Aranea
The history of the Aranea is of tragedy and betrayal. Made with magic for war they then were discarded. They use their spider-like powers and forms to keep to themselves and stay far from civilization for their own protection.
Not Werespiders; Fear not Lycanthropy
Aranea are sometimes called Werespiders but are in no way related to Werespiders. They were created by magic and cannot spread their race via the Curse of Lycanthropy. They do share similarities though having a more bestial form, a form that could be described as a hybrid, and a humanoid form.
Three Forms: Beautiful, Twisted, Monstrous
They have three forms that they can change between at will. Their first form is that of a beautiful humanoid that can resemble a Drow, Half-Elf, or Human depending on their ancestry. Their second form is that of a humanoid with four eyes, fangs, and spinnerets on their hands. Their third form is a giant humpbacked spider with some subtle differences. In this form they also have a pair of short arms ending in many-jointed fingers and double-jointed thumbs, which extend from below their mandibles, and a more humanoid-spider head.
Discarded and Hunted Soldiers
The Aranea were made by ancient wizards in their fight against the Drow to use as both soldiers and infiltrators. After the war ended in that area their creators turned against them and hunted them until they were forced to flee deep within swamps and became too dangerous to pursue. In exile they became more pacifist and hated war and conflict.
The history of the Aranea is of tragedy and betrayal. Made with magic for war they then were discarded. They use their spider-like powers and forms to keep to themselves and stay far from civilization for their own protection.
Not Werespiders; Fear not Lycanthropy
Aranea are sometimes called Werespiders but are in no way related to Werespiders. They were created by magic and cannot spread their race via the Curse of Lycanthropy. They do share similarities though having a more bestial form, a form that could be described as a hybrid, and a humanoid form.
Three Forms: Beautiful, Twisted, Monstrous
They have three forms that they can change between at will. Their first form is that of a beautiful humanoid that can resemble a Drow, Half-Elf, or Human depending on their ancestry. Their second form is that of a humanoid with four eyes, fangs, and spinnerets on their hands. Their third form is a giant humpbacked spider with some subtle differences. In this form they also have a pair of short arms ending in many-jointed fingers and double-jointed thumbs, which extend from below their mandibles, and a more humanoid-spider head.
Discarded and Hunted Soldiers
The Aranea were made by ancient wizards in their fight against the Drow to use as both soldiers and infiltrators. After the war ended in that area their creators turned against them and hunted them until they were forced to flee deep within swamps and became too dangerous to pursue. In exile they became more pacifist and hated war and conflict.
Traits
Shapechanger
As an action you can change your form from human, natural, and hybrid. You remain in the form until you change to a different form or become Incapacitated (In which you change into your natural form). The transformation is natural with all objects being worn that cannot fit on the form being dropped to the ground as part of the transformation.
Innate Spellcasting (Human Form Only)
You can cast the following spells using your WIS score as your Spellcasting ability without requiring material components or expending spell slots while in your human form. At will: Poison Spray 1/Long Rest: Alarm, Detect Poison and Disease At 3rd level 1/Long Rest: Locate Animals or Plants, Web
Natural Form
In your natural form you have the following features but are unable to wear clothes or armor: Spider Climb: You can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Web Sense: While in contact with a web, you know the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web. Web Walker: You ignore movement restrictions caused by webbing. Bite: You can use your attack action to make a bite attack, the damage is 1D8 + your STR modifier (Minimum 1) Piercing damage and force the creature to make a DC 8 + your CON modifier (Minimum 1) + your Proficiency Bonus CON saving throw take 2D6 Poison damage or half as much on a successful save. On a failed save the target is Poisoned for 1 minute repeating the save at the end of each of their turns, ending the condition on a successful save. Web (Recharge 5-6): You can use your attack action and make a ranged attack with a range of 30/60 ft. On a hit the target is Restrained by webbing. As an action, the Restrained target can make a DC 14 STR check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; HP 5; Vulnerability to Fire damage; Immunity to Bludgeoning, Poison, and Psychic damage). Grasping Hands: You have a weak pair of hands extending under your mandibles that can only be used for simple tasks such as manipulating thread, writing, or cooking but are unsuitable for fighting or grappling.
Hybrid Form
In your hybrid form you have the following features: Bite: You can use your attack action to make a bite attack, the damage is 1D8 + your STR modifier (Minimum 1) Piercing damage and force the creature to make a DC 8 + your CON modifier (Minimum 1) + your Proficiency Bonus CON saving throw take 2D6 Poison damage or half as much on a successful save. On a failed save the target is Poisoned for 1 minute repeating the save at the end of each of their turns, ending the condition on a successful save. Web (Recharge 5-6): You can use your attack action and make a ranged attack with a range of 30/60 ft. On a hit the target is Restrained by webbing. As an action, the Restrained target can make a DC 14 STR check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; HP 5; Vulnerability to Fire damage; Immunity to Bludgeoning, Poison, and Psychic damage).