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[[File:Shield Spider by Enuryn.png|thumb|300px|Shield Spider, by [[Fanworks/Enuryn|Enuryn]]<br/>(Commissioned by [[Pirateaba]])|alt=]] | [[File:Shield Spider by Enuryn.png|thumb|300px|Shield Spider, by [[Fanworks/Enuryn|Enuryn]]<br/>(Commissioned by [[Pirateaba]])|alt=]] | ||
'''Shield Spiders''' are one of the most dangerous monsters found in the [[Floodplains]]. | '''Shield Spiders''' are one of the most dangerous monsters found in the [[Floodplains]], but also in other places of [[Izril]]. | ||
== Appearance == | == Appearance == | ||
Shield Spiders are large spiders that have a black and silver pattern on their carapace which gives them an appearance of being armored, hence the name. This armor | Shield Spiders are large spiders that have a black and silver pattern on their carapace which gives them an appearance of being armored, hence the name. This armor doesn't cover only the back, but also their legs.<ref name="1.29"/> The abdomen carapace is weaker. | ||
Shield Spiders can grow to any proportions given enough time, so that there is no "usual" or "normal" size for them. While a three | Being monsters, Shield Spiders can grow to any proportions given enough time, so that there is no "usual" or "normal" size for them. While a three feet tall mature Shield Spider can be called a "large" specimen, individual spiders can grow to the size of two wagons,<ref name="6.30"/> or twice the size of considerable buildings.<ref name="5.28">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/13/5-28/ Chapter 5.28]</ref> | ||
Shield Spider blood is a pale blue ichor.<ref name="4.49"/> | Shield Spider blood is a pale blue ichor.<ref name="4.49"/> | ||
=== Reproduction === | === Reproduction === | ||
Shield | Shield spiders lay eggs in eggs sacs, the size of each sac depending on the mother's age: In average, a spider lays a few hundred eggs in one sac, older spiders may produce thousands. After having filled on sac, they produce the next.<ref name="6.30">[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/07/13/6-30/ Chapter 6.30]</ref> | ||
Their eggs are white and small, a baby spider not much larger than a spider on Earth. However, they are as dangerous as adult ones, if they come in numbers.<ref name="1.29"/> | |||
Shield | Shield spiders are active all around the year, even in winter,<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/05/10/2-01-t/ Chapter 2.01 T]</ref><ref name="3.22L"/> but the season when they spawn excessively is spring.<ref name="6.30"/> | ||
=== Nests === | === Nests === | ||
Shield Spiders | ''Nests'' of Shield Spiders, also called ''Pits'' are covered with a camouflaged layer. Inside of a the nest, there is usually a whole population of spider generations waiting for prey to fall into the trap, with these spiders having all kinds of sizes, from tiny hatchlings to several foot sized specimens. Often, there is one dominant, large spider which might be called the ''matriarch''<ref name="6.30"/> of her nest. Normally, they come in nests of at least fifty, or as many as three hundred.<ref name="3.22L">[https://wanderinginn.wordpress.com/2017/10/10/3-22-l/ Chapter 3.22 L]</ref> | ||
The shield spider pits can be hidden in different surroundings, usually held together by their sticky spiderweb<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/07/24/5-05/ Chapter 5.05 mentions glue crafted from webs]</ref>: Within the floodplains, the spiders camouflage the pit with a layer of dirt, dead grass and sticks that collapses when the prey walks over the nest.<ref name="1.29"/> Prey includes Rats, Rabbits, [[Corusdeer]], [[Fortress Beavers]] and travellers.<ref name="6.30"/> | |||
Eggs laid in the late season of the year | Eggs laid in the late season of the year are providing a problem in the Floodplains in early spring, when they hatch. | ||
Shield | Shield spiders can be territorial and kill conspecifics from rivaling nests.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/10/12/6-48-t/ Chapter 6.48 T]</ref> | ||
=== Powers/Abilities === | === Powers/Abilities === | ||
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They are considered to be a Silver-rank threat, while a nest of them might even lead to the notification of a Gold-rank team. Their carapace is extremely tough and can resist acid and steel blades, while their bite is so poisonous that not even a Healing Potion could cure it.<ref name="1.29"/> | They are considered to be a Silver-rank threat, while a nest of them might even lead to the notification of a Gold-rank team. Their carapace is extremely tough and can resist acid and steel blades, while their bite is so poisonous that not even a Healing Potion could cure it.<ref name="1.29"/> | ||
[[Rags]]' tribe could clear out smaller | [[Rags]]' tribe could clear out smaller spider pits with few casualties even before she migrated out of the area of Liscor, provided that there were at least two Hobgoblins and enough goblins present.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/05/21/2-02-g/ Chapter 2.02 G]</ref> | ||
=== Weaknesses === | === Weaknesses === | ||
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Acid works rather slow against their thick armor, although it can corrode the joints once it gets into there.<ref name="1.29"/> | Acid works rather slow against their thick armor, although it can corrode the joints once it gets into there.<ref name="1.29"/> | ||
While spiders are not known for being noisy, Shield Spiders scream when they die<ref name="1.29"/> or when | While spiders are not known for being noisy, Shield Spiders scream when they die<ref name="1.29"/> or when they are provoked.<ref name="5.06M">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/07/27/5-06-m/ Chapter 5.06 M]</ref> | ||
== Habitat around Liscor == | == Habitat around Liscor == | ||
Shield Spiders are can be found in the [[Floodplains]], where they are a major danger most of the year. Other parts of Izril where they occur are the Gnoll Plains.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/06/09/2-28/ Chapter 2.28]</ref> | Shield Spiders are can be found in the [[Floodplains]], where they are a major danger most of the year. Other parts of Izril where they occur are the Gnoll Plains.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/06/09/2-28/ Chapter 2.28]</ref> | ||
They are a pest in the muddy valleys around [[Liscor]] shortly after the flood period ends, and are exterminated each year in an event referred to as the annual spring culling. The backbone of | They are growing to be a pest in the muddy valleys around [[Liscor]] shortly after the flood period ends, and are exterminated each year in an event that is referred to as the annual spring culling. The backbone of that spider hunt are Liscor's adventurers and the City Guard, but Antinium soldiers or the military may also compete in this event.<ref name="6.30"/><ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/07/30/interlude-numbtongue-pt-1/ Interlude Numbtongue Pt. 1]</ref> While the culling in the first year of Painted Antinium participation was especially successful, the Spider Mating was also greatly enhanced after various events that provided enough prey for them.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/06/29/6-29/ Chapter 6.29]</ref> | ||
However, forays against Shield Spiders can be done all around the year; [[Ilvriss Gemscale|Ilvriss]] for example went out to clear out a few spider pits before the season started, when he was bored.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/05/17/4-36-o/ Chapter 4.36 O]</ref> | |||
== Usage == | == Usage == | ||
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When Shield Spider chitin is mixed with [[Acid Flies|Acid Fly]] acid, it creates a glue or tough resin. This tough Shield Spider goo was used to assemble Shield Spider Armor in Liscor.<ref name=":0" /> | When Shield Spider chitin is mixed with [[Acid Flies|Acid Fly]] acid, it creates a glue or tough resin. This tough Shield Spider goo was used to assemble Shield Spider Armor in Liscor.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
The | The Adventurers Guild of [[Liscor]] has a bounty on them of an average of eleven pieces of silver per Shield Spider slain and will pay more for their bodies...<ref name="1.30"/> That is, unbroken carapaces, broken or burnt ones are worth much less.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/12/21/1-32/ Chapter 1.32], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/09/5-27/ Chapter 5.27]</ref> | ||
[[Selys Shivertail]] and probably other Adventurers know how to drain the venom of a dead Shield Spider, indicating that this is another usage for their bodies.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/05/03/2-19/ Chapter 2.19]</ref> | |||
Erin has expressed her intention to make a meal out of Shield Spiders, but has not followed through since.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/05/04/6-13-k/ Chapter 6.13 K]</ref><!-- or has she?--> [[Garry]] the Antinium cook has however already gone there and done that, having presented a Stuffed Shield Spider abdomen with lentils and fried eggs to [[Free Queen|his Queen]].<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/30/5-33-b/ Chapter 5.33 B]</ref> | Erin has expressed her intention to make a meal out of Shield Spiders, but has not followed through since.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/05/04/6-13-k/ Chapter 6.13 K]</ref><!-- or has she?--> [[Garry]] the Antinium cook has however already gone there and done that, having presented a Stuffed Shield Spider abdomen with lentils and fried eggs to [[Free Queen|his Queen]].<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/30/5-33-b/ Chapter 5.33 B]</ref> | ||
=== As Pets === | === As Pets === | ||
Shield | Shield spiders can't be tamed unless by a very experienced [Beastmaster].<ref name="1.29"/> One Goblin tribe under the command of the [Goblin Lord], namely their chieftain [[Blacktide]], had taken to use living tamed Shield Spiders as mounts.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/10/03/3-20-t/ Chapter 3.20 T], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/05/22/4-38-n/ Chapter 4.38 B], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/06/16/4-46/ Chapter 4.46]</ref> That particular tribe was last prominently seen during the Battle of Invrisil.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/06/29/4-48/ Chapter 4.48]</ref> | ||
[Necromancers] can try and use dead shield spiders. [[Pisces]] is known to employ tiny undead shield spiders as spies<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/02/06/4-10/ Chapter 4.10], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/05/19/4-37-o/ Chapter 4.37 O], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/06/5-26-l/ Chapter 5.26 L]</ref>; while [[Reiss]] used a very large undead Shield Spider as his mount,<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/20/5-30-g/ Chapter 5.30 G], [https://wanderinginn.com/2019/01/08/5-51-g/ Chapter 5.51 G]</ref> after [[Zel Shivertail]] killed it.<ref name="4.49">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/07/07/4-49/ Chapter 4.49]</ref> | [Necromancers] can try and use dead shield spiders. [[Pisces]] is known to employ tiny undead shield spiders as spies<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/02/06/4-10/ Chapter 4.10], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/05/19/4-37-o/ Chapter 4.37 O], [https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/06/5-26-l/ Chapter 5.26 L]</ref>; while [[Reiss]] used a very large undead Shield Spider as his mount,<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/20/5-30-g/ Chapter 5.30 G], [https://wanderinginn.com/2019/01/08/5-51-g/ Chapter 5.51 G]</ref> after [[Zel Shivertail]] killed it.<ref name="4.49">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/07/07/4-49/ Chapter 4.49]</ref> | ||
[[Revi | [[Revi]] the [Summoner] has captured the spirit of a Shield Spider as a tool to fight for her.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/05/14/6-16/ Chapter 6.16]</ref> | ||
== Trivia == | == Trivia == | ||
* The Antinium ''hate'' spiders; even the dead ones make the Workers very agitated.<ref name="1.30">[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/12/07/1-30/ Chapter 1.30]</ref> This may have to do with the fact that the Antinium nutrition sludge includes Shield Spiders<ref name="6.30"/>, but also that the Antinium regularly battle the spiders underground. | * The Antinium ''hate'' spiders; even the dead ones make the Workers very agitated.<ref name="1.30">[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/12/07/1-30/ Chapter 1.30]</ref> This may have to do with the fact that the Antinium nutrition sludge includes Shield Spiders<ref name="6.30"/>, but also that the Antinium regularly battle the spiders underground. | ||
* After | * After she cleared out a nest early in her career as an [Innkeeper], Erin lost respect of Shield Spiders as a serious threat.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/07/08/2-35/ Chapter 2.35]</ref> | ||
* [[Liscor's Dungeon]] has a large pit (a mile-deep vertical drop) with hundred's of thousands of enormous Shield Spiders - that is one of the (as currently assumed: five) main monster caverns (or monster silos).<ref name="5.28"/> Another one held [[Face-Eater Moths]]. The Shield Spider Cavern was sealed from the Dungeon proper by the [[Halfseekers]] and [[Griffon Hunt]] with a magically-raised wall.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/16/5-29/ Chapter 5.29]</ref> | * [[Liscor's Dungeon]] has a large pit (a mile-deep vertical drop) with hundred's of thousands of enormous Shield Spiders - that is one of the (as currently assumed: five) main monster caverns (or monster silos).<ref name="5.28"/> Another one held [[Face-Eater Moths]]. The Shield Spider Cavern was sealed from the Dungeon proper by the [[Halfseekers]] and [[Griffon Hunt]] with a magically-raised wall.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/16/5-29/ Chapter 5.29]</ref> | ||
* Shield Spiders will | * Shield Spiders will instinctual abandon their prey when faced with the threat of [[Crelers]] and even fight together with other species against this threat.<ref name="5.06M"/> | ||
* Erin | * Erin wouldn't believe that [[Toren]] pushed [[Lyonette]] into shield spider nests to terrorize her. Which he did.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/05/14/2-21/ Chapter 2.21]</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||