Troll

:This page is about the trolls of folklore. For Internet trolls, see that article. For other uses of the word, see {{PAGENAME}} (disambiguation).

Related Topics:
Internet troll - {{PAGENAME}} (disambiguation)

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A troll is a fearsome member of a mythical anthropomorph race from Scandinavian folklore. Their role ranges from fiendish giants ? similar to the ogres of English fairy tales ? to a devious, more human-like folk of the wilderness, living underground in hills or mounds, inclined to thieving and the abduction of humans which, in the case of infant abductees, was substituted with a changeling. They could also be known as hill-folk or mound-folk. In Shetland and Orkney tales, trolls are called trowe.

Related Topics:
Myth - Scandinavian folklore - Ogre - Fairy tale - Changeling - Shetland - Orkney - Trowe

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Nordic literature, art and music from the romantic era and onwards has adapted trolls in various manners ? often in the form of an aboriginal race, endowed with oversized ears and noses. From here, as well as from Scandinavian fairy tales such as Three Billy Goats Gruff, trolls have achieved international recognition, and in modern fantasy literature and role-playing games, trolls are featured to the extent of being stock characters. Fantasy trolls, however, are highly stereotyped versions of their Scandinavian predecessors.

Related Topics:
Romantic era - Three Billy Goats Gruff - Fantasy - Stock characters

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