Troll

Troll

Species	humanoid
No. Appearing	1–3
Behaviour	solitary
Range	alpine, barrens, steppe, woodland
Size	8½ ft. tall
Weight	350-400 lbs.
Intelligence	5 to 6
Armour Class	4
Hit Dice	6+6
Action Points	5
Max. Stride	11
THAC0	15
Hp/Die	2d4
Attack Forms	claw/claw & bite
Damage	5–8/5–8 & 2–12 (or by weapon type)
Special Attacks	club, infravision, regeneration, strength

Trolls are a species of mutant humanoid with uncertain origins, one that has puzzled scholars for millenia. While often confused with giants, ogres or corrupted demi-beings, trolls have no biological link to any of these. Because of the troll's nature, post-mortem examinations of the monster are extremely difficult, requiring complex methods involving magical stasis and unnatural tools. Because of this, troll studies have lagged far behind.

Biology

The noted theoretical magician Albertus Magnus of the 13th century posited that these creatures were hylomorphic in construction, compounded of human-like material and wooden matter. He believed that the presence of trolls in virtually every part of the old world confirmed that their origin most likely dates from the Hyborian Age, predating the last ice age, a time period starting about 30,000 years ago. The troll's physical properties are related to some unnatural magical precipitate within the troll's fibrous tissue. It's believed that trolls live as long as six to seven thousand years. It's not known if trolls breed; it's been suggested that trolls occur through abiogenesis.

The myth telling that trolls "turn to stone" when confronted by the sun seems to have arised from the last century's wide-scale efforts to eradicate trolls from civilized Europe. The description is metaphorical, in that trolls caught outside during the day would become rooted "like stone", so as not to be discovered by patrols. There remains plenty of evidence to show that trolls can be destructive during daylight hours and that it is not safe to travel in troll-controlled lands during the day.

Despite their size, trolls are emaciated creatures, with little flesh on their branch-like bones. In build, they are approximately half as robust as a human. There are numerous forms and species. They stand on the balls of their feet, and are lithe and quick when they attack (wary stride = 1.5). Their hide is wooden and tough, and is coloured with brown and black knots and occasionally living green moss. There is a discerable grain in its "flesh." An oily substance suppurates from knobs on the troll's upper chest and throat. A thin, straggling patch of vine-like plants drapes from the troll's head, giving the impression of hair. Once trolls age to four or five hundred years, this growth turns silvery grey.

Advantages

Trolls have infravision and are often heard moving about at night. Their brawn is formidable, for they possess a strength of 18/60, with bonuses of +2/+3 to hit and damage. Trolls have been known to use clubs, causing 2-7 damage, or 5-10 with strength bonus. Trolls will use one of these in place of a claw attack, continuing to receive three attacks per round (claw, weapon & bite).

WORKING...

, trolls possess a strength of 18/60, allowing them +2 to hit and +3 damage. Trolls may occasionally use clubs as weapons, causing 2–7 damage on a hit (5–10 with strength bonus) in place of a claw attack; if so, the troll will continue to attack three times due to its unusual balance (with claw, weapon and bite).

Most dangerous, however, is the creature's ability to regenerate. This is done at a rate of 3 hp per round and requires no effort or rest. To render a troll motionless, the creature must be reduced to -4 hit points ... and even though "dead," the troll will still revive if regeneration restores it to -3 hit points or more. More damage may be heaped upon the troll, but the body cannot be reduced to less than -10 points with normal weapons. To end the troll's regeneration ability, the troll must be burnt or reduced with acid ... however, a lit flask of oil will only burn for three rounds, whereas vials of acid will cause only 2–8 damage each (potentially reducing the troll deep into the negatives, but the creature's regeneration will eventually restore the creature). The only sure way is to immerse the troll in acid or to create a sustained fire that will burn continuously (for at least an hour) until the troll is reduced completely to ash or eaten entirely away. A troll burns much like a dense, damp wood, producing much smoke.

If dismembered, each part of the troll will continue to move and attack, though ineffectually, unless approached and causing only 1–3 damage if not part of the body. However, the parts will seek one another to rebuild the troll, eventually creating enough of the troll's shape to begin fighting effectively again. A leg or a hand may regrow into an entire troll ... though for reasons that are not clear, multiple trolls will not arise from the body parts of one troll; rather, the essence of the original troll seems to inhabit a favored part, which will call other parts to it or, if forced, abandon the other parts to recreate itself. These abandoned parts will become inert and will not form into a troll.

See Bestiary