Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Troll (食人妖); also called an ogre in some passages 19 20 21 |
| Species/Race | Troll 20 |
| Occupation/Role | Predators in the Ogre Forest; some serve as heavy troops in Orc armies 19 90 93 |
| First Appearance | A Troll attacks Li Wei at his campsite 20 |
Background
Trolls inhabit the Ogre Forest northeast of the Last Bridge, where creatures from the eastern Ettenmoors and the Misty Mountains gather. Li Wei searches the forest for Trolls and their hoards, killing more than a dozen over one week. As word of the “Treasure-Gobbler” spreads among them, Trolls become harder to find; some that previously lived alone begin moving in groups 19 21 53.
Trolls also fight alongside Orcs. Azog sends them against Dwarven chariots and later into his assault on Li Wei. Other Trolls appear with Orcs in Moria and among the forces threatening the northern frontier 90 93 137 353.
Appearance
Trolls are towering, heavy-bodied creatures with thick hides. Li Wei's first encounter has a bloated head and body; the three Trolls who capture Bilbo have fists larger than a Dwarf 20 53.
- Their hides can resist ordinary weapons: a Dwarven warhammer knocks teeth from one Troll but does not crush its skull 53.
- Some carry massive clubs or iron-ball weapons 90 93 137.
Abilities & Weaknesses
Strength and durability
- A Troll's blows can break Li Wei's shield guard and nearly smash through a meter-thick cobblestone wall 20.
- The Troll at Li Wei's campsite has 60 maximum health and two points of natural armor 20.
- Trolls can hurl rocks; one thrown rock nearly splits a thick tree trunk 21.
Sunlight vulnerability
- Ordinary Trolls cannot move about in daylight and fear turning to stone at dawn 53 54.
- Olog-hai are a distinct, larger battlefield type that does not fear sunlight. They are described as harder to wound than ordinary Trolls 81 86 88.
Story Role
- Ogre Forest — A Troll attacks Li Wei's camp. He seals it in its cave and shoots it through a gap in the cobblestone barrier. He later hunts other Trolls for their cave treasure 20 21.
- Bilbo's capture — Three Trolls seize Bilbo and force Thorin's company to surrender by threatening to tear him apart. Bilbo stalls them until Li Wei and Gandalf arrive; the Trolls are turned to stone at dawn 53.
- Orc campaigns — Trolls serve as assault troops but suffer against Li Wei's fire arrows, Dwarven heavy crossbows, and his battlefield tactics 88 90 93.