View source for SRD:Aranea

{{OGL Top}}
=ARANEA=

{{3.5e Monster Classic
|creature=
|style=
|size=Medium |type=Magical Beast |subtypes=Shapechanger
|hd=3d10+6  |hp=22
|init=+6
|speed=50 ft. (10 squares), climb 25 ft.
|ac=13 (+2 [[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]], +1 natural) |touch=12 |flat=11 
|bab=+3 |grapple=+3
|at=Bite +5 melee (1d6 plus [[SRD:Poison|poison]]) or [[SRD:Web|web]] +5 ranged
|full_at=Bite +5 melee (1d6 plus [[SRD:Poison|poison]]) or [[SRD:Web|web]] +5 ranged
|space=5 ft. |reach=5 ft.
|sa=[[SRD:Poison|Poison]], [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]], [[SRD:Net|web]]
|sq=[[SRD:Change Shape|Change shape]], [[SRD:Darkvision|darkvision]] 60 ft., [[SRD:Low-Light Vision|low-light vision]]
|fort=+5 |ref=+5 |will=+4
|str=11|dex=15|con=14|int=14|wis=13 |cha=14
|skills=[[SRD:Climb Skill|Climb]] +14, [[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] +8, [[SRD:Escape Artist Skill|Escape Artist]] +5, [[SRD:Jump Skill|Jump]] +13, [[SRD:Listen Skill|Listen]] +6, [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]] +6
|feats=[[SRD:Improved Initiative|Improved Initiative]], [[SRD:Iron Will|Iron Will]]<SUP>B</SUP>, [[SRD:Weapon Finesse|Weapon Finesse]]
|env=Temperate forests
|org=Solitary or colony (3–6)
|cr=4
|treas=Standard coins; double goods; standard items
|align=[[SRD:Neutral|Usually neutral]]
|adv=By character [[SRD:Class|class]]
|la=+4
}}
An aranea is an intelligent, shapechanging spider with sorcerous [[SRD:Powers|powers]]. In its natural form, an aranea resembles a big spider, with a humpbacked body a little bigger than a human torso. It has fanged mandibles like a normal spider. Two small arms, each about 2 feet long, lie below the mandibles. Each arm has a hand with four many-jointed fingers and a double-jointed thumb.

An aranea weighs about 150 pounds. The hump on its back houses its brain.

Araneas speak Common and Sylvan.

===Combat===

An aranea avoids physical combat and uses its [[SRD:Web|web]]s and [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] when it can. In a battle, it tries to immobilize or distract the most aggressive opponents first. Araneas often subdue opponents for ransom.

'''[[SRD:Poison|Poison]] ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''' Injury, [[SRD:Saving Throw|Fortitude]] [[SRD:DC|DC]] 13, initial damage 1d6 [[SRD:Strength|Str]], secondary damage 2d6 [[SRD:Strength|Str]]. The save [[SRD:DC|DC]] is [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]-based.

'''[[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|Spells]]:''' An aranea casts [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] as a 3rd-level [[SRD:Sorcerer|sorcerer]]. It prefers [[SRD:Illusion School|illusions]] and [[SRD:Enchantment School|enchantments]] and avoids [[SRD:Fire Effect|fire]] [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]].

''Typical [[SRD:Sorcerer|Sorcerer]] [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|Spells]] Known'' (6/6; save [[SRD:DC|DC]] 12 + [[SRD:Spell Level|spell level]]): 0— ''[[SRD:Daze|daze]], [[SRD:Detect Magic|detect magic]], [[SRD:Ghost Sound|ghost sound]], [[SRD:Light|light]], [[SRD:Resistance|resistance]];'' 1st—''[[SRD:Mage Armor|mage armor]], [[SRD:Silent Image|silent image]], [[SRD:Sleep|sleep]].''

'''Web ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''' In spider or hybrid form (see below), an aranea can throw a web up to six times per day. This is similar to an attack with a [[SRD:Net|net]] but has a maximum range of 50 feet, with a range increment of 10 feet, and is effective against targets of up to Large size. The [[SRD:Web|web]] anchors the target in place, allowing no movement.

An [[SRD:Entangled|entangled]] creature can escape with a [[SRD:DC|DC]] 13 [[SRD:Escape Artist Skill|Escape Artist]] check or burst the web with a [[SRD:DC|DC]] 17 [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] check. The check [[SRD:DC|DCs]] are [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]-based, and the [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] check [[SRD:DC|DC]] includes a +4 racial bonus. The [[SRD:Web|web]] has 6 [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]], hardness 0, and takes double damage from fire.

'''[[SRD:Change Shape|Change Shape]] ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''' An aranea’s natural form is that of a Medium monstrous spider. It can assume two other forms. The first is a unique Small or Medium [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]]; an aranea in its [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]] form always assumes the same appearance and traits, much as a lycanthrope would. In [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]] form, an aranea cannot use its bite attack, webs, or [[SRD:Poison|poison]].

The second form is a Medium spider–[[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]] hybrid. In hybrid form, an aranea looks like a Medium [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]] at first glance, but a [[SRD:DC|DC]] 18 [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]] check reveals the creature’s fangs and spinnerets. The aranea retains its bite attack, webs, and [[SRD:Poison|poison]] in this form, and can also wield weapons or wear armor. When in hybrid form, an aranea’s speed is 30 feet (6 squares).

An aranea remains in one form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does an aranea revert to its natural form when killed. A ''[[SRD:True Seeing|true seeing]]'' spell, however, reveals its natural form if it is in [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]] or hybrid form.

'''[[SRD:Skills (Creature Statistic)|Skills:]]''' Araneas have a +2 racial bonus on [[SRD:Jump Skill|Jump]], [[SRD:Listen Skill|Listen]], and [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]] checks. They have a +8 racial bonus on [[SRD:Climb Skill|Climb]] checks and can always choose to take 10 on [[SRD:Climb Skill|Climb]] checks even if rushed or threatened.


----
{{SRD Creature Breadcrumb}}
{{OGL Bottom|part of the Revised (v.3.5) System Reference Document|SRD}}
[[Category:SRD]]
[[Category:OGL]]
[[Category:Monster]]
Alignment	Usually neutral +
Challenge Rating	4 +
Environment	Temperate forests +
Level Adjustment	+4 +
Size	Medium +
Subtype	Shapechanger +
Title	Aranea +
Type	Magical Beast +