Drachnid
Hybrid creatures created by Mayong Mistmoore by grafting dark elf bodies onto giant spiders originally bred by the sorceress Najena, organized in matriarchal colonies and released into Norrath.
Overview
Drawn from Mayong’s Cruelty: the Drachnids — in-game book.EQ1Primary · mirrored · best available source
Mayong?s Cruelty: the Drachnids?
From the diary of Najena, Tier?Dal sorceress.
It was in the beginning of the apex of my career of sorcery when I accomplished what I still believe to be my prized achievement. They were beautiful beasts with carapaces that gleamed so black they seemed to be cut of obsidian, multi-faceted eyes that could not even begin to comprehend, and they were many hundreds, possibly thousands, of times the size of their much smaller cousins: the black widow spider.
They were beautiful, deadly, and my creations.
Once I had discovered the secret of raising these magnificent beasts, I sent some as gifts to those I admired. Among these individuals was Mayong Mistmoore. Seeking to curry his favor, and to let him know exactly how capable of a sorceress I was, I sent him one as a gift.
Imagine my surprise when he sent it back, irrevocably changed. And my poor emissary, L?Dalt, butchered for his experiment.
What had left as two different beasts returned as one. He had grafted the head and torso of L?Dalt onto the body of the spider, and the two walked as one. L?Dalt?s personality and memories seemed to have been lost in the shift, but his cunning and magical powers were still there ? capable of being carried to and utilized wherever the body of that spider could take him. It was a truly formidable combination.
Official Lore
4Collected official lore pieces, from in-game and out.
SRFSavilBook
Researcher Briznek wanted me to gather more supplies today. I'm always gathering supplies for him. He tells me he is close to completing his research but I don't think it will ever end. My first stop today is the living isle for basilisk tails. Grokui is around today so I'm going to move over to the other isle that will be safer for me.
Read the full sourceSRFShiliskinBookText
the drachnids burrowed up through the ground while the city was defenseless. They destroyed everyone that was here then drained their bodies. Some were dragged back to where the drachnids came from. The city has fallen. . . I have managed to stay hidden from the drachnids for a few hours now and I made it to the tunnels beneath the city in search of other sur…
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There appears to be some kind of chamber in the back of courtyard. I can't get any closer or they will see me. I'm about to. . . They have spotted me and are coming across the courtyard. The only way out is to run up this bridge. I'm not sure what is at the end of it.
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I've made it through the gates and I can't help but notice across the courtyard the huge gate that is patrolled by the drachnids. I must get closer to see it better. I might never get to see this again.
Read the full sourceFurther sources
8Lore that mentions this in passing.