Spiderfang Gauntlets

From: Dracoraptoris Arborterra

Stats:

  • Level Requirement: Tier 1
  • Armor Class (AC): +1
  • Skills gained:
    • Climbing: Advantage on checks
    • Grappling: Advantage on checks
  • Cost: 150 gold pieces
  • Tags: Gauntlets, Light Armor, Chitin Armor, Agility Boost, Climbing Mastery, Grappling Grip, Spider Essence, Terrain Navigation, Wall Walker, Enhanced Dexterity, Predator’s Grip

Lore: The Spiderfang Gauntlets are masterfully crafted from the formidable chitinous exoskeleton of the fearsome black widow spider. The gauntlets are imbued with the inherent strength and agility of the spider, allowing the wearer to navigate challenging terrain with ease. Legend has it that the gauntlets are infused with the essence of the spiders themselves, granting the wearer their exceptional climbing and grasping capabilities.

Use: The Spiderfang Gauntlets provide not only protection but also enhanced dexterity and grip. Adventurers who wear these gauntlets excel at climbing sheer surfaces and grappling with adversaries, utilizing their environment to gain an advantage. The advantage on climbing and grappling checks allows the wearer to scale walls, cliffs, and other vertical obstacles effortlessly. Additionally, the gauntlets offer a measure of defense against incoming attacks. Whether exploring treacherous landscapes or engaging in close-quarters combat, the Spiderfang Gauntlets prove invaluable for those who seek to dominate the battlefield with their agility and adaptability.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Spiderfang Gauntlets are highly sought after by adventurers, climbers, and martial artists who need both protection and enhanced dexterity for scaling treacherous environments and engaging in close combat. These gauntlets are crafted from the black widow spider’s exoskeleton and imbued with mystical properties, making them rare and valuable items found in specialized shops. Below are descriptions of the types of shops where the Spiderfang Gauntlets might be bought or sold, along with the cost variations in each setting:

  • Silkspinner’s Guildhall
    • Located in cities close to vast forests or jungles where giant spiders are known to roam, the Silkspinner’s Guildhall is renowned for crafting items from the exoskeletons and webs of various arachnids. The guild’s artisans specialize in working with spider chitin, using secret techniques passed down through generations. These gauntlets are displayed alongside other spider-themed items like cloaks and boots made from webs.
    • Cost: 120 to 180 gold pieces, depending on the craftsmanship and availability of materials. Members of the guild may receive discounts or commissions at a reduced rate.
  • Hunter’s Trading Post
    • In frontier towns or outposts near dangerous wilds, the Hunter’s Trading Post deals in rare items harvested from deadly creatures. The Spiderfang Gauntlets, being crafted from the remains of the formidable black widow, are prized by hunters and trappers looking to navigate steep cliffs or pursue prey into difficult terrain.
    • Cost: 150 gold pieces (fixed). The price reflects the practicality and utility of the gauntlets for those who spend their lives in the wilderness.
  • Martial Arts Academy
    • Some martial arts academies in larger cities may deal in specialized equipment designed to enhance the capabilities of their students. The Spiderfang Gauntlets are perfect for grapplers and those who practice forms of combat that rely on leverage and agility. The gauntlets may be offered to advanced students or sold to outsiders with permission from the academy’s master.
    • Cost: 160 to 200 gold pieces, as the gauntlets are seen as tools for serious combat training. Some academies may require the buyer to prove their worth or demonstrate combat skill before making a purchase.
  • Mountain Climber’s Bazaar
    • This small marketplace, found in settlements near towering mountains or cliffside cities, specializes in gear for adventurers and explorers. The Mountain Climber’s Bazaar is a haven for mountaineers, offering ropes, climbing picks, enchanted boots, and of course, the Spiderfang Gauntlets. The gauntlets are highly valued here due to their effectiveness in scaling sheer cliffs.
    • Cost: 170 to 220 gold pieces. Demand for climbing gear is high in these areas, driving up the price, especially during busy exploration seasons.
  • Underground Black Market
    • In shadowy corners of major cities, where rare and dangerous goods are exchanged, the Underground Black Market often carries magical items harvested from deadly creatures. The Spiderfang Gauntlets might be sold here, but buyers should be cautious—dealings in the black market often come with risks, and the items may be stolen or cursed.
    • Cost: 100 to 150 gold pieces. Prices tend to be lower here, but there is always the chance the gauntlets are stolen, and buying from the black market can bring legal or supernatural consequences.
  • Arcane Artisan’s Shop
    • In the wealthier districts of magical cities, Arcane Artisan’s Shops specialize in finely crafted magical gear. These high-end stores cater to adventurers with significant means or nobility seeking enchanted items. The Spiderfang Gauntlets are treated as luxury climbing tools here, refined with decorative engravings or additional enchantments for the discerning buyer.
    • Cost: 200 to 250 gold pieces. The higher price reflects the artisans’ reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and additional custom enhancements.
  • Wilderness Shrine
    • Near sacred shrines dedicated to the spirits of nature or spiders, local priests or shamans may sell Spiderfang Gauntlets as part of their sacred rites. These shrines, often located deep within forests or in mountainous regions, attract adventurers who seek blessings or protection from the natural world. The gauntlets may be acquired here after completing a quest or offering tribute.
    • Cost: 150 gold pieces (fixed), though spiritual offerings or services may reduce the cost. Some buyers may need to prove their respect for nature before being allowed to purchase.
  • Fighter’s Guild
    • In towns or cities with a strong warrior culture, the Fighter’s Guild may offer Spiderfang Gauntlets to seasoned fighters looking for specialized equipment. They are recommended to those who rely on grappling techniques or who require agility in combat. The guild often buys these gauntlets from trusted artisans or hunters.
    • Cost: 150 to 180 gold pieces. Fighters may be able to reduce the cost by performing tasks for the guild or trading in other rare items.

Each of these locations reflects the Spiderfang Gauntlets’ rarity and utility, with prices fluctuating based on the setting, the local economy, and the item’s perceived value to adventurers or warriors. Buyers may need to prove their worth, offer additional services, or deal with risks to acquire these rare and valuable gauntlets.

The Spiderfang Gauntlets offer versatility in both defense and offense, depending on the environment. Crafted from the chitinous exoskeleton of the black widow spider, these gauntlets enhance the wearer’s climbing abilities and grappling prowess, making them invaluable for adventurers who traverse difficult terrain or engage in close-quarters combat. Below is an exploration of how the gauntlets can be roleplayed for defense and offense in various environments.

  • Dense Forests or Jungles
    • Defense: In thick, dense forests or jungles where visibility and mobility are limited, the Spiderfang Gauntlets grant the wearer the ability to quickly climb trees, providing a strategic advantage. When ambushed, the wearer can scale a nearby tree in moments, evading attackers and gaining a vantage point from which to survey the area. The enhanced grip and climbing advantage help the wearer avoid entangling vines or traps set by enemies in the underbrush.
    • Offense: When engaging foes in such environments, the wearer can use the gauntlets to launch surprise attacks from above. Scaling trees or cliffs, the wearer can leap down to grapple enemies, using the natural cover of the forest to approach undetected. The wearer’s enhanced grip allows them to drag opponents into hazardous terrain, such as tangled roots or thorny vines, where they can gain the upper hand.
  • Mountainous or Cliffside Terrain
    • Defense: On steep, rocky cliffs or in mountainous regions, the Spiderfang Gauntlets provide a critical defense against falls. If the wearer is knocked back or loses their footing in combat, they can quickly latch onto a surface with ease, preventing a potentially fatal fall. When navigating narrow ledges, the gauntlets offer enhanced balance and grip, allowing the wearer to traverse precarious paths without fear of slipping.
    • Offense: In these environments, the wearer can use the gauntlets to gain superior positioning. Climbing up cliffs or rocky outcroppings allows the wearer to strike from higher ground, using gravity to enhance their grappling attacks. They could also grapple enemies and throw them off the edge of cliffs, using the terrain to eliminate foes without a direct fight. The advantage in climbing also lets the wearer chase or ambush enemies attempting to escape through difficult terrain.
  • Urban Rooftops and Buildings
    • Defense: In urban environments with tall buildings, the Spiderfang Gauntlets provide an advantage when escaping pursuit. The wearer can scale walls or leap between rooftops, using the gauntlets to quickly ascend and evade ground-level enemies. This allows for tactical retreats or evasive maneuvers in tight city streets or alleyways.
    • Offense: For a more aggressive approach, the wearer can use the rooftops as a hunting ground, stalking enemies from above. They can drop down silently on unsuspecting foes, using the gauntlets’ enhanced grappling capabilities to quickly subdue or incapacitate targets. In combat, the wearer can scale walls to surprise enemies with ambushes from unexpected directions.
  • Dungeons or Underground Caverns
    • Defense: In dark, underground dungeons or caverns, the Spiderfang Gauntlets grant the wearer the ability to scale walls or ceilings, allowing them to avoid traps or ambushes from below. The enhanced climbing abilities give the wearer an advantage in areas where the ground might be unstable, like caverns prone to collapse, flooded chambers, or lava pits.
    • Offense: In the confined spaces of a dungeon, grappling becomes a key offensive strategy. The wearer can use the gauntlets to grapple enemies in tight corridors, leveraging the environment to gain control. Scaling walls or ceilings allows the wearer to bypass enemies or attack from unexpected angles, while the gauntlets’ grip makes it easier to pull enemies into traps or dangerous areas within the dungeon.
  • Swamps or Marshlands
    • Defense: Swamps and marshes present a challenge for most adventurers, as the muddy terrain can slow movement and make travel difficult. However, the Spiderfang Gauntlets allow the wearer to climb out of the muck by scaling trees or rocky surfaces, avoiding becoming stuck or bogged down. The wearer’s enhanced grip helps them navigate through wet, slippery environments, ensuring they aren’t easily caught in natural hazards.
    • Offense: In marshy environments, the wearer can use the gauntlets to drag opponents into the swamp, where the terrain favors those with superior grip and dexterity. The ability to climb or jump onto rocks and branches allows the wearer to maintain high ground, forcing enemies to fight at a disadvantage in the muddy waters. Grappling enemies in this environment gives the wearer an edge, as they can immobilize foes in the swamp’s difficult terrain.
  • Desert or Sandy Terrain
    • Defense: In the desert, where loose sand makes footing unreliable, the Spiderfang Gauntlets help the wearer maintain balance and stability. If an enemy attempts to knock them prone or push them into a sandpit, the wearer can use the gauntlets to steady themselves and avoid falling. The gauntlets’ advantage in climbing also helps with traversing rocky desert outcroppings or ancient ruins, where smooth, weathered surfaces may be difficult to grip.
    • Offense: Offensively, the wearer can use the gauntlets to gain an advantage over enemies in desert terrain by climbing rocky outcroppings and positioning themselves above foes, taking advantage of the harsh environment. The wearer can also use the gauntlets to grapple enemies in sand, where movement is more difficult, allowing the wearer to take full advantage of their superior dexterity and grip.
  • Ruins and Ancient Temples
    • Defense: In ruins or ancient temples, where danger often comes from environmental hazards like crumbling walls or collapsing floors, the Spiderfang Gauntlets allow the wearer to climb and avoid falling debris. The wearer can navigate traps and pitfalls more easily, using the gauntlets to find safe routes through precarious areas.
    • Offense: The wearer can also use the gauntlets offensively by scaling ruins and launching ambushes on foes exploring the temple. They can grapple enemies near unstable areas, using the ruins to their advantage by throwing opponents into dangerous or trapped locations. The gauntlets make it easier to fight in vertical environments, allowing the wearer to maintain control of the battlefield.
  • Arena Combat or Gladiatorial Pits
    • Defense: In an arena or gladiatorial pit, where there is little room to hide or retreat, the Spiderfang Gauntlets give the wearer an advantage by enabling them to climb arena walls or use the environment to escape attacks. The enhanced grip allows the wearer to gain the upper hand in tight grappling situations, preventing opponents from pinning them down.
    • Offense: The gauntlets shine in offensive grappling, allowing the wearer to throw or immobilize enemies with ease. In arenas with vertical obstacles or traps, the wearer can climb and maneuver around these structures, using them to launch surprise attacks or gain advantageous positions. Grappling with these gauntlets allows the wearer to control the pace of the fight, overwhelming opponents with superior strength and dexterity.

In all these environments, the Spiderfang Gauntlets provide a tactical edge in both defense and offense, leveraging the wearer’s enhanced climbing and grappling abilities. Whether scaling sheer cliffs, evading traps, or engaging foes in close combat, the gauntlets allow the wearer to exploit their surroundings and control the flow of battle.

Perception of Activation:

  • User’s Perspective: When the Spiderfang Gauntlets are activated, the user immediately feels a surge of agility and strength coursing through their hands and arms. The gauntlets seem to come alive, heightening the user’s awareness of their surroundings and boosting their physical capabilities.
    • Sight: The world sharpens into focus, with vertical surfaces like walls and cliffs appearing more inviting and easier to climb. The gauntlets’ subtle red markings glow faintly, pulsing with energy.
    • Sound: A faint clicking sound, like the movement of spider legs over stone, echoes softly in the wearer’s ears. It’s rhythmic and quiet, almost imperceptible, but it adds to the sense of being in tune with the gauntlets’ power.
    • Touch: The wearer feels the gauntlets tightening slightly around their wrists and fingers, giving them a heightened grip. Surfaces once smooth or slick now seem rougher, providing more traction and control, as though the wearer’s fingers had sprouted fine, spider-like hairs.
    • Smell: There is a faint, earthy scent, reminiscent of damp caves or old wood, as if the wearer has become attuned to hidden spaces where spiders naturally thrive.
    • Taste: A metallic tang fills the mouth briefly, like the taste of iron or freshly turned soil, hinting at the primal energy of the spiders imbued within the gauntlets.
    • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
      • Terrain Awareness: The user gains an intuitive understanding of vertical and difficult terrain. They can sense the best climbing paths or handholds, almost as if their perception extends to the surfaces they touch.
      • Web Sensitivity: The user feels a faint connection to vibrations in the air, akin to the sensitivity of a spider detecting movement on its web. This heightened awareness helps them sense nearby movement or potential threats, especially in close combat.
  • Observer’s Perspective: To an observer, the activation of the Spiderfang Gauntlets is subtle yet striking, with only a few visual and sensory cues indicating the transformation.
    • Sight: The gauntlets’ red markings glow faintly, resembling a spider’s web pulsing with life. The wearer’s movements become more fluid and precise, especially when climbing or grappling, giving the impression of unnatural dexterity and grace.
    • Sound: Observers may notice a faint scratching or clicking sound, like spider legs moving over a hard surface, emanating from the wearer’s movements when the gauntlets are active.
    • Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
      • Presence of Predatory Energy: Those sensitive to magical or supernatural energies may feel a slight predatory aura around the wearer, as if they’ve taken on a spider-like aspect. It’s not malevolent, but it gives the impression of heightened awareness and readiness to strike.
      • Movement Flow: The wearer’s actions seem connected to their surroundings, almost like they are one with the environment, moving with an eerie fluidity that mirrors the instincts of a spider navigating its web.
  • Positives
    • Enhanced Climbing and Grappling: The wearer can climb vertical surfaces with ease and outmaneuver opponents in grappling situations, making the gauntlets invaluable in both exploration and close-quarters combat.
    • Heightened Terrain Awareness: The wearer gains an innate sense of the environment, allowing them to find handholds, paths, and escape routes more quickly than they normally could.
    • Improved Grip: The gauntlets offer enhanced control and strength in the wearer’s hands, enabling them to maintain a solid grip even on smooth or slippery surfaces.
    • Subtle Combat Advantage: The increased sensitivity to vibrations and movement gives the wearer a slight edge in combat, allowing them to anticipate and react to attacks more effectively.
  • Negatives
    • Spider-like Mental Influence: Over time, the wearer may begin to adopt predatory instincts, becoming overly focused on hunting, stalking, or dominating their enemies in combat. This could lead to reckless behavior.
    • Energy Drain: Prolonged activation of the gauntlets can cause physical and mental fatigue. The constant flow of energy from the gauntlets to the user’s body can leave them feeling drained after extended use.
    • Unnatural Movements: To others, the wearer’s movements may begin to seem unsettling or unnatural, especially during climbing or combat, causing discomfort or fear in those around them.
    • Overstimulation: The increased sensory awareness and constant flow of information can overwhelm the wearer, leading to distraction or sensory overload, particularly in chaotic environments with lots of movement.

Crafting Recipe: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Materials Needed:
    • Chitinous Exoskeleton (6 segments): Harvested from a black widow spider or similar large arachnid. These pieces form the outer shell of the gauntlets.
    • Spider Silk Thread (2 spools): Extremely durable and flexible, used to stitch the gauntlets together while retaining agility. Harvested from magical spiders or crafted using arcane methods.
    • Venom Sac (1 small vial): Extracted from the spider, this is used in the enchantment process to imbue the gauntlets with the spider’s dexterity and grip.
    • Iron Plates (2 thin sheets): Reinforced metal plates to provide durability without compromising flexibility.
    • Essence of Agility (1 vial): A magical ingredient that enhances the wearer’s speed and agility. This essence can be obtained from rare plants, quicksilver spirits, or found in elemental windstorms.
    • Spider Eyes (2): Embedded in the gauntlets to enhance sensory awareness and the “spider’s touch” perception.
  • Tools Required:
    • Arcane Weaver’s Loom: Used to weave the spider silk thread and chitin segments together into a form-fitting design.
    • Venom Infuser: A magical device designed to safely infuse the venom sac into the gauntlets without poisoning the wearer.
    • Carapace Carving Knife: A precision tool for carving the chitinous exoskeleton into protective, functional pieces.
    • Enchanter’s Forge: A forge where the iron plates can be treated and infused with the essence of agility and protective spells.
    • Alchemical Tools: Used to safely handle and distill the venom and essence during the crafting process.
  • Skill Requirements:
    • Leatherworking (Advanced): Required to shape the chitin and combine it with the metal and silk into a wearable form.
    • Alchemy (Intermediate): Necessary for properly handling the spider venom and combining it with the magical essence.
    • Enchantment (Expert): Required to imbue the gauntlets with the spider’s traits—climbing, grappling, and heightened perception.
    • Blacksmithing (Intermediate): Needed to craft the iron plates and ensure the gauntlets remain lightweight but durable.
  • Crafting Steps:
    • Preparation of the Exoskeleton:
      • Begin by cleaning and treating the Chitinous Exoskeleton segments to make them suitable for shaping. Use the Carapace Carving Knife to cut each piece into articulated plates that will cover the fingers, knuckles, and wrist areas of the gauntlets.
      • Ensure that the segments are lightweight yet thick enough to provide the necessary protection and durability.
    • Weaving the Spider Silk:
      • Set up the Arcane Weaver’s Loom and begin weaving the Spider Silk Thread into the exoskeleton segments. The silk is used to bind the chitinous plates together while preserving flexibility. Make sure to reinforce the joints around the fingers and knuckles.
      • Leave small gaps at the knuckle joints for the Venom Infusion in a later step.
    • Infusing the Venom:
      • Using the Venom Infuser, extract the venom from the Venom Sac and carefully coat the interior of the knuckle sections of the gauntlets. This will enhance the wearer’s grip and imbue the gauntlets with spider-like dexterity.
      • Ensure that the venom is spread evenly and carefully to avoid contamination or accidental poisoning during wear.
    • Forging the Iron Plates:
      • Heat the Iron Plates in the Enchanter’s Forge and infuse them with the Essence of Agility. This will grant the gauntlets enhanced durability while ensuring the wearer’s movements remain swift and agile.
      • The iron plates should be thin and shaped to fit the back of the hands and forearms, providing additional protection without adding excessive weight. Once forged, attach them to the exterior of the gauntlets using Spider Silk Thread.
    • Embedding the Spider Eyes:
      • Carve two small sockets into the back of the gauntlets near the wrist. Place the Spider Eyes into these sockets, ensuring they are securely held in place. These will give the wearer heightened awareness and sensitivity to movement, mimicking the spider’s web-detection abilities.
      • Use alchemical binding agents to ensure the eyes stay intact and function correctly as part of the gauntlets’ sensory enhancements.
    • Final Enchantment:
      • With the gauntlets fully assembled, place them within the Enchanter’s Forge for the final phase of the crafting process. Perform a ritual of binding using ancient incantations to fully merge the venom, spider silk, and chitinous exoskeleton with the magical properties of the Essence of Agility.
      • During this process, ensure that the gauntlets’ magical enhancements—advantage in climbing and grappling—are properly attuned to the wearer’s natural movements. This requires deep concentration and a successful Enchantment roll to bind the spider’s essence into the gauntlets.
    • Testing and Completion:
      • Once the enchantment process is complete, test the gauntlets by climbing surfaces and performing grappling maneuvers to ensure the magical properties are fully functional. If the wearer feels a slight tingling in their fingers and improved dexterity, the gauntlets are successfully enchanted.
      • Polish the gauntlets and ensure the seams and plates are properly secured. The Spiderfang Gauntlets are now complete and ready for use.
  • Completion Time: 5 to 7 days, depending on the skill of the crafter and the availability of materials.

Tale of the Fangs of the Climbing Darkness

In the long-before time, when the earth was still new, there was much that crawled and crept in the shadows of the world. Among these was Dracoraptoris, a beast of tree and stone, who walked in the high places where the light of day rarely touched. It is told that he sought not only dominion of the land but also of the heights where wind and cloud met, and for this, he needed the strength of the spider.

In those days, there lived the great Widow, she of the endless silk and the sharpest fangs. The Widow spun webs across the world’s jagged cliffs, her home in the dark reaches above and below. None dared seek her out, for her bite brought swift and silent death, and her children guarded the heights.

But Dracoraptoris, with a heart full of hunger for power, came to the Widow’s lair. He spoke to her in the tongue of the earth, a language forgotten now, and promised her dominion over the lands in return for the power to scale the highest walls and hold the strongest foes. The Widow, seeing ambition in his eyes, spun for him gauntlets from her own chitin, binding them with threads from her web, and filling them with venom from her fangs. She whispered ancient words of power into the gauntlets, weaving her essence into the dark material.

With these gauntlets, now called the Fangs of the Climbing Darkness, Dracoraptoris found that he could climb without effort, gripping the steepest cliffs and leaping from wall to wall like the Widow herself. His grip on his enemies was unbreakable, and with each fight, his strength grew. Yet, the power of the gauntlets came with a price. Dracoraptoris began to feel the pull of the shadows, the weight of the darkness, and the hunger for control over more than just the high places. His heart, once full of ambition, became heavy with the whispers of the Widow.

In time, the tale says, Dracoraptoris was no longer himself. The gauntlets, while granting him great power, had drawn him too far into the Widow’s world. He was seen less and less by those who sought him, until one day, he vanished into the heights, where no one could follow, becoming one with the shadows and the wind, a creature of darkness and the endless web.

The Fangs of the Climbing Darkness were left behind, but their power remains, waiting for the next one to claim them, to scale the unreachable and grapple with the unknown. But those who seek them are warned of the Widow’s whisper—power comes at a cost, and her venom lingers.

Moral of the Story: Seek not the heights of the world without knowing the depths of the shadows, for the gift of the spider is both strength and web, and in its strands, even the strong can be bound.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Artifact
  • Description: Chitinous gauntlets crafted from spider exoskeleton, imbued with the power to enhance climbing and grappling abilities.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor Bonus: +1 to unarmed defense (only applies to hands and forearms).
    • Climbing Mastery: Grants a +20% bonus to Climb rolls.
    • Grappling Power: Grants a +20% bonus to Strength rolls when grappling or maintaining a hold.
    • Psychological Toll: Each time the gauntlets are used for more than an hour, the wearer must make a SAN roll (1/1D4 loss) due to the spider-like instincts slowly influencing their mind.
    • Venomous Whisper: Once per day, the wearer can inject a dose of venom from the gauntlets into a target during a successful grapple, dealing 1D4 poison damage (may cause paralysis if the target fails a CON roll).

Blades in the Dark

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Fine Armor (Rare)
  • Description: These gauntlets, crafted from the exoskeleton of a deadly spider, are lightweight yet tough, perfect for stealth operations and close-quarters combat.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor Bonus: Provides 1 armor box against physical attacks.
    • Climbing: When wearing the gauntlets, gain +1D to rolls for climbing walls, ropes, or other vertical surfaces.
    • Grappling: Gain +1D to rolls involving hand-to-hand combat, specifically grappling or subduing foes.
    • Venom Strike: Once per score, the gauntlets can be activated to deliver a venomous strike in close combat. When you grapple a foe, you may inject them with venom, giving them the Harm 2 condition if they fail a resistance roll.
  • Load: 1 (counts as light armor).
  • Stress Cost: 1 stress when using Venom Strike.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Wondrous Item (Uncommon, Attunement required)
  • Description: Gauntlets made from the exoskeleton of a black widow spider, granting the wearer increased climbing ability and strength in grappling.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor Class: Grants +1 AC (light armor, applies to hands and forearms).
    • Climbing: The wearer gains advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks to climb surfaces.
    • Grappling: The wearer gains advantage on checks to grapple and maintain a grapple.
    • Spider Venom: Once per day, the gauntlets can inject venom into a creature being grappled. The creature must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 2d6 poison damage and be paralyzed for 1 minute.
  • Weight: 1 lb.
  • Cost: 150 gold pieces.

Knave

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Magic Armor (Uncommon)
  • Description: Lightweight gauntlets woven from the exoskeleton of a massive spider. They provide excellent grip and enhance the wearer’s physical abilities in climbing and combat.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor Bonus: Provides a +1 bonus to Defense.
    • Climbing Mastery: Gain advantage on all rolls related to climbing vertical surfaces.
    • Grappling: Gain advantage on all grappling-related rolls.
    • Venomous Grapple: Once per day, when grappling a target, the wearer can deal 2 poison damage by activating the gauntlet’s venom, forcing the target to make a WIS Save or be stunned for the next round.
  • Cost: 120 coins
  • Weight: 1 slot.

Fate Core

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Artifact
  • Aspect: “Chitinous Climber’s Gauntlets”
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Invoke: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Athletics when climbing or Fight when grappling.
    • Compel: The gauntlets’ connection to spider-like instincts can compel risky behavior, causing the wearer to become overconfident or overly aggressive during physical confrontations.
    • Stunt: Venomous Grip: Once per session, the wearer can inject venom into a grappled opponent. This attack creates an advantage such as Weakened or Paralyzed on a successful roll.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use may create mental stress, inducing paranoia or an aversion to bright light, leading to temporary penalties in sunny environments.

Numenera & Cypher System

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Artifact (Level 5)
  • Description: A pair of lightweight gauntlets made from spider exoskeleton, enhancing the wearer’s ability to climb and grapple, with venomous properties.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Effect: Provides an asset to climbing and grappling tasks, improving their success rate.
    • Venomous Strike: Once per day, when grappling an enemy, the wearer can deal 5 points of poison damage. The target must make a Might defense roll or become paralyzed for 1 round.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1d20. Each time the venomous strike is used, roll for depletion. On a 1, the gauntlets lose their venom properties and must be recharged by exposing them to a venomous creature or alchemical means.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Magical Armor (Uncommon)
  • Price: 160 gp
  • Bulk: Light
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor Class: Grants a +1 item bonus to AC.
    • Climbing Mastery: The wearer gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Athletics checks for climbing.
    • Grappling: Grants the wearer a +2 item bonus to Athletics checks to grapple or maintain a grapple.
    • Venomous Grapple: Once per day, when the wearer successfully grapples a creature, they may deal 2d6 poison damage. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or become paralyzed for 1 round.
    • Activation: Free action to activate the Venomous Grapple ability.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Magical Armor
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor: Grants +1 Toughness.
    • Climbing Mastery: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to Athletics checks related to climbing.
    • Grappling Bonus: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to grapple opponents.
    • Venomous Strike: Once per session, when the wearer successfully grapples an opponent, they may inject venom, forcing the target to make a Vigor roll or suffer 1d6 poison damage and become Shaken.
  • Weight: 2 lbs
  • Cost: 200 credits or the local equivalent in value.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Magical Gear
  • Description: Chitinous gauntlets crafted from a venomous spider’s exoskeleton, enhancing the wearer’s agility, climbing, and close combat abilities.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor Rating: +1 to Impact Armor (Hands only).
    • Climbing Mastery: Grants +2 dice to any Climbing checks.
    • Grappling: Provides a +2 dice bonus to unarmed combat rolls when attempting to grapple or subdue targets.
    • Venom Injection: Once per day, after a successful unarmed strike, the wearer may inject venom into a target. The target must succeed on a Body + Willpower Test (Threshold 3) or take 2 Physical damage and suffer -1 to all actions for the next combat round due to the paralytic effects of the venom.
  • Cost: 12,000¥
  • Availability: 8R

Starfinder

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Level: 5
  • Type: Hybrid Item (Magic and Technology)
  • Description: Spiderfang Gauntlets enhance the wearer’s climbing and grappling abilities, while also allowing them to inject venom into enemies during close combat.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • AC Bonus: Provides a +1 enhancement bonus to AC.
    • Climbing: Grants the wearer a +2 bonus to Athletics checks for climbing.
    • Grappling: The wearer gains a +2 bonus to grapple checks.
    • Venom Strike: Once per day, when the wearer successfully grapples an opponent, they may activate the gauntlets to deal 2d6 poison damage. The target must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 14) or become paralyzed for 1 round.
  • Price: 3,500 credits
  • Bulk: Light
  • Capacity: 1 charge (recharges daily).

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Personal Armor (TL 12)
  • Description: A pair of gauntlets made from advanced materials mimicking the chitinous exoskeleton of spiders, enhancing climbing and unarmed combat capabilities.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor: Grants +1 Armor to the hands and forearms.
    • Climbing Mastery: The wearer gains a +2 DM to Athletics (climbing) checks.
    • Grappling Mastery: Provides +2 DM to unarmed combat rolls when grappling or subduing an opponent.
    • Venomous Strike: Once per day, the wearer can inject a paralytic venom during a successful grapple. The target must make an Endurance check (8+) or be paralyzed for 1D3 rounds.
  • Cost: 10,000 Credits
  • Weight: 1 kg

Warhammer 40,000 (Wrath & Glory)

Item: Spiderfang Gauntlets

  • Type: Artifact (Unique)
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Armor: Provides +1 Resilience (Hands only).
    • Climbing: The wearer gains +2 bonus dice to Athletics tests when climbing.
    • Grappling Bonus: The wearer gains +2 bonus dice to grappling rolls and can reroll any failed tests.
    • Venom Strike: Once per session, the wearer can inject venom into a grappled enemy. The target must make a DN 4 Toughness Test or suffer 2 Wounds and become Stunned for one round.
  • Price: Priceless (Unique Artifact)
  • Availability: Only available through story events or earned through specific quests/tasks.