The spiritual heirs of the first Chuda family, wiped out centuries previously, the Chuda are a collection of ambitious and power-hungry maho-tsukai who delve into the secrets of blood magic. Their loyalties are always suspect, since they have changed masters on more than one occasion in the past.
Of the eight Kami who competed within the first Celestial Tournament, seven went forth to honor their Emperor by creating Great Clans to serve him. Since that time, one additional Great Clan has been given leave ny the Emperor to serve him in the the same manner as the others, and one other self-titled "clan" has claimed the title but never been recognized.
In theory, the Great Clans command only what power is granted to them by he Emperor. This consists of the power to fulfill their specific duties without interfering with the duties of other clans, and to govern over the Emperor's lands bestowed to them in his name. In reality, of course, each clan commands considerable military, economic, and political power, enough to overthrow the Empire, and only the power of the other clans keeps them in check - that and the fact that no honorable Clan Champion would ever consider such a blasphemous and disgraceful act.
Although all Great Clans are ultimately loyal to the Emperor, they can and do have radically different outlooks on virtually every aspect of life, and conflicts between them are common. Most Emperors have historically chosen not to interfere with inter-clan wars because they permit the clans to vent their hostility honorably. After all, denying a massive force of noble warriors the right to pursue satisfaction in what they consider a matter of honor is generally a poor idea.
The Spider Clan was granted Great Clan status by Empress Iweko I as part of a deal she made with their founder, Daigotsu. So long as its members remain free of the Shadowlands Taint, they are afforded the rights of members of the buke. Despite their being a Great Clan, no clan is as hated, distrusted, or looked down upon as the Spider.
The Daigotsu Family: +1Stamina [CR]
The lords of the Spider Clan are far and away the most numerous of the families who comprise the Spider. Great numbers of samurai from all walks of life who have fallen to the Shadowlands Taint or succumbed to the worship of Fu Leng have embraced the philosophy and methodology of the Dark Lord Daigotsu, and eagerly enact his sinister will without consideration for their previous families and allies. Not all Daigotsu are Tainted, but a large majority of them have felt Jigoku's sinister touch.
The Goju Family: +1Agility [CR]
In a very real way, those who bear the name Goju are no longer human. Once they served the primordial entity known as the Lying Darkness, and were little more than extensions of its will. Since its destruction, they serve its successor, the Shadow Dragon, and possess somewhat more individuality than before, although as often as not they remain faceless, soulless monstrosities.
The Spider Monks: +1Reflexes [CR]
The strangest agents of the Spider Clan are the monks of the Order of the Spider. Many among the order have not succumbed to the Shadowlands Taint at all, but instead embrace the philosophies of the Spider because they resonate with their own desires for personal power and achievement through strength.
The Susumu Family: +1Awareness []
The Susumu family was founded in 1173 after the Imperial declaration making the Spider a Great Clan. The family took the name of Daigotsu Susumu, who is considered to be its founder, even though he was never a Daimyo and the family didnot exist until after his death.