Trollkin

Savage trolls once roamed all the forests and plains of Immoren, but as time passed they assembled into tribes, which branched into clan families, and soon enough trolls came in a variety of shapes, sizes, and eating habits. The latter is perhaps the greatest distinction that sets trollkin apart from other trolls, allowing the other races of western Immoren to experience their peculiarities firsthand without fear of becoming their next meal. Trollkin still retain a nigh-insatiable hunger and are known for their feasts—which often consist of awfully undercooked foods by human standards— but intelligent races no longer tend to make the menu.

TOUGH AND LOUD

Trollkin are large—very large. The smallest of them are on par with the largest Human, and they stand roughly a head shorter than a hefty Ogrun, but they cannot be mistaken for either. Their thick, freckled skin is pale gray, touched blue and green in places, and their irises are so pale that their eyes appear stark white. Trollkin have large three-fingered hands, three-toed feet, and spiny protrusions on the backs of their heads and necks, and their sonorous voices are not easily misjudged. Indeed, they are captivating singers, and some are so powerful they can utilize their articulations as actual weapons. Others among them have been born with sorcerous abilities. These “blessed” trollkin sorcerers are easily identified by their smaller size and stark white skin, and they are held in high regard among their people.

STEEPED IN TRADITION

For trollkin, the tribal way of life has never faded. Every trollkin is a member of a tightly knit clan called a kith, who are often related by blood, and neighboring kith are considered a kriel, a word in Molgur that essentially translates as “people.” It is believed that as many as two hundred kriels once existed throughout western Immoren.

The elder kith of a kriel are called the Circle of Stones, and they regulate and establish trollkin customs, laws, and religion. Indeed, trollkin culture is lavish in its colors and decorations, and every kith has a quitari, a tartan pattern that distinguishes the kith and is sometimes worn as a sash around the waist or over the shoulder and incorporated into banners and pennons. In fact, trollkin are skilled weavers and dyers. They take great pride in complex and elaborate patterns that boggle most viewers, especially non-trollkin, and this skill is certainly one of their inroads into human communities.

CHILDREN OF DHUNIA

Trollkin are unrestrained in their music and dance and just as unrestrained in acting on their belief that all natural phenomena are born of Dhunia and have souls. Spirits dominate everything they do, and it is customary, in honor of Dhunia, to offer fruits and flowers to others as a token of goodwill or to make amends. Like the soul, blood and bloodline are extremely important to all trollkin, and dismissing or disrespecting either is considered a grave offense. Most trollkin adherents of Dhunia believe that all things come from and return to the earth to be reborn. “Deep and true as blood and bone” is a trollkin vow that literally means “all things” or “all that I am,” which encompasses every life a trollkin has lived, as well as the lives of all relatives and ancestors. It is a somber phrase used only when trollkin speak the truth or make an oath.

KITH AND KRIEL

Because they are so close-knit, trollkin are sometimes considered aloof, or even hostile, by other races. This may have something to do with their bias against creatures they consider “weak blooded,” but they try not to hold this too personally against those who lack the good fortune to have been born a trollkin. Indeed, some have even been heard to say that some of their associates of other races “must have been trollkin in a former life” or that “there’s always the next life” for their comrades to be reborn as trollkin.

TROLLKIN NAMES

Trollkin take great pride in their lineage, but rather than extend their names as gobbers do, they memorize family trees. For matters of ceremony, trollkin introduce themselves by reciting this full lineage. In human society, some trollkin use the name of their kith or kriel as a surname; others adopt descriptive names.

Age.

Trollkin mature at the same rate as humans but live nearly twice as long—about 150 years, on average. Alignment. Most trollkin are lawful, and much of modern trollkin culture and society are organized in accordance with their ancient traditions. Trollkin often tend to be goodnatured but can become ruthless and ferocious when their people are threatened.

Size.

Trollkin stand between 6 and 7 feet tall and average about 250 pounds. Your size is Medium. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Born to Be Wild.

You have proficiency in the Survival skill. Ceaseless Stamina. Trollkin do not tire easily and can undertake long marches or perform grueling physical labor for far longer than most races. You ignore the effects of exhaustion until you have suffered 3 or more levels of exhaustion. When you finish a long rest, your exhaustion level is reduced by 3 instead of 1.

Darkvision.

Accustomed to life in the wilds and surviving in the dark of night, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.

Regenerative.

Trollkin heal at a much faster rate than other races, especially when feasting and resting. When you roll a 1 or 2 when spending a Hit Die to regain hit points at the end of a short rest, you can reroll the die but must use the new roll, even if it is a 1 or 2.

Trollkin Toughness.

You have advantage on saving throws against poison and disease, and you have resistance to poison damage.

Languages.

You can speak, read, and write the common language of your native kingdom (Cygnaran, Khadoran, etc.). Additionally, you speak the Molgur-Trul dialect, a tribal language that has no written form. Subrace. Over generations, trollkin tribes will physically adapt to their surroundings in conspicuous ways. Albino trollkin appear throughout all tribes, their skin signifying innate arcane power. The three most common subraces of trollkin are woodland trollkin, Northkin trollkin, and albino trollkin. Choose one of these subraces

WOODLAND TROLLKIN

As a woodland trollkin, you came of age within the Thornwood, the Gnarlwood, or any of the other forested areas of western Immoren. The woods can be unforgiving and dangerous places, but you are more comfortable sleeping alone beneath the trees of your homeland than resting within a roadside tavern.

Woodland Survivalist.

Nonmagical difficult terrain within forests doesn’t slow your travel. Additionally, you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to hunt wild game within forests.

NORTHKIN TROLLKIN

Out of the blizzards of the frozen north march the Northkin, a mighty alliance of resolute trollkin warriors. Born into a warrior culture, you have endured hardships that few other races could hope to survive. War and honor are the foundations of your life.

Northkin Resilience.

Accustomed to the harsh winters of your homeland, you are naturally adapted to cold climates and have resistance to cold damage.

ALBINO TROLLKIN

Born with the white skin and red eyes of an albino, you were marked from birth as having sorcerous powers and spent your youth honing your magical skills. Your innate powers are closely tied to the elements of your homeland, and you are now a powerful spellcaster.

Cantrip.

You know two cantrips of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for them.