formidable creatures to ever plague the forest lands of the Old World, so large and terrifying that it can beat a Giant into submission and carry a small platform that teems with droves of Forest Goblin warriors. Arachnarok Spiders are the largest breeds of spiders in the world, growing to such a size that it can grow bigger than even an Empire townhouse. In ages past, Arachnarok Spiders that lives in the forest have been known to stalk and entrap whole Beastmen herds into its ravenous mouth, or fight and kill larger prey such as the fearsome Giant or even the legendary Cygor in combat. Once the large prey was subdued with flesh-dissolving venom, the Arachnarok Spider would begin to drink up the liquefied innards of its paralyzed, but still living quarry. Man-sized victims are often wrapped into web-casings by the hundreds, where they begin to dissolve within a matter of hours by the highly potent venom of the Arachnarok Spider. Despite its immense bulk, the great beast can work noiselessly to encircle a hamlet with webs thicker than an Orcs arm where no creature can ever hope to escape.

Since the Goblins first entered the primeval woods of the distant past, they have been prey to the spiders that dwelt within the forest for many generations. The Goblins eventually adapted to this new and harsh envoirment, becoming the precursors to the Forest Goblin tribes known today. In time, these Forest Goblins were able to push back the Spiders, and have even been able, over time, raise those clutches of Spider Eggs they've captured as pets or mounts. However, not even the largest of Forest Goblin tribes could ever hope to stem the onslaught of the Arachnarok Spider. The Goblins reasoned that since the powerful arachnids could not be defeated, perhaps they could be appeased. In time, eight-legged totems festooned with webbed skulls began to appear alongside the traditional idols of Gork and Mork. Eventually, even their Shamans were given visions about the Spiders, and have since turned to worshiping them as Gods of the Forest. The tribes followed their Shamans in supplicating themselves to this worship, resulting in the creation of the Spider Kult.

As time went on, it soon became apparent that this ploy worked, for it would seem that Arachnarok Spiders that venture towards a Forest Goblin tribe have been seen to wander away once it sees the camp surrounded by Spider-totems. Some have even been known to simply creep to the edge of the fire-lit clearings to watch the Forest Goblins weave the spider-dance and offer up gifts and offerings of warm blood to appease the now god-worshiping creature. Although these attempts failed in trying to control the Arachnarok Spider for the tribes own use, it wasn't until the Forest Goblin Shamans found the mystical properties of the small Purple Skullback spiders that the first attempt have been met with success. By chewing on the bulbous, plum-coloured spiders, the Shaman will either die a twitching horrible death or enter into a trance-like state where he would begin to commune with the Arachnarok Spider and bind it to his will.

With that moment, the ravenous depredation of the Arachnarok Spider were ended and the Forest Goblins Shamans learned that, with enough bribes of fresh blood, they could call out the beast to work the tribes bidding. This has since made the Forest Goblin tribes to settle themselves near the lairs of these spiders, where they may coaxed the massive behemoth into combat with offerings of warm blood and sacrifices. Eventually, these massive Spider began to grow tolerant of the Forest Goblins, going as far as to treat the small Forest Goblins as young broodlings that needed to be carried upon their spiny backs. Ever since then, these massive Spiders have been known to crawl towards the battlefield by the encouragement of a Shaman, where their immense bulk turns the creature into a living battering ram that can smash through enemy formations while a warband of Goblin archers shoot a hail of crude arrows from within an elevated rickety platform on the spiders back.

Source

 * Warhammer Armies: Orcs and Goblins (8th Edition) -- pg. 50 - 51