Drider

Driders are a half-human half-arachnid hybrid. Some species have eight eyes (the two main ones and six smaller ones clustered on their forehead), and some have only two.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A drider is human (or another humanoid race) from the waist up, spider, scorpion or other creature from the waist down. They have eight legs, two arms, and either two or eight eyes. Notable subspecies of driders include:

• Centipede/Millipede Driders: Driders with the bottom half of either a centipede or a millipede. As a result, they have many more legs than most of their brethren. Centipede driders are markedly cruel, crude, or aggressive; in contrast, millipede driders are very sensitive, kind, and caring.
• Crab Driders: These driders prefer to live near a body of water, and as such are more uncommonly seen than their cousins. Crab driders are not outright cruel or aggressive, but they do have trust issues and are incredibly defensive of their territory.
• Fur Driders: Fur driders are like spider driders, but unlike their counterparts, their lower arachnid half is covered in thick fur, similar to a tarantula or wolf spider. They are far more irritable and unaccommodating than most other driders.
• "Giant Ant" Driders: Giant ant driders are hard workers and typically live in colonies with each other; however, despite popular belief, giant ant queens are exceedingly rare. When one is born however, any giant ant driders will be unable to resist any of her commands, falling into a deep trance-like state. The effect gets weaker as the ant driders move away from the colony, but they will never move far enough for the trance to fully wear off - the queen usually forbids this.
• Lobster Driders: Similar to crab driders, but with a notably long tail that they can use as a weapon. Lobster driders are a bit more amicable than their crustacean cousins, but they will still stubbornly defend their territory, should the need arise.
• Mantis Driders: Mantis driders have the traits of a praying mantis. Rather than hands, their arms end in two scythe-like protrusions that they can use as weapons.

Genetics and Reproduction

Driders reproduce sexually.

Ecology and Habitats

Spider driders like living in dark, sometimes wet areas, where they can hide easily. Forests, woods, abandoned buildings, swamps or bogs. Scorpion driders live in hot areas like deserts, burrowing under the sand. Crab and lobster driders typically live near bodies of water, with crab driders living exclusively near the ocean. Mantis driders typically live in forests and woodlands, and giant ant driders can live almost anywhere.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Driders are not picky about their food, sapient or not. If it falls in their web or burrow, they'll usually consider it dinner. They try to refrain from eating people, but a hungrier drider probably won't be limited by morality.

Additional Information

Domestication

While unusual, other races sharing a home with a drider is not unheard of.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Drider legs, eyes, webbing, and eggs are in high demand, mainly for use in potions.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Jungles, forests, abandoned buildings, deserts, swamps, woods

Average Intelligence

Human or higher

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Enhanced Vision: Driders have improved vision, regardless of the number of eyes, and what they can't see in their peripheral vision, they can usually sense behind or above them. This could just be intuition, or something else entirely.
• Magic Detection

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

A drider with a brighter colored or more intricate spider half is considered beautiful, in addition to the standard human beauty ideals.

Average Technological Level

Driders are not technologically advanced, and see no need to use technology of any kind.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Human

Common Etiquette Rules

It's considered good practice to put a victim to sleep via nonlethal venom before feeding, to cause them as little pain as possible.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

A drider's first catch is considered a momentous occasion, a coming of age, even.

Common Myths and Legends

There are rumors, for whatever reason, that driders have some kind of mind control ability, and use it to catch more prey. No evidence has been produced to support this.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Other races are wary of driders, and try to spend as little time alone with one as possible. Driders have no problem with any race though, including the inhabitants of Hell.

Scientific Name

Homo sapiens arachnida

Lifespan

50-130 years

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Average Height

7-8 feet (213-244 cm)

Average Weight

1250-1500 lbs (567-680 kg)