The Trolls of Ara

Like James Maliszewski, I've always been a big fan of the look of D&D's trolls, which is why I am keeping them in my Arandish Labyrinth Lord campaign.  However, when Ara was originally conceived for Crimson Blades of Ara, it included a few different varieties of trolls, of which the classic D&D troll (which we dubbed the “hill troll”) was but one comparatively weak variety.  Thus I now present statistics for the three major types of troll to be encountered in the Lands of Ara: the hill troll, the even more vicious and deadly rock troll, and the huge, amphibious swamp troll.

Hill Troll
# Encountered: 1d8 (1d8)
Alignment: chaotic
Move: 120’ (40’)
AC: 4
HD: 6 + 3
Attacks: 3 (2 claw, 1 bite)
Damage: 1d6 / 1d6 / 1d10
Save: F6
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: XIX
XP: 680

The Arandish Hill Troll is identical to the standard D&D troll; see Labyrinth Lord p. 100.  It can be found anywhere in Ara.

Rock Troll
# Encountered: 1d6 (1d6)
Alignment: chaotic
Move: 120’ (40’)
AC: 3 (rocky hide)
HD: 8 + 3
Attacks: 3 (2 claw, 1 bite)
Damage: 1d8 / 1d8 / 1d10
Save: F8
Morale: 11
Hoard Class: XIX
XP: 1060

Dwelling in the eastern mountain ranges as well as the Frey Mountains of northern Noffel, the deadly rock troll is rarely seen and greatly feared.  It loves the thrill of the hunt, and has been known to toy with its victims before devouring them.  A rock troll has very keen senses and is difficult to surprise.  As was mentioned in the previous historical account of the Zapars, rock trolls have a hard, rocky hide that gives them a lower AC (AC 3) than their other trollish cousins.  In addition to their tougher hide and slightly larger size (a typical adult rock troll stands 10’ tall), rock trolls possess all the same regenerative abilities, and susceptibilities to acid and fire, as hill trolls do (see Labyrinth Lord p. 100).  Rock trolls are often found in deep dungeon levels.

Swamp Troll
# Encountered: 0 (1d4)
Alignment: chaotic
Move: 90’ (30’), Swim: 180’ (60’)
AC: 4
HD: 9 + 3
Attacks: 3 (2 claw, 1 bite) or 1 trample
Damage: 1d8 / 1d8 / 1d12 / 3d8 (trample)
Save: F9
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XIV
XP: 1700

The most dreaded of all trolls, the gigantic swamp troll inhabits the Great Western Swamp (which I will describe in detail in a future post).  The swamp troll lies in wait for prey, its leathery, muck-encrusted back sticking out of the water like a small island.  When something gets close enough, the troll rises to its full height of 16 feet, striking with terrible, 3-foot claws.  A swamp troll knows little fear, and will not hesitate to attack small boats and other swamp-going craft.  Swamp trolls are nomadic, going where the hunting is good.  They are excellent swimmers, and if forced to flee will dive into the swamp-water and swim away from danger.  Swamp trolls are amphibious and can hold their breath underwater for very long periods.  Swamp trolls have all the same regenerative abilities, and susceptibilities to acid and fire, as hill and rock trolls do (for details see Labyrinth Lord p. 100).