Troll

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.


At a Glance

A troll is a giant— specifically a troll.


Variations

Trolls are related to half-trolls, bladerager trolls, cave trolls, crystalline trolls, fell trolls, fire trolls, forest trolls, ice trolls, mountain trolls, mur-zhagul, scrags, war trolls, and wasteland trolls.


Appearance

Art Review

Okay, this is a stupid looking troll. The bodybuilder pose is dumb, the grumpy old man expression is overdone, and while those are bad they aren’t the worst part of the picture.

The rest of him is so bulky; why is his nose so thin and floppy? That thing would blow back and forth in the breeze, and that would tickle. A horde of trolls is approaching the city? Oh noez! Wait, they’re sneezing and rubbing their noses; they’re tripping and falling everywhere. Oh, that’s gross, they’re wiping their boogers on each other. The city guards are laughing at them from on top of the battlements. The trolls are running away in shame; the attack is over before it even started.

Instead, let’s look for our inspiration in a different sort of troll. Something like… this. But, you’re probably saying, those trolls are cartoony and lack the realism necessary for great roleplaying. I agree, to a point, but they’re a step in the right direction, when what we have now is a horde of string-nosed sneezing warty green thugs who pose like bodybuilders. And ask yourself this question, with this picture in mind: is realism really all we need? I say no. We need a little bit more crazy, too. I mean, these are trolls we’re supposed to be talking about. So take realism and add to it a little surreal. Or, for a twist, more intelligence. People out there are doodling better trolls.


Climitat


Troll Realms


Notable Individuals


Sources

Primary Sources
  • Monster Manual page 247
  • Drow of the Underdark page 145
  • Monster Manual [2009] (1e) page 97
Passing Mention
Other Resources
  • Search for Troll on the FR Wiki

Disclaimer

Wizards of the Coast, Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Forgotten Realms, and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the United States and other countries. This blog is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or specifically approved by Wizards of the Coast LLC.

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