Nerubian Spider Queen (3.5e Prestige Class)
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Low - A Queen has an ability to create a detachment of personal guards ready to die protecting her life. Also using pheromones and leadership qualities, a Queen is able to command and direct allies. 5 10
To my great regret, it was difficult to write classes for Nerubian because of the confusion created by the contradictory explanations given in many moments by the Blizzard development team, and by the fact that different versions of the mechanics of various types of Nerubian are available in various games devoted to the WarCraft Universe.
Nerubian Spider Queens is a real mystery in this respect because the only in-game implementation of this type of Nerubians we saw in WC3 and since then a lot of story information has been given indicating that the earliest incarnation of Spider Queen does not need to be perceived as really reflecting its specificity, ability or even appearance.
This class I had to write, based on my own knowledge about the life of collective insects having a queen, as well as on the plot information about Nerubian Spider Queens, which is quite a lot. In fact, as with other prestige classes of Nerubian written by me, this cannot be called a replace, since we are not given a сonsistency and canonical version of mechanics that could be conveyed - it's only a work done on the grounds of the existing fragmentary image, but I would like to believe, that such an option for the realization of this type of Nerubian is entirely possible and corresponds to the spirit and meaning of the race.
What I really need is that someone looks at the final figures and their adequacy, it is difficult for me to imagine how the class is ultimately balanced in terms of a quantitative increase in the power of abilities, and I would like to comment on this.
Nerubian Spider Queen
A Queen is the heart of her nest. This is the leader most widespread in the colonies of the Nerubians, only occasionally, due to circumstances, replaced by the Viziers or Lords.
The life of the colony is seriously affected by the reproduction of the population in which a Queen takes a special role. She is the main female that controlling a form and a caste of her offspring before they are born.
A female who became a Queen usually establishes a new colony, for which she goes on a research trip, or inherits the power of the deceased Queen.
A Queen has an ability to create a detachment of personal guards ready to die protecting her life. Also using pheromones and leadership qualities, a Queen is able to command and direct allies.
Becoming a Nerubian Spider Queen
| Race: | Nerubian. |
|---|---|
| Skills: | Diplomacy 5 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks, Knowledge (psionics) 4 ranks. |
| Spellcasting: | able to cast 3st level Arcane spells. |
| Manifesting: | able to manifest 3st level Psionic powers. |
| Special: | female |
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | Spells per Day / Powers Known | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +2 | Sire’s Anatomy, Praetorian, Queen’s Retinue | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2rd | +2 | +3 | +2 | +3 | High Status, Ruler’s Conduct, Queen’s Retinue upgrade | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class / +1 level of existing manifesting class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | +3 | +4 | +3 | +4 | Praetorian upgrade, Ruler’s Conduct upgrade, Queen’s Retinue upgrade | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class / +1 level of existing manifesting class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | +4 | +5 | +3 | +5 | High Status upgrade, Ruler’s Conduct upgrade, Queen’s Retinue upgrade | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class / +1 level of existing manifesting class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th | +5 | +6 | +4 | +6 | High Status upgrade, Praetorian upgrade, Queen’s Retinue upgrade | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class / +1 level of existing manifesting class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the <-class name->.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Nerubian Spider Queen gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Powers Known: At every level from 2nd, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also attained a level in any one arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She gains additional power points per day and access to new powers as if she had also gained a level in any one manifesting class she belonged to previously. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of either class would have gained (bonus metamagic, metapsionic, or item creation feats, psicrystal special abilities, and so on). This essentially means that she adds the level of Nerubian Spider Queen class to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class and manifesting class the character has, then determines spells per day, caster level, power points per day, powers known, and manifester level accordingly.
If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class or more than one manifesting class before she became a Nerubian Spider Queen, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Nerubian Spider Queen class for purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, power points per day, powers known, and manifester level.
Sire’s Anatomy: The physiology of the Spider Queen also changes in order for it to produce numerous offspring.
A Queen cannot wear any armor and rarely wears clothes, because only her own chitin is plastic enough to protect vulnerable parts of the body without damaging sensitive internal organs.
A Spider Queen can no longer produce cobwebs or gain benefits from strengthening her armor: she loses all the racial feats she had before and can receive in return other feats for which it has prerequisites.
The character's weight is increased by 200 lb. A Queen is not able to move independently, using only her legs, not because they are not developed, but because of the weight of her own body. She has her base ground speed only if her
weight is carried by two courtieress or two medium-sized creatures, spending all their possible actions on it, or if it is under the influence of spells and effects that reduce its weight by more than 200 lb.
A Spider Queen cannot run or make special attacks that require more than 30ft to move if it does not move by itself, but relying on someone's support.
Praetorian: The first child of the Queen receiving a new status is more a continuation of her own than an independent member of the Nerubian society.
A Praetorian will always be near Spider Queen for service. His strength grows with her strength, but he is connected with the Queen about the same way as a familiar and his will is subordinated to her needs.
A Pretorian specially has a more formidable weapon than ordinary Nerubian and is able to use not only its claws, but also mandibles in combat, and also has a poison and an innate ability to weave networks. Despite its size, a Pretorian is quick and clever, his reactions are sharpened to protect his Queen, and the magical power that he inherits from his mother is understandable to him instinctively and does not require preparation or training.
The Praetorian's mind is highly dependent on the personality and will of his mother: some Queens view their defenders as part of themselves and such Praetorians are maximally impersonal, being a kind of continuation of the will of the powerful Nerubian females. Other Spider Queens refer to Praetorians as additional familiars, and in this case a Praetorian has his own personality and some freedom, but, like the magician's assistant, created from the animal, he rarely has the right to have his own opinion. Very rarely, the Queens still consider their champions as not only the executor of their will, but also an adviser. A Pretorian brought up by such a queen develops his intellect and personality and is truly unique.
At the first level of Spider Queen, her Praetorian casts and knows spells as a 3rd-level sorcerer.
The Praetorian has the following characteristics:
| Size / Type | Large Monstrous Humanoid |
| Hit Dice | 3d10+6 (22 hp) |
| Initiative | +6 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (10 squares), Climb 25 ft. |
| Armor Class | 13 (+2 Dex, +2 natural, -1 size), touch 12, flat-footed 11 |
| Base Attack / Grapple | +2 / +7 |
| Attack | Bite +4 melee (1d6+1 plus poison) or Web +4 ranged |
| Full Attack | Bite +4 melee (1d6+1 plus poison) and two claws -1 melee (1d6) or Web +4 ranged |
| Space / Reach | 10 ft. / 10 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Poison, spells, Web |
| Special Qualities | Darkvision 60 ft., +2 racial bonus on Fortitude checks against cold environments, -2 on Fortitude checks in a hot environment, Immunity to sleep, control mind, charm and similar effects |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +4 |
| Abilities | Str 13, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 14 |
| Skills | Climb +14, Concentration +8, Escape Artist +5, Jump +13, Listen +6, Spot +8, Search +2 |
| Feats | Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Weapon Finesse |
Web: Praetorian can throw a web up to six times per day. This is similar to an attack with a net, but has a maximum range of 50 feet, with a range increment of 10 feet, and is effective against targets of up to Huge size. The web anchors the target in place, allowing no movement. An entangled creature can escape with a DC 13 Escape Artist check or burst the web with a DC 17 Strength check. The check DCs are Constitution-based, and the Strength check DC includes a +4 racial bonus. The web has 6 hit points, hardness 0, and takes double damage from fire.
Poison: Injury, Fortitude DC 13, initial damage 1d6 Str, secondary damage 2d6 Str. The save DC is Constitution-based.
A Nerubian has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.
At the third level of Spider Queen, her Praetorian receives three levels in one of the following classes: Fighter, Rogue, Ranger or Psion. He gets the features and gain corresponding to the class and the gain in the attack and saves checks, power points per day, powers known, and manifester level. It also gets the appropriate number of skill points, but without multiplying them by 4 in the first level of the class. A Praetorian does not gain experience on his own and cannot progress in the chosen class further, as an ordinary game character.
At the fifth level of Spider Queen, her Praetorian receives three levels in each of the following two classes: Fighter, Rogue, Ranger or Psion. A Praetorian cannot choose in this way the class that he chose earlier. He gets the features and gain corresponding to the class and the gain in the attack and saves checks, power points per day, powers known, and manifester level. It also gets the appropriate number of skill points, but without multiplying them by 4 in the first level of the class. The praetorian does not gain experience on his own and cannot progress in selected classes further as a regular game character.
Queen’s Retinue: Spider Queen is not able to independently move her altered body, but some of her children specially changed to serve the Queen personally, the so-called courtieresses, never leave her and helps to take care of eggs and cocoons.
The Queen has her basic ground speed while she is supported by two courtieresses. They are independent creatures and can be chosen targets for attack and spells, but while they help the queen move then spend on it all their possible actions.
At the first level, the number of courtieresses is four, and while two of them by default help Spider Queen move, two more obey her commands and can be used in combat or as servants. In a situation of danger, the Queen can send a courtieress who was helping her move to repel the danger. She loses the ability to move, but the liberated courtieresses can take part in the battle.
With each next level, the number of courtieresses increases in proportion to the number of levels multiplied by two: +4 on the second level, +6 on the third, +8 on the fourth, and +10 on the fifth.
The courtieress have the following characteristics:
| Size / Type | Small Monstrous Humanoid |
| Hit Dice | 1d8+1 (5 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares), Climb 15 ft. |
| Armor Class | 15 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +2 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack / Grapple | +1 / –2 |
| Attack | Bite +3 melee (1d4+1) |
| Full Attack | Bite +3 melee (1d4+1) |
| Space / Reach | 5 ft. / 5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | — |
| Special Qualities | Cure Serious Wounds, Make Whole, darkvision 60 ft, +2 racial bonus on Fortitude checks against cold environments, -2 on Fortitude checks in a hot environment, Immunity to sleep, control mind, charm and similar effects |
| Saves | Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Str 13, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 9 |
| Skills | Climb +10, Heal +5, Hide +6, Listen +4, Spot +6, Search +4 |
Cure Serious Wounds (Sp): Four courtieresses together can heal a creature’s wounds as though using the cure serious wounds spell (caster level 7th). This is a full-round action for all four courtieresses.
Make Whole (Sp): Two courtieresses together can repair an object as though using the make whole spell (caster level 7th). This is a full-round action for all two courtieresses.
A Nerubian has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.
The courtieresses are smart enough, but they have a mind that is completely consumed by the needs of their Queen. Thus, they are almost impersonal and not too capable of communication or awareness of their own needs, including concern for self-preservation. The substances necessary for life are obtained by contact with the body of the Queen and the care of her survival is above all for them. The courtieresses are telepathically connected with Spider Queen and she is able to give orders to them at any distance.
High Status: A Spider Queen increases in size with age and strength. The more a Queen, the more offspring she can produce, which is important for her nest, but also, the more the queen, the more magical and psionic energy she accumulates and becomes more powerful.
On the second level, a Spider Queen becomes one size larger category, that is, Huge. She gets all the benefits that fit her size, but thanks to her plastic anatomy and the support of numerous courtieresses, she does not bear the majority of fines associated with these changes. As a Huge creature, a Queen takes a +4 size bonus on special attack (bull rushes, grapples, overruns, and trips) checks, uses larger weapons, and its lifting and carrying limits are twice of those of a Large character. However, it does not receive a -1 size penalty to Armor Class, a -1 size penalty on attack rolls. Weight a Spider Queen increases by 8 times and thus it can walk itself only if it is under the influence of spells and effects that reduce its weight by more than 1600 lb. The character's weight also increases by 1600 lb.
In order to move with the support of courtieresses it needs twice their number, that is four. Also, the number of other creatures that can help the queen move is also increased. Now, to preserve its mobility, it takes four medium size creatures, or two large size ones.
Since a Spider Queen is not intended by nature for melee combat, her natural weapon does not receive a bonus for its size. However, her psionic and magical abilities receive a significant increase. A Spider Queen gains a bonus feat. This feat must be a psionic feat, a metapsionic feat, a psionic item creation feat, a metamagic feat, an item creation feat, or Spell Mastery. The Spider Queen must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat.
At the fourth level, a Spider Queen becomes one size category larger, that is, Gargantuan. She gets all the benefits that fit her size, but thanks to her plastic anatomy and the support of numerous courtieresses, she does not bear the majority of fines associated with these changes. As a Gargantuan creature, a Queen takes a +4 size bonus on special attack (bull rushes, grapples, overruns, and trips) checks, uses larger weapons, and its lifting and carrying limits are twice of those of a Huge character. However, it does not receive a -1 size penalty to Armor Class, a -1 size penalty on attack rolls. Weight a Spider Queen increases by 8 times and thus it can walk itself only if it is under the influence of spells and effects, reducing its weight by more than 12800 lb. The character's weight also increases by 12800 lb.
Her natural weapon does not receive a bonus for its size.
In order to move with the support of courtieresses, it needs twice the number, that is, eight. Also, the number of other creatures that can help the queen move is also increased. Now, to preserve its mobility, you need eight medium size creatures, four large size ones or two huge size ones. A Spider Queen gains two bonus feats. These feats must be a psionic feat, a metapsionic feat, a psionic item creation feat, a metamagic feat, an item creation feat, or Spell Mastery. The Spider Queen must still meet all prerequisites for bonus feats.
On the fifth level, a Spider Queen becomes one size larger category, that is, Colossal. She gets all the benefits that fit her size, but thanks to her plastic anatomy and the support of numerous courtieresses, she does not bear the majority of fines associated with these changes. As a Colossal creature, a Queen takes a +4 size bonus on special attack (bull rushes, grapples, overruns, and trips) checks, uses larger weapons, and its lifting and carrying limits are twice of those of a Gargantuan character. However, it does not receive a -1 size penalty to Armor Class, a -1 size penalty on attack rolls. Weight a Spider Queen increases by 8 times and thus it can walk itself only if it is under the influence of spells and effects, reducing its weight by more than 76,800 lb. The character's weight also increases by 76,800 lb.
In order to move with the support of courtieresses, it needs twice the number, that is, sixteen. Also, the number of other creatures that can help the queen move is also increased. Now, to preserve its mobility, it takes sixteen medium size creatures, eight large size ones, four huge size ones or two gargantuan size ones.
Her natural weapon does not receive a bonus for its size. A Spider Queen gains three bonus feats. These feats must be a psionic feat, a metapsionic feat, a psionic item creation feat, a metamagic feat, an item creation feat, or Spell Mastery. The Spider Queen must still meet all prerequisites for bonus feats.
Ruler’s Conduct: Starting with the second level, a Nerubian Spider Queen can effectively command his allies, giving them a leadership bonus to their characteristics. The number of applications of this ability per day equals Nerubian Spider Queen's class level.
The order acts on one ally within 30 ft., spending the standard action a Queen and allows you to select the number of effects equal to the class level of Spider Queen, that is two, from the list below:
| +1 bonus on disarm attempts, trip, bull rush, and sunder attempts. |
| +1 bonus on Fortitude saves. |
| +1 bonus on rolls to overcome spell resistance. |
| +1 bonus on Will saves. |
| +1 bonus to Armor Class against attacks of opportunity. |
| +1 bonus on damage rolls when flanking. |
| +1 bonus on Charisma checks and Charisma-based skill checks. |
| +1 bonus on Constitution checks and Constitution-based skill checks. |
| +1 bonus on Dexterity checks, Dexterity-based skill checks, and initiative checks. |
| +1 bonus on Intelligence checks and Intelligence-based skill checks. |
| +1 bonus on Strength checks and Strength-based skill checks. |
| +1 bonus on Wisdom checks and Wisdom-based skill checks. |
| +1 bonus on damage rolls when charging. |
| +1 bonus on Reflex saves. |
The selected ally gets these bonuses for 2d6 next rounds. Since her Pretorian and courtieresses are associated with a Spider Queen always, they receive the same bonuses that received the order at the same time, if during the getting bonuses allies were located no more than 30 ft. from a Spider Queen.
Beginning with the third level, a Queen can choose three bonuses, instead of two from the list and act upon an order for two allies simultaneously within 40 ft. Similarly, being in this range, her Pretorian and courtieresses receive the same bonuses.
Beginning with the third level, a Queen can choose four bonuses, instead of three from the list and act upon an order for three allies simultaneously within 50 ft. Similarly, being in this range, her Pretorian and courtieresses receive the same bonuses.
Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes
| Article Balance | Moderate + |
| Identifier | 3.5e Prestige Class + |
| Length | 5 + |
| Minimum Level | 10 + |
| Racial Restrictions | Nerubian + |
| Rating | Unrated + |
| Summary | A Queen has an ability to create a detachment of personal guards ready to die protecting her life. Also using pheromones and leadership qualities, a Queen is able to command and direct allies. + |
| Title | Nerubian Spider Queen + |
