Sporeweavers

In a world that was poisoned by industrialization and neglect, evolution has given rise to an unlikely savior- the sporeweaver. Sporeweavers are arachnids that have fused with fungal life to reclaim the wastelands. Descendants of the humble jumping spider, these creatures have undergone rapid mutation, and adapted to environments deemed uninhabitable for most species. In some communities, they're known as "leshies", a name taken from mythological forest spirits. Where a sporeweaver treads, fragile new ecosystems form.   Sporeweavers are nature's silent healers, slowly purifying the world one step at a time. Though feared by many, these creatures don't pose any threat to human settlements. They're beneficial members of the wasteland, proof that life goes on even in the face of ruin.   Sporeweavers are significantly larger than their ancestors, but remain compact, reaching the size of a small dog. Their eight legs are covered in fine hairs and are highly sensitive to vibrations. This allows them to detect movement through the earth. Their two front legs are longer and more robust, which they use for manipulating objects. They resemble the pincers of a praying mantis. Four pairs of eyes grant them exceptional vision, with the central pair being the largest and most expressive.   They possess tetrachromatic sight and can see ultraviolet and infrared light. A sporeweaver's vision makes them adept at identifying toxic residues and chemicals that are invisible to the human eye. A sporeweaver's exoskeleton is a blend of hardened chitin and fungal growths, providing them with a natural camouflage. Symbiotic fungi and luminescent moss grow all over their bodies and give them an otherworldly appearance. Some of the fungal colonies glow faintly in the dark, creating a "will-o-wisp" effect when the sporeweaver is wandering. The fungi not only provide protection against toxins but also serve as a secondary digestive system. They help the sporeweaver break down harmful substances.   The sporeweaver is an intelligent, curious, and docile creature. As such, they tend to be skittish and rarely approach other species directly. They have basic problem-solving skills and are able to recognize individual creatures, especially human faces. They're known to observe travelers from a safe distance. Despite their large size, sporeweavers aren't aggressive and often flee when they're threatened. In the unfortunate circumstance that they have to fight, they have a venomous bite that delivers a combination of neurotoxins and fungus. Their bite is capable of paralyzing small creatures, such as rodents or birds. In larger targets, the venom causes fever and visual hallucinations. A sporeweaver's bite isn't deadly, but the effects that follow it are unpleasant.   Sporeweavers are regarded with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Some cultures see them as small saviors and caretakers of nature, but others see them as ill omens. In the Burned Frontier, scavengers claim that sporeweavers have often led lost travelers to safety or to much-needed resources, but these stories remain unverified. While their purifying capabilities are well known, sporeweavers are still misunderstood. They're nomadic by nature and spend their lives in highly polluted regions of the world. They're drawn to contamination, and their fungal network guides them towards the most chemically rich sites to find sustenance. They have an affinity for decaying plant matter, which scientists speculate is the result of their fungi's influence. They can consume nearly anything, but when given the choice, they have a preference for organic materials. They're especially fond of rotting fruit.   A sporeweaver's most remarkable trait is its ability to digest and neutralize pollutants. They regurgitate highly acidic fluids onto their meal, breaking it down into a thick sludge. The fungi on their body then absorb the sludge to metabolize its toxins and render it harmless. Once the material has been cleaned, the remains are absorbed into the spider's body directly. Sporeweavers turn waste into energy. They're not indestructible, though. Substances like radioactive waste can overwhelm them, leading to serious harm or death of the spider and its fungal colony.   Sporeweavers have remarkably long lives for spiders, with an average lifespan of fifteen to twenty-five years. Their methods of reproduction are unconventional. Their fungal network plays a major role in this part of their life cycle. When a sporeweaver nears the end of its life, it seeks out a toxin-rich area and rests there to begin decomposition. The fungi on its body spread aggressively and form a mycelial mat around the dying spider. If conditions are right, a clutch of tiny sporeweavers will emerge from the fungal bed within two to four weeks.   Sporeweavers have a form of inherited intelligence, allowing newly formed spiders to carry the genetic memories of their predecessors. Sporeweavers, no matter how young or old, can instinctively recognize potential threats, safe pathways, and even human settlements. Though these creatures are commonly associated with the Burned Frontier, sporeweavers can be found in most regions suffering from severe pollution. They struggle in cold climates, though, but with their comparatively quick evolution cycle, cold-resistant variants may exist. The origin of sporeweavers is a topic of heated discussion among scientific communities. The truth of their creation remains unknown, but the recent popular theory is that they're not a natural mutation, but a deliberate creation.