Orynyx Mindcrawler Lore: Official Story

Orynyx Mindcrawler is one of Arachoa Moonspinner’s strongest lieutenants and disciples. His body writhes with hundreds of spiders. Each and every one is in constant communication with him, mentally whispering secrets and warnings. The central web-nest of the spider swarm lies inside Orynyx’s head, the psychic spiders literally serving as his brain, eyes, ears, mouth, and mind, and he makes little distinction between his own body and theirs.

Other Arachoan disciples regard Orynyx as blessed by the Insect Lords, at least in public, while privately nursing great jealousy, fear, or both. Some, even among Arachoa’s faithful, consider him insane, though they debate whether this madness is the will of their Lords or a side effect of whatever nightmarish rituals of induction he was surely subjected to. None know for sure, and speculation is rife.

Where Arachoa excels at gradual, seductive mental manipulation, Orynyx is a master of terror and domination. A casual glance from him makes one feel as though his spiders have invaded their head, scuttling and gnawing at one’s sanity. A focused stare will have even the most sadistic, strong-willed Dark Elves shrieking out their deepest secrets just to make the creeping and itching sensation stop.

Orynyx can also work his mental magic in more subtle ways, after Arachoa trained him to temper his natural magic ability with finesse and restraint. He can induce drowsiness and lethargy, pluck memories and emotions from a target, and strip away magical enchantments. By combining his own will with the psychic network of his innumerable spiders, he attains formidable power.