Harryhausen Blogfest: "New" Monster - Ymir

In honor of the Ray Harryhausen Memorial Blogfest, I present my version of the ymir from 20 Million Miles to Earth. I have taken a little creative license with the original, but I've tried to keep true to the original spirit of the creature.

DESCRIPTION The ymir is a strange beast. Daunting though its appearance may be, it is generally docile unless provoked. These reptilian giants are akin to troglodytes, but their coloration is almost bird-like, with red coloration around the eyes, a red streak that runs down the back and along the length of the tail, an ochre-coloration around the lower legs and across the chest and stomach, and a bright blue tongue. These imposing beasts are sulfur eaters and are, therefore, most often found in areas with hot springs and volcanic activity, or areas that are populated with salt domes. This sulfurous diet enables them to belch a 20'x20'x20' cloud of stinking gas up to 3 times per day. On a failed saving throw vs. breath weapons, this gas will cause victims caught in the cloud to become helpless (due to nausea) for 2d6 rounds. An ymir will usually only use this breath weapon if cornered or overwhelmed, preferring to attack with the claws on its 2 powerful hands. Although the ymir makes its diet of sulphur and tends to live underground, it has a strange ability that presents itself only in the presence of both direct sunlight and relatively "fresh" air; after 2-5 (1d4+1) turns under these conditions, an ymir will grow an additional 2-5 (1d4+1) feet, and gains 5-8 (1d4+4) hit points (but still attacks and saves a 9HD monster). The ymir will retain these size and hit point gains as long as both the light and air requirements are met, and for 2-5 (1d4+1) additional turns once the conditions are no longer present.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very Rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 2 MOVE: 12" HIT DICE: 9 % IN LAIR: 75% TREASURE TYPE: I NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3-16/3-16 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Animal ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: L (20' tall) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 2 HIT DICE: 9* MOVE: 120' ATTACKS: 2 claws DAMAGE: 3-16/3-16 NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Fighter: 9 MORALE: 10 TREASURE TYPE: I ALIGNMENT: Neutral