STEEDERS
Giant hunting spiders,
steeders prowl the depths of
the
Underdark. Most steeders
are encountered in the
com-
pany of duergar.
Fem ale Dominan
ce. Fe male steeders grow larg
e r
and stronger than
males, and the female often devour
s
the male after breeding.
In captivity, males are
used as
draft animals,
while females serve as s teeds
in battle.
Lone Predators. Steeders
consider other steeders
as enemies and attempt to tear
apart perceived threats.
Their duergar handlers must
stable steeders separate
from one another and place
blinders on
them when they're put to work
to keep
them from attacking each
other.
Low Cunning. Steeders
are intelligent
enough to learn simpl
e hand signals and
vocal
commands, but even a domesticated
steeder
can turn against its handler.
Training these beasts
requires a rider
to bond with the
steeder, a process that
begins shortly after
the creature hatches.
The rider stays
with the steeder as it
grows to full size, working throughout
that t ime to chan nel
the beast's predatory
instincts.
Deadly Hunters
. Rather than spinning
webs, steeders excrete a viscous
sub-
stance from their legs. This
goo allows
them to creep along walls
and ceilings
and to grapple prey.
FEMALE STEEDER
Large monstrosity, unaligned
Ar mo r Class
14 {natural armor)
H it Poin
ts 30 (4dl0 + 8)
S pe e d
30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR
15 (+2)
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
14 (+2)
Skills Stealth +7, Perception +4
INT
2 (-4)
WIS
10 (+O)
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive
Perception 14
Languages-
Challe nge l (200 XP)
r ..
.
CHA
3 {- 4)
Spider Climb. The
steeder can climb difficult surfaces,
in-
cluding upside down on ceilings, without
needing to make an
ability check.
Extraordinary Leap. The
distance of the steeder's long jumps
is t ripled; every foot
of its walking speed that it spen d s
on the
jump allows it to m ove 3 feet.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (ld8 + 3) piercing damage
plus 9 {2d8) poison damage.
Sticky
Leg. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one
Medium or smaller
creature. Hit: The target is stuck
to the
steeder's leg and grappled until it
escapes (escape DC 12). The
steeder can have
only one creature grappled at a
time.
CHAPTER 6 I BESTIARY
MALE STEEDER
Medium monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Cl
ass 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points
13 (2d8 + 4)
Speed
30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR
15 (+2)
DEX
12
(+ l)
CO N
14 {+2)
S kills Stealth
+5, Perception +4
INT
2 (-4)
WIS
10 (+0)
Senses
darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception
14
Languages-
Ch alle nge 1 /4 (SO XP)
CHA
3 (-4)
Spider Climb. The steed er can climb
difficult surfaces, in-
cluding upside down on ceilings
, without needing to make an
ability check.
Extraordinary Leap.
The distance of the steeder's long
jumps
is
tripled; every foot of its walking speed
t hat it spends on the
jump allows it to jump 3 feet.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (ld8
+ 2) piercing damage p lus 4 (ld8)
poison damage.
Sticky Leg. Melee Weapon
Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one
Small or Tiny creature. Hit: The target
is stuck to the steeder's
leg and grappled
until it escapes (escape DC 12).
The steeder
can have only
one creature grappled at a time.