Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 30 (4d10 + 8)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 2 (-4) | 10 (+0) | 3 (-5) |
Skills Stealth +7, Perception +4
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Spider Climb. The steeder can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Extraordinary Leap. The distance of the steeder’s long jumps is tripled; every foot of its walking speed that it spends on the jump allows it to move 3 feet.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) poison damage.
- Sticky Leg. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Medium or smaller creature. Hit: The target is stuck to the steeder’s leg and grappled until it escapes (escape DC 12) . The steeder can have only one creature grappled at a time.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A female steeder is a large, eight-legged monstrosity that resembles a giant spider. It has a dark, chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of mandibles, and four eyes that glow red in the dark. Unlike most spiders, it does not spin webs or use venom, but instead relies on its speed, agility, and sticky secretions to hunt and capture prey. It can also leap great distances and climb on any surface, even upside down.
Female steeders are often encountered in the company of duergar, who use them as mounts and companions. Duergar kavalrachni are specially trained cavalry who ride female steeders into battle, using their stealth and mobility to surprise and overwhelm their enemies. Female steeders are loyal and obedient to their duergar masters, who treat them with respect and care.
COMBAT
Female steeders are fierce and cunning predators that use their extraordinary leap ability to close the distance with their prey. They can jump up to 90 feet horizontally or 30 feet vertically, landing on their target with great force. They then use their mandibles to bite and grapple their prey, sticking them to their legs with a sticky goo. The steeder can have only one creature grappled at a time, but it can drag it along as it moves or jumps.
Female steeders have a natural armor that protects them from most attacks, but they are vulnerable to fire and acid. They also have darkvision that allows them to see in the dark up to 120 feet, and they are proficient in stealth and perception. They can communicate with each other and with duergar using a series of clicks and hisses.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Female steeders are native to the Underdark, where they prowl the dark caverns and tunnels in search of food. They are solitary hunters, but they sometimes form temporary alliances with other female steeders or duergar for mutual benefit. Female steeders grow larger and stronger than males, and they often devour the male after breeding. They lay eggs in hidden nests, where they guard them until they hatch.
Female steeders have a symbiotic relationship with duergar, who value them as mounts and allies. Duergar breed and train female steeders from birth, bonding with them through a ritual that involves sharing blood. Duergar respect female steeders as equals, not as slaves or pets, and they reward them with food, shelter, and affection. Female steeders are loyal and obedient to their duergar masters, but they will not hesitate to attack anyone who threatens them or their bond.
ECOLOGY
Female steeders are carnivorous creatures that feed on any living thing they can catch and kill. They prefer fresh meat, but they will scavenge corpses if necessary. They have a fast metabolism that allows them to digest their food quickly and efficiently. They do not produce waste, but instead secrete a sticky substance that they use to trap and grapple their prey.
Female steeders have a significant impact on the ecology of the Underdark, as they are apex predators that control the population of other creatures. They also provide transportation and protection for duergar, who rely on them for survival in the harsh environment. Female steeders are adaptable and resilient creatures that can thrive in almost any condition.