Sporeweaver

In a massively polluted world, an arachnid has mutated with the ability to purify their environments. Jumping spiders have evolved due to the presence of chemicals in the soil, transforming them into creatures now known as "sporeweavers". Sporeweavers, also known as leshies in some cultures, serve an important ecological role in uninhabitable portions of the world. They have a symbiotic relationship with the local fungi, helping them thrive in these otherwise deadly regions. Working in tandem with the fungi, sporeweavers aid in the detoxification of their environments, slowly making these regions habitable for other creatures. They can consume all kinds of matter, including pollutants and other mutated organisms. Any toxins that may prove harmful to the host spider are absorbed by their fungal companions, giving them an added layer of protection against man-made dangers.

Basic Information

Anatomy

While massive in size compared to other spiders, sporeweavers are no bigger than a small dog. They have eight long legs that are covered with fine hairs that help them move through their environments with ease. Their front legs are larger than their back legs, giving them an almost crab-like posture. They have four pairs of eyes, the central pair being the largest and most noticeable. The sporeweaver's exoskeleton is covered in patches of moss and fungal growths, which gives them the appearance of a fairy-tale creature. It's how they earned the name "leshy". Several fungi and the spiders have a mutually beneficial relationship; the fungi are able to disperse their spores over long distances and the spiders have an added form of nourishment and protection on their bodies.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sporeweavers have quickly adapted to a life among pollution, and therefore, they can eat anything and everything. Even man-made objects aren't safe from a hungry sporeweaver, though they tend to prefer plant matter if given the choice. Sporeweavers digest things externally. They regurgitate their stomach fluids on whatever they intend to eat. Their stomach fluid is quite caustic and is capable of breaking down pollutants, turning all sources of food into a soupy mess that they consume. Their fungal companions allow them to ingest chemicals and toxins without the risk of dying or becoming seriously ill. In a way, sporeweavers are nature's traveling trash compactors.
Sporeweavers, due to their unique abilities, are purifying the lands around them. While the process is slow, several uninhabitable zones have pockets of fresh plant life left in the wake of a passing sporeweaver. It's unknown as to whether their preference for plant matter is natural or a result of their fungal growths influencing them.

Behaviour

Sporeweavers are docile and surprisingly friendly at times. Their appearance makes them a subject of fear for many, but sporeweavers are not known for showing aggressive behavior towards other creatures. For the most part, they keep to themselves. They may seem to wander aimlessly, but the path a sporeweaver walks is carefully chosen with consideration given to potential sources of danger and even the weather. During stormy weather, sporeweavers prefer to stay on higher ground to avoid injuries or drowning. When the rain has subsided, sporeweavers will scramble for the mud in search of sustenance, particularly worms and overwatered plants.
These arachnids are naturally curious despite being somewhat skittish. They will follow and observe other creatures, especially humans, from a distance. While they are docile, they are not defenseless. Sporeweavers will bite if they feel threatened and given their dietary choices, these bites can sometimes be toxic.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Sporeweavers are said to have originated in The Burned Frontier, though there's no evidence to support that theory. This theory becomes even more far-fetched due to sporeweavers being found worldwide. They live in areas that have become uninhabitable to other forms of life, generally places ruined by pollution or chemical spills. They have a particular affinity for tropical or arid regions and struggle to survive in cold, northern climates.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The fine hairs on a sporeweaver's legs allows them to feel tremors and vibrations through the ground beneath them. Their sight is far better than any arachnids, and they can see well even in dim light. Sporeweavers have tetrachromatic vision and can see into the ultraviolet range as well. They're far more intelligent than jumping spiders and because of it, they are capable of recognizing faces.

Scientific Name

Salticidae textor sporis

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Average Weight

6 to 10 lbs