Half-trolls: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (I changed the category of the page from “trolls” to “men” because they are never once said to be half-trolls, but rather we’re perceived by Gondor and Rohan to be ''”men '''like''' half-trolls”''. Key word here is “like”.)
mNo edit summary
Line 34: Line 34:


{{references}}
{{references}}
{{legend}}


[[Category:Haradrim]]
[[Category:Haradrim]]

Revision as of 23:06, 12 May 2022

"Easterlings with axes, and Variags of Khand, Southrons in scarlet, and out of Far Harad black men like half-trolls with white eyes and red tongues."
The Return of the King, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields[1]


Half-trolls was a term used by Gondor to describe the appearance of the Men of Far Harad that came to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. They were black skinned with white eyes and red tongues. Later in the Battle, the knights of Dol Amroth drove off the "troll-men and Variags and orcs".[2]

Inspiration

According to Christopher Tolkien, a character in the Thiðrekssaga (a 13th century work which influenced The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún), who is an off-spring of a woman and an incubus, appears "troll-like" and is "all over dark, with black hair and black beard".[3]

Portrayal in adaptations

Half-trolls in adaptations
A "Half-troll Brute" in The Lord of the Rings Online  

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Half-trolls (Sindarin Pirtereg, sing. Pertorog) were bred by Sauron, from a union of Olog-hai and Variags or Men from Khand. They are about seven feet tall and have black skin.[4][5]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

"Half-trolls of Far Harad" is a creature, able to inflict two strikes on a player. "Half-trolls" is a Troll Faction, playable at Cirith Ungol or Barad-dûr.

2001-: The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game:

The Half Trolls are "Mahûd men" of Far Harad who were altered to the size and strength of the Olog-hai of Sauron. During the end of the Third Age, when Sauron was destroyed, their powers diminished and they too fell into darkness.[6] Units include "Half Troll Warband" and "Half Troll of Far Harad".[7]

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Half-Troll Marauders are crossbreeds of Trolls and an Orcs. These creatures serve as the pikemen unit for the Goblin faction.[8]. In a later expansion pack, Half Troll Swordsmen are available.[6]

2015: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Half-trolls appear as a type of enemy found throughout the various regions of Gondor and Anórien.

References