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The dark powers in fictional worlds don’t just rely on grunt soldiers like orcs and goblins. They have a whole host of vile creatures at their beck and make excellent use of their unique skill set to wreak havoc upon the world. One such is that of the fantasy spider, an eight-legged beast that inspires fear among the good guys.
The spider doesn’t just reside in one place. There are a lot of areas where one is likely to come across this monstrous creature which means it’s a good idea to have some protection in the event one crosses paths with it. In many worlds, it appears in the forest which is one of the best places for it since it has everything it needs to thrive.
When facing a fantasy spider in battle, there are several things to to know when it comes to the abilities it wields. Knowing what they are can mean the difference between life and death since it gives you the chance to guard against them and mount an effective counterattack. One notorious power it has is to use its fangs not just to bite but to inflict poison in its target, thereby weakening it.
As a servant of evil, the arachnid excels in destroying the natural environment and striking fear in the hearts of its opponents. Many a people are frightened at the prospect of battling a tall spider that can easily kill in one swift stroke. It is great at using the battlefield to its advantage since it can do a bevy of things its opponent cannot such as climbing walls and shooting webs from either a wall or the ceiling.
This is article number eight in the series going over the various kinds of fantasy creatures. For more, take a look at our blog page which features a good deal of stellar articles that you can enjoy!
An imaginary world contains all kinds of environments from the lush jungle to the tropical island. Each environment comes with a set of animals and other creatures that call it home and the arachnid can be found in many of these places. This eight-legged creature is versatile and contains the ability to adapt well to whatever area it calls home.
The fantasy spider has an association with forests, appearing in that particular environment across in worlds across the genre. It represents the opposite of the forest which is known for being the cradle of life, becoming an agent of death. It sickens the trees by leeching the vim out of them, poisons the ground, and consumes the adorable critters who live there.
Another area where one is likely to encounter the arachnid is the mountains. The rockiness of the mountains provide the perfect place for it to hide in and pounce upon an unsuspecting target. It can easily scale the mountains, making it difficult for someone to successfully defeat it since he cannot kill it if it is high above him.
An uncommon place that the fantasy spider lurks is in the tundra. While this might come as a surprise, remember that this beast can adapt to whatever environment it lives in. The arachnid withstands the extreme cold by developing a tough exterior that enables it to hunt even in the midst of a raging blizzard.
On the extreme end of the temperature spectrum, the desert serves as another dwelling for the arachnid. While its chief competition is the scorpion, the spider uses the high heat to its advantage to attack its prey from underground or from the rocky areas of the desert. This vile beast can even wage battle with the scorpion if it is hungry enough.
The arachnid boasts an impressive array of powers in its arsenal. Its powers make it one of the most difficult beasts to defeat in battle, for it can easily switch from one to another in one second. Seasoned travelers know what they are and how to guard against them and that knowledge can save them.
One power the fantasy spider makes superb use of is its fangs. Its teeth are laced with poison that can either immobilize its prey or outright kill them. While it repeatedly attempts to bite its opponent during battle, it knows that it needs to be closer to the point where it can sink its fangs in which is why it uses its legs to hold it in place so that it can bite it.
Another power people need to watch out for is its ability to make webs. The arachnid can shoot it out and trap its prey, making it nearly impossible for it to wiggle its way out before the beast reaches him. The spider places webs in strategic locations such as trees or caves and lets animals and unsuspecting people get stuck in its stickiness until it comes to check on its webs.
Some, not all, arachnids have stingers on their backs. The stinger enables it to attack its target without facing it. Some stingers are filled with poison whereas others have chemicals that paralyze its foes. The stinger helps protect their backs since those who’ve fought them before know that the best way to take one down is to hit them from behind where their eight eyes aren’t looking.
One of the most fearsome powers the fantasy spider has is its physical shape. The sight of a beast with eight eyes and legs frightens many people, especially if said beast has a gruesome design on its back like a skull — think of the skulltulas from The Legend of Zelda — that when standing upright makes them flee. For those brave enough to face it, the arachnid tries to use its hefty body to crush them to a pulp.
There’s a reason why you see spiders and arachnids in the service of the dark powers. Dark lords and other powerful leaders of evil know the capabilities of these eight-legged terrors and place them in areas where they come into handy. From forests to battlefields, these monstrous creatures are a force to be reckoned with.
One way the dark powers use the fantasy spider is to have it be an agent of chaos. It destroys the natural order of things, turning pristine areas into places of horror. For instance, a vibrant forest full of life will eventually become one riddled with webs, malevolent creatures, and a general feeling of unease in the air.
The fang-toothed creatures acts as a sentry, guarding valuable locations. It could be a fortress, a mountain pass, or cave. It deters unwanted intruders by placing webs in places it suspects they will attempt to go through while conducting regular patrols. Should it come across one, it emits a shrieking call that alerts the others to come help deal with it.
As an agent of evil, the fantasy spider is dispatched to the battlefield where it uses it considerable skills to break down the resolve of the opposing army. It can effortlessly swat away nuisance foes with its legs or use its fangs to poison as many enemies as it can. Additionally, the beast can also shoot webs to trap large numbers in place, allowing its allies to move in for the kill.
The arachnid is an excellent scout. It is more active at nighttime where the darkness makes it difficult for its enemies to see what it is doing. With its eight legs, it can move fast, reaching areas of interest where it can check for any unusual activity and report it to its superiors. Its eight eyes enable it to look around, searching for anything out of the ordinary or to see what the enemy is up to.
Out of all of the creatures that populate an imaginary world, the fantasy spider is up there in terms of versatility and usefulness to the dark powers. From biting its target to striking fear among people, the arachnid is truly a creature to be feared which is why you need to bring it into your own world and story!
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Sunfire
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