The Pentan Pack Spider
The pack spider has its origin in the Hellcrack, but has spread since the Darkness to a number of cliffs, chasms and plungeholes across Pent. These creatures are communal and non-competetive, although rivalry over breeding rights does occur between the males. There are, in fact, two distinct sub-species of the pack spider, Pentas Yarae and Pentas Communalae.
Both grow to the size of a wolf-hound, and their patterns of behaviour are very similar to each other.
One web unites the community, which may hold up to 200 adults. Only 10% are males, which leads to a dangerous level of inbreeding. To counter this, groups of 1-3 dozen will migrate between the settlements (how they know where the others are remains a mystery), and it is these groupings that are generally encountered.
Whilst these numbers may not offer a threat to an organised warband, they are very dangerous to the herds of the Pentans, and to unfortunate scouting parties.
They move at a speed and with a style similar to a wolf pack, pursuing and exhausting prey before the final attack, leaping from 3-4 meters away.
Pentas Yarae
Black bodied and red legged, these have a paralysing venom. After biting they will withdraw until their prey collapses, at which time they will return to feed.
Pentas Communalae
Black pneumothorax and legs with a golden abdomen, they have an agonising venom. Each member of the pack will attempt to bite a large prey, overwhelming it with pain. Once the prey has been rendered unconscious from overwhelming agony, they feed.
NB Please pardon the lack of illustrations. I am an arachnophobe, and just writing about them gives me the jitters!
