Spiderkin are monstrous chimera blending the attributes of humanoid races and arachnid beasts. In some worlds they can only be created as a result of curses sent by certain gods or fiendish entities, in others they may carry a transferable curse and be able to pass on their affliction to other humanoids. Finally, some spiderkin may breed true - forming monstrous cultures and societies of their own, equal to those of any other fantastic species.
Where a spiderkin is transformed, rather than bred, they may be under the dominion of the entity that cursed them, losing all sense of their former self. Alternatively they may be left self control and self awareness, with their knowledge of the likely estrangement from their former kith and kin being a large part of their divine punishment.
Most spiderkin are created in the form of spidercentaurs, with the upper torso of a humanoid and the body and legs of a spider. The monstrous mutant nature of spiderkin can sometimes give rise to bipedal spider beings or to creatures more akin to other arachnids, such as the scorpion.
- from the publisher's blurb