Jawnomicon

Troll

Trolls, originating from Norse and Scandinavian folklore, are depicted as large, humanoid creatures, often living in caves or mountains. They are known for their strength, their aversion to sunlight, and their knack for trickery, showcasing their place as both formidable adversaries and mischievous beings in the folklore of the Nordic regions.

At a glance

Tradition
Norse mythology
Region
Nordic Regions (place of origin)Mountainous Regions (unspecified) (habitat)
Trait family
The Tricksters (at its edge)

Near this figure

and 10 more
  • Rompo Trickster outwits larger foes · Trickery and cunning
  • Unhcegila Colossal terrain shaping giant · Treasure guardian
  • Goblin Trickster outwits larger foes · Treasure guardian
  • Cyclops Colossal terrain shaping giant · Superhuman strength
  • Daidarabotchi Colossal terrain shaping giant · Superhuman strength
  • Og Colossal terrain shaping giant · Superhuman strength
  • Ogre Trickster outwits larger foes · Superhuman strength
  • Leprechaun Trickery and cunning · Treasure guardian
  • Draugr Treasure guardian · Superhuman strength
  • Akhtya Trickery and cunning

Traits

Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.

Form

  • Colossal terrain shaping giant
    why

    These large, humanoid beings are typically portrayed as dwelling in the wild, rugged landscapes of mountains, forests, and caves. Their immense physical strength is legendary, often depicted as capable of uprooting trees or hurling boulders with ease.

Behaviour

  • Bridge dweller exacts toll from passers
    why

    Both the international tale-type catalogue and the motif index record a troll that lives under a bridge and takes a toll from whatever tries to cross it.

  • Trickster outwits larger foes
    why

    This vulnerability has given rise to numerous tales of clever humans outwitting trolls by tricking them into staying out until dawn.

  • Treasure guardian
    why

    Their connection to mountains and caves has led to associations with mining and hidden treasures, making them figures of both fear and fascination for those seeking riches.

Offensive powers

  • Superhuman strength
    why

    Their immense physical strength is legendary, often depicted as capable of uprooting trees or hurling boulders with ease.

  • Petrifying gaze
    why

    In many stories, exposure to the sun's rays can turn them to stone or cause them great harm, forcing them to be nocturnal or to inhabit dark, secluded places.

Utility powers

  • Trickery and cunning
    why

    Many folklore accounts attribute to them a cunning intelligence, particularly when it comes to trickery and deception.

Roles

Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.