Lore:Dwarven Spider

A Dwarven Spider

Dwarven Spiders (also known as Dwemer Spiders and Centurion Spiders) are small constructs resembling spiders that are very common in Dwemer ruins. They are versatile automatons and perform a variety of functions, such as guarding locations. They can often be found scuttling around ruins, sometimes repairing things.^[1] Swarming spiders are present in some ruins, where they burst out of pressure vaults to attack intruders.

Utility[edit]

Sotha Sil examining a Dwarven Spider (Legends)

Dwarven Spiders were used by the Dwemer for a variety of purposes. They were often used for repair and renovation.^[1]^[2] When protecting Dwarven ruins, they attack intruders using blasts of lightning,^[3] or by emitting poisonous gases from a sack.^[4] They are typically controlled or activated via special control rods.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Larger vamidium models were designed by the Dwemer for transportation purposes. Giant Dwarven spiders are very powerful and hard to come across. They were often used as powerful guardians or for maintaining important Dwemer facilities.^[8]

Like most Dwemer constructs, standard Dwarven spiders usually can't operate independently far from Dwemer cities or installations, at least without a Dwemer operator or the use of a control rod. The Dwemer genius Razak sought to circumvent this limitation, attempting to create a Dwarven spider whose soul gem would keep them charged for eras, though this task would only be finished posthumously.^[7]^[9] Neramo, an Altmer researcher would go on to discover a method for modifying Dwarven spiders that would allow them to operate autonomously, enabling them to be used as pets and assistants. While these spiders were capable of running out of charge,^[6] the method saw somewhat widespread use.^[10]

Though no Dwemer ruins exist as far south as Elsweyr, the nomadic tribe of Khajiiti traders, the Baandari Pedlars often re-purposed abandoned equipment and technology, like Dwarven Spiders for their own uses such as transportation.^[11] Smaller spiders are used to retrieve items lost in tight spaces like crevices.^[12]