ECOLOGY

Environment any underground
Organization solitary or gang (2–5)
Treasure standard

Rock trolls are relatives of normal trolls and ice trolls, but make their lairs far beneath the earth in underground caverns. They rarely venture forth from their subterranean lairs, for they have a weakness unknown in other troll subspecies—the light of the sun turns them to solid stone. Rock trolls have stony skin studded with crystals, but otherwise display typical troll characteristics—hunched posture, long arms, a large underbite, and powerful regenerative abilities. Because of the crystalline nature of their skin, however, rock trolls prove more susceptible to sonic damage than other trolls, but they are able to regenerate even wounds dealt by fire. Rock trolls are larger and stronger than normal trolls, typically standing 15 to 16 feet tall in height, and weighing upward of 1,200 pounds.

Rock trolls are fond of humanoid flesh, but eat whatever food they can get their claws on. Most underground creatures go out of their way to avoid rock trolls, as the ravenous creatures will eat anything that passes through their territory, as long as it is at least marginally edible. Rock trolls also occasionally eat rocks and minerals, though such fare seems to do little to soothe their voracious hungers. Instead, these minerals supplement the trolls’ diet, strengthening their skin, teeth, and claws. Deposits of certain crystals seem especially tasty to rock trolls, and a rock troll who finds such a collection will often gorge himself on the crystalline delicacies.

More Information From Classic Monsters Revisited:

Many have attempted to experiment on trolls over the years, and the rock troll is one of the few successful strains. Rock trolls are much larger than their brothers, their bodies having been fused with flecks of granite, shards of diamonds, and veins of iron. Their blood was replaced with an alchemical solution that enhanced their regenerative powers, their skin hardened like steel, and their speed increased with secret blood magic. The alchemical solution in their blood had a dire side effect, though: during the day, it reacted to sunlight and sent a toxic hormone flowing through the veins of the rock trolls. After a few minutes beneath the burning sun, the creatures slow and eventually stop, descending into hallucinatory trances. As the shade of evening approaches, and the light of the sky dims, the hormone production stops and rock trolls can move again. Rock trolls frequently subjected to multiple days of this stupor eventually permanently turn to stone.

Since their creation, rock trolls have been ruthlessly hunted and destroyed. Because of their long life and regenerative properties, they rarely feel the urge to breed, and most believe their extinction is imminent.

For a 3rd Party Publisher version of a rock troll, see the Tome of Horrors Complete rendition!