Mainly found in tropical South America, the Brazilian Wandering Spiders, also known as Armed Spiders and Phoneutria (“assassin” in Latinized Greek), are one of the most venomous spiders. They are also highly aggressive, never hesitating to furiously attack anything that threatens or disturbs it. It grows to forty eight millimeters, and its leg span can grow to fifteen centimeters … but despite its small size, its presence is indeed a threat.

This giant Brazilian Wandering Spider from the world of The Elephant and Macaw Banner, however, has grown far beyond the size of its tiny cousins. It is one of the great dangers travelers in this fantasy world must face if they choose to brave the forests. The risk of crossing paths with such a creature go far beyond the meaning of “danger”.

 

Giant Wandering Spider – painting by Ursula “SulaMoon” Dorada for The Elephant and Macaw Banner board game.

 

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In ancient times, the laurel wreath was a symbol of glory and victory. Although a tradition of the distant past, some creatures live long enough to remember those times, and interact with those who make history move forward.
Yara’s laurel wreath, however, is not a simple adornment, and its magic is binding even to other mystical creatures. The one who wears it might not be in for a pleasant consequence.

Yara’s laurel wreath – painting by Ursula “SulaMoon” Dorada for The Elephant and Macaw Banner board game.

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Amulets are objects to be used near the body, and often filled with a magical protective power for the wielder. When combined with the deep knowledge of primitive rituals and direct handling of nature possessed only by a pajé, such amulet may come to contain power comparable to that of a legendary creature.
Yandir’s Amulet may not look like much, especially in the eyes of a Protestant such as Gerard, but underestimating an indigenous artifact is never a good idea, especially the most sacred treasure of Tupinambá village.

Yandir’s Amulet – painting by Ursula “SulaMoon” Dorada for The Elephant and Macaw Banner board game.

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The pajés, besides being healers and practicing different kinds of medicines, also could communicate with spirits, becoming prominent in their tribes due to such occult powers. Some may make comparisons with shamans, because of the similarities with the use of plants for medicinal purposes, and invocation of entities, but even so, no one can doubt the knowledge and strong magic that they carried and passed from generation to generation. Yandir, as well as any pajé, was respected by his tribe, and the power of his magic could impress anyone, even a man as wise as Oludará.

Yandir – painting by Ursula “SulaMoon” Dorada for The Elephant and Macaw Banner board game.

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