Lore:Spider

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A spider

Spiders are multi-legged arachnids that come in a myriad of sizes. Giant spiders are dangerous foes, being incredibly aggressive carnivores.[1] Most can move very quickly, and they are able to deal mortal damage with their legs and fangs.[1] Through their abdomen, spiders are able to excrete a sticky, thin substance called spider silk. With it, spiders perfect their dwellings, sealing unwanted exits/entrances and constructing a web which they can use to quickly transverse to any space within their abode. They are known to encase their victims in silken cocoons,[2] so that they can feed on them later. Most species are venomous, with their venom having a variety of debilitating effects depending on the species or individual. Often it has a paralyzing effect.[1]

They tend to inhabit underground caves where the moisture keeps their chitinous skin pliable.[1] Their broods operate under a matriarchy with a brood mother or spider queen.[3] Some species are said to live upwards of 1,000 years.[3]

Uses and Culture[edit]

Selene, High Priestess of Shagrath

The venom of various spider species can be used in alchemy for potions or poisons. A substance known as "spider's milk" is also used as an alchemical solvent.[4] Spider eggs are commonly used as alchemy reagents. Their "hearts" are sometimes harvested in the Western Reach.[5]

Various groups and cultures have been known to tame spiders. The Shadowsilk Tribe of Goblins found in Stonefalls managed to tame giant spiders for use as war beasts.[6]

Spiders are associated with the Daedric Prince Mephala,[7][8] as well as Shagrath, the God of Spiders.[9] Shagrath's High Priestess, Selene, is a Changeling who possesses the ability to transform into a giant spider.[10] Some hypothesize that Selene could be connected to Mephala.[7] Some Daedra, especially Mephala and those in service to her, have spider-like features, such as Skein Spiders, Spider Daedra, and Spiderkith.

The Dwemer constructed automatons evocative of spiders called Dwarven Spiders. Likewise, some fabricants of the Clockwork City are spider-like, such as the firepot spiders or dancing spiders.

Variants[edit]

Albino Spider[edit]

Albino Spiders (or Solstheim Spiders)[11]:190 are a medium-sized species of spider found on Solstheim. They are fundamental to Spider Crafting, the art of imbuing albino spider pods with magical properties to create volatile artificial spiders.

  • An Albino Spider (Skyrim)

  • A Giant Albino Spider (Blades)

Cave Spider[edit]

Cave Spiders are subterranean giant spiders found in Cyrodiil and the Western Reach.[12][13]

  • A Cave Spider (Shadowkey)

  • A Cave Spider (Blades)

Frostbite Spider[edit]

Frostbite Spiders are giant spiders native to Skyrim and its surrounding islands, such as Bleakrock Isle and Solstheim. As their name implies, they are largely immune to the cold. Frostbite spiders most often make their lairs in caves, covering their nests in large webs, and preying upon creatures who venture into their caverns seeking shelter. When food is especially scarce, they venture out to hunt for prey in the wilderness. They spit poisonous frostbite venom at their prey from a distance, and leap at them to attack with pincers if they get too close. These spiders usually take on a brown and grey coloration, although they can also be blue.

Frostbite spiders have some level of intelligence, as such, they are capable of being taught to obey certain orders. The cave-dwelling Falmer are known to tame them in addition to Chaurus. Circa 2E 582, a Nord member of the Fighters Guild named Hlokela had taken to breeding and training frostbite spiders as hunting companions. However whenever she tried to leave Solitude, someone would kill the spiders accompanying her, mistaking them for pests. Eventually she moved out of the city and began giving out her trained spiders to adventurers as pets. Gabriella, a member of the Dark Brotherhood, kept a frostbite spider as a familiar.

  • A Frostbite Spider (Skyrim)

  • A Frostbite Spider (ESO)

  • Frostbite Spider from Bleakrock Isle (ESO)

  • Frostbite Spider (Legends)

Goldenback Spider[edit]

Goldenback Spiders are a highly intelligent and friendly species of spider that are trained by Mephala cultists.[14]

  • Found in: ESO

  • A Goldenback Spider (ESO)

  • Goldenback Spider Lackey (ESO)

Spotted Plow Spider[edit]

Spotted Plow Spiders are a species of spider found in southern Cyrodiil and the Telvanni Peninsula. Farmers in southern Cyrodiil carry an antidote for their venom since it is not uncommon to accidentally rake through one of their nests and be bitten by thousands of their tiny hatchlings. Despite how dangerous they can be, if raised correctly they can make good pets.[15]

  • Found in: ESO

  • Spotted Plow Spider (ESO)

  • Spotted Plow Spider (ESO)

  • Spider Matriarch (ESO)

Tenmar Mountain Spider[edit]

Tenmar Mountain Spiders a species of spider found in the mountains of the Tenmar Forest. They were victim to the corruption of the Azure Blight disease created by the Dragon Maarselok.[16]

  • Found in: ESO

  • A Tenmar Mountain Spider (ESO)

  • A Tenmar Mountain Spider corrupted by the Azure Blight (ESO)

Web Mother[edit]

Web Mothers are a monstrous type of queen spider that can be found rarely in Cyrodiil and Skyrim. They are distinguished by their red and black coloration and the numerous spider eggs attached to their abdomen. These queen spiders are usually found in the depths of the nest, where they can reproduce and protect their eggs.

A town in Cyrodiil once kept giant spiders as livestock to harvest their silk. The farmers used specific scents to trick the nest's Web Mother into thinking they were friendly. Circa 4E 180, this trick stopped working, and the town was soon overrun with spiders. The Warrior arrived and killed the spiders, destroying the eggs that were laid in the town. The Hero then slew the Web Mother, who had grown too large to leave the nest.

  • The Web Mother (Blades)

  • A Web Mother
    (Skyrim Creation Club)

Notable Spiders[edit]

Diamond Spider Queen[edit]

The Diamond Spider Queen guarded the Spider's Shadowkey in Earthtear Caverns until the Soul of Conflict slew it and retrieved the Shadowkey in 3E 397.

  • The Diamond Spider Queen (Shadowkey)

Gallery[edit]

  • Spider (Arena)

  • Spider (Daggerfall)

  • Spider (ESO)

  • A black spider with red markings (ESO)

  • Protective Spider (Legends)

  • A spider
    (Betrayal of the Second Era)

  • Spiders in a nest (Legends)

  • A complex spider lair (Legends)

  • A spider egg sac (Skyrim)

  • A Man in a spider's cocoon (Legends)

  • An emblem of Mephala, depicting a patterned spider

  • A statue of Mephala, depicting her with spider-like features

  • A throne with spider legs (Castles)

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Arena Player's Guide description of Spiders
  2. ^ Fafnyr's dialogue during Kinsman's Revenge in ESO
  3. ^ a b Mendil's dialogue during A Silken Garb in ESO
  4. ^ Spider's Milk in Redguard
  5. ^ Spider Hearts in Shadowkey
  6. ^ Oodegu's Journal—Keep Out! — Oodegu
  7. ^ a b Meet the Character - Selene — Vanus Galerion
  8. ^ Ebony Blade Deadlands quest item description in ESO
  9. ^ Queen Ulandra's dialogue in Arena
  10. ^ Selene in ESO
  11. ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
  12. ^ Cave Spiders in Shadowkey
  13. ^ Cave Spiders in Blades
  14. ^ Goldenback Spider Lackey pet description in ESO
  15. ^ Spotted Plow Spider pet description in ESO
  16. ^ Tenmar Mountain Spiders and Azureblight Spiders in ESO: Scalebreaker
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