From Introduction: Hex Spiders originally lived deep underground, but after their discovery by dwarves they have begun to spread to the surface. They need live hosts to hatch their young, using the victim as an incubator. Several times during their life they enter a chrysalis stage evolving into ever greater forms. Within their nests they form a natural hierarchy with a single Elder at the top of each colony. When unable to hunt humanoid prey, hex spiders will cannibalize the weaker of their own species.