Aricrux

About
The Aricrux (Sand Spiders) are massive 4-legged spiders with small mountains as shells. They give birth with eggs that appear to be boulders. A typical Sand Spider is about 12 meters (39 feet) tall. Most of the time, Sand Spiders lie in wait below the sand, waiting to pounce, with just their rock shells showing above. They are known to be the most dangerous creatures in Azmarin.

Origin
Following the creation of man, the god Uwbris grew bored. He like his brothers Lyctus and Piremis, became jealous that their mother had gifted a new race of elves to their brother Serpius. Because of this, he began work on a race of his own that he intended to be outmatched in terms of both physical and mental capability. He dubbed his new race the Aricruus, large men with 8 legs and other spider like qualities.

However, in competition with Lyctus and Piremis, Uwbris rushed his creation resulting in an unintended abomination. The result was a massive 4 legged spider with a rock hard shell, the Aricrux (Sand Spider). Disgusted by his mistake, he banished the Aricrux to the mountain in central Vurdaan now known as The Nest.

The Uwbrian War
Following the creation of the Aricrux, Uwbris went back to work on a new race, this one much more man like but with a tail and a reptilian face. Once he succeeded in creating this race, he dubbed them the Noi. Hearing the news of this new race, the Aricrux vowed to destroy the Noi as well as their father who had banished them.

War raged for many years and the Aricrux moved from Noi camp to Noi camp. Due to the Aricrux's sheer size, they easily won nearly every encounter. Eventually, the Aricrux had managed to destroy every Noi, except for a small band of nomads traveling along the river. They planned an ambush at the present day town of Uwbris. On the Night of the Fallen God, the Aricrux pounced, and nearly destroyed every Noi. Uwbris intervened, transforming the Noi into the Mernoi, allowing them to escape.

The Aricrux then defeated the god, and left his corpse on the riverside where it had fallen.

Current Day Aricrux
Today, the Aricrux are more commonly known as Sand Spiders, and inhabit much of the area around The Nest and central Vurdaan. Although they lost their sentience over time, they are still fierce and dangerous monsters, preying on lost travelers who have wandered to far into the desert. Because of them, only one road cuts through Sand Spider country, called The Final Walk.