Spider-Queens

Mainland Aradia is well-known for its giant-spider population. The Wilds and Silkwood the more predominant nesting grounds for larger breeds. But the Spider-Queens reign over the Wilds with viciousness and intelligence not seen in other spiders.
The Spider-Queens originate from the experiments of a Demon called The Ancient, known during the time Vermithrax the First Underking was warping the Void Elves into what they are in modern times. How the Spider-Queens entered the mortal realms is not known, but scholars knowledgeable on the topic assume it was an accident as newborn Spider-Queens can be extremely small such as regular spiders at times. They believe some hitched a ride with mortals back into the mortal realm, but no timeline can be established with full certainty on when this occurred. 
Some members of Shatterlight Coven believe it was early members of their order that are at fault for the Spider-Queen infestation of the Wilds. 
The Spider-Queens can telepathically communicate with and command any other spider to devastating results. They made their home in the Wilds where they apparently originated on the Mortal Realm. But they have been known to wander as far as the Silkwoods, and during the Spreading of Obscura, even as far as Everglow City. 
Spider-Queens are fueled by their never-ending desire for food, and to breed. It takes many years for them to reach full-size (larger than a house in some cases) but they are capable of breeding from a very small size and young age. However, they cannot produce another Spider-Queen until fully grown, and it takes at least a century before they are ready to produce another. 
Although they may seem vindictive with such sinister forces at their behest, Spider-Queens are entirely food-driven - until it comes to demons. In the latter parts of the Demon Wars of 144-280AE, when the demons retreated into the Silkwood and the Wilds, the Spider-Queens and their followers actually favored demon-flesh instead of their usual prey. This led to an unofficial truce while Shatterlight Coven and the Spider-Queens finished off the demons. Then they went right back to treating the elves of Shatterlight Coven as their meals.
Spider-Queens do not fight over territory. They spread out, resulting in fatalities on the edges of Spider-Queen lands whenever a new one is born. But they do not work together, respecting each others' space. It appears that in close proximity to another Spider-Queen, the telepathic power of each conflicts with their followers to the point of mass confusion. 
Spider-Queens telepathy grows with them as they increase in size and strength. A newly spawned Spider-Queen generally only has enough power to convince a small handful of regular-sized spiders to feed and breed with her. 
Category:Race