Spidey Sense

We’ve had a crazy day here at 3D RPG as our team has been mapping out our two next big DnD blog series: our next paint guide (maybe water caverns) and a new game board environment (hover train anyone?). Still, we want to get in a little Wandering Monster fun heading into the weekend, so let’s get to it!

Much like our previous classic skeletons Dungeon Delve table entry, where we took a different approach on some undead foes by utilizing some amazing Reddit Reassembly Skeletons, we want to do creepy crawly spiders in a different light as well.

This time, we printed out this amazing free False Egg spider 3D print by Schlossbauer on Printables.com. Isn’t it just adorable in a terrifying, what-do-we-do-now sorta way?! 😉

This angry arachnid printed like a champ on our AnyCubic Resin printer and painted up even better! Our favorite feature of the 3D RPG model is that the hairline crack forms near the model’s top. Resident painter Kimmy Utah just nailed it. We’re focusing on that crack as our encounter inspiration.

Many types of unwelcomed spiders can wander into one’s long rest uninvited, so let’s briefly discuss our options:

• Acid Spider: AC 13, HP 152, +8/3d6+5 & 2d6 acid & 2d6 poison
• Deathjump Spider: AC 14, HP 30, +5/1d6+4
• Immense Spider: AC 10, 84 HP, +7/2d8+5
• Tarantella Spider: AC 13, HP 55, +5/1d6+3

Hats off to the brilliant JestaKilla on Reddit for posting these really fun spider variations. We’re stoked to try them!

And then there are several scenarios that could explain why this spider is here:

• Egg-Carrying Queen
• Egg Protector
• Egg Runner
• Egg Stealer

An Egg-Carrying Queen spider could be solo or accompanied by tough nearby bodyguards, several spider minions, or any of the stat blocks above. An Egg Protector could be the surrogate spider that’s taking the queen’s egg “out for a walk” (and got lost). An Egg Runner could be moving the Queen’s eggs to a different, safer location. And an Egg Stealer could be a spider nabbing another entirely different creature’s precious egg.

DM Ben is planning this wandering dungeon delve encounter like this: the person on watch periodically peeps through the door and suddenly hears this cracking sound. A closer look down the hallway reveals this 3D-printed spider stumbling and bumbling toward their area.

This Momma Longlegs is crawling along the dungeon floor in a bit of a panic and off-kilter. An easy perception check reveals more stress lines forming on its prized egg. Clearly, this frazzled mother is looking for a place to hatch and is ultimately coming through that barred door one way or another! It will take two rounds to collect itself before it attacks the door (18 HP).

The group now has a decision to make (during this time)! Do they leave their rest area and hope the unwelcomed spinner doesn’t follow. Or do they draw swords and hope whatever is inside that egg isn’t worse than what’s carrying it?!

For the stats, DM Ben has selected the Egg-Carrying Queen role. While she will have a brutal attack (of the Acid Spider |+8/3d6+5 & 2d6 acid & 2d6 poison), she’ll be rather easy to take out HP-wise (of the Deathjump Spider | AC 13, HP 30).

Now the conundrum is if you kill Mamma, you must deal with her new spider spawn arrivals (and you can help the players deduce this intel with a relatively easy Nature, History, or Survival check.

DM Ben will use this fantastic Swarm of Spiders mini from the D&D Whizkids Underdark set. The destroyed egg will release two Swarms of Insects (spiders): AC 15, HP 30, +7/4d4 piercing.

That should be more than enough of a handful for a weary party of six at fourth level just trying to get a little stonecold shuteye, right?!

Until next time!