# Arachnoid Throughout the various corners of the multiverse, the vast immensity of the different realms naturally gives way to a rich diversity of unique beings. A **heteromorph** is what’s known as a rare breed of hybrid creatures, who bear the inherent physiology of multiple lineages within the same body. Although often related to humans, they can be found in an endlessly varying degree of divergence; having no singular culture or tradition to bind their members together as a group. Among these countless variants, **Arachnoids** are the family of hybrids born from spiders; mixing together the strongest natural traits of an arachnid with the versatile anatomy of a humanoid body. The monstrous semblance and dietary habits resulting from this mixture lead them to be an often misunderstood crowd, constantly scorned by common folk who think them nothing more than ravenous beasts. As a result of this predicament, the few arachnoids who remain out there have developed the ability to conceal themselves as fully human, allowing them to comfortably blend into civilized societies. *Woe be to those, who force that mask to fall off…*

### Arachnoid Names Lone arachnoids typically take their names from the custom of whatever societies they blend into, endeavoring to cultivate an inconspicuous identity that won’t draw unwanted attention to their surroundings. Particularities are known to occur, however; specially for arachnoids who have embraced their more voracious instincts, or resigned themselves to the lifestyle of a straggler. ***Some examples include:*** Zeta, Noma, Tolom, Vasilissa, Reona, Momon, Rosalia, Narbe, Solas, Albea. ``` ```

### Individuality While arachnoids are known to adopt the culture of their chosen environments, each sole individual still retains
their own sets of beliefs, principles, and philosophies.
You can use the table below to determine a personality
quirk for an arachnoid character, or to inspire how your character might act.

| d6 | | | | Quirk | |:----:|:----------:|:----:| | 1 | | | | I am filled with rage when I see someone else step on a spider. | | 2 | | | | I have a tendency to enjoy restraining people. | | 3 | | | | I sometimes make random webs that I may not always use. | | 4 | | | | I have a single web I'm constantly improving, for a specific purpose related to the future. | | 5 | | | | I am disgusted by the idea of eating “food”, instead of drinking the blood of my prey. | | 6 | | | | I dream to experience the romance and adventure I’ve heard so much about from those around me. |

\page ### Arachnoid Traits An insectoid-humanoid hybrid with four spider legs extending from behind their backside. *** ***Ability Score Increase.*** Increase your Dexterity score by 2, and then increase your Charisma, Intelligence or Wisdom score by 1. *** ***Age.*** While young arachnoids mature around the same age
as regular humans, it’s currently unknown just how long of a life-span awaits each invididual. A healthy specimen might be able to reach multiple hundreds of years. *** ***Alignment.*** Arachnoids tend towards neutrality, but may be influenced to chaos or evil depending on their environment and surroundings. *** ***Size.*** You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race. *** ***Speed.*** Your base walking speed is 30 feet. *** ***Languages.*** You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. *** ***Heteromorph.*** Your creature type is humanoid, but you register as monstrosity to spells and other effects which detect the presence of the monstrosity creature type. Additionally, you are able to gain sustenance by feeding
on the corpses of humanoid creatures. *** ***Darkvision.*** You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. ``` ```

*** ***Hind Legs.*** You can use a bonus action to sprout four extensive arachnid legs from your backside, granting your body a heightened level of mobility. While you are benefitting from this trait, your walking speed increases by 5 feet, you gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, and your movement is unaffected by non-magical difficult terrain.
You can retract your hind legs as a bonus action on your turn.

*** ***Sweet Mask.*** While your hind legs are retracted, you can shape your outward appearance and voice to attempt
passing off as human. You must be wearing a set of either *Fine Clothes* or *Costume Clothes* in order to use this trait, and your equipment isn't changed by it. While you are benefitting from it, a creature cannot discern that you are disguised unless they use their action to closely inspect your appearance, making an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your Passive Deception score. Your disguise is immediately dismissed if you sprout your hind legs.

With the DM’s approval, you may choose to use your Spell Save DC instead of your Passive Deception for the purposes
of this trait.

*** ***Crawling Kin.*** Your unique physiology as a spider-human hybrid provides you with a distinct share of natural abilities. You know the *Infestation* cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can innately cast the *Jump* spell on yourself once without material components. Once you reach 5th level, you are also able to innately cast the *Web* spell once, without requiring concentration. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

If you have taken one or more levels in a class with the *Spellcasting* feature, then with the DM’s approval, these
spells may be added to your class’s spell list.

*** ***Spider Climb (Optional).*** While your hind legs are sprouted, you are able to climb difficult surfaces (including upside down on ceilings) without needing to make an ability check. *** ***Sleepless (Optional).*** You do not require sleep and can choose to remain conscious during a long rest, though you must still refrain from strenuous activity to gain the benefit of the rest. *** ***Grim Feast (Optional).*** If you spend a total of 10 minutes gorging on the corpse of a creature of CR 1 or higher, you regain a number of hit dice equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounded up). You must finish a long rest before you can benefit from this trait again.

___ > ##### Alternate Rule: Creeper's Aspect > > If deemed necessary, you may choose to forgo
the secondary +1 bonus from your *Ability Score Increase* trait, gaining one of the three optional traits listed above in exchange. Consult with your DM before making use of this variant ruling.

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