King spiders

King Spiders are similar to but unlike the Giant Spiders of Mirkwood. They do not build large webs but rather dig deep pits, 2-3 ft wide and 8-10 ft deep. A King Spider caps this pit with a lid cleverly woven from a small amount of spider-silk, disguising the covering with leaves and other vegetation so that it is extremely hard (-30) to detect. Victims falling through the lid receive one to three +25 short sword attacks from the strong, knife-like silk tendrils. The pits are usually built on slopes. They support no more than 40 pounds of weight.

The King Spider, who has been waiting in a small side passage, leaps upon the victim and biles it, injecting its special poison, Kennesank. If the victim dies, the spider will eat it. If not, the thrifty spider saves the meal. If it is a female who has recently mated, she may lay 6-12 eggs on top of the helpless prey and leave, sealing the hole more sturdily behind her. In two days, when the spiderlings hatch, they will spend three weeks living on the food left behind by their moth.