Zylgloth

Titan Amongst Titans

The Underdark is an otherworldly place with few similarities to the surface world. In place of trees, the subterranean world offers fungi that grow to incredible sizes. In place of sunlight, there is a constant gentle glow courtesy of bioluminescent lichen, and in place of horses, there are giant spiders. Through millennia of practice, many native denizens of the Underdark have learned to domesticate these ferocious predators to serve as valiant mounts for their cavalries. Whilst they are harder to maintain than horses, they possess many advantages. Any foe who has the displeasure to face down an arachnid cavalry charge will be bombarded with a barrage of sticky webbing that binds them in place as the clacking mandibles rush forward. Furthermore, the spiders can attack from any angle thanks to their wall-climbing abilities.

These giant spiders are already notorious, but some are more legendary than others. None are more iconic than the titanic Zylgloth. Renowned for her size (she stands over 20 feet tall, and her legspan is three times wider), she has had the honour of carrying hundreds of Mazzogaraniz's greatest warriors, as well as the city's Zurr Paville. Despite her senior age, she still moves with the grace and speed of a spider half her age. It is also believed that Zylgloth is the mother of the vast majority of the spiders that serve alongside her.

Icon of Mazzogaraniz

All Giant Spiders in the Zurr Paville's cavalry are large enough to carry two riders, but the largest are adorned with a howdah. Whilst most can carry five people comfortably, Zylgloth often marches into battle with more than twenty warriors upon her back. Outside of wartime, she is often used as a display of power by the Zurr Paville. Parades will be arranged in which he will pass through the streets atop a bejewelled Zylgloth, inspring awe in the hearts of loyal citizens, and terror in the hearts of those who would think to betray him.

Zylgloth is a storied figure across the Bastion of Myrengol. Whilst those below the surface have always known of her, she would not become fabled amongst the sun-kissed lands until the Battle of Frost and Flame. When a united force of Fire and Frost Giants launched a monumental assault against Myrengol's walls, the citizens of the Underdark answered the call to defence. The Zurr Paville elected to send a contingent of his cavalry with Zylgloth at its head. To the horror of the surface folk, these spiders rapidly scaled the inner walls, but their horror turned to relief when the arachnids turned their ire towards the invading Giants. Beholding these monstrosities descending upon them, panic quickly spread in the attackers' ranks. Under a hail of arrows, webbing, and venom, the assault was broken. Zylgloth's charge became legendary amongst the surface folk.