Of all the strange creatures out there, only one exists that is known to all but whose appearance differs from one imagination to another. They might be giant or tiny, evil or full of kindness, a practical joker or a warrior. Unquestionably, this 'ill-defined' creature is highly intriguing. We hope that the following article will give you sufficient clues to be able to seek it out yourself .

It is quite difficult for humans to describe the troll. That is because these creatures mostly live underground or in the darkness as they fear that daylight will ei ther turn them to stone or make them swell until they burst. Therefore, few human beings can boast that they have seen a troll.
The proof of their existence is largely due to the Krägntrolls, a set of small rocks left behind by the trolls to mark their passage. They appear to live in the Nor thern European countries and in particular Norway, where a great many legends speak of them.

The word is that trolls are not very friendly creatures. We often imagine them to be ra ther small, from 25 cm to 1 m in height and skinny, weighing about 2 kg. With dark skin, wild hair and penetrating eyes, they are not particularly hospitable and are apparently keen on playing bad jokes.
However, they have also been described as being quite tall - anywhere from 1m20 to 3 meters, with long arms or stocky with short legs. Some have even described them as true giants with a pine-tree headdress!
Sporting a heavy beard, they are considered very ugly, spotty creatures. Their big noses and poor personal hygiene does not help their image here! Thick-set and strong, legend has it that they are powerful in battle. Their exceptional strength helps in this manner and they are well known for the many feats of arms surrounding most of their rites and celebrations. Their weapons are made within the heart of the earth in dark and foreboding caves. It is suggested that they learned the secrets of metalwork in these caves.

This perspective of the troll creates parallels with dwarves, with whom some confuse trolls. And with reason in cases as the differences between trolls, dwarves, elves and gnomes is not always obvious. However, when they do meet it is more often than not the troll who turns out to be the evil one. If a gnome meets a troll he needs to watch his guard! Not so much because the troll is intrinsically evil but more because the troll is invariably extremely stupid. In all likelihood, he will tease the gnome and probably hurt him but definitely not kill him. NB It is said that trolls only hurt o thers through ignorance.

Trolls have some pretty bizarre morals. They live in tribes of five or six and it is probably best we don’t go into their ra ther unsavoury sexual habits!
What do they eat? Well in basic terms, anything ‘gooey’. And are they big conversationalists? No. They do not speak, they have strange fashion sense and they do not even build their own homes. The latter point is explained by the fact that they are by nature nomadic – probably because they are not likely to get along with the neighbours! Whilst some say it is possible to live in harmony with trolls (albeit so long as you do not bo ther them!), most of those living in the neighbourhoods describe them as being ra ther bad-tempered.

Finally, it should be emphasized that trolls love games. Nothing ‘gets them going’ more than solving a riddle or trying to beat someone at a challenge. However, their naiveté and simple mindedness does not exactly help them in this regard. If you ever have the fortune (or misfortune) of meeting a troll, we suggest the following – Do not look them in the eyes as they might think you are trying to undermine them…

Listen carefully to whatever they might have to say (even if it is stupid)
Do not under any circumstances suggest that they are fools! (it might upset them)
Remember: Upsetting a troll is not a wise thing to do!

Trolls in today's fiction.

Even though the troll remains relatively unknown, it has played a significant role in the world of literary fiction! The most famous troll is unquestionably the Moomin, the hero of children’s tales by the Swedish writer Tove Jansson. Illustrated by the author, these humorous tales draw us into the adventures of a bohemian family of trolls …

As far as children’s tales are concerned, one should also mention the recent excellent text by Christine Duchesne, entitled "Jomush et le troll des cuisines" (Edition Dominique et Compagnie). We have also been able to study the physical features of a horrible troll in the global phenomenon that is the Harry Potter stories…

In regard to adult literature, oversized trolls who will turn to stone if exposed to sunlight can be found in the “Lord of the Rings” books. Their constant uncertainty and endless discussions resulted in their unfortunate fates in Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’. There are plenty of o ther trolls out there. Fantasy novel author Stan Nicholls describes those dwelling in the dark underground of the Kingdom of Maras-Dantia. He also introduces us to o ther terrifying creatures such as the Orcs..

Whilst in literary works trolls do not get the best PR, comic strips give them a somewhat different image. Two editions have prominently highlighted these creatures.

The first is "Troll" by Morvan, Sfar and Boiscommun (published by Delcourt). The story tells us of the marvellous adventures of Larve, a young woman and her ‘adopted parents’; Mangog the Troll and Albrecht the goblin. These adventures are characterized by a combination of humour and bloody combats!

Equally funny and encompassing ‘friendly gore’, the "Trolls de Troy" (by Arleston and Mourier, published by Soleil) is a series derived from the famous "Lanfeust de Troy" (Arleston, Tarquin, Mourier). This presents Hébus to the reader, a horrible troll ‘tamed’ by a magic trinket. In "Trolls de Troy", we plunge right into the heart of a Troll community where our barbaric heroes have adopted a young girl (Originally this was a baby girl who was intended as their desert but lets just say she ‘grew on them’!) What follows is a whole series of very funny and very crazy situations…

We hope through the above article that you have learned a little more about these strange creatures. So the next time you find rocks that look like those earlier described, do not hesitate to send us your pictures! Because there might well be a troll nearby who is in fear of the sunlight !

References and suggested reading :

• Arleston, Mourier, "Trolls de Troy", Soleil;
• Brasey Edouard, "Géants et Dragons", Pygmalion;
• Chaize, A., "Un hiver dans la vallée de Moumine" de Tove Jansson, Nathan; (English title : Moominland Midwinter)
• Duchesne Christine," Jomush et le troll des cuisines", Edition Dominique et Compagnie;
• Jansson Tove," Moumine le troll", Pocket « Kid pocket » # 55; (English title: Finn Family Moomintroll)
• Jansson Tove," L'Été dramatique de Moumine", Pocket « Kid pocket » # 209; (English title : Moominsummer Madness)
• Jansson Tove, "Un hiver dans la vallée de Moumine", Pocket « Kid pocket » # 321; (English title : Moominland Midwinter)
• Lecouteux Claude, "Les nains et les elfes au moyen âge", Imago;
• Morvan, Sfar, Boiscommun, "Troll", Delcourt;
• Nicholls Stan, "Orcs", Bragelonne;
• Tolkien J.R.R., "Bilbo, le Hobbit", Christian Bourgeois; (English title: The Hobbit, or There and Back Again)
• Tolkien J.R.R., "Le Seigneur des Anneaux", Christian Bourgeois; (English title : The Lord of the Rings)