Beast of the Week: Ungol

Turning to Tolkien this week, we get one of the iconic creatures of both Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, the intelligent giant spider.  The giant spiders of Mirkwood are the offspring of Shelob, who is the offspring of Ungoliant.  Ungol was the Sindarin word for 'spider' hence Cirith Ungol, the Pass of the Spider where Shelob laired.

Ungol*
AC: 2 (18)
HD: 7+2***
Move: 180 (60)
Attacks: 1 bite
Damage: 3d6 + poison
No. Appearing: 1d3 (3d6)
Save As: F5
Morale: 10
Treasure Type: A
Alignment: Chaotic
XP: 1650


Ungols, also known as Shadow Weavers, are giant intelligent spiders.  They are web spinners, and also possess a venomous bite.  Being intelligent, they can control the amount of poison they inject.  They typically only inject enough venom to paralyze a victim for 2-8 Turns (save vs. poison to resist).  They then wrap their victims in webs and take them back to the lair to feed upon later, typically within one week.  Against foes that prove their mettle, such as those wielding magical weapons that can harm them, they will inject enough poison to be deadly (save vs. poison or die instantly).  In addition to their poison, they may use their webs to create traps equal in strength to a web spell, and can use darkness three times per day and confusion once per day.