Trolls

Description
Trolls... the bane of any traveller. Trolls are a sentient race of brutes who achieve victory through surprise, firepower via thrown axes and strength of numbers. They are 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 Buccaneers 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 1. A clan of trolls controls a section of the Abyss and can be bargained with.

Trolls in Pagan were a highly civilised race at one stage. The player may find a book written by the last civilised troll lamenting the fact that his race are now nothing more than savages. He also claims his troll peers insulted him and were abusive. This would lead us to believe trolls in Pagan are capable of communicating, though almost always choose to do so through their club. Pagan trolls are much stronger than trolls in the 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. He demands a toll from the player for safe passage.

Lore
''These large and evil creatures can hurl axes--of which they carry a plentiful supply--with frightening accuracy. Beware their tricks. Trolls are usually found in hills and mountains.''

- from "The History of Britannia", Ultima IV

''Large misshapen humanoids that like to live underground, trolls are strong and dexterous and can cause moderate damage to their victims. Fortunately, they are not very enduring. Trolls tend to lie in wait to ambush unsuspecting travelers. Trolls like treasures and often carry some with them.''

- from "The Book of Lore", Ultima V

''The brutish troll takes perverted pleasure in hiding beneath bridges so it can terrorize the unsuspecting traveler. Fortunately, trolls are relatively weak and they lack endurance, so they pose only a moderate threat when encountered.''

- from "Compendium", Ultima VI

''In the district where I was raised, it was not uncommon for Trolls to waylay an occasional traveler. Several times I have seen such brigands after justice had dealt with them, hanging from roadside crosses. Until I visited the Shrine of Compassion, therefore, it had not occurred to me how nearly civilized the Troll people are. After all, they use civilized weapons (stolen from us), wear tatters of clothing or hide, and speak a rough form of the same tongue which we speak. Curiosity next drove me to visit the Lycaeum on Verity Isle, where I learned that the Trolls had once been a mountain-dwelling people. Over recorded history, however, they have always moved closer to civilization - today, they are commonly found along roads and under bridges. I became convinced that the Trolls were fit candidates for the Way of the Avatar. My servitors and I travelled the roads of Britannia for two years, recruiting Trolls for our great Abyssal Experiment. Many of the monsterforms rejected us, and some we were forced to slay in self-defense. However, I am glad to report that the Trolls accepted our ways and now constitute an important section of our community. It has been difficult for many to accept the presence of the Trolls. The Knights were trained from youth to slay such creatures on sight, and Goblins are a favorite food of Trolls. Nevertheless, the Virtues have triumphed. (And those Trolls who offend by dining on Goblinflesh are immediately exiled, if caught. - Corby)''

- from "The Memoirs of Cabirus", Ultima Underworld

''This brutish creature is the bane of all travelers. Many tales relate how trolls hide beneath bridges in order to terrorize and prey upon all those who would cross it. The wise traveller would do well to exercise caution when crossing any bridge, especially those one may come across in the wilderness, far from the security of a city.''

- from "Fellowship", Ultima VII

''Long hunted and feared as monsters, these giants have only recently been recognized as sentient and, in their own way, civilized. They speak the human tongue and band together in loose tribes. However, there are still many, many trolls that simply wander the landscape preying on smaller, more vulnerable travelers, particularly the rarely sighted great Troll. Trolls are generally agreed to be the strongest species to walk on two legs.''

- from "A Safe Passage through Britannia", Ultima Underworld II

Evolution in the series

 * First appearance: Ultima III


 * Last classical apperance: Ultima VII/2


 * Appearance of other variants: Ultima VIII, IX

After they first appeared in Ultima III, Trolls changed only little in behaviour and looks. There are however three other kind of creatures also called Trolls, but different 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 a 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.