A Giant Spider
A Giant Spider, formally known by scholars as Arachnidis titanicus, is a deadly arachnid hunter who can grow to be the size of a horse, easily capable of ensnaring and overwhelming a fully-grown man.[3a]
Giant Spiders are often employed as beasts of war by the armies of Kislev when they are commanded by Ungol Hag Witches, summoned and controlled by their magic, as well as the Wood Elves of Athel Loren, the Dark Elves of Naggaroth and the Greenskins, particularly by Forest Goblins.[4]
Role[]
A Giant Spider's toxic venom is deadly to all but the hardiest victim, and few survive for long once bitten. Some particularly old and powerful Giant Spiders have been known to grow as large as a house, and Forest Goblin tribes revere these ancient beasts and even ride them to war. Giant Spiders can be part of a larger brood, sometimes led by a spider queen, but they are often encountered singly or in small numbers.[1a][4]
Natural predators, they use their huge, sticky webs to ensnare their prey before feasting on them. Giant Spiders are rarely found away from the forest lair or cave where they weave their webs. Forest Goblins use the venom of Giant Spiders to concoct the deadly poisons they smear on their arrowheads and blades, and some even choose to ride these treacherous beasts into battle. Walls and battlements are of no hindrance to these Spider Riders, making them excellent troops in siege warfare.[1a][4]
Species of Giant Spiders[]
A Giant Spider as rendered for Total War: Warhammer.[4]
There are many species of Giant Spider in the Old World's forests, including Tilean Greybacks and the Scarlet Deathheads of the Great Forest. The more boreal Drakwald Mancatchers are favoured mounts of the Bloodfeathers and the Cluster-Eye tribes of Forest Goblins.[2a]
All species of Giant Spiders typically grow to be as large as a horse, and are feared for their venomous bites and strong, sharp mandibles that can pierce even well-forged steel plate armour. Forest Goblins hand-rear them and, when fully grown, they accept these Goblins as riders.[2a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: The Creature's Guide (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 18
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: The Cluster-Eye Tribe (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 6
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: The Enemy Within (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 134
- 4: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
Gallery[]
