Jorōgumo
"A young man opens the rickety old gate that leads out of the town and into the nearby woods. Cradling a large, crude wooden bucket firmly between his left arm and his hip, he walks with his chest puffed out and his brows furrowed. A mask of annoyance covers his face, a very regal looking one at that, as he attempts to kick a rock peeking out from the ground, only to stumble almost losing his balance. Though the fellow had already made some distance from himself and the town, he could still vaguely hear the laughter of his friends, playing and messing about.
Eventually, the sound of voices went silent and was replaced by the gentle thunder of a humble waterfall crashing into a small pond. Breaking the tranquil scene, the young man shoves his bucket into the water, muttering to himself as he does so. Drip. Drip. A sound sinks into the boy's head, he turns and looks around, looking for where the sound came from. He spots the source of the noise so quickly it startles him for a woman, dripping wet, lays beached at the shore of the pond halfway in the water. Forgetting his task completed, he rushes over to the woman, putting two fingers over her throat. He sighs. He could feel the soft thumping of a heartbeat. Carefully, he loops his arms under hers and drags away from the pond, propping her against a nearby tree.
Just a moment passes, before the woman's eyes flutter open. She gazes up at the young man, her eyes surprisingly sharp.
"Who- what happened?" She let out her question in a soft voice, "Did I inconvenience you?"
The young man shakes his head, "No, everything is fine, but you were soaking wet and lying in the water, are you sure you are okay?"
A soft tinge of red brushes her cheeks, something that the boy found rather endearing. She speaks again, "I feel okay. I don't know what happened, my mother sent me to fetch water, and the next thing I know, I am here with you."
"Here, let's get you home." He stands straight and offers her a hand, to which she accepts. He turns to leave, trying to not let his eyes linger on the woman's form as she seemed well figured to him.
"Wait." She pulls his sleeve with a surprising amount of strength. She pulls him into her arms, holding his shoulders with her hands. Their faces were terribly close to each other, the fellow could feel the small exhale from the woman's nose. "Allow me to show you gratitude for your actions."
The young man, uncomfortable by the forwardness of the stranger, attempted to squirm, but yet again the woman had a surprising amount of brawn.
"It is not necessary, miss." Yet, as he finished his sentence, the woman pulled him into a kiss. Flustered and distracted, the boy did not notice the spindly appendages reaching out from behind the dame's back. Eight lanky limbs slowly closed behind the boy's back, until all eight of the arms touched the young man's spine. Before he had time to react, the woman's eyes became wild with hunger, she pulled back away from him, a toothy grin revealing large incisors. It would be the last thing he saw before the teeth sank into the base of his neck."
- Worldlinker's Journal
Basic Information
Anatomy
It is impossible to distinguish the form of a Jorōgumo at all from that of a stunning woman. However, when they have snared their prey with their web of tricks and false security, they will reveal eight spider-like arms. They stem from the center of the Jorōgumo's spine and are divide in half for some to go to the left and the other four to the right. Each appendage is about five feet long (172 cm) and has two relatively small claws at the tip about the size of a dagger. These legs will stay the same size if the Jorōgumo chooses to shapeshift into their second form of a large spider, which about the size of a horse.
Biological Traits
Jorōgumos are, by all means, monsters, by nature, they crave the flesh of young men and take join in seeing them fall into their lies and traps. Even if they overcome this animalistic nature, when they are faced with death, they will turn to purple mist, just like all other yoki.
Genetics and Reproduction
Jorōgumos do not reproduce as they innately magical beings since they are monsters. They are formed by festering magic and when they die, they return to this state.
Ecology and Habitats
A Jorōgumo who has blended in well with society might be able to find an empty house in cities or towns to which they make their lair. However, more likely than not, the Jorōgumo will try to distance themselves from a large group of people as it could be a problem if they are found out and have their nest so close by. Caves and dense forest that are close to a local establishment works best for them.
Dietary Needs and Habits
By nature, these shapeshifters prefer the flesh of young men, however, they can eat other things, including plant-life, but they would really only eat this if necessary. They usually savor the taste of man, as they enjoy the challenge of catching a difficult prey, so they don't do it often. If they live in a rural area, they will eat what is made in the town, otherwise, they will hunt the nearby wildlife.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Since they both mentally and socially intelligent, it isn't uncommon for Jorōgumo to feel guilty by their actions. They are all different, but they have been more than a handful of cases of Jorōgumo who resist the urge to eat men and live amongst humans in peace. Some have even held positions as tacticians for local military, helping towns defend themselves against other monsters. However, when they overcome their animalistic instincts, they more commonly live rather peaceful lives, trying to atone for the harm they have caused.
Facial characteristics
Just like their physique, their face changes to be what society considers most attractive in a female. These days, bright eyes and a strong jawline are common amongst modern Jorōgumo.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Jorōgumos tend to live where there are forested areas which cover a decent portion of Ordan, so they can be pretty common.
Average Intelligence
Natural tricksters, these creatures are as smart as the average human, not only are they smart in an intellectual sense, but they know how to take advantage of sentiments and are very aware of human emotions. Despite their intense and large physical stature when they shapeshift, it has always been the intellect of the Jorōgumo that makes them dangerous, even after one escapes their initial trap.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Jorōgumo a naturally keen with their sight and hearing. They usually use their skills to locate both suitable places to dwell as well as their next prey. If they happen to be in their web, they are able to sense even the slightest movement on their strings.
Civilization and Culture
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
While relations between Jorōgumo and Humans have been bitter in the past. The Jorōgumo who have found themselves able to enter society, the relationship smoothed between those Jorōgumo and set of Humans. However, those who still lurk in the caves, who still wait for the long man to wander too close to their webs, who still pray on unsuspecting men, are still very much disliked by the average person.
Lifespan
250-300 years
Average Height
5'0 (152cm)-5'3 (161cm)
Average Weight
120lbs (55kg)-150lbs (68kg)
Average Physique
Their shape and facial structure tend to change over the centuries as people change what they feel is most physically attractive. These days in their human form, they are very slender and curvy, usually short in stature. However, their spider form is constant and hasn't changed in structure since they were first documented.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments