Ghost Spiders are the giant pale white arachnoids that the Geisterdamen use as mounts. This is the reason Geisterdamen are sometimes referred to as Spider Riders.
Appearance[]
Although appearing very much like gigantic versions of ordinary spiders, Ghost Spiders differs in having only six legs. All true arachnids have eight legs, so they have been termed "arachnoids" above. Possibly one pair of legs is vestigial and not readily visible.
Ghost Spiders are not a pure while but almost opalescent, displaying differing pale tints depending on their surroundings. They may be slightly phosphorescent. They have hairy abdomens but smooth legs, at least some of which have sawtooth edges on the last joint.
Intelligence[]
An offhand comment by Geisterdame Vrin in the novel Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess[1] implies that the spiders are smarter than cows, at least in the minds of the Geisterdamen. More impressively, the spiders seem to respond to their names ✣ and to be able to follow verbal commands. (This is somewhat speculative, since the page portraying events that support these ideas in entirely in Geisterspeak.)
Ghost Spider Names[]
So far, two spiders seem to have been addressed by name in the comic: Bwoosee and Pojee, mounts of recurrent Geisterdamen Eotain and Shurdlu. Other Geisterdamen have similar mounts, so we may learn more of their names as events arise.
Uses[]
These creatures can be used to transport a Geisterdame and her gear ✣ and are used as hunting/battle mounts ✣ as well. They also have been known to pull a cart ✣ . However, for the really big loads, Geisterdamen go for Geisterbeasts.
Not much else is known about these mysterious beasts, except that they probably come from the original home of the Geisterdamen, given their similar pale white appearance (see also Geisterdragon …and maybe even the Geisterwolfen? ✣ ).
According to the novel Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess[1]>, the spiders produce a "juice" which the Geisterdamen use to make a rather tasty cheese; this fact proves to be a source of queasy displeasure to Tarvek, who only belatedly learns the foodstuff's source.
Smoke Knights led by Madwa Korel, still loyal to The Other even after being kicked out of the Knights of Jove conspiracy, makes use of Ghost Spider venom as a main ingredient in six different "recipes", at least one of which is lethal when ingested, along with causing weight gain and/or bloating.