Different kinds of Trolls

[mmu1]

I'm kind of partial to the Warhammer stone troll look myself (the actual minis, not that wierd diorama) - long, spindly arms with so many claws they can't even make a proper fist, big fat bellies, and long, bulbous noses - at least when it comes to throwing them at the PCs.

Personally, I'm fond of the Dark Age of Camelot trolls - similar ot the Shannara ones in terms of social structure, and so damn powerful looking... Fun-loving, too http://vnfiles.ign.com/camelot/music/troll-love.mp3

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

I think trolls have a lot of flexibility for the Game Master who wants to put a bit of extra effort into thinking about how trolls fit into the campaign world. There is a great deal that trolls can adapt to. Trolls can even make interesting player characters!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[rackabello]

Re: Rendin' and Regeneratin'

I'll chime in with a defense of yr basic D&D troll, in all its nasty, brutish glory. Sure, it departs from folklore, but I've always loved the green-skinned, bushy-headed clods.

In fact, I like 'em enough that maybe I'll work up a half-troll template in order to recreate some of the crossbred trolls from the old Fiend Folio.

Trolls can even make interesting...characters!

Hear, hear. I've had a troll NPC kicking around in my head, a fighter and lay brother in the LG Order of the Stayed Hand, servants of a goddess of mercy devoted to redeeming savage humanoids and other evil folk.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

IMC, Ogres are the cause of a great wounding of the world. While they as a race have declined into brutish barbarism, if they happen to take residence near one of the wounds they caused and remain to long, they begin to aquire a series of "Troll Templates". This grants them more Strength and Damage Reduction at first, but then later devolves into a rather mutable form, which may mean that a Troll can have multiple heads, extra limbs, tentacles, etc., depending on how degenerated the Clan has become.

 

[S'mon]

I like Grendel & dam myself as a troll archetype - immune to normal weapons (DR 20/+1?), acid blood, no regeneration. I'm, surprised they haven't been officially statted out.

 

[Ravellion]

Terry Pratchett Trolls are basically rock creatures. Thier brains are basically silicon based, and hence work a lot better when cold than warm. Everyone seems to think trolls are stupid, but that's mostly because it's hot outside on discworld (ie. above freezing temperature). In "Men at Arms" a troll is locked in a (IIRC) magically enhanced freezing room, and the "stupid" troll was solving very difficult physics questions.

Er, gotta go, I'll post about their relationship with dwarves later.

Rav

 

[bwgwl]

i like the D&D troll as a creature, but it's not exactly what comes to my mind when i think "troll" -- if that makes any sense.

in my last campaign, trolls were just Large-sized goblinoids, relatives of the smaller goblins. they were called "trolls" but had the stats of ogres and looked physically like the bugbear in the MM. confused yet?

in an upcoming campaign i'm working on based more on Celtic/Arthurian legends, there are only two non-human races: Fey and Trolls.

a "Fey" is any nonhuman creature more attractive than a human: elves, nymphs, etc.

a "Troll" is any nonhuman creature less attractive than a human: giants, ogres, goblins, dwarves, etc.

the catch is that the Fey and Trolls are actually all one "species." although they can look wildly different, all these otherworldly creatures come from the same stock.

 

[diaglo]

i used the spirit troll, the ice troll, the giant troll, the giant 2 headed troll, the troll. etc...

they were related to ogres. they worshipped the same deity.

 

[skinnydwarf]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Trolls from the Tad Williams books- "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn." Excellent trilogy.
It's been awhile since I read it, but from what I remember, the trolls in these books were somewhat like dwarves, living on the mountain and all. Sort of a cross between mountain peoples and dwarves.

 

[NewLifeForm]

A Different Breed of Troll

In various campaigns I've used various types, but I've never used the classic D&D variety, especially the appearence. I always disliked their carrot-nosed design.

In my current campaign Trolls are almost unrecognizable, being a species in decline from their once proud and noble heritage. While many fit the traditional primitive and barbaric image of a cross between ogres and the "Gnomes" trolls, those that have remained in human company are quite intelligent. One in particular is a reoccuring NPC who works with an Elven Wizard as a "stock boy" at the Elf's material components shop. He is charming, wise and has a dry and sarcastic sense of humor that my players really enjoy.

Oh, one more thing...my current trolls are also always, abnormally strong, far exceeding their size and weight (though this too is great - averaging 7 to 9 feet tall and weighing 750 to 1000 lbs.).
The aforementioned "stock boy" can often be seen walking the streets of the town carrying several chests and barrels or helping people fix a broken wagon wheel by lifting the front of the wagon several feet off the ground.

Trolls
NewLifeForm