Nerubian spiderlord
Nerubian spiderlords (or Spider Lords)[1][2] are a type of colossal nerubians. Unlike standard nerubians, who are mostly spider-like in appearance, spiderlords resemble a mixture of beetles and spiders.[3][4]
While the mantid and qiraji could operate as mindless swarms, the nerubians rejected this mentality. Spiderlords were alchemically created to regain this tactical gap lost from the days of the aqir, having the ability to command and manage swarms of lesser insects for their kin, as well as being built to crush foes personally.[5]
In Azjol-Nerub, the spiderlords ruled as mighty kings,[6] and were advised by the sages.[7] During the War of the Spider, many spiderlords were raised into undeath as crypt lords of the Scourge. Some, like King Anub'arak and his commander Anub'Rekhan, were raised against their will,[1] but many other spiderlords betrayed their people and willingly sided with the Lich King to become crypt lords in exchange for power and immortality.[6][8] Vorus'arak is the only known spiderlord from Azjol-Nerub to have not been turned into a crypt lord.
In Azj-Kahet, whose kingdom is instead ruled by a dynasty of queens, the spiderlords have a mainly military role as high-ranking commanders and royal guards.
Notable
Azjol-Nerub
- For undead spiderlords, see crypt lord.
Azj-Kahet
File:IconSmall Spiderlord.gif Anub'azal <Lord of Heritage Forces>
File:IconSmall Spiderlord.gif Anub'arash <The Thousand Scars>- File:IconSmall Spiderlord.gif Anub'zekt <Swarmguard>
File:IconSmall Spiderlord.gif Queensguard An'Jak Shabtir- File:IconSmall Spiderlord.gif Queensguard Zirix
- File:IconSmall Spiderlord.gif Siegelord Xerosh
In the RPG
Nerubian spiderlords are cold, ruthless, deadly, and intelligent beetle creatures. They are perhaps the most powerful nerubians. Spiderlords once formed the majority of Azjol-Nerub’s leadership in Azjol-Nerub; they were the keepers of law and dominated nerubian society, though the eldest members of other castes held considerable sway.[9] In the largest communities, they still serve as advisors to a local queen. Small communities are led by spiderlords.[10] They exhibit more callous intelligence than their underlings; a nerubian spiderlord is willing to sacrifice almost anything to further one of his complicated schemes.[9]
These nerubians look somewhat different than their brethren: they have a carapace and dual sets of wings, making their lower bodies appear almost beetle-like. This enormous, insectile creature resembles a gigantic, fantastically colored beetle. The scarab-like carapace unfolds like dual wings, and the creature’s front limbs are scythelike and bony. Nerubian spiderlords come in many vivid, jeweled shades, everything from emerald green to sapphire blue to ruby red. Some scholars attempt to draw a correlation between a spiderlord’s coloring and his approximate power level, but so far have reached no consensus. Nerubian spiderlords grow 18–20 feet tall and weigh 8,000 to 12,000 pounds. Their carapaces provide excellent natural armor, but their vestigial wings are not strong enough to allow flight.[9]
They also typically grow to a larger size and train in some combination of aristocrat, warrior, and mage or other spellcaster classes. They must choose between training as aristocrats, warriors, or mages, the choice may not be changed later.[10] When challenged, a nerubian spiderlord tries diplomacy first, after which he switches to his spell-like abilities. Melee combat is a spiderlord’s last resort. A nerubian spiderlord possesses the same poisonous bite of other nerubians, but due to his scarab body he cannot spin webs. They can spin a single strand to ascend or descend in order to climb, but they cannot throw webs like common nerubians.[9]
Only nerubian queens give birth to spiderlords; one out of every twenty eggs she lays on average grows into a spiderlord (the rest emerge as regular nerubians).[9]
Notable
Notes
In the Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, they were wizards and fighters but in the World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game they are mages and warriors.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b Commander Eligor Dawnbringer description of Anub'Rekhan
- ^ Nerubian Spider Lord
- ^ Road to Damnation
- ^ Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, chapter 23
- ^ Treatise on Forms: Lords
- ^ a b Warcraft III - Undead -> Units > Crypt Lord. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24.
- ^ The Wrath of the Lich King Bestiary: Nerubian Vizier
- ^ Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne game manual, New Undead Hero, Crypt Lord
- ^ a b c d e Dark Factions, pg. 203
- ^ a b Manual of Monsters, pg. 71
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game Conversion Document, pg. 2
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