Ethereal Chronicles

They call me a troll
Moon of the Earth Hrungnir
Wealth sucker of the giant
Destroyer of the storm sun
Beloved follower of the seeress
Guardian of the nafjord
Swallower of the wheel of heaven [the sun]
What’s a troll if not that?
(Lindow 2007:22)
Translation from the Prose Edda

APPEARANCE AND ATTRIBUTES

In isolated spaces, silent caves, and rugged mountain landscapes, the trolls hide. Human affairs are of little interest to them, as any assistance they offer is tainted with ill intent.

However, they are not entirely solitary beings, often choosing to remain with their own kind in small communities, governed by their own “king”.

Such creatures vary in appearance. They may be big, oafish, towering far above humans. These trolls are often likened to the Jotnar, a race of giant beings with god-like powers.

SHAPESHIFTERS

Other trolls are more discreet, taking on beautiful forms to blend in when necessary.

Interestingly, trolls are strongly linked to the presence of wolves. A troll may choose a wolf as its form, and in many depictions, trolls are shown riding atop these beasts, coexisting not as enemies but as friends.

MOUNTAIN TROLLS

Perhaps the most well – known trolls that are also commonly depicted in the media are mountain trolls. A mountain troll is hideous in appearance, with slow, blundering movements. Some tales suggest that they carry with them a deathly look, as if they live among corpses. They are also strongly connected to the earth, uprooting trees and causing avalanches in moments of anger.

Often, if a human happens to encounter a group of mountain trolls, he is forced to answer a riddle in return for his life. If he answers incorrectly, then his body will be torn apart and eaten before morning.

OTHER TROLLS

The smallest of trolls lurk underground, hiding away from humanity altogether. Though equally unfriendly and dim-witted, they are perhaps the least dangerous of their kind. Meetings with humans, if any, typically manifest as acts of mischief rather than outright harm.

WEAKNESSES

Because they live the majority of their lives in darkness, trolls are particularly affected by sunlight. If a troll remains in sunlight for too long, it is doomed to harden into stone, or explode.

Many stones scattered across the landscapes of Scandinavia are said to be the carcasses of unfortunate trolls who lingered too long in the night, caught by the morning sun. Some believe that these trolls may still be alive, trapped within their hard exterior, whispering spells to passers by.

Bolts of lightning, too, drove the creatures away, a reminder of Thor’s thunder.

THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY

With the arrival of Christianity, trolls were increasingly viewed less as supernatural creatures and more as demonic beings associated with the works of the devil and black magic.

The name ‘Troll’ in old Norse can translate to monster, witch or demon, and as “followers of the seeress (witches)”, they were therefore considered unholy, cast away from the loving embrace of God.

Folktales speak of trolls fleeing at the sound of Church bells or being blinded by the sight of a cross, which does suggest that they are indeed truly evil beings.

The Mythology of Norwegian Trolls (lifeinnorway.net)