Spiderlings

Spiderlings are from The Below. This species is described with a spider’s torso, and a humanoid’s upper body, specifically a hauflin. Many believed the spiderlings were a result of the fey magic that infused into a group of hauflins who came from the Prime World. Others think spidierlings were a result of a family of hauflins dabbling in magical experiments with arachnids. Some religious sources believe that the Goddess of Hauflins and Mistress of Spiders had children together.
The spiderlings’ origins come from the Prime World. They were once hauflins who lived on the land but became trapped in The Below after the demon Apockryta destroyed their homes on the surface. As they settled in The Below, they heard a distress cry coming from near their settlement. The druids Rando Bottlebum and Seela Barleymaid traveled to the source and found a giant spider-woman hybrid encased in a purple crystal. The demon Apockryta appeared and attacked, but the druid fought off the demon and freed the spider. She introduced herself Beksla, the daughter of the Spider Queen, and thanked the hauflins by giving them some of her divine power.
The initial group of spiderlings grew to large numbers. Some entered relationships with dwarves, goblins, and other folk in The Below while others ventured to the surface.
Spiderlings can transform into large spiders or a fully humanoid form. The latter form is the one they take when they are on the surface so as not to cause panic.
Some people regard spiderlings as creepy due to their nature. The people of Shadowbranch were the first to welcome the spiderlings to the surface and helped them establish homes and embassies in town and neighboring areas. They are welcome in all cities in Pinegaard yet folks tend to keep to themselves and watch spiderlings.
They are some spiderlings who own businesses on the surface, including Lady Teadrinker, who runs the vineyard in The Below, and the winery in Shadowbranch.
Spiderlings are welcome anywhere they travel and they are eager to help others as they have received the same kindness.