Trolls were ravenous, predatory species of giant-kin found throughout almost all the regions and types of climates in Faerûn,[4] from arctic wastes to tropical jungles,[5] and came in several sub-species. They were uncivilized,[1] monstrous creatures with voracious appetites that roamed from one area to the next feeding upon whatever they could.[6]
Most trolls were not overly territorial, except with their own kind, and had no natural predators in the wild.[7]
Physical description
A typical adult troll stood around 9-feet tall on long, ungainly legs. Their deceptively thin bodies had thick, rubbery hides colored in shades of mossy green or putrid greys, and possessed long hanging arms that ended in massive claws. The skull of a troll had a messy, hair-like growth colored black or steel grey.[4] Females were typically larger, and more powerful, than males.[5]
Although they walked upright, trolls possessed a severe hunch, which caused the backs of their hands to drag on the ground. When they ran, their arms dangled still. Despite their awkward physical appearance, trolls were surprisingly agile and were well adapted to be masterful climbers.[5]
Physiology
Troll senses were unbalanced. They possessed poor hearing and a sensitivity to light, but superior olfactory senses.[5]
Perhaps the most well-known factoid of trolls was their infamous regeneration. Whether a slash in its rubbery hide, or a dismembered limb, trolls could rapidly heal through most wounds. Only acid or fire could arrest the regeneration properties within a troll's flesh.[1] Dismembered limbs would continue to attack at opponents even after being severed.[5]
Because of the regenerative properties of troll blood, it was extremely valuable. The blood that could be extracted from one troll was worth upwards of 400 gp. This green viscous liquid was used in the manufacture of poisons, antidotes and certain potions of healing.[5]
Due to the adaptive nature of their physiology, trolls were especially susceptible to mutation. Although it was uncommon, actions taken throughout a troll's life could result in a physical or behavioral change, within the same generation.[1]
Ecology
Although they could be encountered nearly anywhere, trolls were most often found in dense forests and subterranean locales,[5] including the Underdark,[7] and fed on whatever they get could rend with their claws.[6] Though they were extremely difficult to tame, they did serve as mercenaries to more intelligent monstrous humanoids like ogres and giants.[1]
Combat
Trolls hunted most other living creatures and were never concerned about the size or number of their prey.[6] They had absolutely no fear of death.[4] In combat, they flailed wildly with their clawed hands and used as a fierce bite, but seldom wielded weapons. On occasion they would throw large stones before closing the gap with their prey[5]
Culture
Trolls had little in the way of society.[1] They travelled in non-migratory clans of 3-12[5] and, upon discovery of an area rich with prey,[6] would establish a lair, most often within a cave. They were often located near smaller human settlements, including established roads as those who traveled off the path served as a great source of food. Although they didn't fear humans when encountered, they respected them as a group that were known to wield fire, a weakness of theirs.[5] Once established within a region the band of trolls would hunt and devour as extensively as possible until all resources had been exhausted.[6]
Troll dens were filthy places, led by a matriarchal shamanistic female.[5] called a trollop, who had a greater appetite for sentient flesh.[citation needed] This female-led dynamic extended into their faith as well, as each clan attributed their founding to a ancestor known as a great mother, that they believed was a daughter of the ogre-deity, Vaprak.[8]
Trolls had no language of their own, but spoke giant[4] and "trollspeak", a guttural mix of common, orcish, goblin, and giant.[5] Any culture they possessed was passed down orally, usually kept within a single clan. Communication was often simple assertions for dominance or a mating female presenting a kill, along with a shared meal, to a prospective male.[7]
Locations
Trolls were commonly found in a large number of areas that earned their name based on their populations, such as the Troll mountains in Amn[9] and the Trollbark forest.[10]
Larger species of trolls, such as the those found in Halruaa, and a species that were common in the areas surrounding the Sea of Fallen Stars,[11] preferred mountainous areas.[12] The smaller varieties tended to live more in the forests. The trolls of the Chondalwood, colloquially known as muskwarts were expert hunters within the region,[13] while the small and stealthy tree trolls originated from the Evermoors. Conflicts with giants caused their migration into the High Forest, where they fought against fey creatures such as pixies.[14]
Subspecies
- Fire troll: A large, fire-resistant troll, which was essentially the opposite of a standard troll, or an ice troll.[15]
- Cave troll: A particularly large, and vicious type of troll that were particularly vicious hunters.[11]
- Snow troll: A broad and short troll, adept at hunting and surviving in cold environments.[16]
- Forest troll: This smaller, and more intelligent, breed of trolls were crafty hunters and made fair use of tools and weapons.[13]
- Mountain troll: These massive beasts were recognizable by their immense size, oversized fangs, and ogres and giants they kept as minions.[12]
- Scrag: These devious, loathsome wretches plagued the rivers and seas of Toril.[17][4]
- Tree troll: These smaller, arboreal trolls were the product of magical experimentation.[14]
- Bladerager troll: These particularly hardy trolls had steel blades and armor grafted to their bodies by members of Zhentilar.[18] [19]
Appendix
Appearances
- Adventures
- Novels
- Video Games
- Baldur's Gate
- Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
- Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
- Neverwinter Nights
- Neverwinter Nights 2
- Sword Coast Legends
Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 291. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 254–255. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 247–248. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet and Monte Cook (October 2000). Monster Manual 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 0-7869-1552-1.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 349. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 254. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Paul Leach (November 2002). “Malignant Growth: The Ecology of the Troll”. In Jesse Decker ed. Dragon #301 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 42.
- ↑ Paul Leach (November 2002). “Malignant Growth: The Ecology of the Troll”. In Jesse Decker ed. Dragon #301 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 64.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 225. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Andrew Finch, Gwendolyn Kestrel, Chris Perkins (August 2004). Monster Manual III. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 177. ISBN 0-7869-3430-1.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Andrew Finch, Gwendolyn Kestrel, Chris Perkins (August 2004). Monster Manual III. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 0-7869-3430-1.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Andrew Finch, Gwendolyn Kestrel, Chris Perkins (August 2004). Monster Manual III. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 179. ISBN 0-7869-3430-1.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Thomas M. Costa (September 2002). “The Dragon's Bestiary: The Horrors of Cormyr”. In Jesse Decker ed. Dragon #299 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 57.
- ↑ Alec Baclawski (November 1993). “The Dragon's Bestiary: Those terrible trolls”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #199 (TSR, Inc.), p. 199.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-8803-8738-6.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 350. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ (July 2007). Monster Manual V. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 0-7869-4115-4.
- ↑ Template:Cite book/Monster Manual II 4th edition
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