MALE STEEDER – 5e stats

Medium monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +2 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
15 (+2)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	2 (-4)	10 (+0)	3 (-4)

Skills Stealth +5, Perception +4
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages –
Challenge 1/4 (50 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 wal king speed that it spends on the jump allows it to jump 3 feet.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) poison damage.
• Sticky Leg. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Small or Tiny 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.

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DESCRIPTION

A male steeder is a large, eight-legged creature that resembles a cross between a spider and a horse. It has a sleek, black body covered with chitinous plates, and a pair of mandibles that can deliver a venomous bite. Its eyes are red and glow in the dark, giving it excellent vision in dark environments. A male steeder can excrete a sticky substance from its legs that allows it to climb on walls and ceilings, as well as to grapple its prey. A male steeder is intelligent enough to learn simple hand signals and vocal commands, but even a domesticated steeder might turn against its handler if provoked or mistreated.

COMBAT

A male steeder is a fast and agile combatant, capable of leaping great distances and surprising its enemies with its spider-like abilities. It prefers to ambush its prey from above or behind, using its sticky leg to restrain them and then biting them with its venomous mandibles. A male steeder’s venom can cause intense pain and paralysis, making it easier for the steeder to finish off its victim or drag it away. A male steeder can also use its sticky leg to fling objects or creatures at its foes, or to create obstacles or traps in its environment. A male steeder is loyal to its rider, but will not hesitate to attack anyone or anything that threatens it or its bond.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

A male steeder is native to the Underdark, where it lives in dark and damp caverns. It hunts for food in the shadows, avoiding larger predators and competing with other subterranean creatures. A male steeder is solitary by nature, only seeking out a mate during the breeding season. A female steeder lays a clutch of eggs in a hidden nest, and then leaves them to hatch on their own. A male steeder does not care for its offspring, and may even eat them if it encounters them later. A male steeder can be trained by drow or other Underdark dwellers as a mount or a guard animal, but it requires a strong bond with its handler and constant reinforcement of its obedience. A male steeder can also be found in other dark and underground places, such as dungeons, sewers, or mines.

ECOLOGY

A male steeder is a carnivorous creature that feeds on smaller animals, such as rats, bats, insects, or fish. It can also scavenge on carrion or dead bodies, but it prefers fresh meat. A male steeder can go for long periods without food or water, relying on its natural resilience and adaptation to harsh environments. A male steeder has few natural predators, but it may fall prey to larger or more powerful creatures, such as dragons, beholders, or mind flayers. A male steeder can also be killed by adventurers or hunters who seek its venom or chitin for various purposes