Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Ettercap variants

Another aberration (or they are monstrosities now?), the ettercap. Spider-men without responsibilities.
Probably a cursed cult of spider-druids, the ettercaps are a low/middle level encounter for unfortunate heroes in the woods.
Because if you are afraid of spiders, now they have an (almost) intelligent boss too.

Cave fisher ettercap
This ettercap lives in caves underground and it preys fishes and other small animals. It has the magical ability to walk on water like a water skipper and to catch underwater preys with the long, double-jointed limbs. The most powerful ones have some control over water and can breathe underwater. They use their webbing only to build nests and store foods, they also make nets to catch fishes.
They are more pacific then the standard ettercap, but they are known to drown unfortunate adventures when hungry.
Stats: as standard ettercaps but
no low light vision
dark vision
light sensibility
permanent water walking as magical ability
breath underwater as magical ability (3/day)
no trap making
swim
reach thanks the long arms

Bloodcap
Also known as redcap, mosquito ettercap, tick ettercap or stirge ettercap, this variant lives mostly in marshes. It's the most strange variant, it's origin is unknown, but most think blood magic or vampirism are involved. The natural form of a bloodcap is of a small, childlike version of the standard redcap, but bloody red in color. They attack in swarm, their bite lacks venom, but, thanks to a retractile sharp tongue, they can pierce the enemy and drink their blood. They can convert blood into mass, growing large and stronger for each killed enemy. Some adventures report of ogre-size bloodcap killing lizardmen in a blood-blind frenzy. They lack the usual affinity with spiders, bu they have some link with stirges, used sometimes like living blood-bags.
Old bloodcap can develop blood related spells and abilities, and affinity for necromancy.
They can also expel the sucked blood in a blinding splash of putrid blood.
Stats: as the standard ettercap but
small size
no venom
no webs
no spider connection
blood drain bite: for each point of constitution drain, they gain +1 strength for one hour, if they suck at least 4 points, they grew one size, for 8 more two sizes, and so on (until large size).
affinity for stirges
blood splash: they can expel the blood to blind the enemy
rage

Tarantula ettercap
Big, hairy and savage. They are not very dissimilar to the standard ettercap except for the fact they lack webs of any sort. To compensate that they are stronger and jump the enemies with incredible leaps. The fur in their bodies allow them to live in cold regions, but they prefer forests where they can jump from tree to tree.
Stats: as standard ettercap but
no webs
+4 strenght
leap ability
no trap making

Brood mother ettercap
This is not a true subspecies, but more of a class for ettercap.
Some ettercaps become living nest for their spiders, letting them live under the skin. They can host several swarm of spiders on them and they act as weapon and armour.
Stats: like standard ettercap but
more natural armour
less agility
spider swarm connection

2 comments:

  1. The cold weather thing doesn't really feel right for a tarantula.

    Like, in tarantulas their hairs are a defensive measure.
    "Defensive behavior

    New World tarantulas will, at the moment of danger, turn toward the attacker and briskly rub their hind legs against the opisthosoma throwing the urticating hairs in the direction of the enemy. The cloud of small hairs will get into the mucous membrane of small mammals and cause edema, which can be fatal. The latest studies[which?] suggest these hairs cause both mechanical and chemical harm to the skin and membranes.

    Reaction and the degree of irritation to a defensive urticating hair barrage can vary tremendously, based on the species in question. Some, such as those of the Chilean rose tarantula (Grammastola rosea) and the Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia), are fairly mild and innocuous to humans. Others, such as those of the Brazilian giant white knee tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata), are moderately irritating. Still others, such as the Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi), are far more severe. These hairs can result in painful rashes, and have been likened to sharp shards of fiberglass.

    After kicking urticating hairs, the Tarantula will have a bald spot on its abdominal region." Wikipedia

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    Replies
    1. To tell the truth, I know about this, but I'd like to give them something more mammal-like. Still, if you like you can add this power. If a character fight with a natural weapon or brawl with this monster, he takes 1d6 damage.

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