New Monster: Spider of Despair

Spider of Despair

Hit Dice: 5

Armor Class: 15

Attacks:  1 bite (1d8 + suicidal despair) or waking nightmares (special)

Saving Throw: 12

Special: Suicidal despair, waking nightmares, webbing

Movement: 12, Climb 12

Challenge Level/XP:  12 / 2000

These monstrous-looking spiders are the chosen brood of the Elder Spider, and lair throughout Spiderspire.  They dwell in tunnels and alcoves, stringing their webs thickly in areas that may see frequent travel.  Moving through a webbed area reduces movement to 1/4 speed.  It also burns quickly and will instantly ignite.  Anything, including a spider, caught in a flaming area of web takes 1d6 points of damage per round.

When a spider of despair bites a victim, the target must make a saving throw or be affected with suicidal despair, which sets in immediately.  Treat this as if the target is fascinated, with the exception that even direct threats will not break the fascination.  There is a 10% cumulative chance per round that the afflicted character will let the spider bite them again, or willfully do damage to their body with a weapon, for automatic maximum damage - this is up to the spider.  The fascination may be saved against each round, and a successful save breaks the effect of the despair.  A victim may only be re-afflicted with despair after it is lifted through a successful saving throw.

Before entering a conflict a spider of despair usually attempts to disorient its enemies with waking nightmares, vivid hallucinations of something the victim fears.  This attack affects everything except other spiders within a 60-foot radius.  The target is treated as confused for 1d6 rounds.  A saving throw is allowed to avoid this effect.  Once a character has been affected by these waking nightmares, it may not be affected by the same spider's nightmare attack for another 24 hours.  This ability can be used every 1d4 rounds, a roll of 1 indicating the very next round.