Giant Tarantella Spider
by Sheldon MorrisGiant spiders are simply huge versions of normal spider species. All giant spiders can be dangerous, and many are poisonous. All are carnivores, either trapping their prey in webs or jumping at victims by surprise. However, they are rarely intelligent, and will often flee from fire.
A giant tarantella is a huge hairy magical spider that looks like a 7 foot long tarantella. The poison from its bite does not cause damage; instead, it has the magical effect of the Otto's Irresistible Dance spell. This magical effect extends to those who observe it's effect on others.
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GIANT TARANTELLA SPIDER
Large beast, unaligned
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Armour Class 14 (natural armour)
Hit Points 52 (7d10 + 14)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
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STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA
17 (+3)|14 (+2)|14 (+2)|2 (-4)|12 (+1)|8 (-1)
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Saving Throws Str +5, Con +4, Cha +1
Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +4
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages -----
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
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Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
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ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage and the target must make a successful DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be subject to a magical effect identical to the Otto's Irresistible Dance spell. During their turn, any creature who observes another dancing under this affect must also make a successful Wisdom saving throw or be subject to the same effect.
[Design Notes: I did not convert the other two giant spiders in the RC, the Giant Crab Spider and Giant Black Widow, as they are very closely paired to the Giant Wolf Spider and Giant Spider (respectively) found in the 5E Monster Manual.
The Giant Tarantella, with its magically dance-inducing poison, is very different. As is my usual modus-operandi, I did my best to use existing 5E elements to translate mechanics from the RC into. In this case my option was to describe a unique and isolated mechanic for this specfic creature, or adapt something that already exists. I found that the spell "Otto's Irresistible Dance" fit the bill quite well. It doesn't work exactly like the effect in the RC, but it is pretty darn close.]