Xylanth – Phase Spider Broodmother

Description

Phase Spiders are rare in Tharador, as are many creatures imbued with the Breath outside the bounds of Leacianus. It was thought for a time that Phase Spiders were perhaps a Leacianan invention or experiment that escaped containment, though the existence of them in Lo Fuin challenges this notion. The few Drow that have communicated with WEHL members at Zander’s Peril have indeed commented that Xylanth, one of the oldest Phase Spider Broodmother they know of, has stories passed down of her existence from the First Era.

Corroborating these facts can be difficult though, and it’s possible the name Xylanth has been attributed to many Phase Spiders over the last two thousand years, as there has been no documented evidence of any Phase Spiders living that long, in captivity or in the wilds, with most having a lifespan of two-hundred years. However, Xylanth’s age would explain her remarkable size, measuring twice as big as the next largest known Phase Spider in Tharador, which was found in the Falans in Karkanoth. Xylanth has shown intelligence in the few times WEHL members were able to observe her in the Underground, seeming to allow worshippers of Irinax enter her lair unabated, who brought her offerings of sugars and paralyzed bodies for consumption or egg impregnation.

However she remains highly perceptive, and in some manner communicated the presence of the WEHL party to the Irinaxi, who attacked the expedition alongside Xylanth. It is thought that those were left behind were likely consumed, hopefully painlessly. Future expeditions to that lair found it abandoned, and Xylanth was later observed to hop between lairs in bounds of frustration when cult worship perhaps becomes too tiring. This was confirmed when a druid within the WEHL reached out to communicate to the Broodmother, who expressed her distaste for the Irinaxi Drow, though admitted their constant meals were their one saving grace to note be consumed themselves. The druid was paralyzed and phased to an unknown location as this conversation came to an end, likely consumed as well.

Recent observations of Xylanth place her in the borderlands between Glanbelian and Irinaxi Drow territories, though currently subservient to a Drider in noble clothing. It is unaware how this development took place, but it’s assumed the Drider is a powerful warrior or spellcaster to have such a hold over the Broodmother almost twice his size.

Additional information