Trolls

Trolls are the bane of travelers everywhere - a sentient race of brutes who achieve victory through surprise, firepower via thrown axes, and strength of numbers. Commonly encountered on bridges and lonely roads, Trolls are capable of speech, as is evidenced in Ultima VII and both the Ultima Underworlds. In Ultima VII, the player may encounter and converse with an imprisoned Troll in the jailhouse of Yew, as well as in the torture chambers below Buccaneer's Den. Trolls also hurl insults and threats (and sometimes rocks) at the player in Ultima VII whilst attacking.

A Troll is one of the main instigators of the events leading to Ultima Underworld I. A clan of Trolls controls a section of the Stygian Abyss and can be bargained with.

The Pagan Trolls of Ultima VIII were a highly civilized race at one stage. The player may find a book written by the last civilized Troll, lamenting the fact that his race are now nothing more than savages, and that his troll peers were insulting and abusive. This would lead us to believe trolls in Pagan are capable of communicating, though they almost always choose to do so through their clubs. Pagan trolls are much stronger than Trolls in previous Ultima games.

There is only one Troll in Ultima IX. Using an enlarged Goblin model, he is encountered on a bridge just before Paws, demanding a toll from the player for safe passage.

After first appearing in Ultima III (without their signature throwing axes -- making them barely distinguishable from Orcs or Goblins), Trolls changed little in behaviour and looks. There are, however, three other types of Trolls that differ from the classic Britannian Troll:


 * The Ice Trolls of Serpent Isle.


 * The Pagan troll, the result of the Guardian destroying their minds, is a stupid, huge brute with a club.


 * In Ultima IX, a being that is called a "Troll" is just an oversized Goblin.

Notable examples

 * Garg in the Prison Tower in Ultima Underworld II. Once freed, he kills every Goblin in the tower for the Avatar.
 * Gharl in the prison of the High Court of Ultima VII, who can tell an interesting secret to someone he trusts.
 * Blog in Ultima Underworld II, a Troll with a gambling hobby.
 * Rawstag in Ultima Underworld, who loves red gems.
 * Grod in Ultima VII mans the torture chamber on Buccaneer's Den and is a true monster.

Trivia

 * Trolls were to be included in the cancelled Ultima X (with a VERY World of Warcraft-inspired redesign). Link: Ultima X Troll