Giant Solifuges

     It's unknown how the desert elves, the nabatu, acquire these mounts, nor are they known to have a tribe whose totem is the solifuge. The owners of these creatures just say that "it isn't hard, we just catch one when it's small, give a drop of our blood, and it becomes as strong as us". Given the nabatu access to fey resources and their tendency to make up stories, it's hard to define how precise this explanation is.

 

     Some better defined facts: the riders of these beasts are proud of themselves and their mounts, attacking or escorting travellers just for the opportunity of showing off their inherent superiority. People can try to tell a nabatu rider a story that he or she doesn't knows. They try to learn such stories for their fey masters. Someone which tells a very good one or help a nabatu may, perhaps, acquire one of these mounts.

 

     Capable of running 50 kilometers per hour and having four powerful mandibles, the giant solifuge is an arachnid which has no need for venom. The soft abdomen seems made for a person to is on it without the need for a saddle. The manipulation of two protuberances in the head replaces the need for reins. These animals are omnivorous but prefer meat, hunting on their own if they stay more than a week without having it from their owners.

Giant Solifuge

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 30 (4d10 + 8)

Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.

  STR          DEX         CON       INT        WIS        CHA
18 (+4)     14 (+2)     15 (+2)     3 (-4)     12 (+1)     6 (-2)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11

Challenge 3

• Solifuge Climb. The solifuge can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
• Pounce. If the solifuge moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a bite attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the solifuge can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.

ACTIONS

1. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage.