Draining Spider

Draining Spiders were created in the War of Ascendance by priests of Hlesmil. They were old foes of mortals who inhabited the tunnels below the Spiked Peaks. They lived in Male/Female pairs and would hunt together.

Powers
Draining Spiders had both a physical and magical sexual dimorphism. The females were incredibly strong and unnaturally large. They could grow as much as six feet across. The males were slightly smaller and much weaker. Both genders had a lethargic aura around them. While in the aura their prey felt tired. Normal tasks took large amounts of energy. The male's aura had a much bigger reach than the female's aura. The male could also hunt with a tiring gaze. This gaze was magical in nature and therefore limited. Targets in focus of it would freeze up. The female spider couldn't use the tiring gaze but could shoot webs from her abdomen and use a frenetic bite. This bite was magical and caused the victim to go into a panic. Both of the spells of the monsters functioned off a type of innate magic. They could be recharged by consuming people. The favored form of attack by the spider was to grab its prey and drain it. The female's bite could heal her and the males bite could quickly recharge his magic. Though neither bite physically was that dangerous, they did add to the lethargy of the target.

Life Cycle
Draining Spiders lived for around a century. They mated for life and hunted as a pair. When a Draining Spiders mated, they would find a nest somewhere below ground. From there they would hunt. Draining Spiders were known to eat any large animal, sucking both the blood and vigor from their prey. But their preferred food was humans. Draining Spiders reproduced about once a decade. They could have up to twenty offspring with most reaching maturity. This growth took about three years.

Encounters
People in the Coal Quarter of Pruzer started going missing in Sharus of AeP 446. Though no one saw what took them, witnesses described a great feeling of lethargy and resignation. The Miners of the Quarter appealed to both The Curator and Orna Wellis for help. The two of them along with Skua, Jarin, Weyland, and Vella went into the old mines and slew the male/female pair that was living there. During the battle Skua almost passed out and Jarin was almost knocked unconscious and dragged away. But the group followed the Legionnaire's recommendation and lived.

Legionnaire’s Recommendations
Members of the Legion of the Dancing Winds worked out a recommended attack strategy for facing off against Draining Spiders. "'Draining Spiders are most often encountered in Male/Female pairs. In this case attacking the Male first is key. He is both physically weaker and more magically dangerous than his counterpart. With the male out of the way, your mind should be made more clear of the Spider's lethargic aura. To combat this aura further carry a bottle of Soldier's Respite. This painful alchemic formula is made in Roadon. Though it may cause physical discomfort, it will clear your mind and leave you energized.'"

Appearances
Campaigns
 * 1) The Hunters' Codex: Draining Spiders