Lanky Troll

      The Lanky Troll is a variety of troll that is noted for it's cunning and resourceful battle tactics. Lanky Trolls are often encountered in wooded areas and have sometimes been known to round up bands of weaker creatures to serve their purposes. Lanky trolls are predators of man, and other humanoid intelligent races. They are often found near small enclaves of civilization as they use these places as food sources. Unlike other species of trolls, the lanky troll is not a mindless monster that attacks on sight. The lanky troll will shadow a prospective group of victims and gage their strength before attacking. Lanky troll regenerate wounds and can mend severed limbs if they old them up to the body. As soon as damage is inflicted, the trolls body begins to rebuild. Acid and Fire are able to  damage the Lanky troll severely, much so that their regeneration does not heal wounds inflicted by fire or acid. Lanky Trolls can and often do employ weapons and armor. Most will use a large spiked club, as it is readily made in their usual haunts. Lanky trolls have been known to employ large bows and human two handed swords, the latter they can easily wield one handed due to their size and strength. If a Lanky troll is put in a losing situation, they will try to bargain for their life-but always from a position of strength. The Lanky troll will try to secure a hostage or bluff that if he is not to return, then a group of his henchmen have orders to raid the nearest village etc. (all of which may be true). Lanky Trolls are tough, strong and very cunning-not an opponent to be taken lightly.

Battle Tactics:

                The Lanky troll is a skilled combatant, they use their size and strength to it's fullest advantage. The lanky Troll uses a powerful over head strike or a leg sweep to knock his opponent over. If one of his opponents falls then he will grab this person and use them as a shield to fend off his friends attacks. The Lanky Troll is well versed in the power of magic and will try to employ this tactic upon a spell caster first for it is difficult to cast spells while being flung around and used to block swords! If the "shield" dies then the lanky Troll will attempt to gain another live shield. While the lanky Troll has this shield treat him as if he were using a normal shield for purposes of defense. Any hit against the troll that is employing a shield that misses by the amount that would count for the shield for protection, the shield takes the damage instead. the Troll employs this tactic because it can attack one opponent while using another one as a sponge. Once the "living" shield is killed, it is too torn up to provide defense any more. The Lanky Troll will at times employ groups of weaker creatures to help it in ambushing powerful groups of creatures/adventures. Lanky trolls can and will use traps and snares to break up or panic enemy formations. Lanky trolls will at times, work with other groups of powerful creatures to enact upon larger raids into civilized lands. Lanky Trolls are feared fighters, not to be dealt with as one would a more common variety of troll.

Habitat:

                Lanky Trolls are most comfortable in forested areas near small pockets of civilization. They can live in most every area, but prefer cooler climes. Lanky trolls have also been known to inhabit coastal regions and even sail ships (of course to attack other settlements). Lanky Troll will establish temporary based in which to conduct raids from. These bases will be well camouflaged and protected by traps. Once an organized effort is made to kill the Lanky troll, he will quickly leave a base camp and find digs elsewhere. Normally, the Lanky Troll will only carry things that have use to him at the time. Armor, Weapons are kept as well as rope, and any other useful item the Lanky Troll may come across. Lanky trolls have no personal use for money, but they realize the value of it and may use it to lure treasure seekers into a trap etc.

Life cycle:

                Lanky trolls often do not live to old age due to the dangers of their life style, but they can live upwards of a hundred years. They can mate year round, leaving the females to care for the 1-4 offspring until they mature in 12 years. Otherwise the Lanky Troll does not associate with it's own kind. Females care for the young in the loosest sense of the word. They do little to feed them or protect them from attack, allowing the offspring to learn for them selves. It is not surprising that the survival rate for Lanky Troll young is very low.

Description:

                Lanky Trolls are tall (7-9 ft) and have long limbs and an thin, but muscular torso. They range from light blue to brick read in color. Lanky trolls have coarse hair on their arms and legs, their heads are bald. They have pointed ears and long curved noses. The lanky troll's mouth has a large row of teeth that can both tear and rend. It's eyes are small and black.          

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