Tumbleweed Spider
Rolling into Combat
No, nada, I ain't bothering with spiders that can roll towards me like a pincushion made out of hatred! The regular ones are bad enough!
Tumbleweed Spiders are common arachnids found on Raucher's , named after their unique method of transportation. A harmless predator of smaller prey in the region, only becoming a genuine threat when provoked by travellers intruding on its territory.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Tumbleweed Spiders are large arachnids with hairy bodies covered in thin, sharp hairs. Their distinction from others of the family is with their colouration akin to dried wood, with slender legs adorned with longer hairs to mimic branches.
Their abdomen is flat, often carrying dead leaves and other things that got stuck during their travels. An enlarged chelicerae carries most of their venom, making their bite dangerous.
The average Tumbleweed Spider stands about three feet tall.
Habitat
Tumbleweed Spiders thrive in open and windy environments, using those factors to their benefit. By stiffening their body, they can let themselves get carried by a large breeze, allowing them to cross large distances with ease. A handy escape method to outrun any predators in the area.
One's territory can span for miles, drifting between areas throughout the year. Few appear throughout the day, as they hide for predators and prey alike beneath the dirt. During the night however, most become active and dare a journey the area for new hunting spots.
Most are found around Raucher, amongst the steppes and hills of the region.
Diet & Hunting Tactics
Most feed off smaller prey common on the open fields such as lizards and rabbits, with some even attacking certain birds. It is rare for any to attack humanoid species, but smaller ones like Gnomes and Halflings may fall victim to one desperate enough for a meal.
Tumbleweed Spiders hunt by burrying themselves and waiting for prey to get close, before lunging forwards to paralyse them with a bite. Their hairs make struggling difficult, as fighting back may cause one to pierce the skin and cause further wounds to the prey.
Should they consider the meal too dangerous, most will flee by curling up and rolling away, gaining speed either by going downhill or letting themselves get carried by the wind. Once safe, they bury themselves elsewhere and start the progress over.
THREE FEET TALL?? And they're ambush predators! Catch me having a panic attack every time the wind picks up in this region lol
If you want to feel any better, they're more scared of you than you are of them.
You underestimate how scared I am of them.