(Read about the spider that uses its web to shoot itself faster than a rocket.) Spiders in the Theridiosomatidae family build conical webs that can fire a spider at nearby prey like a slingshot, while ogre-faced spiders nab their meals with hand-held nets. Black widow webs are messy affairs, while funnel webs and lampshade webs can resemble three-dimensional sculptures. There are horizontal sheet webs that catch falling prey and vertical latticework webs that intercept flying prey. A common orb-web, for example, may contain at least four different kinds, each adding a different component, such as strength, flexibility, and stickiness.Įquipped with such a versatile material, spiders have evolved to create a wondrous assortment of webs. Some spiders can produce more than one type of silk. Actually a protein created by special organs known as spinnerets, spider silk can be used for transportation, shelter, courtship, and all kinds of creative ways to trap prey. As a result, steeders were far more intelligent than their ancestors.Spider silk is one of the most versatile materials on Earth. Steeders were selectively bred by the duergar from giant hunting spiders that were common in the Underdark. Once hatched, a newborn steeder reached maturity within six months. They tolerated each other during mating, but afterwards the female devoured the male. Ecology įemale steeders were both larger and stronger than males. Many temples of Laduguer included large stables used to care for and breed steeders. An experienced steeder trainer could charge up to 1,000 gp for their services. Steeders had to be properly trained and a steeder trainer was considered a professional trade among the duergar. By the 1370s DR, the sale of steeder eggs was permitted to non-duergar races. There was demand for steeder eggs, with an individual egg fetching up to 500 gp at the market. Connected to this saddle was a complicated system of prods and straps, which allowed the duergar to control and direct the steeder. A duergar rode on the back of the steeder in a specialized saddle made from leather. Unlike other dray animals, steeders would not pull a wagon. A steeder was able to transport between 300‒900 lb (140‒410 kg) of cargo or equipment. Female steeders were used in battle while the smaller males were used to transport cargo. Steeders were domesticated by the duergar and employed as mounts. Steeders were capable of being trained to respond to both hand and verbal commands. Due to this, they are stabled in individual stalls and blinders were used when more than one steeder was used in a caravan or battle group. A steeder would instantly attempt to attack another steeder. Steeders were predatory and aggressive, even to one another. Steeders walked on ceilings and walls using a sticky substance secreted from the base of their legs. Steeders had the innate ability to duplicate the effects of the invisibility spell once per day, which also affected their duergar rider. It was originally reported steeders lacked a venomous bite, but later accounts stated they did have one. They were also able to survive a drop of up to 24 ft (7.3 m). They were capable of leaping 24‒30 ft (7.3‒9.1 m) in any direction. Thanks to their strong legs, steeders were excellent jumpers. Steeders instinctively used their mandibles to bite a target. Combat Ī common tactic used by duergar cavalry was to ambush a target and charge in, using the steeder's mass to smash a target against a wall or push them over a cliff. They had eight powerful legs and large mandibles. Their bodies were covered in a fine fur that varied in color. Steeders were giant spiders, sharing many physical characteristics of their smaller cousins.
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