Otherworld Ink

Out of the four major breeds of riding spider, the Jumper is the least popular. This has nothing to do with its temperament or its usefulness as a mount. Rather, this reflects the intense training required of both rider and spider in order for the pair to work together.

As its name suggests, a Jumper prefers to travel by launching itself through the air. Its durable body readily absorbs the impact of these harsh starts and stops, but the same cannot be said of their riders. The forces are immense and potentially fatal. Thus, all riders need special equipment and training to prevent whiplash and other injuries.

The Jumper itself needs to be trained not to overtax its joints while burdened. An untrained Jumper may land too heavily with a rider, or misjudge the distance it can jump while burdened. This can cause permanent damage to its joints and limbs.

Because of these risks, a Jumper and its rider will spend more time training together than any other spider-rider pair.

Yet many riders believe the risks are worth it. Jumpers can cross gaps that baffle other species and cover long distances with stunning speed. To the right person, the thrill of casting oneself into the air and the calculated risk of the landing are addicting.

People say it takes a special kind of person to ride a Jumper, and it’s hard to tell if this is a compliment or an insult. Certainly, one cannot be risk-averse. Broken bones and strained muscles are a common part of the training process. But those who master this challenging style of riding will tell you there’s no other spider they’d rather partner with.