Troll

## Trolls - The Monsters Who Walk Among Us

### **Background**

The Trolls were the first race placed on Norrath by Cazic-Thule. They will eat literally anything, cooked or uncooked, as long as it was (or still is) alive at some point. Trolls also fancy they have advanced talents in the culinary arts, with their ability to pickle just about anything, or make a meal out of “spare parts.” Trolls care only for satisfying their personal desires, which mostly revolve around a hunger for food and a lust for battle. While they are reviled by most other races, they would be even more dangerous if their intelligence weren’t so limited. Even so, their inherent savagery and selfishness, combined with their formidable strength, make them deadly opponents.

Built into the muck and mire of Innothule Swamp, the Troll city of Grobb was a primitive, messy hovel. It was eventually conquered by their ancient rivals, the Frogloks, who transformed the city into Gukta. The Trolls then sought refuge with their Dark Elf allies, falling even more under the control of the Teir’Dal. Despite their limitations, Trolls are not to be underestimated. A particularly savage clan made their home in Broken Skull Rock, filling their hearts with the doctrines of Hate. With Innoruuk as their new master, they stole an ancient artifact from Grobb, a stone etched with the prophecy of the Grozmok. Trolls continue to await the coming of the Grozmok, a mythical figure that will unite the tribes under the combined might of Fear and Hate. Trolls can fill virtually any Fighter role. Though limited in intelligence, they can study to become Mages. Despite their lumbering bodies, Trolls also make effective Assassins and skilled Rogues.

### **Faith**

Trolls traditionally practice a shamanistic form of worship dedicated to their creator, Cazic-Thule. Due to the influence of the Broken Skull Clan, a more orderly form of worship centered on the teachings of Innoruuk has also risen to prominence, with the wisest of Trolls forming a Cleric caste. Though able to achieve a greater level of mental focus than most of their kin, these Priests retain all the savagery and aggressiveness common to the rest of their race.

### **Effects on the Shattering**

Trolls have grown used to adapting to adversity, having lived without a centralized home city for most of the last 500 years. Little of Innothule Swamp still belonged to them, though they would like to return eventually and reclaim it. For the time being, however, they are content to live in Freeport and follow the orders of their new masters … as long as the food supply holds out.

### **Pros and Cons**

#### **Pros:**

* Ultravision sight ability makes crawling into dark places very easy.
* Very high Strength means they can hit harder and carry more
* Trolls also have a very high Stamina, which means higher Health. So, Trolls make excellent Fighters and even average Priests (despite their low Wisdom). Fighter Trolls stay up longer and do more damage then your average Fighter; Troll Priests, while not the best healers/hitters, are harder to kill!.
* Trolls enjoy some interesting racial traditions, including being able to make armor from monsters you slay, and natural regeneration. The racial traditions of the Troll really help develop the Troll into a natural killing machine.

#### **Cons:**

* Very low Intelligence as well as belowaverage Wisdom and Agility means that they make bad Mages and aren’t the best Priests/Scouts (unless you’re going for the high Hit Point approach).
* Even though they have high Strength and Stamina, the Trolls’ low Agility means less armor, a downside for such a Fighter-oriented race.