Overview

Trolls are magical beasts with superhuman strength. In the wizarding world, they are among the most dangerous non-human creatures. Trolls are capable of smashing through stone walls and doors with relative ease, wielding massive clubs and other improvised weapons that most humans are unable to lift. They are also able to physically overpower multiple adult wizards if they cannot access magic.

Trolls are also known for their immense stupidity. They struggle to understand language beyond a few words or grunts, follow instructions with multiple tasks, and engage in any sort of complex planning or reasoning. They are so associated with the notion of stupidity that wizards named a failing grade after them. Trolls are grouped in the taxonomic genus Troglodytarum.

There are three known troll breeds: Mountain trolls, river trolls, and forest trolls. Each type of troll is endowed with a unique physical characteristic and inhabits a different area of land. Trolls also possess Rudimentary Magic, although how they possess it is entirely unknown. They do not cast spells like witches and wizards, but they are inherently magical, meaning their bodies and biology are infused with magic. Examples of this are their body parts being used in magical endeavors. They show more limited, slower magical abilities rather than the deliberate use of magic. This can include healing faster than normal or uncontrolled surges of magic when they are enraged.

Appearance and Characteristics

Generally, trolls can reach up to 12 feet tall and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are in the same weight range as giants, but they are denser and more compact. They have high resistance to blunt-force trauma and move more slowly over long distances, but charge energy at random intervals. Their feet have two toes each, both with huge toenails. Their wide, flat toes help distribute their weight so they can move over unstable ground without tripping over. Their toenails are actually long enough to scrape rocks, so they make for natural climbing spikes when they snag onto stone. Troll skin color and overall complexion depend on the breed. Mountain trolls are grey and somewhat lumpy to camouflage themselves against rock and cave walls. Their skin offers natural protection, similar to elephant hide, that dulls the force of most hexes and jinxes, making these trolls unusually resistant to cuts, burns, and other injuries. This forces wizards to aim for more sensitive areas of the troll when attacking, which are much harder to reach. Forest trolls are green, and River trolls are purple. River trolls have purple skin and intense hair so that they can camouflage with dark stones covered in algae along riverbeds.

Troll whiskers happen to have magical properties and are sometimes used as wand cores, but they are unreliable. Wands made from troll-whisker cores are usually stubborn and unresponsive to more subtle forms of magic. These wands are better at brute force, doing things like blasting, breaking, and equipping shields, but they are also prone to backfiring. Because of these reasons, they are considered inferior to the three “superior” wand cores. Other troll products are used frequently in the wizarding world, usually in potions. These products are useful because they are extremely potent, especially for strength and endurance. Those include troll earwax and boogers. Sometimes, their toenail shavings are used in experimental potion work, but it’s far less common than the former. Proportionately, a troll brain is incredibly small.

Trolls are described as incredibly violent and aggressive. They are driven largely by instinct, such as hunger, irritation, and territorialism. When they are startled, they tend to lash out first and not stop until everything around them is still. Trolls have a hard time telling what is around them that is a threat and what is harmless. Anything sensory-related that is out of the ordinary could be enough to trigger an attack. Troll rampages can cause severe damage to people and property. Compared to giants, they are extremely unpredictable in their behavior. Compared to other species, they were considered to have incredibly low intelligence (hence the tiny brains). Besides their similarities, giants have been proven to be much smarter than trolls. Trolls are particularly attracted to what humans deem unpleasant smells, seeking out things such as Dungbombs. Some troll hunters or ministry members use powerful, stinking traps to lure trolls out of a specific area. Magizoologists theorize that these smells can help trolls locate nearby food sources. As a species, they tend to avoid Puffapods because all Trolls are allergic. Puffapods release puffy spores that cause trolls to sneeze and violently water their eyes. Trolls have a taste for human flesh, preferring it raw, but they are not too picky with their diets. They also enjoy eating fish.

Troll language consists of simple grunts that only they can interpret, except for highly trained magical linguists like Bartemius Crouch Sr. He is known to speak many languages, including troll. Troll language has more to do with volume, tone, and rhythm, conveying emotions rather than a large, distinct vocabulary. Trolls understand a limited number of human words and short phrases, such as "stop," "go," and "stay." Their obedience also depends on physical gestures to help them understand. Some of the smarter ones can even be trained to take on jobs such as security trolls. Security trolls were trolls of breeds other than mountain; they were more intelligent and less smelly. Professor Quirinus Quirrell was especially talented at troll communication, showcasing his skills when he let a mountain troll run loose inside Hogwarts Castle during Harry Potter’s first year, in an effort to steal the Philosopher’s Stone for his master, Lord Voldemort. Ron Weasley managed to disarm and knock out the troll, using ​​Wingardium Leviosa to lift the troll's club, which subsequently fell back onto its own head.

Mountain trolls are known to try to ride Graphorns, but they don’t seem to be very privy to that idea. Graphorns are also quite dangerous and extremely difficult to tame. Trolls do not wear armor because they are prone to smashing things out of anger and confusion. Since their thick skin already provides them with substantial physical protection, armor is not really necessary. Of course, there are exceptions to this, such as Armored and Fortified trolls who are equipped with armor by outside beings.
 

History

As a species, trolls originated in Scandinavia but are prevalent across Europe, particularly in areas with fewer humans and where it’s easier to conceal themselves. They are not classified as magical beings (considered sentient) but rather as beasts (not sentient) by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, led by the Ministry of Magic, most likely due to their aggressiveness and low intelligence. Historical attempts to reclassify certain creatures have led to intense debates within the department. Trolls were rarely considered for reclassification for the reasons listed. The first Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Pierre Bonaccord, a progressive, wanted to stop troll-hunting entirely and grant them rights of their own. He wanted to establish safe reserves and remote areas where troll tribes could live with minimal human interference and to encourage ministries around the world to prioritize relocating trolls rather than killing them. Still, the plan fell through due to a veto by Lichtenstein, who was having trouble with tribes of dangerous mountain trolls at the time. The tribes were raiding settlements and destroying buildings in the country. By the end of the nineteenth century, Ranrok, the leader of a violent goblin rebellion against wizardkind on the hunt for ancient magic, had enlisted trolls to defend him. In 1890, two trolls were sent to attack and wreak havoc on Hogsmeade. They tore through the streets, destroying buildings and injuring bystanders. This was to divert the Ministry's attention and give one of their leaders, Victor Rookwood, the opportunity to abduct a fifth-year student at Hogwarts who had previously encountered Ranrok himself and uncovered some of his secrets. One of the trolls was killed by a village officer, while some type of ancient magic killed the other. During the final battle before Ranrok was defeated, four trolls were used again by Ranrok’s troops to rush the front lines and absorb any curses that would typically kill humans. They were also used to clear paths for groups of goblins. Another notable event was when the Hogwarts alum, wizarding celebrity, and author Gilderoy Lockhart wrote all about his encounters with trolls in his book, Travels with Trolls, which became a mandatory read in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class he taught at Hogwarts for one year. This book was a thrilling account of his dangerous encounters with different troll tribes. In these stories, Lockhart makes himself look like a magical genius and fighter, claiming he was able to outwit these trolls with his intelligence and charm and save countless townspeople from sheer peril. In reality, Lockhart was a con artist who took credit for the work of witches and wizards far braver than he was, claiming it as his own after using very strong memory charms on them. Lockhart actually had no experience with magical creatures. Albus Dumbledore briefly hired security trolls (who were much less stupid and could be trained) to guard the Fat Lady portrait after Sirius Black, who was wrongly accused of being a dangerous criminal and of trying to murder Harry Potter, had broken into Hogwarts Castle and attacked her when she refused to let him into the Gryffindor Common Room. The guards left their jobs at the end of the year because Sirius was believed to have fled to another country.

Types of Trolls

Types of trolls include Mountain trolls, Forest trolls, River trolls, Part-trolls, Armored trolls, Fighter trolls, and Fortified trolls.

• Mountain Trolls: Mountain trolls are the largest and most violent of all troll species, with extremely broad shoulders and torsos, and are the most muscular. They have short, stubby horns coming out of their skulls, used for intimidation purposes and for headbutting their opponents in battle. They have heavy eyebrows; small eyes resembling a pig's (vision is now their strongsuit; they rely more on other senses); and very wide mouths to consume their prey with ease. Their legs are quite short in proportion to the rest of their bodies. They also have flat feet with bony growths on their heels and toes. Because of their massive feet and the giant impressions they make in the ground, they are very easy for hunters to track. They give off a powerful, pungent, awful smell reminiscent of “a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet that no one seems to clean.” Their hygiene is also notably poor, as mountain trolls do not bathe or live near enough water sources. Layers of dried blood, sweat, dirt, and rotting food build up on trolls' skin and hair, making them smell much worse. Their noses are full of boogers that look like lumpy, grey glue. The cold air irritates their sinuses, producing extra-gross mucus full of dirt. They are often found in high, rocky regions and caves, where they can avoid humans and capture prey. Their diet, when not actively hunting, consists of goats, sheep, and other livestock that travel too far into the mountains or of wild animals. And of course, any human who is in the wrong place at the wrong time, unable to defend themselves. They are usually seen carrying around massive clubs. When they charge, they can build up serious momentum but cannot turn or stop.
• Forest Trolls: Forest trolls have straggly hair, sometimes tangled with leaves, twigs, and even small fungi that grow in thick, uneven clumps along their shoulders, back, and scalp. They have pale green skin, often full of darker patches and scars, which helps them blend into their environment. They tend to be a bit slimmer and less physically large than mountain trolls, but still quite tall. They have longer limbs in proportion to their bodies, helping them resemble trees and step over fallen foliage. They are native to woodlands and forests with thick canopies and shadows, and it is suspected that some of them may even live within the Forbidden Forest. They prefer denser woodlands, where their size and camouflage can be especially helpful, allowing them to be mistaken for trees or large bushes. They often choose land near natural water sources within forests, like streams and ponds, so that they don’t need to venture too far in search of food. Forest trolls usually avoid open roads. To catch prey, they stand unusually still and wait for their target to approach and then lash out suddenly with a club or their bare hands. Occasionally, trolls and Acromantulas compete for the same prey. Forest trolls eat large forest animals, birds they can catch, as well as bird eggs, and fungi from the forest floor. They are not bothered by poisonous plants or thorns.
• River Trolls: River trolls have purple, dark, hairy skin and short horns. The hair on their skin traps mud and bits of plants. Their horns usually stem from the brow or the sides of their skulls, made for shoving contests. They have broad hands and feet, suited for gripping slippery rocks. Some historical accounts describe their fingers and toes as slightly webbed. They have a shorter build compared to other trolls, but they are still extremely strong. Most of their weight lies in their torsos and upper limbs, so they can swing clubs and drag their prey through water. They are often found lurking under bridges or wading through rivers and other shallow waters. River trolls are especially drawn to low crossings, which can funnel their prey into their path. They prey on anything that comes too close or carcasses of animals that have made their way downstream, making them particularly dangerous to people living near river crossings. At night or in the fog, it is nearly impossible to spot a river troll lurking.
• Part-trolls: Part-trolls are those with some, but not a complete amount of troll blood in their heritage, as well as some human blood. This means that somewhere in their family tree, interbreeding between a troll and a human took place, resulting in descendants who carry both human and troll traits. Part-trolls’ abilities and appearance can vary based on how much troll blood is present in their DNA. For the most part, they are larger and stronger than average humans, with more coarse features. Harry Potter once suggested that a Slytherin student might have been part troll during a physical altercation; however, this was most likely just to insult her appearance and intelligence.
• Armored Trolls and Fortified Trolls: Armored trolls and Fortified trolls are special types of trolls that wear armor and other gear and are used by beings in warfare. Primarily, they are used as living weapons or shock factors. Because of their extra protection, they are much more difficult to injure or kill than ordinary trolls. They are classified as XXXXX (meaning “known wizard killer, impossible to train or domesticate").

Credits/References

Written by Simone Winter
Base code by Andrew Sutherland, edited by Iselin Merilä and Desmond Gray.