Combat
A spider eater attacks with its venomous sting and powerful
mandibles. Its usual tactic is to deliver a sting, then back off,
hovering out of reach until the venom takes effect. Spider eaters
do not like to give up their prey, and foes who harry them with
spells or ranged attacks provoke a determined counterattack.
Poison (Ex): Bite, Fortitude save (DC 17); initial damage
none, secondary damage paralysis for 1d8+5 weeks.
Implant (Ex): Female spider eaters lay their eggs inside
paralyzed creatures of Huge or larger size. The young emerge
about six weeks later, literally devouring the host from inside.
Freedom of Movement (Su): Spider eaters have freedom of
movement as though from the spell cast by a 12th-level sorcerer.
The effect can be dispelled, but the spider eater can create it
again the next round as a free action. When the spider eater
serves as a mount, this effect does not extend to its rider.
Skills: Spider eaters receive a +4 racial bonus to Listen and
Spot checks.
Training a Spider Eater
Training a spider eater as an aerial mount requires a
successful Handle Animal check (DC 24 for a young creature, or DC
29 for an adult). A spider eater matures in six months.
Spider eater eggs are worth 2,000 gp apiece on the open
market, while young are worth 3,000 gp each. Professional
trainers charge 3,000 gp to rear or train a spider eater. Riding
a trained spider eater requires an exotic saddle. A spider eater
can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also
attack unless he or she succeeds at a Ride check.
Carrying Capacity: A light load for a spider eater is up to
612 pounds; a medium load, 613-1,224 pounds; and a heavy load,
1,225-1,840 pounds.
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