Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Dr.Fresh Nov 04, 2014 22:10:15	Greetings people.   I'm a DM and have one of my players characterizing a Lawful Evil Drow Druid. The character has connection to the Spider Queen Lolth, but is not bound to her completely. The events that transpires within the game will determine if the character stays on that path or reverts from it.   It suits the druid quite a lot to be affiliated with Lolth, since she can use her Wild Shape to become Spiders in different sizes, and also use the "Underdark" feature in the Circle of the Land.   My player came to me and asked if it was merely possible to become a Drider in this case (as in like, using the Wild Shape to partly become a Giant Spider, and partly remain a Drow or something similar), later on in that game, if she would consider walking on the path of Lolth.   I'm not sure, but since a Drider is found as a monster in the MM, I would like to assume that it is not impossible?  What do you guys think? Would it be possible to have a character transcend to become a Drider?
#2 OrwellianHaggis Nov 04, 2014 23:59:04	As a DM I'd say: Yes, but... Not until 18th level. The thing about being able to wild shape into a Drider is that the character would, presumably, still be able to speak, and use its hands, and so cast spells that require verbal, somatic and material components. The ability to cast spells in beast form is a significantly powerful druid ability, available at 18th level. So I'd say yes, but not until then.
#3 Ruadh128 Nov 05, 2014 7:30:41	Since you're the DM, it's up to you.  Here is my 2 cents:   1.  What OrwellianHaggis said.  Being able to convert to an animal shape, and cast is a biggie.  Make it higher level.   2.  In Drow lore, the transformation is typically a punishment for offending their goddess, Lolth, or failing one of her tests.  If she is a priestess, or worshipps Lolth, being a Drider would be an insult.   3.  In the 3.5 book, Complete Warrior, there was a prestige class called the Warshaper that allowed the user to transform part of their body into an animal shape (hand into claws, etc.).  That's what it sounds like your player wants to do.  Make it a prestige class to druid that allows her that kind of control over her wildshape ability.
#4 Timborama Nov 05, 2014 7:45:37	Also of note: Alter Self could make them a mini-drider. Not Large like the Monster, sure, but worth considering! Then fluff away!
#5 BRJN Nov 06, 2014 7:19:17	IIRC, there are level restrictions and CR limits on what a Druid can turn into.  So you have time to think - and discuss with player.   At lower levels, nothing to stop you from using a Large Spider for game mechanics but say "the rest of you see him transform from the waist down."
#6 Chaosmancer Nov 10, 2014 7:12:48	I would say no, but only because I think in the MM entry it says "only Lolth can create Driders" or something like that.   Of course, you could stil follow that and let them do it, just knowing that Lolth might be a little ticked