Nitzi B'tzi - Dangerous Spider-demons

Nitzi B'tzi

A gift for a gift, eh?

The Nitzi B’tzi, spider-like collectors of trinkets, and givers of blessings. Clever, cunning creatures, the Nitzi are an intelligent variety of demon that regularly interacts with mortals; neither hostile nor friendly. The Nitzi regularly trades pieces of their collection of trinkets and treasures, in return for gifts and favors. Many offer tribute to the spiders, and receive a blessing in return.

Whilst generally non-hostile to visitors, they do not tolerate even the smallest trinket from their collection being stolen. Should they find a thief in their cave, they will kill and eat them; should the thief escape, they'll find themselves cursed, for as long as they possess the stolen treasure. The Nitzi are unforgiving creatures, and will refuse to trade with anyone who slights them.

Nitzi B'tzi have the appearance of a woman of pale skin and black hair, their eyes obscured by their bangs- whilst their lower half is a horrific giant spider, with claw-like legs, and hard chitinous plating. Behind their hair, they reveal many unsettling spider-like eyes, and their jaw has the hidden ability to unhinge, to reveal a powerful, toxic bite.

Lesser Nitzi

Whilst small, do not mistake them as any lesser to yourself.

The youngest variety of Nitzi, these spiderlings have just begun their collection. They are easily contented, and more often than not collect things they find interesting, whether magical or mundane. Lesser Nitzi do not yet have a lair with which to hoard their treasure, and instead carry their belongings on their person, in a sack woven from their webs.

Lesser Nitzi are quite childlike, and their method of trade reflects; simply offer something to the Nitzi, and it will allow you to take something from it's collection. The only rule, is that the item taken must be roughly equal in value to what was offered. Attempting to take something the Nitzi truly treasures, without an adequate offering in return, and it will consider you a thief. It will not kill you for this; instead, it will curse you, for all Nitzi possess a measure of magical power, no matter how young.

A Lesser Nitzi is still young however, and their power is as of yet still weak. Their curses range from a minor inconvenience, to at their worse something tremendously uncomfortable; they are incapable of creating anything particularly debilitating, and their curses are impermanent, never lasting for terribly long.

Greater Nitzi
Beautiful, cunning, and dangerous; she will never cheat you, but do not mistake her as kind.

The Great Nitzi; older, wiser, and more cunning than it's younger counterpart, the Greater Nitzi has reached maturity, gaining a wicked and treacherous mind. Rare and mysterious, the Greater Nitzi have become mighty witches, no longer interested in the mundane trinkets of their lesser sisters- no, the Greater Nitzi longs for things of true value, tools with which to manipulate mortals to do her bidding, and spread her power. Now, her belongings are vast, and are kept safe in her lair- usually dark caves, filled with sticky webs and glittering trinkets.

No longer interested in the 'give and take' trading of their lesser counterpart, the Greater Nitzi now instead rewards those who giver her offering, after the completion of three 'requests'. Simply complete three tasks for her, and you may take what you desire from her collection. But beware; her requests may range from things as trite as some gold or a kiss, or as violent and wicked as asking for one's eyes or hand. To come into a Nitzi's lair is to be prepared to sacrifice oneself, for one's desires.

The Greater Nitzi is powerful in her sorcery, having gained experience and mastery over her dark powers. Her power is great, and her patience has waned thin, for the Greater Nitzi tolerates thieves and cheats very little. Those who would steal from her, she will hunt and kill; those who would refuse her requests thrice, she will curse. The only way to win back her favor after such slights, is to gift her something of much value. If you're lucky, perhaps she will forgive you, and lift her curse.

Due to a Greater Nitzi’s heightened magical power, they are able to offer more than the items in her collection; she may offer brief blessings upon those who complete her requests, from minor things as small as being able to see in the dark or climb upon walls like herself, to powerful boons, such as regenerating flesh or the ability to weave a small measure of magical power. These boons, of course, only last so long, and fade after some time. Their duration may be lengthened, by offering continual tribute to the Nitzi, but these blessings will inevitably fade, unless the Nitzi truly comes to favor you.

Nitzi Queens
Do not mistake her venerable nature as weakness; for she has grown more powerful than ever, in her age.

With greying hair, and wrinkling skin, one would think that the venerable Nitzi Queen was beginning to lose her prowess; but do not be mistaken, for it is in her old age that the Nitzi has reached the height of her power. Her collection of gold and artifacts are spoken of in legend, and her arcane might is whispered of in fear. The Nitzi queen surrounds herself in finery, secluding herself in palaces deep underground, filling her home with Lesser Nitzi as caretakers and servants.

Nitzi Queens see themselves as nothing less than royalty; they refuse to trade with anyone who is not dressed as nicely as herself, and after receiving a lavish tribute. But even should she choose to trade with you, tread lightly; she doesn't like her time to be wasted, and will throw you out should you disrespect or bore her. Beware, for the Nitzi Queen is treacherous. She has little interest in trading fairly, and will try to swindle and trick you into an advantageous position for herself, to your detriment. She will lie, and she will cheat.

Those willing to go through the effort of entering a Nitzi Queen's court will find that there are treasures unimaginable, should they endure the Queen's requests. The Nitzi Queen is vicious and eccentric, and her requests reflect it; from taking part in a twisted tea-party, to offering the lives and limbs of yourself and others. As before, should you endure three of these requests, she will reward you a blessing, or a piece of her treasure. Scorn her thrice, and you will be cursed with something unimaginably torturous.

Many seek out Nitzi Queens to offer themselves wholly to her service, acting as her arms and treasure hunters, in return for amazing boons. Those who gain a blessing from these witches will find that it's might will never fail, so long as they keep themselves devoted to the Nitzi Queen, and keep her pleased.

Notes

• Nitzi B’tzi are Carnivorous, and have Infravision.
• Nitzi blood is a lavender-purple, and is lightly transparent.
• Nitzi web dissolves in water, and can be burnt.
• Nitzi have a weakness to silver; Greater and Ancient Nitzi will often hoard weapons of silver, to ensure that they aren't used against her.
• Nitzi are rarely hostile, unless provoked. They prefer to curse, rather than kill- unless their treasure is being threatened.
• Nitzi prefer to wear clothes, with the clothes they prefer to wear getting more ornate and frivolous the older they become. They become cranky when they have no clothes, or if their clothing options are limited.
• The smell of Lavender has a soothing effect on them, and may pacify them in a small degree.

Stat Blocks

(Note, I have 0 experience designing homebrew monster stats, so these may be sorely unbalanced. I merely used my own judgement, I have no idea what would be appropriate, here. If you have a better idea of how to design these monsters mechanically, please, let me know!!!)

Lesser Nitzi AC 8 [11], Hit Dice 3* [13hp] Attacks: 1 x Bites (1d6 + poison)

THACO: 17 (+2)

Movement: 60', 30' climb

Saving Throws: D12 W13 P14 B15 S16

Morale: 8

Alignment: Chaotic XP: 65

Number Appearing: 1d2 Treasure Type: J

• Poison: Paralyzes in 1 turn (save vs poison)
• Spells: Lesser Nitzi always have Cause Fear, Sleep, and Blight prepared. They may use each once per day.
• Webs: Creatures caught in webs become entangled and unable to move. Breaking free depends on Strength: 2d4 turns for strength in the normal human range; 4 rounds for strength above 18; 2 rounds for creatures with giant strength. The webs can be destroyed by fire in two rounds. All creatures in a flaming web suffer 1d6 points of damage.

Greater Nitzi AC 5 [15], Hit Dice 8** Attacks: 2 x claw (1d8 + 1). 1 x bite (2d6 + Poison)

THACO: 13 (+6)

Movement: 60', 60' climb

Saving Throws: D8 W9 P11 B12 S13

Morale: 9

Alignment: Chaotic XP: 975

Number Appearing: 1 Treasure Type: E

• Poison: Paralyzes in 1 turn (save vs poison)
• Webs: Creatures caught in webs become entangled and unable to move. Breaking free depends on Strength: 2d4 turns for strength in the normal human range; 4 rounds for strength above 18; 2 rounds for creatures with giant strength. The webs can be destroyed by fire in two rounds. All creatures in a flaming web suffer 1d6 points of damage.
• Spells: Greater Nitzi may cast spells as if a 5th level magic-user. She may cast Curse at will.
• Mundane damage immunity: Can only be harmed by magical attacks. This weakness may be bypassed by silver.

Nitzi Queen AC 2 [17], Hit Dice 11** Attacks: 2 x claw 1d8 + 1). 1 x bite (3d6 + Poison)

THACO: 12 (+7)

Movement: 60', 90' climb

Saving Throws: D8 W9 P10 B10 S11

Morale: 9

Alignment: Chaotic XP: 2,500

Number Appearing: 1 Treasure Type: H

• Poison: Paralyzes in 1 turn (save vs poison)Webs: Creatures caught in webs become entangled and unable to move. Breaking free depends on Strength: 2d4 turns for strength in the normal human range; 4 rounds for strength above 18; 2 rounds for creatures with giant strength. The webs can be destroyed by fire in two rounds. All creatures in a flaming web suffer 1d6 points of damage.
• Magical Ability: The Nitzi Queen may cast spells as if an 8th level Magic-User, and may prepare and cast Priest spells. She may cast Detect Magic and Curse at will.
• Mundane damage immunity: Can only be harmed by magical attacks. This weakness may be bypassed by silver.