| True Name | Arachanecros |
| Frequency | Very Rare |
| Quantity | - |
| Locale | Swamps and wetlands |
| Form | Tree |
This tree appears as a large decidious tree growing up to 25 meters tall. It has black bark, a full crown of thick branches that are strongly pendulous, several thousand dark red leaves and a number of large "pods" that hang from branches. These pods are about one meter in length, roughly ovoid in shape, dark grey in color and numerous. An average dread crawler tree will have about two dozen pods.
The strange pods that hang down from the branches will open at night and from each pod, a creature will emerge. These strange creatures look vaguely insectoid in appearance (though others have suggested they move more akin to spiders). These creatures appear to be made of a wood like material and various aspects of their bodies, such as barklike skin and leaf like protrusions, seem to be floral in aspect. These plant-like creatures are separate from the tree and independently mobile. They emerge from their pods and move out into the swamp as a coordinated pack to track down and attack prey. Any creature killed by this swarm are carried back and fed to the tree. A gaping maw appears in the trunk side of the tree and the carcass is pushed inside. The tree then digests the meal over several days. Meanwhile, the plant-like spider creatures return to their husks.
In combat, the plant-like spider creatures use coordinated attacks and strike as a pack. They have no visible eyes or other sensory organs. Each has a branch like "limb" that can articulate at two different joints. This limb is tipped with a razor sharp blade like thorn which the creature stabs with. The creatures will continue their attack until the prey animal is killed or half their own number of been killed.
The creatures seem to be able to communicate with each other as they will often fan out in the swamp. If one spots suitable prey, the rest will converge.
Dread crawler trees grow in the swamps and wetlands of the world. They have been encountered on all three continents.
This bizarre life form has challenged scholars who argue over whether it should be classified as an animal or a plant. The majority of scholars favor the latter.
This website was last updated April 30, 2025. Copyright 1990-2025 David M. Roomes.