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Cloak of Arachnida

Cloak Of Arachnida
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

This fine garment is made of black silk interwoven with faint, silvery threads. While wearing it, you gain the following benefits.

Poison Resistance. You have Resistance to Poison damage.

Spider Climb. You have a Climb Speed equal to your Speed and can move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and along ceilings, while leaving your hands free.

Spider Walk. You can't be caught in webs of any sort and can move through webs as if they were Difficult Terrain.

Web. You can cast Web (save DC 13). The web created by the spell fills twice its normal area. Once used, this property can't be used again until the next dawn.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides exceptional mobility, poison resistance, and battlefield control through web creation. Most effective for characters who can exploit three-dimensional positioning.

Class Synergies:

  • Rogues: Natural synergy with stealth, mobility, and tactical positioning
  • Rangers: Excellent for tracking, exploration, and wilderness encounters
  • Any Class: Universal benefits for mobility and poison resistance

Build Considerations: Most valuable for characters who benefit from enhanced mobility and those facing poison-using enemies regularly.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires rare spider silk, poison resistance enchantments, and master-level weaving. Typically costs 25,000-40,000 gp.

Common Sources:

  • Rewards from encounters with giant spiders or drider communities
  • Inheritance from rangers or druids with spider affinities
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in natural magic
  • Trade agreements with Underdark civilizations

Alternative Acquisition: Some druid circles and ranger organizations create these cloaks for members who patrol dangerous areas.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 30,000-50,000 gp, with extreme variation based on regional spider threats and climbing requirements.

Trade Considerations: Highly valued by explorers, rogues, and anyone who regularly faces vertical challenges or poison threats.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests affinity for spiders, experience with climbing, or connections to Underdark cultures. The spider motifs may create social reactions.

Character Concepts:

  • Spider-themed character with natural or magical arachnid connections
  • Expert climber and infiltrator specializing in difficult access
  • Underdark explorer familiar with dangerous creatures and environments
  • Character with practical approach to mobility and defensive capabilities

Adventure Hooks​

The Underdark Expedition: Missions in spider-filled caverns make the cloak's abilities essential for survival and navigation.

The Vertical Heist: A mission requires accessing elevated locations where climbing abilities provide crucial advantages.

The Poison Investigation: Characters must investigate areas with heavy poison threats, making resistance essential.

The Web Walker's Quest: Adventures involve navigating natural or magical webs that would otherwise impede progress.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Cloak of Arachnida (Legendary): Provides additional spider-themed abilities such as web sense or enhanced poison capabilities.

Stealth Spider Cloak (Very Rare): Includes invisibility or improved stealth capabilities while climbing.

Combat Arachnid Cloak (Very Rare): Enhances the web abilities for better battlefield control and combat applications.

Specialized Variants:

  • Drider's Mantle: Additional benefits reflecting the hybrid spider-humanoid nature
  • Widow's Shroud: Enhanced poison capabilities and more powerful web effects
  • Scout's Spider Cape: Optimized for reconnaissance and exploration applications

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient druids who formed alliances with giant spiders and learned to replicate their natural abilities.

Historical Significance: Several famous Underdark explorations succeeded due to the climbing and poison resistance these cloaks provided.

Cultural Impact: In surface societies, these cloaks may evoke fear or fascination with spider creatures.

Natural Magic: The cloaks reflect deep understanding of spider biology and how to replicate natural abilities through magic.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Best introduced at higher levels (12+) when the mobility and poison resistance become crucial without trivializing encounters.

Campaign Impact: Provides significant utility for exploration and specific encounters. The climb speed opens new tactical possibilities.

Web Interaction: The web immunity creates interesting interactions with spider-themed encounters and environmental hazards.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Exploration scenarios requiring vertical movement and climbing
  • Combat encounters in three-dimensional environments
  • Situations with poison threats or spider-related dangers
  • Environmental challenges where web navigation becomes important

Tactical Adjustments: Encounters may include aerial or climbing-based elements to take advantage of the cloak's mobility benefits.

Natural Magic: Other items that replicate animal abilities or provide connections to natural creatures.

Mobility Enhancement:

  • Items that improve climbing, flying, or other movement capabilities
  • Equipment that provides environmental resistances or immunities
  • Tools that enhance stealth and infiltration capabilities

Complementary Equipment: Items that work well with enhanced mobility, such as ranged weapons or stealth enhancers.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Cultural Perception: Characters may need to navigate social situations where spider imagery creates fear or suspicion.

Environmental Mastery: The cloak encourages creative problem-solving using three-dimensional movement and web manipulation.

Natural Affinity: Players may develop interests in spider lore, Underdark cultures, or natural magic connections.