Rhagodessa
by Adamantyr
Large Vermin
Hit Dice: 4d8+8 (26 hp)
Initiative: +4 (Dex)
Speed: 40 ft. climb 20 ft.
AC: 16 (+4 Dex +3 natural, -1 size)
Attacks: 1 bite +7 melee, 2 pedipalps +5 melee each
Damage: 1d8+5 bite
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 10 ft./5 ft. (10 ft.)
Special Qualities: Extended Reach, Improved Critical, Improved Grab, Multiattack, Vermin traits
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 18, Con 15, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +17, Hide +10, Jump +15, Spot +10
Climate/Terrain: Warm desert, hill, or plains, or underground
Organisation: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: Huge (8 HD)
Rhagodessa are monstrous versions of a spider like predator related distantly to both spiders and scorpions. They resemble a spider superficially, but are longer, and possess an extra set of legs. Their front pair of legs act as antennae, probing the air and ground, while their back three pairs of legs propel them forward extremely quickly, gives them the additional name of "wind spiders". They also have a pair of pedipalps, long legs which have an adhesive disk on the end, allowing them to grasp prey and bring it to their mandibles, which then crush the victim into jelly and suck the juices out. They can also use their pedipalps to climb like a regular spider. Rhagodessa possess no poison sac. They produce a hissing noise from their abdomens when agitated.
Rhagodessa tend to prefer hot arid climates, and are usually nocturnal hunters, although they are also seen during the day. Most are vibrantly coloured in red, yellow, or gold hues, to help blend into the background. Some also live underground, these are usually black or translucent, and make better use of vertical surfaces in their hunting.
COMBAT
Rhagodessa are bold and aggressive, they have little fear of anything unless it is larger than them. They generally ambush their prey, charging forward and grasping a target. If hard pressed they will retreat as quickly as possible, attempting to devour their victim on the run.
Extended Reach (Ex): A Rhagodessa has 10 ft. reach with his pedipalps, allowing him to pull prey in close to his mandibles.
Improved Critical (Ex): A Rhagodessa's mandibles are extremely powerful; they have a critical range of 19-20, and do triple damage on a critical hit.
Improved Grab (Ex): If a Rhagodessa makes a touch attack with his pedipalps, he can grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. He can then pull the victim into the range of his bite attack on the same round, keeping the victim pinned while doing so. A Rhagodessa can grapple any target of Large size or smaller.
Vermin Traits: Immune to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns and morale effects). Darkvision 60 ft.
Skills:
Rhagodessa receive a +4 racial bonus to Hide checks, a +6 bonus to Jump checks,
and a +8 bonus to Spot checks. They also receive a +8 bonus to Climb checks,
this bonus does not apply if they are grasping prey, as they use their pedipalps
to pull themselves up.