Monsters

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.