Hundredhands...!

After taking a much needed holiday, my next monster is the...

HUNDREDHANDS

FREQUENCY: Rare

NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 5 (2 for 'harpoon')
MOVE: 20"
HIT DICE: 4
% IN LAIR: 0%
TREASURE TYPE:  Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Grapple
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 30%
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (8' tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
                Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

 

A strange mixture of jelly-like flesh and bony carapace, the Hundredhands is so named because of the mass of tendrils it possesses, each of which ends in a hand-like pseudo-pod. These creatures seem to prefer dark damp places and thus may take up residence in dungeons and similar locations. Skittish and nimble, they usually avoid contact with other living creatures and it is thought that they subsist on a diet of carrion and rotting vegetable matter. However, they also have a taste for the flesh of dwarves and gnomes and thus adventuring parties might find themselves being attacked.

 

In combat, Hundredhands strike with tentacle that ends in a harpoon-like talon, out to a range of 12' and inflicting 2-12 points of damage. The creature may also choose to subdue a target by rushing forwards and engulfing them with its tendrils and 'hands'. Any victim thus attacked has a 25% chance of being entangled and will be unable to move unless they or anyone within reach possesses a Strength of 15 or more. The victim will suffer from crushing and asphyxiation, losing 2 hit points per round unless they are freed. Even killing the creature itself will not relinquish this hold, although the Hundredhands will not be able to attack any creature larger than 4' tall in this manner. The tendrils and body of the Hundredhands has an AC of 5 while the tentacle and its talon has an AC of 2.

 

The four large eye-like protuberances that surround the girth of its body seem to have no readily discernible purpose, as the creature is unaffected by their loss and is able to grow a new one after some time. It is thought that they might have some function that the monster no longer possesses or is dormant, or are simply a means by which they might scare away more stupid opponents. Certain folklore states that the eyes were once able to project magical forces, given that the Hundredhands themselves are quite resistant to magic, and that they are perhaps the descendants of some very ancient race that once possessed such powers.

 

Description: Hundredhands have carapaces that are a bright red and this colour extends to their tentacle and harpoon. Their eyes are bright azure blue with black pupils. Their numerous tendrils appear jelly-like but are not easily cut or broken - the 'hands' are transparent and the greater part of each tendril is a pale translucent green.