McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Vilify a Spider

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Haru:

--- Quote from: Farmerbob1 on April 09, 2015, 02:55:06 PM ---I could see insects that typically swarm having swarm forms, sure.  Bees, for instance.  Perhaps some ants.  However non-flying insects wouldn't create humaniform shapes unless they are resting against something, I wouldn't think.  Bees could make a humaniform standing shape, but for ants to do the same would be difficult to imagine.  They might, however, be able to make a seated or prone humaniform shape with little difficulty.

--- End quote ---
I've actually seen that being done with spiders in a German fantasy novel (Christoph Marzi - Lycidas). It was only for one scene, but it was excellently done and worked really well to create a rather unique experience for the reader.

It was basically described as spiders crawling all over each other and falling off again and the whole humanoid shape in constant flux and motion. The spiders would speak by clicking their mandibles in unison to create the tones.

Quantus:
The Giant spider idea would be a cultivated bloodline somewhere.  I dont see it coming up in the first work, which will be mostly set in the US, but if it did show up it would be a sort of thing where the spirit kept jumping form one spider to anther as you defeated them, and every time you thought you'd beaten it's largest form you'd turn a corner and find that it had one even larger. 

groinkick:
Ability to walk upside down from the ceiling.  It's disturbing because it's not natural for us.  I could imagine someone sleeping in bed, and directly above you see this giant spider walking quietly on the ceiling...  Also the ability to go into cramped places.  Some spiders are able to get into something that looks too small, but they cram themselves in anyways.  So a giant spider under someone's bed, or closet. 

If spiders were human scale I think being wrapped in it's webbing, and being injected with a venom that paralyzes but doesn't kill would be terrifying.  You are completely unable to move, and watch it drain the fluids out of an earlier catch.  Knowing you will be next.

Farmerbob1:

--- Quote from: Haru on April 10, 2015, 12:38:58 PM ---I've actually seen that being done with spiders in a German fantasy novel (Christoph Marzi - Lycidas). It was only for one scene, but it was excellently done and worked really well to create a rather unique experience for the reader.

It was basically described as spiders crawling all over each other and falling off again and the whole humanoid shape in constant flux and motion. The spiders would speak by clicking their mandibles in unison to create the tones.

--- End quote ---

'Worm' by Wildbow had a main character that created insect body-doubles from time to time, from flying insects.  If you aren't familiar with it and decide to follow up on it, beware - it's over two million words.  It's also very good if you like grey morality and super powers.

Blaise Corvin:
Make sure there is scuttling involved.

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