Zygraat

Better known as the spider hawk, a zygraat has a raptor's body, six legs and a grey, spiderlike abdomen. Tiny hollow fangs line both edges of its jaws. Its abdomen holds a milky fluid that turns into silk strands when exposed to air.

Usually it sets a trap: a net about ten feet square strung in a tree or between two upright surfaces, watched from a high perch. The net is not sticky but is made of several pressed layers of silk, immensely strong yet loosely anchored, so anything walking into it tears it free and is wrapped up that round. The zygraat swoops in and bites for 1-4 damage; the victim must save vs. poison or take 3d6 more. Each round, a trapped creature may save vs. paralysis to work loose.

When hunting far from its lair, it can shoot a stream of silk at one man-sized or smaller creature within 50 feet, three times per 24 hours, but only while perched, never in flight. An unsurprised target can save vs. wands to dodge; otherwise it is entangled as above.

Males are rare, since the female eats her mate. She then lays 6d6 egg sacs in a silk nest high in a tree or on a cliff. Hatchlings cannot fly or spin, but climb trees, rock and web with ease and bite for 1 damage, plus 1-4 poison damage on a failed save. Nests with young usually keep a larder of fresh meat nearby.

Spider hawks ignore treasure and shiny objects, but gather cloth scraps for nests and sometimes tie bright rags near their nets to lure the curious.

They pose little threat to most people, living only in isolated forests, preferring small prey and avoiding adventurers unless their nets are menaced.

A wizard who uses the abdominal fluid when casting web imposes a -3 penalty on escape saves, and one full abdomen supplies three castings. A whole net can be made into one man-sized robe that improves armor class by 3.