trollhuntingdirectory

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Oof okay so... this will probably be a mixed news post but it needs to be said.

Hello, this is an OOC post! This is your resident artist with that mixed news.

First, the good news: I’m starting a webcomic! I’m in previs stage now to get an idea for settings, creatures, characters, etc. Aurelia will be part of the main cast, now with a new name and new design.

That brings us to the disappointing news. The Directory is officially closed. The troll species posted are still open for lore and character use. I won’t be taking down the blog, but there will be no more entries, in character posts or answers, etc.

I’m sorry if this has let any of you guys down. You’ve all been an absolute delight through this little fan-project, and I probably wouldn’t have gotten this far without y’all supporting me <3

I love you all, and I’m excited to show you guys some of the work on the new project!

Take care, everybody <3

-Spade/Ari

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Forest Trolls

(Arbrosis silvoinos)

Native to nearly every continent, the Forest Troll is among the most widespread trolls, alongside the Market Troll and a few other species. Living deep beneath forests, these trolls are of a much more agrarian nature, growing and foraging for many of their wares. Many naturally grown foods are exported from these friendly trolls, and they are known to be much more welcoming than others of their kind.

Visually, the Forest Troll has a few distinctions that set it apart from other common types of trolls, namely in the rocky growths that are apparent on their forearms and the base of their tails. While sometimes these growths might not be present on one or the other location, it’s safe to assume that these trolls will always have some form of these growths, even if smoothed down to accommodate clothing.

FUN FACTS:

These trolls live in verdant underground havens, with large trunk-like roots making up the brunt of their buildings and homes. These roots drop from ceiling to floor, and are often intricately carved around the doorways and windows.

With the occasional theft from surface flocks, forest trolls often maintain their own vast and varied herds of sheep and goats, using them for a plethora of useful supplies and exports such as meat, textiles, and furs. No part of the animal is tossed, not even the cartilage!

While many kinds of troll have imported neon lights into their cities, forest trolls still use the traditional crystal to light their homes and streets, finding the simpler glows easier to power and maintain.

Host to a number of unique and delicious ales, thanks to the light in their cities being capable of growing crops and herbs otherwise only seen on the surface. They are also excellent weavers and tailors.

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Another character break for an announcement.

Due to unforeseen circumstances (aka a lot of drama), this blog will no longer be associated with akiridion-p/rime, due to the blog owner’s abhorrent behavior including but not limited to; manipulation, domestic abuse, gaslighting, refusal to be held accountable for poor behavior.

Any blogs run by sretan/n or trollmarket-d/og will no longer or at any time in the future have any association with this blog.

Thank you for your time. I’ll make a forest troll lineup to make up for the announcement. Take care!

-SA

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Hello, here’s one of those ultra rare character breaks to give you updates on the blog n life and all that;

I’m not going inactive, I’m not gonna retire this blog, and it’s staying firmly where it is, so don’t worry about that!

HOWEVER

With recent everythings irl and the inescapability of doomscrolling, I’ve been having a bit of a harder time solidly working on anything creative. That means entries and biology will continue to be slow here, and I’m deeply sorry that I can’t post with my previous frequency.

I still have all of your awesome biology and culture asks in my inbox, so I’ll still have things to reply to in between entries. Thank you all for the continued support. It means a lot!

-A

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Do gumm-gumms have specific markings/carvings? If so what do they look like and what do they mean?

I don’t have enough data to make a good guesswork of carving meanings, given how few Gumm-Gumms are still alive and how little they kept in books. From what I understand, theirs was a very oral and visual culture.

However! They do seem to have patterns to their marking types! From some accounts of felled ones and knowing one or two in real life, their tattoos seem to take on sharp, distinct angles and pointed branches. They also tend to accentuate yhwir physical prowess, they are most common on the chest and belly, back, and arms.

My best guess is the sharp line work, with few to no soft or rounded edges, is to add to their ferocious looks. Or perhaps to give the illusion of scars! If I can ever glean more information from living members, I’ll be sure to post updates on the matter!

[trollhuntingdirectory]

A depiction of the most common Leodarin markings across all variants, Terrestrials used as a base. 

Top row: Two-Tone, Bold, Checkered, Speckled. Middle row: Marbled, Zebra, Garter, Bar. Last row: Jaguar, Skink, Leaf, Clouded.

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Sorry if you already saw my comment about this. I’m new to Tumblr and still learning how it works. I had some questions about troll carvings. Are trolls born with them or are they chiseled on? Are they a culture/tribe thing or personal choice? There has been this fact floating around that mated trolls get matching carvings. Also not all carvings do the glowy thing that a Krubera’s or a Gumm-Gumms do. Could other troll carvings do it to or is it just them?

Hello! Welcome to the strange blue website!

Trolls are born smooth as can be! The carvings and etchings on older trolls are indeed something that must be chiseled on when their hide is hard enough to handle it.

Now, generally it’s a cultural thing to have tattoos, though it’s usually not an enforced rule. 9 times out of 10 though, the troll in that culture is gonna geet the tattoos by choice, sometimes even with pride!

Bonded trolls can get matching tattoos, and I’ve known some cultures that have it for a full family, bu like all things, it’s still dependent on culture or how the troll feels about it.

As for your last question...

There may very well be other species of Trolls out there whose tattoos and etchings glow, and I know of a few here and there, but it’s still not the most common feature out there at all!

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Hello there me again! I dont mean to disturb your studies, but I do have a inquiry I'd be greatly appreciative for your insight on this, any way despite my rambling I'd like to ask if hybrids can occur between troll kind? And if so is it taboo ? An example if a pannoxi and a kitlar attempted to have kits could they? Further more ( this is just speculation but perhaps you may be a hybrid! Seeing as you seem so one of a kind!)

Hello again! You’re always welcome as long as you knock first!

Hybrids can and do quite often occur, yes! While there are a few species that cannot cross outside their genus, many trolls are compatible with each other. Anything is possible with magic, so long as the physical differences aren’t too extreme!

Why, Draal himself is a hybrid of Kitlar and Trollmarketer! Though out of respect, he does prefer to be referred to as just Kitlar.

And I have considered it for sure! I’ve come across one species of mountain troll with similarities, but they aren’t from this continent, and my egg was found in what the humans call the Rockies.

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Salutations! I was wondering if you happened to discover any African based trolls on your travels? if so will you be making an archive of them?

Hello there!

I have come across a few, yes, but I have yet to compile the research into the right format for posting here! I aim to make all of my published work as accurate and well researched as possible, after all!

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Don’t any of you worry about me! The refurbished Trollmarket is far below the surface. I did feel more than a few rumbles though! What happened up there?

...

Actually? Don’t want to know. I’m thinking of compiling a new species sheet instead! Perhaps a classic like a Forest Troll or, perhaps, the elusive Gumm-Gumm species!

[trollhuntingdirectory]

The Pion Trolls

Pion trolls are a territorial race originating from Prokletije (The Albanian Alps), Albania. A carnivorous breed, wary of the extreme plains and mountains that make up their vast territory, only enduring temporary transit but prone to direct attack at the slightest evidence of unauthorized settlement on their land. Like the Trollmarket, they are a communitary and social race among themselves, although dispersed in their territory, always united and communicative with each other.

The Pions are recognizable by their characteristics similar to wild mountain cats such as lynxes on their youth and lions and cougars on their maturity, females are recognizable by their manes and lion tails while males show cougar tails and abundant antlers. This species is recognized for their running ability thanks to their feline anatomy, a Pion can reach a speed of 50 km per hour when healthy and in good condition

Excellent runners and climbers, their anatomy is built so that they can walk and run on both four and two legs. 

Thanks to the metals present in their mines, they have acquired a skill in metallurgy at the level of being the main suppliers of Gaggletacks for the rest of the troll communities. It is easy to deduce that they are not fans of changers.

Apart from the metals and products derived from these, they are also known for their leather products, the garments made by a Pion being a delight among the troll aristocracy.

Given their extensive territory, they are scattered in small communities from the plains to the mountain peaks, always communicated by messengers and frequent meetings in any of the settlements for trade, socialization and protection.

The Pion clan is led by a pair of monarchs, normally identified by the quartz decorations on the female’s mane and the male’s inlays on his antlers of the same material. If one of the monarchs perishes, the remaining leader will remain in the position until their primogenia is bonded to another troll; in case there are no successors, the leader will choose a new pair of monarchs.

Whelps are always raised in the mountains at birth, born with white fur and skin for easy hiding in the snow, as they mature, the males lose their fur to change it for young antlers and the females begin to take pigmentation in their mane. Also, the living rock of the whelps begins to take on the color that they will have as adults.

Pion are excellent hunters and vigilantes, even with their large size, their steps are light and delicate to go unnoticed, depending on whether it is a hunt for food or for protection of the territory, they usually vary between hunting groups or individuals trained for the murder of only one push.

The physical build of a Pion varies due to their genetics and work, warriors and explorers tend to be more robust as lions while aristocrats and merchants tend to have a slimmer build as cougars.

Among their feline characteristics, the Pions have retractable claws on all four extremities. Warriors and explorers usually have their claws always in view while aristocrats usually only show their hands or feet in favor of aesthetics

The Pions were disinterested in being participants in the war, flatly refusing to fight for others other than their own. Even so, the Gumm Gumms took an interest in them for their ability with metal and their feline skills in battle; to the refusal of the kings of that time, Gunmar’s forces acted with a direct attack on the mountains that ended with the kidnapping of the young whelps, thus causing a greater closure of the exterior by the Pions in fear of a similar tragedy.

I simply fell in love with Imah and I wanted to work on her species! Inspired by @trollhuntingdirectory aka @zonbiconbi since their work on the troll species is awesome!! Check their blogs, you won’t regret it!

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Hello everybody, this is Ari speaking.

No, not Aurelia the Troll Archivist. Ari, the real actual human being who runs this account.

After a lot of consideration after looking back on this fandom’s history and the way fandoms in general have been going, I’ve decided that I need to break character and make a statement.

If you are an anti who harasses, doxxes, threatens anybody for what they draw or ship, you are not welcome here.

I have no tolerance for that sort of behavior, and it’s been on and off rampant in this fandom, with everything from violent threats and derogatory terms towards queer artists to public shaming and harassing of minors.

Unfollow me, block me (if I haven’t done it to you first. And yes, I have already blocked some of the most unpleasant and violent antis to grace this tag), and don’t interact with me. This blog is not for you or your puritan crusade.

This blog is here for headcanons and positive creativity and fun.

Thanks for reading, now back to your regularly scheduled fluff troll.

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Hullo! I've been wondering this for a long while and hope I don't come off as weird or rude, but how to trolls reproduce/spawn?

Essentially, all trolls I’ve come across in my studies have been traditionally born from eggs, be it from heartstone powered geodes, or via the more “classic” method we share with our fellow vertebrates.

I hatched, troll elders hatched, warlords and warriors and Trollhunters, save Jim, hatched.

editing in this: I’m holding a chicken egg. It was delicious!

[trollhuntingdirectory]

I was wondering if there was any information about the type of troll the Vendel is? I've looked everywhere but have been unable to find anything.

Ah! An excellent query.

The late Vendel, may he rest peacefully, was of the Gobharlic! They’re a species of mountain trolls that generally come from the Isle of Great Britain, particularly the Welsh mountains and Scottish Highlands!

They’re well known for their orally crafted spells and mastery of gem cutting, and are often best fit for leading due to their powerful gift of speech.

If you listen on a clear, quiet night in the mountains, you may very well hear them calling to other villages across the valleys or peaks, though you may just assume it’s the wind...

[trollhuntingdirectory]

When it comes to the Leodarin species, it can be noted that their colour intensity varies at certain periods of time without conscious effort. In the spring months these reptilian troll’s colours brighten. This is a part of their biology’s design to catch the eyes of potential mates - whether or not it is put to use is up to the individual. Any other time, mostly when in intention to predate upon creatures, their colours take upon a deeper shade. 

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Hello! I was wondering. Do you have ceremonies for trolls to become mates? Like a wedding. If so, what are the customs? And is it different than a human wedding ?

Greetings!

A bonding ceremony can take a variety of different forms across the various troll cultures, though the bonding itself tends to be a private matter, I’ll preface with that before giving some ceremony examples.

Bonding is generally our term of lifelong partnership, or becoming mates, though most modern trolls have left behind the term mate for simply “bond” or “bonded”. 

The actual bonding ritual takes place within the heartstone of a town/city/market, with the guidance of an elder much in the same way of an egg ritual. Some trolls may ask for close family or friends to attend as witnesses, but most prefer privacy in these matters.

Essentially, it’s a slightly magical affair in which the bonding trolls join one of their hands, and place their others on the heartstone itself. With focus and generally the pressing of foreheads, this creates the bond, which could be seen as something similar to imprinting, though not as instinctual or strong, especially considering it is a consensual act, else it doesn’t work. Trolls may bond with multiple other trolls, though as with ll relationships, it is something that must be discussed among all involved, for the sake of honesty.

As far as ceremonies go, I know of a few prominent ones, which I will put under a cut:

The most wide spread and well known bonding ceremony is the Great Feast of Families. It’s basically what it sounds like, where the families of the bonded join together and bring their best food and drink for a long, long feast which has been known to go for days. Generally, the bonded get the first cut of the centerpiece of food, which can range from a pile of seared cattle to a rare and giant creature that was hunted for the ceremony. The bonded will usually wash their hands in the blood of the first cut, and then hold their hands with each other symbolically before diving into their meal. There are many stories about the lives of the bonded, toasts to the health of the bonded, grand speeches, acts of play combat, and an excess of drinking. If you don’t get a hangover after a Feast of Families, you’re doing it wrong!

Many forest dwelling and mountainous trolls prefer the Ceremony of Flowers, in which two trolls and/or their family brave the surface to collect flowers of their hide color, to weave into crowns, capes, or merely to weave into the fur, and give them to their intended bonded. The act of the exchange, dressing, and weaving is done before witnesses, and afterwards there’s a great feast and plenty to drink! Often the flowers not woven are used in the feast and drinks themselves! The meaning of the ceremony is that, given most surface flowers are grown from the sun’s rays, that they are a promise between trolls to protect each other.

The Oni have something of a ceremonial parade, much like what humans of the Edo period would do, but with more drumming, shouting, and general noise and rowdiness. This too would end in a feast, though generally a much more meaty one. Bonded pairs were encouraged to attempt to outdrink the other.

The Kitlar’s bonding ceremony is ceremony of combat, in which the bonded battle for the right to bring the other into their clan. The loser will always join the winner’s clan, with the exception of a clanless Kitlar, who joins their bond’s clan regardless of outcome.

[trollhuntingdirectory]

Greetings, I would like to know a little more about the life span of a troll. Like how old could a troll classify as young or adult, I know a old troll is almost a thousand years old or am I wrong?

Greetings in return!!

A troll’s average lifespan is actually quite longer than many people assumed, with a few small variances depending on species.

Overall, a troll can life upward of 2,000 to 2,500 years!

Generally speaking, how it works is we spend the first 128 years of our life aging at a 1 to 8 earth cycle ratio, and then it slows to 1 to 36, once we hit puberty at that general 128 mark. Then you’re considered a young adult.

I actually created a handy mathematical equation for those who wish to compare their developmental ages, as between mankind and trollkind, there’s a wide space between a twenty year old human and a troll of the same developmental age.

(Human age - 16) x 36 + 128 = troll’s age

You can also do a reverse version of this by getting the entire numerical age of a troll and working backwards!

For example, I am four-hundred and sixteen years of age this year, so it would look like this:

(416 - 128) / 36 + 16 = 24

Thus, by human development, I am the equivalent of a human 24 year old!

As far as changelings are concerned, I’ve been told that they age at a very speedy 1:1 ratio until 16, and then supposedly age a bit slower than full blooded trolls do, but generally have a slightly shorter or close to the same natural lifespan. I’ll provide an equation as I gather more info.

I hope this answers your question!

~AA