Troll
I thought it was a fallen log. It was covered with moss, a few vines, everything you'd expect from a fallen log. Imagine my surprise when it stood up and yawned.
At least I think it was a yawn. I was busy running.
Trolls are a curious creature, if 'creature' is the correct word for aggressive, bipedal, and predatory moss. They are also, oddly enough, the most successful predator in any territory that a troll or trolls call home.
No records remain indicating the origin of trolls, though many speculate that it made have been the doing of an alchemist looking to blend transformation magic with druidic magic for healing purposes. If so, the fact that a predatory moss creature was the result may explain the lack of records or identity of said alchemist.
If you want my two coins on it? Trolls are what happens when you let a wizard and druid go out for too many pints of mead then start drunk casting. Remember kids, friends don't let wizardly or druidly friends go drunk casting, nothing good ever comes of it.
Some scholars have speculated that trolls, due to the fact they are a wandering, walking plant, have some relation to treants. However, when asked, treants deny any such association and often thank the person to not bring the topic up again, saying only that they don't meddle in any affairs between wizards, druids, or alchemists.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Troll anatomy? Well, I guess 'oh, by the gods, what?' is a little too much of an understatement.
Trolls vary in appearance based on the environment one takes root in. However, they share common physical traits.
A typical troll stands 7 to 9 feet tall and is covered with a rough, green hide. This hide is a pliable wood that is kept moist due to a gel-like secretion. That gel allows trolls to inhabit a wide variety of environments, save for the most extreme.
Trolls are humanoid in shape, so bipedal with two arms, legs and a head. Their head is roughly squarish shape with a long narrow face, like a deformed bugbear or elf mixed with wild abandon into the appearance of a mildly melted treant. However, the head serves a different purpose than it does with intelligent creatures.
Heads on a troll serve as a one of their primary means of containing and capturing prey, along with consuming food. Their jaws are hinged, allowing them to expand their bite and latch onto potential prey. Their tusked underbite, comprised of the same wooden material as their claws, becomes very effective at latching onto prey once caught.
The arms end in hands with long claws that are in fact a black wood extruded from the creature over its life. These claws are in fact the best way to determine the age of a troll. Young trolls possess glossy black wooden claws. As a troll ages, its claws take on a glossy amber then, in advanced age, a dull brown color. These claws exude a paralytic toxin through which trolls use to subdue their prey.
Troll eyes are most curious. They act as sensory organs and are positioned forward as would be on any other predator. Yet, a troll's eyes appear to be a solid black. This is because they are. What would be the 'white' of the eye is a dark substance flecked with obsidian. The 'iris' is a collection of dark algae. This dark algae is a deep green but when set against the black of the 'eyeball' the green isn't readily noticed.
Eye color? What? You want me to ask it to dinner and look lovingly across the table at it? It's. A. Troll. The last thing I want to do is stare into its eyes. If I did, it'd probably be the last thing I'd do cause it'd eat me! I like my fur right where it is, thank you ever so much!
Of all its unusual traits, the most would be its internal structure. In fact, it almost doesn't have one. A troll is a colony creature. As such, a troll has no internal organs. However, it does have an internal 'skeleton' made up of hardened vines and similar structures along with a digestive and circulatory system. In fact, at least 80% of the creature is designed toward the efficiency of digestion.
This overdeveloped system of digestion, circulation combined with its colony creature nature, is one part of their legendary regenerative abilities. While it does bleed when cut, lack of internal organs means the creature is able to regenerate lost portions of itself provided it has enough food to work with.
Genetics and Reproduction
Given their unique nature of plants, trolls reproduce through budding. Often during the mid to late spring in the region they inhabit. Trolls don't require a mate, simply a time of year and enough food to allow the process to move forward.
They mature slowly, taking at least 20 years before they can be considered 'adult' and can attempt to take their place as the apex predator of a region. However, this will put them in competition with other trolls, even their progenitor. Although, trolls are not necessarily picky in their diet.
Their blossoms are highly prized by alchemists and wizards.
Ecology and Habitats
Trolls are primarily found in temperate, jungle and hilly regions. Often near swamps, ponds or other water sources. Yet, they aren't sedentary. Trolls wander, roaming in their territory which can span several square miles. In terms of the environment they are in, they technically are omnivores and have little preference of animal meat over plant life.
An equal opportunity eating machine? That makes sense in a 'I only need to run faster than the other guy to escape' sort of way.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Trolls are, in general, omnivorous. Yet, they don't consume their prey immediately. Subdued prey is pulped then stored in a subterranean chamber dug by the troll for this purpose. Once their food has softened, then then proceed to eat. A good meal can last a troll for at least a day or two. However, the amount that puts trolls at odds with many ranchers and farmers since a troll might take a serious toll on the livestock, rancher, or farmer.
As for hunting, trolls are ambush hunters. They stalk their prey, waiting until their designated victim is tired or unaware before striking with their devastating claws. Once wounded, they bide their time until their prey is exhausted. Likewise, if they manage to hook their prey with their massive tusks, they will simply constrict until their prey submits.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Troll 'senses' are based on movement and heat. No one knows if a troll can 'see' color. Many reports from rangers indicate that it is marginally possible to avoid a troll by standing still. However, the troll's primary senses are in the eyes. Through its eyes it is able to identify motion of potential prey as well as differing heat patterns nearby. This latter is as much for self-defense as it is for hunting.
Let me get this straight. It's a walking bit of moss that hunts by motion, almost never stops walking, and eats almost anything that sits still long enough? Seriously? You're making that up.
A troll can manage short bursts of 7 to 8 miles per hour when charging prey. Typical walking speed is much slower at a lumbering gait.
Great article. The first quote made me laugh! :D
Thank you very much! I have to admit. I was giggling my way through these quotes myself!
I can imagine. It is always fun to add some humor to articles.