Skip to main content

Breadcrumb

Dread Troll

Challenge
str
18
dex
12
con
20
int
8
wis
12
cha
8

AC 15 (natural armor)

HP 105 (10d10 + 50; bloodied 52)

Speed 40 ft.


Proficiency +3; Maneuver DC 15

Skills Stealth +4

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11

Languages Giant


Keen Smell. The troll has advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell.

Regeneration. The troll regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the troll takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn’t function on its next turn. The troll dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.

Severed Limbs. If the troll is dealt a critical hit with a slashing weapon, one of its extremities is severed. The extremity has AC 15, 10 hit points, a Speed of 10, and the troll’s Regeneration trait. The troll controls the severed extremity and perceives through it with the appropriate senses (for instance, it sees through the eyes of its severed head). As a bonus action, the troll can reattach the extremity. While the troll is missing the extremity, its maximum hit points are reduced by 10. Roll d6 to determine the severed extremity:

1-4: Arm. If the troll has an arm, it loses an arm. It loses one of its claw attacks, and the severed arm can make a claw attack.

5-6: Head. If the troll has a head, it loses its head. It loses its bite attack, and the severed head can make a bite attack. 


ACTIONS

Multiattack. The troll makes two bite attacks and three claw attacks.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) slashing damage.

Combat

The troll ambushes prey and attacks the closest or slowest opponent, ignoring all damage except fire and acid. It flees only if it’s bloodied , it has taken acid or fire damage, and none of its enemies are down.


Names

Briarbelly, Burz, Gluck, Raddlepate, Redclaw, Yag


Legends and Lore

With an Arcana or Nature check, characters can learn the following:

DC 10 A troll’s unique physiology allows it to heal wounds with incredible speed. Fire and acid temporarily suppress this regeneration.

DC 15 Though large, trolls are quite stealthy. They can see in the dark and track prey by smell alone.

DC 20 Because of their regeneration, trolls are prone to mutation. Certain strains have adapted to life underground or deep beneath the waves.

Description

When a troll’s body parts are severed repeatedly, it may grow back more than the usual number. A troll with two heads and three arms is a ferocious veteran of many dire combats.

Behavior

1 Guarding a bridge, road, or other thoroughfare, demanding tolls

2 Absentmindedly eating its own fingertips

3 In its lair, dozing with one bloodshot eye open and alert

4 In its lair, frantic with hunger, pawing through bones for a morsel of flesh

5 Creeping about, stealthily searching for prey

6 Stuffing a living bird or rat into its mouth

7 Scouting for its employer

8 Hungry; with treasure to exchange for food

9 Offering its services as an adventurer or mercenary

10 Attacking a settlement

Signs

1 A half-eaten corpse swarming with maggots. DC 14 Perception check: long, clawed footprints

2 Bloody, clawed handprints

3 A cave or tunnel from that issues a rotting smell

4 Sudden quiet, as if all animals and insects have abruptly fled

5 A heap of cracked bones

6 A severed troll hand, finger, or other appendage, still squirming

Encounters

Trolls lurk in every dark corner of the world—forests, caves, mountain valleys, and even urban alleyways.

CR 5–10 1 or 2 trolls or scrags ; faerie eater troll , cave troll , or dread troll ; troll or cave troll with 2d6 goblins , grimlocks , soldiers , or orc warriors ; troll with 1d4 bugbears or ghouls

Treasure 700 gp, 40 pp, 5 bloodstone gems, potion of flying , 1 shortsword (named Eladrin; an attuned wielder can cast misty step once per day and can’t be magically charmed or put to sleep )

CR 11–16 2 cave trolls , faerie eater trolls , or dread trolls ; troll with 3 or 4 ogres ; scrag with 3 or 4 hunter sharks ; dread troll with chimera or ettin

Treasure 800 gp, masterwork lute (750 gp), bloodstained manuscript of a masterpiece play (750 gp), potion of speed , magic jeweled hatpin (turns into a 2 dagger or 2 spear when command words are spoken)

CR 17–22 dread troll with 2 or 3 trolls ; 4 trolls ; 3 cave trolls ; 2 faerie eater trolls with corrupted unicorn

Treasure 100 pp, 3,000 gp, antique half-plate armor bearing noble heraldry (700 gp), secret missive that would have prevented a past war had it been delivered, magic saddle that grants advantage on ability checks related to riding (2,500 gp), flametongue greatsword

Monster Type Description

Giants look like immense humanoids, standing from 10 feet tall (like ogres ) to 30 (like storm giants ). Some giants, like trolls , have human-like shapes but monstrous features.