Trolls

Trolls are the bane of travelers everywhere - a sentient race of brutes who achieve victory through surprise, firepower, and strength of numbers. They are commonly encountered on bridges and lonely roads throughout Britannia.

Description
First appearing during the time of Exodus as humanoids barely distinguishable from orcs or goblins, trolls could be easily destroyed through the use of a common arcane spell, Repond. Upon Exodus' defeat, while their goblin brethren were hunted almost to extinction, the canny trolls took up the throwing axe as a signature weapon, giving themselves a literal edge to survive. As a race, trolls seemed to increase noticeably in size by the time of the Shadowlords, for reasons unknown.

By the time of the Black Gate, it was discovered that trolls were actually capable of speech. An imprisoned troll in the jailhouse of Yew, and another in the torture chambers below Buccaneer's Den, could both be conversed with at length. Trolls of this era were known to hurl insults and threats, as well as rocks, when attacking.

A troll was 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.

Trolls have changed little in behavior and looks through the ages, but there are three other types that differ from the familiar Britannian troll:


 * The ice trolls of Serpent Isle.


 * The Pagan trolls of Ultima VIII were a highly civilized race at one stage. A book, written by the last civilized troll, wherein he laments the fact that his race are now nothing more than savages, and that his troll peers were insulting and abusive. Therefore, it would seem 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.


 * In Ultima IX, the sole being called a "troll" is just an over-sized goblin, encountered on a bridge just before Paws, demanding a toll for safe passage.

Lore






Notable examples

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

Trivia

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