Troll
Trolls are a hungry, predatory species of enormous humanoid that may be found in practically all of Valine's locations and climates, from icy wastelands to tropical jungles, and they appear in a variety of forms. They are uncivilized, terrible animals with voracious appetites who travel from one location to the next, eating on whatever they can get their hands on. While some consider trolls to be Giant, they are neither real Giant nor Giant-kin.
The average adult troll is around 9 feet tall, with long, ungainly legs. Some trolls grow much larger and are referred to as "dire trolls" by some. Their deceptively slender bodies are covered in thick, rubbery hides that are mossy green or putrid grey in color, and they have long hanging arms that finish in huge claws. A troll's skull has a disorderly, hair-like growth that is black or steel grey in color. Males are often larger and stronger than females.
Trolls have a pronounced hunch that allows the backs of their hands to drag on the ground even when they walk straight. Their arms dangle still when they run. Trolls are remarkably agile and well adapted to be master climbers, despite their odd physical appearance.
Except among their own species, most trolls are not very territorial.
The senses of trolls are imbalanced. They have weak hearing and light sensitivity, but excellent olfactory senses.
Trolls' famed regeneration is maybe their most well-known factoid. Trolls can quickly repair most wounds, whether it's a slice in its rubbery hide or a detached leg. Acid or fire are the only things that can stop a troll's flesh from regenerating. Even after being severed, dismembered limbs will continue to assault opponents.
Troll blood is incredibly valued due to its regenerating powers. Blood from a single troll can be worth up to 400 SP. Poisons, antidotes, and certain healing potions are all made from this green viscous liquid.
Trolls are particularly vulnerable to mutation due to their adaptive physiology. Actions made throughout a troll's existence can result in a physical or behavioral change within the same generation, however this is unlikely.
When trolls are in heat, they emit a foul-smelling odor known as "mate-rut," which alerts other trolls that they are ready to reproduce. From afar, experienced travelers may detect the odor.
Trolls hunt almost all other living animals and are unconcerned about their prey's size or number. They have no fear of death at all. They flail furiously with their clawed claws in combat and employ a powerful bite, but they rarely use weapons. They will throw heavy stones from time to time before closing the gap with their target.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
All trolls share a baseline similarity of biological traits, however they can be broken down into several sub-species of troll. The most commonly encountered are:
- Dire Troll: The largest of trolls on Valine. They have two heads, leading some to believe they are trolls crossed with Ettin.
- Fire Troll : A big, fire-resistant troll that is the polar opposite of an ice troll.
- Ice Troll : A troll who lives in frigid places and has translucent skin. They are intelligent enough to make and utilize weapons and armor, and they compete for territory with snow trolls.
- Cave Troll : A ferocious hunter and a particularly huge and vicious type of troll.
- Snow Troll : A broad and short troll with a knack for hunting and living in frigid climates.
- Forest Troll : This smaller, more intelligent troll breed is a skilled hunter who makes good use of tools and weapons.
- Mountain Troll : The enormous stature of these more intelligent trolls belies their higher intelligence and surprising gentleness.
- Scrag : The rivers and seas of Valine are infested with these cunning, obnoxious wretches.
- Tree Troll : Magical tinkering has resulted in these smaller, arboreal trolls.
Ecology and Habitats
Troll dens are filthy locations controlled by a matriarchal female shaman. This female-led dynamic extends to their faith, as each clan credits its origins to a great mother ancestor, whom they believe is a daughter of the demigod Dhoraxis.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Trolls don't have much of a social structure. They travel in non-migratory clans of 3-12 and will create a lair, most typically within a cave, once they find a prey-rich location. They are frequently found near minor humanoid communities, especially paved highways, as individuals who venture off the beaten path provide a plentiful source of food. Once established in a territory, the trolls will hunt and devour as much as they can until all resources have been depleted.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
A Wizard created a distilling method that could turn troll flesh into a foul-smelling and tasting regeneration elixir, but it was deemed a failure because no one wanted to drink it. Using troll's ichor and brain, one of the Wizard's students devised an effective and profitable recipe for creating Ring of Regeneration decades later.
Trolls are also said to be used in the manufacture of dazzling white Mottuna Stone. An enslaved troll soul is thought to have been employed in the construction of this type of regeneration Mottuna Stone.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Although they can be encountered nearly anywhere, trolls are most often found in dense forests and subterranean locales, including the Undervale, and feed on whatever they get can rend with their claws.
Trolls are commonly found in a large number of areas that earn their name based on their populations.
Larger species of trolls prefer mountainous areas. The smaller varieties tended to live more in the forests. Forest trolls are expert hunters within the region, while the small and stealthy tree trolls originate from arcane experiments. After escape they fled to wooded areas, where they fight against fey creatures such as Pixie.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Trolls don't have their own language; instead, they speak Giant and Trollspeak, a guttural combination of Common Tongue, Orcish, Goblin, and Giant languages. Any culture they have is usually passed down orally within a single clan. Simple statements of dominance or a mating female presenting a kill, along with a shared meal, to a potential male, are common forms of communication.
History
Trolls have an unknown origin. If the trolls' legends about them being descended from a number of Dhoraxis' daughters are genuine, and if Dhoraxis was created by Khydar the Unnatural, then trolls are descended from a god. Trolls also think they are derived from a dark and primal Earth Mother whom they alone worship.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
In the wild, trolls have no natural predators.
Trolls are known to work as Mercenary for more intelligent monster humanoids like Ogre and Giant, despite their difficulty in taming them.
They don't fear humanoids when they come across them, but they do respect them as groups that are known to wield fire, which is one of their weaknesses.
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