Cheliceri, The webweavers

Cheliceri have four subraces. Goliaths are strong and tall brutes, Lupus are small and agile, Widows have deadly poison, and Spinners are expert trappers.

Goliath Physiology. These cheliceri stand close to 8 feet tall and are covered in prickly hairs. Strong as the goliaths which they are named after, these hulking beings normally act as the tribe’s soldiers and blacksmiths. Their carapace is normally brown or black, and they possess eight small black eyes.

Lupus Physiology. Lupus cheliceri are nimble and small, generally wiry in build and averaging around 3 feet tall. They are excellent hunters, preferring to subdue prey before killing it. Many Lupus cheliceri are employed as assassins, thieves, or private eyes due to their natural stealth and quiet demeanor. They range in coloration from grey to light brown and have two large eyes surrounded by six smaller ones.

Widow Physiology. These cheliceri have an extra gland with a small but very deadly amount of poison inside. Beginning at a very young age, widow cheliceri are milked for their poison, which they use to coat the weapons of their hunters and soldiers. They commonly grow up to be leatherworkers and blacksmiths, infusing their poison into their creations. Widow celiceri are almost pure black but can have pastel designs and markings across their body. They have 4 medium sized black eyes and 4 smaller eyes of the same color as any markings on their body.

Spinner Physiology. Spinner cheliceri are the only type of cheliceri that have retained the ability to spin silken webs, and they make great use of it. They are often trained as huntsmen and trackers, responsible for felling beasts when the tribe is feasting and intruders to secure the tribe’s safety. They range from dark brown to dark grey in coloration, but some have been known to be dark green or blue to match the local flora. They have eight medium black eyes, more spread out across their face than the other types of cheliceri.

Cheliceri are not generally accustomed to other species’ forms of speech, but with practice are able to emulate it. This normally only occurs when Cheliceri settlements regularly trade with other humanoids. Occasionally caravans who trade with these settlements employ Cheliceri as guides or guards.

Cheliceri is a language consisting entirely of what sounds to non-speakers like hissing, clicking, and scratching. The written system is similar to braille but made with indented scratches rather than raised bumps.