Trolls: The Mountain Kings

The Old Ones of the North

In Scandinavia, the mountains are alive. Trolls (Jötunn or Troll) are the ancient, primal inhabitants of the North. They are not the small, cute creatures of modern cartoons. They are massive, ugly giants with moss growing on their backs, bulbous noses, and cow-like tails. They live in the deep fjords and high peaks, far from the bells of churches.

The Smell of Christians

Trolls hate civilization and Christianity. The sound of church bells drives them into a violent rage. They will throw boulders for miles to crush the source of the noise. They have a supernatural sense of smell. "I smell the blood of a Christian man!" is not just a rhyme. It is a hunting cry. They prey on humans who wander too far into the wild.

The Petrifying Sun

Darkness is their domain. Sunlight is their death. A Troll turns to stone instantly if touched by the sun's rays. The Norwegian landscape is filled with strange rock formations—pillars, faces in the cliffside, solitary boulders—that are said to be Trolls who were too slow to reach their caves before dawn. This weakness forces them to be creatures of the night.

The Bridge Toll

Not all trolls are mountain-sized. Some are smaller and live under bridges or near waterfalls. They demand tolls from travelers. They are strong, but they are stupid. Legends are full of heroes like Askeladden who survive not by sword, but by tricking the Troll into looking at its own reflection or delaying it until sunrise.

The Final Warning

When you hike in Norway, you will see rocks that look like faces. The locals say: "Nature is not dead. It is just sleeping." Be respectful of the wild places. If the sun starts to set, get off the mountain, because they wake up when we sleep.