Includes: Sample Rules for playing Half-ogre, Ogre, Ogre , Half- and Troll file  Two new backgrounds  DM information  Designer’s notes

Ogres and

OGRES AND TROLLS - NEW CHARACTER RACES Most civilized hate and/or fear INTRODUCTION ogres and trolls, and with good reason. Ogres and trolls will often eat sentient races. Ogres Ever wanted to play a stupid ogre or a hungry are particularly fond of eating , dwarves troll, -well this is your chance. In these pages and . there are rules for playing said ogre and troll. The races in this document were designed PLAYING A LARGE CREATURE for use in evil campaigns or silly short games. It was not designed to be used in All the races in this document are large. Being a serious long campaigns. They are unsuited to large creature has some significant advantages be used in urban campaigns, but works well in and disadvantages. a rural or wilderness campaigns. Advantages:  Your carrying capacity, your lift, push and PLAYING A MONSTER RACE drag weights are all doubled.

Trolls and ogres are . Most villages,  Carrying containers made for large size towns and cities do not allow monsters to creatures have double the enter. This may cause some problems, if part of normal capacity. the plot takes place here. Some small rural villages may allow trolls and ogres given enough reassurances or bribes, in these cases they would most likely be treated like beasts of burden.

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Ogres and Trolls

 Large size weapons, deal double the RELIGION damage dices, i.e. a greatsword yields 4d6 Ogres, half-ogres, trolls and half-trolls worship plus Strength modifier slashing damage. the pantheon. In particular they worship  You can grapple or shove creatures that are Vaprak the Destroyer. size huge or smaller.  Rogue sneak attack damage doubles. RANDOM HEIGHT AND WEIGHT Disadvantages: Race Base Height Base Weight  Equipment made for large size creatures Height Modifier Weight Modifier weigh twice as much. Half-Ogre 6’11” +2d12 360lb. x(2d6)lb. Ogre 8’5” +2d12 700lb. x(3d12)lb.  Equipment cost twice as much. Ogre 8’5” +2d12 700lb. x(3d12)lb.  You are unable to use normal size armor Zombie Half-troll 6’8” +2d10 250lb. x(2d6)lb.  Normal size weapons counts as improvised Troll 7’11” +2d12 330lb. x(2d8)lb. weapons, baring you from using See Player’s Handbook page 121 for an proficiency bonuses. explanation  A few normal sized two handed weapons can be used as single handed smaller OGRES AND TROLL NAMES versions, and allow you to use proficiency Ogres, half-ogres, trolls and half-trolls will bonuses. I.e. a greatsword may be used as a often adopt, mimic or copy names from the single handed large size longsword yielding surrounding cultures. 2d8 slashing damage and the same for a Living in isolation ogres, half-ogres, trolls greataxe. A pike may be used like a large and half trolls will often have names with only size spear; yielding 2d6 piercing damage, one or at most two syllables. The syllables will and still provide reach. usually be guttural sounds. These names  You cannot mount medium size creatures. include: Argh, Darg, Duh, Duuhl, Gargor, Gork,  When mounted you are unable to fight Guh, Muhr, Murgohl, Nark, Narnurk, Ogg, Ohrm, from a large size creatures, they need to be Ongar, Onguhr, Omuhrl, Rohn, Rohr, Runahr, huge. Sokahr, Sork, Trahl, Trool, Umtar, Ungyr,  When you squeeze through tight spaces (5 Wagor and Wohnar. Ogres, half-ogres, trolls feet or less in height or width), you have and half trolls have no tradition for disadvantage on attack rolls and dexterity distinguishing between male and female saving throws, and you only move at half names. speed. When using names from other cultures, they  Some floors cannot carry your weight. prefer to use the correct gender form.  Some doors and other openings are too

small for you to fit through.  You require four times as much food and water as a size M creature.

GIANTS AND UNDEADS All living ogres and trolls are and not , that means things that affect giants areSample also valid for ogres, half-ogres, trolls and file half-trolls. Ogre are undead, and can be turned like other undeads.

Ogres and Trolls

HALF-OGRE ( IMBECILUS Aggressive. As a bonus action, you can move up to your speed toward an enemy of your MINOR) choice that you can see or hear. You must end Half-Ogres, also known as ogrillons are big and this move closer to the enemy than you started. stupid, but not as big and stupid as ogres. Menacing. You are trained in the Intimidation Half-ogres are disciplined and often serve as skill. shock troops for tribes. Languages. You can speak, read, and write Half-Ogres are the offspring of and Common and Giant. ogres. Compared to orcs, what they lack in intelligence they make up for with strength and brutality.

HALF-OGRE FEATURES Your half-ogre character has the following racial traits. Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 3, Constitution score increases by 2, your Intelligence score is reduced by 2, and your Wisdom score is reduced by 1. Age. Half-Ogres reach adulthood at age 10 and live up to 50 years. Alignment. Half-ogres are vicious raiders. They respect strength above all. They are usually lawful evil. Size. Half-Ogres are usually 8 feet tall and weigh around 450 pounds. Your size is Large. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colorSample in file darkness, only shades of gray.

Ogres and Trolls

OGRE (ORCUS IMBECILUS score increases by 4, your Constitution score increases by 3, and your Dexterity score is GROSSUS) reduced by 1 and your Wisdom and Charisma Ogres are legendary for their stupidity. But scores are reduced by 2 and Intelligence score what they lack in intelligence they make up for is reduced by 3. with brutality and strength. Age. Ogres reach adulthood at age 4 and live up Ogres are notorious for their quick tempers, to 30 years. which flare at the smallest perceived offense. Alignment. Ogres are vicious raiders. They Insults and name-calling can rouse an ogre's respect strength above all. They are usually wrath in an instant. When its rage is incited, an chaotic evil. ogre lashes out in a frustrated tantrum until it Size. Ogres are usually 9 to 10 feet tall and runs out of objects or creatures to smash. weigh around 1000 pounds. Your size is Large. Few ogres can count to ten, even with their Speed. Your base walking speed is 40 feet. fingers in front of them. Most speak only a Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 rudimentary form of Giant and know a feet of you as if it were bright light, and in smattering of Common words. Ogres believe darkness as if it were dim light. You can't what they are told and are easy to fool or discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. confuse, but they break things they don't Always hungry. You can eat almost anything, understand. including rotten food and corpses. You don’t have any moral quandaries about eating fallen OGRE FEATURES enemies, or comrades for that matter. Your Your ogre character biggest concern in life is when and how to get has the following your next meal. racial traits. Languages. You can speak Common and Giant. Ability Score You cannot read or write.

Increase. Your Strength

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Ogres and Trolls

OGRE ZOMBIE (ORCUS zombie drops to 1 hit point instead. Nonliving. You do not need to breath, drink, IMBECILUS IMMORTUI) eat or sleep. If you thought living ogres are stupid you Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 should meet an ogre zombie. feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't OGRE ZOMBIE NAMES discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Undead ogres doesn’t really have names, they Languages. You can speak the language of the one who animated you. You cannot read or have designations assigned when they were animated. write.

OGRE FEATURES Your ogre character has the following racial traits. Ability Score Increase. Your Strength and Constitution scores increases by 4, and your Dexterity and Wisdom scores are reduced by 2, your Charisma score is reduced by 3 and Intelligence score is reduced by 4. Age. Undead ogres do not age. Alignment. Undead ogres loath living creatures. They are usually lawful evil. Size. Ogres are usually 9 to 10 feet tall and weigh around 1000 pounds. Your size is Large. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Poison immunity. You are immune to poison and cannot be poisoned. Undead fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damageSample taken, unless the file damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the

Ogres and Trolls

HALF-TROLL (MONSTRUM HALF-TROLL FEATURES Your half-troll character has the following IMBECILUS ORQUE) racial traits. Half-trolls, also known as troll-bloods, are big Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score and stupid, but not as big and stupid as trolls. increases by 3, your Dexterity score increases Half-trolls are the offspring of orcs and trolls. by 1 and Constitution score increases by 4. They look like oversized orcs with a troll nose. Your Intelligence score is reduced by 2 and Not as tough as trolls, half-trolls are still your Charisma score is reduced by 1. very hard to kill due to their regenerative Age. Half-trolls reach adulthood at age 12 and ability. Like trolls their only weaknesses are live up to 70 years. fire and acid. They cannot regenerate fire and Alignment. Half-trolls are vicious raiders, who acid damage. believe that the world should be theirs. They Most half-trolls live on the fringes of also respect strength above all else and believe civilization, or as part of an orc tribe. the strong must bully the weak to ensure that weakness does not spread like a disease. They HALF-TROLL REGENERATION are usually chaotic evil. As a half-troll you have a pool of regeneration Size. Half-Trolls are usually 7½ feet tall and hit points. weigh between 300 and 350 pounds. Your size  The pool of regeneration hit points is is Large. the size of your normal hit point Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. maximum. Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60  Every round at the start of your turn, feet of you as if it were bright light, and in you automatically regenerate a number darkness as if it were dim light. You can't of hit points equal to half your level discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. rounded up, until you are fully healed Keen senses. You are proficient in perception. or the pool of regeneration power is Aggressive. As a bonus action, you can move empty. up to your speed toward an enemy of your  For every hit point that you regenerate, choice that you can see or hear. You must end you subtract one hit point from your this move closer to the enemy than you started. regeneration pool. Menacing. You are trained in the Intimidation  You regenerate even if you are skill. unconscious. Regeneration. You can regenerate hit points as  You do not regenerate if you are dead. per Half-Troll regeneration.  You are unable to regenerate damage Languages. You can speak, read, and write taken from acid and fire. So note this Common and Giant. kind of damage separately from the rest. Fire and acid damage can only be healed by magic or long rests.  Your regeneration pool is filled after a long rest unless you are starving.  You cannot spend hit dice during a Sampleshort rests to regain hit points. file

Ogres and Trolls

TROLL acid damage can only be healed by magic or long rests. Trolls are big, they are stupid, they are ugly and  During a short rest you may refill your they are always hungry. They often smell and regeneration pool again, and regenerate are afraid of fire. Their biggest concern in life is damage; this requires you to eat three days’ their next meal. worth of food. Eating that much food in one Trolls are very hard to kill due to their sitting is exhausting, and you gain one level regenerative ability. Their only weaknesses are of exhaustion. This amount of food fire and acid. They cannot regenerate fire and approximates most size M creatures for a acid damage. troll. Trolls often serve as cannon fodder in  Your regeneration pool is filled after a long monster armies, such as an invading orc force, rest unless you are starving. demanding payment in shiny baubles and food.  You cannot spend hit dice during a short Orcs, and ogre chieftains will often have rests to regain hit points. troll bodyguards, being very careful to keep the troll well fed. More than one patron has ended up as food for its hungry troll bodyguard. Trolls have no society to speak of. Trolls tend to be mavericks, only associating with other trolls for mating. Occasionally a handful of trolls will band together forming a primitive tribe if food is plentiful.

TROLL REGENERATION As a troll you have a pool of regeneration hit points.  The pool of regeneration hit points is the size of your normal hit point maximum.  Every round at the start of your turn, you automatically regenerate a number of hit points equal to your level, until you are fully healed or the pool of regeneration power is empty.  For every hit point that you regenerate, you subtract one hit point from your regeneration pool.  You regenerate even if you are unconscious.  You do not regenerate if you are dead.  SampleYou are unable to regenerate file damage taken from acid and fire. So note this kind of damage separately from the rest. Fire and

Ogres and Trolls

TROLL FEATURES Natural armor. Your armor class is 14 + your dexterity modifier when not wearing armor. Ability score adjustments. Your Strength Natural weapons. Your bite and claws count score is increased by 4. Your Constitution score as natural weapons. The bite causes 1d6 plus is increased by 5. Your Dexterity score is your Strength modifier piercing damage. increased by 1. Your Intelligence and Charisma The claws cause 2d6 plus your Strength scores are decreased by 2. Your Wisdom score modifier slashing damage. is decreased by 1. Regeneration. You can regenerate hit points as Age. Trolls mature very fast compared to other per Troll Regeneration. species. After only a 2 to 4 years trolls are fully Languages. You can speak read and write grown up, if food is plentiful, a lot faster. No- Giant and Common one knows exactly how long a troll can live, Subraces. All trolls belong to one subrace. since they never seem to die from old age, but a There are 5 distinct subraces of trolls. Their hundred years is not unheard of. main difference is their appearance and their Alignment. Most trolls are chaotic, tending living environments. towards evil. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Size. Trolls are usually 9 feet tall and weigh around 450 pounds. Your size is Large. Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Keen senses. You are proficient in perception. You have advantage on perception checks that relies on smell. Always hungry. Your high metabolism requires you to eat a lot. You can eat almost anything, including rotten food and corpses. You don’t have any moral quandaries about eating fallen enemies, or comrades for that matter; - It would be a shame to let such meat go to waste. Your biggest concern in life is when andSample how to get your next file meal.

Ogres and Trolls

TROLL SUBRACES Moor trolls have a burrowing speed of 1 foot per round. They cannot burrow through solid rock. The tunnel left behind by the troll, is just RIVER TROLLS (MONSTRUM ERRONEUS big enough to allow the troll to squeeze FLUMEN) through. If left with no scaffolding or other River trolls live in or near rivers, swamps or supporting structures, these tunnels tend to lakes. Their skin is dark green. Their hair is collapse in on themselves after a day or two. usually black or dark green resembling reeds. River trolls can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes. MOUNTAIN TROLLS (MONSTRUM River trolls will sometimes , maintain IMBECILUS MONTIS) or guard bridges and dams, demanding toll Mountain trolls live in rocky and mountainous from travelers. terrain. Their skin is light gray resembling rocks. They have no hair to speak of. FOREST TROLLS (MONSTRUM IMBECILUS Like forest trolls, they have the ability to lie FORESTAM) and stand absolutely still. This gives them Forest trolls live in forestry surroundings. advantage on stealth in rocky surroundings. Their skin resembles dead trees. They are The skeletal structure of mountain trolls is usually balding having only short gray hair. more flexible than that of other trolls. They They have great fear of forest fires. take only half damage from falling. Forest trolls have the ability to lie or stand absolutely still. This gives them advantage on CAVE TROLLS (MONSTRUM IMBECILUS stealth in forestry or bushy surroundings. CAVERNAE) Cave trolls prefer to spend their entire life MOOR TROLLS (MONSTRUM CARNEVORUS under ground. They are quit common in some MAXIMUS) areas of the upper underdark. Cave trolls look Moor trolls are known to live in grassland and like mountain trolls except their skin is slightly moors. Occasionally moor trolls will wander darker. into forests. Their skin is dull green and their Cave trolls have superior darkvision ranging hair is usually the same color resembling dead 120 feet, but their eyes are sensitive to grass. sunlight. They have a penalty of 1 when trying Their preferred method of hunting is to dig to hit something in direct sunlight, and they traps to catch wildlife. They also dig small have disadvantage on perception checks shelters to use for habitats. relying on sight in direct sunlight.

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Ogres and Trolls

TROLL AND OGRE BACKGROUND Most backgrounds in the player’s handbook are you. In addition you can find food for yourself rooted in philosophical decisions. Trolls and and up to five other normal size people each ogres lead way more simple lives. Usually the day provided that the land offers, berries, small biggest concern is the next meal. This means game, water and such features. that most of the backgrounds in the player’s handbook don’t fit a troll or ogre player. Troll DEFINING EVENT and ogre players are encouraged to take this What made you become an adventuring troll? background. Select one or more of the following events.  You accidentally got lost, and couldn’t SKILL PROFICIENCY find your way back Choose two skills from: Acrobatics, Animal  You were chased away by miners, handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, settlers, trappers or lumberjacks.  You want to know if there is more food Nature, Stealth and Survival elsewhere.  The forest where you used to live was OOL PROFICIENCY T destroyed by a forest fire. Choose one from following list: carpenter tools,  You got tired of eating the same old brewer supplies, cobbler’s tools, cook’s rabbits, and wanted to try out other utensils, mason’s tools, woodcarver’s tools, eatable stuff. musical instrument, land vehicle, water vehicle.  You have heard legends of a mountain of food, and are searching for it but no- Instead of a tool proficiency you may choose one knows where it is. to be literate if you aren’t already.  You fell into the river and were swept away by the current and couldn’t find LANGUAGES your way back. Choose one additional language.  Having someone else bring you food and being mean to others is fun. EQUIPMENT  You had to leave because others were planning to eat you. In addition to the starting equipment from  You can’t remember, but it was a really your class you start with the following good reason, honestly. equipment: loin cloth, a big sack with holes  Your old tribe wouldn’t tolerate your used as a tank top, 5 gold pieces, a big wooden sleep-eating. tree branch (counting as a maul suitable for  You had to leave; there was no more your size), food for a week and a trophy from food left. something you killed.  Others didn’t like the way you smell.  You were chased away for being stupid. MAZE TRACKER (CAVE TROLLS ONLY) You took of your own shoes instead of the horse shoes when you ate a horse. You are unable to get lost underground, except You had terrible digestion problems for by magic means. You always know which way several days. is north.  You didn’t like being bossed around, now you get to boss other around. WSampleANDERER (NOT CAVE TROLLS)  You accidentally atefile something you shouldn’t have. You can always to recall the general layout of  You want to be rich. terrain, settlements, and other features around

Ogres and Trolls

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS BONDS, D6 1. I once insulted a big evil troll/ogre, - I TRAITS, D12 am always nervous around other 1. I often get confused. trolls/ogres now. 2. I often eat way more than I have to. 2. Settlers/barbarians/orcs/ogres/trolls 3. I don’t bathe, ever. killed my parents, they must pay 4. I am always hungry. 3. Settlers/barbarians/orcs/ogres/trolls 5. I am inflexible. took me in when my parents died; I will 6. I judge people by their actions not the do anything for them. words that I cannot understand. 4. I once had to flee from raiders. I lost 7. Thinking is for weaklings, I prefer everything. Now I try to make up for it actions. by collecting things that remind me of 8. I try to use long words, so that other the things I lost. will not think that I am stupid. 5. I once ate someone very dear to me Sometimes I get them wrong. (that wasn’t dead), because I was 9. Money means nothing to me, food mean hungry. a lot though. 6. I get very attached to my 10. I like eating food that is still wriggling. stuff/weapons; I will not part with 11. I chew on my shield when I get them willingly. nervous. 12. I like eating and drinking contests. IDEALS, D6 1. I don’t eat anything I am not allowed to. FLAWS, D6 2. I want to be the biggest / strongest / 1. I am scared of fire or acid. richest. 2. I don’t have fully control of all my 3. I want to purge all fire from the world, bodily functions. I may burp, fart, pee so that no troll will ever be burnt again. or poop randomly, especially when I 4. I want to create a kingdom for am nervous, or do strenuous activities. trolls/ogres and rule it. 3. I don’t back down from a fight. 5. Hunger is a terrible feeling, I donate to 4. I am not stupid, and I will beat you until the hungry. you agree. 6. I pity those that are smaller than me, 5. I forget what I am doing, if there is food and try to help them. to be eaten. 6. I am suspicious strangers, and expect the worst of them. Sample file

Ogres and Trolls

ZOMBIE BACKGROUND You died. You were animated, and that is all you remember. DEFINING EVENT Ogre zombie characters may use this What made you become an adventuring background. zombie? Select one or more of the following events. SKILL PROFICIENCY  You accidentally got lost, and couldn’t find Choose two skills from: Acrobatics, Animal your way back handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Perception,  The dungeon/crypt where you used to Nature, Stealth and Survival “live” was destroyed.  You can’t remember, but it was a really good reason, honestly. TOOL PROFICIENCY  Others didn’t like the way you smell. Choose one from following list: carpenter tools,  You were chased away for being stupid. brewer supplies, cobbler’s tools, cook’s  You didn’t like being bossed around, now utensils, mason’s tools, woodcarver’s tools, you get to boss other around. musical instrument, land vehicle, water vehicle. Instead of a tool proficiency you may choose SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS to be literate if you aren’t already. TRAITS, D6 LANGUAGES 1. I often get confused. Choose one additional language. 2. I don’t bathe, ever. 3. I judge people by their actions not the EQUIPMENT words that I cannot understand. 4. Thinking is for weaklings, I prefer In addition to the starting equipment from actions. your class you start with the following 5. I try to use long words, so that other will equipment: loin cloth, a big sack with holes not think that I am stupid. Sometimes I used as a tank top, 5 gold pieces, a big wooden get them wrong. tree branch (counting as a maul suitable for 6. I chew on my shield when I get nervous. your size), and a trinket from your former life. FLAWS, D6 INTIMIDATING 1. I am scared of religious symbols. You are intimidating. Intimidation rolls are 2. I trust others too much. always done with advantage. 3. I don’t back down from a fight. 4. I am not stupid, and I will beat you until EMOTIONLESS you agree. You have advantage on saving throws against 5. I often forget what I am doing being frightened or charmed 6. I am suspicious strangers, and expect the worst of them.

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Ogres and Trolls

BONDS, D6 IDEALS, D4 1. I once insulted a zombie beholder, - I am 1. I don’t kill anything I am not allowed to. always nervous around other undeads 2. I want to be the biggest / strongest / now. richest / smartest. 2. I will kill the necromancer who 3. I want to create a kingdom for undead and animated me. rule it. 3. A necromancer animated me; I will do 4. I do as I am told to the best of my abilities. anything for the necromancer. 4. I once had to flee from raiders. I lost everything. Now I try to make up for it by collecting things that remind me of the things I lost. 5. I once died, it will not happen again. 6. I get very attached to my

stuff/weapons; I will not part with them willingly.

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Ogres and Trolls

DUNGEON MASTER large size weapons and armor from a normal blacksmith; it has to be custom made. INFORMATION Trolls and ogres have to acquire weapons Trolls and ogres are not your usual player race, and armor to fit its large size, make sure to and it is up to your discretion to allow them either plan for it or somehow make into your campaign. There are a few prominent appropriate weapons/armor become available. reasons not to allow in your campaign. It is very frustrating for a player to have this unused potential for extended periods of time. THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING LARGE Likewise it is very frustrating if all encounters Trolls and ogres are overpowered compared to take place in confined space where the troll other player races. When preparing encounters player has disadvantage on attacks, so make you have to take this into account. Trolls and sure not to over use this weakness. ogres choosing fighter and barbarian classes FIRE AND ACID end up being roughly twice the strength of other normal characters. Trolls have weaknesses when it comes to fire Being this overpowered may cause and acid damage. They cannot regenerate this discontent or jalousie at the table. Other kind of damage, when preparing encounters, players may be jealous of the power of the troll take this weakness into account. A fight with a or ogre or the troll or ogre player may be fire , a black or a spellcaster hugging the spotlight in combat over shining relying on spells that deals fire or acid damage, the other players. may leave the party in need of extra healing because the troll cannot regenerate this. THE DISADVANTAGES OF BEING LARGE TALK TO YOUR PLAYERS Trolls and ogres are monsters. Most villages, towns and cities do not allow Trolls and ogres Before allowing a troll into you campaign, be to enter. This may cause some problems, the sure to have a talk with all your players about it troll player is excluded from the action that and make sure they are OK with it. Are they OK takes place here, and the player basically have with a character eating fallen enemies? You to wait until these errands have been also have to make sure that the troll or ogre performed. One way to overcome this may be player understands that there are significant to have the player play two characters, a troll drawbacks by playing a troll, and that they and a goblin or . This secondary won’t try to steal the entire spotlight from the character does not take part in combat and is other players. You have to gage your players only used for social encounters. It can go where before introducing the troll race. Most children the troll cannot. If you want to use this are not up to this, but mature players should be approach, talk to all your players, not just the able to handle this responsibility. A bad player troll player. can easily and even unintentionally destroy a Trolls and ogres are large. They are unable good D&D game. When playing a troll or ogre to fit into small spaces. They may be unable to you specifically have to take care not to. Are go into the or gnome inn. The upper your players up to the task? floors of a building may not be able to support On the other hand trolls and ogres can be a theirSample weight. When fighting in a contained lot of fun to play and have filein your party. Yes, space they have disadvantage. They cannot buy their low intelligence may cause them to behave, - erhm, - suboptimal, but that doesn’t

Ogres and Trolls

mean it won’t be fun. In fact it could be I searched the Dungeon Master’s Guild for hilarious. homebrew material but I wasn’t happy with And remember if anything goes wrong, talk what I found, so I decided to make my own to your players. rules. The first attempt resulted in some very IT IS YOUR GAME, YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO complex rules for trolls growing through level CHANGE IT 1-5. It was not very popular. It is still online on A lot of dungeon masters will not change or Dungeon Master’s Guild, but marked as expand the rules of the game. They fear they obsolete. It contains 10 pages of designer’s may break the game, or they simply have a notes, if you are a game designer with interests compulsion to play as correctly as possible. (I in making player races and what not to do. used to be like that.) This is my second attempt at making rules Well, fear not! Once you have changed the for large player races. This, second attempt, is rules a few times, it actually becomes fun. designed with simplicity in mind. When you include a troll or gore into your THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM game, you have to be prepared to be a little more flexible than a regular DM. Trolls and What this boils down to, is that large creature’s ogres weren’t meant to be player races, and weapons deal more damage than medium size there will be unforeseen complications. creature’s weapons. Specifically you double the This is your game, and you are not breaking amount of dices. So where a medium size any laws by changing the rules. When in doubt longsword deals 1d8 points of damage a large say “yes, you can”, and remember the “rule of size longsword deals 2d8 points of damage. cool”. (Rule of cool: you should allow it even This makes large size creatures deal almost though the rules say not to, if it will be twice as much damage as Medium or small size awesome if it succeeds, and hilarious if it fails, creatures. (Damage modifiers are not doubled). and there are no lingering repercussions.) This makes large size creatures with certain Remember you can always change it back. classes roughly twice as powerful as other races with the same classes. DESIGNER’S NOTES There are at least four ways to handle this: 1. Ignore the double dice rules for large weapons. THE BEGINNING 2. Use the rules in the Enlarge/Reduce In 2016 Volo’s Guide to Monsters was released. spell. I was thrilled. It contained rules for playing 3. Let large creatures start as medium, monster races. Now I finally had official rules gradually become large. for playing short silly or evil campaigns with 4. Use the double dice rules for large monster races. weapons as normal large monsters. The excitement was short lived. I discovered I choose to use the double dice rules for that there wasn’t any rule for trolls or ogres or large weapons. any other large creatures for that matter. Later on I learned that large creatures were consideredSample too powerful as player races, so file there wasn’t going to be any official rules large races.

Ogres and Trolls

BUT WHAT ABOUT GAME BALANCE? like the movie Troll Hunter. I decided to make subraces with only minor adjustments. A. I don’t think that the game is that well balanced to begin with. TROLL REGENERATION B. I don’t think that you can introduce large creatures in the game in a way that is both Hit points are one of the core mechanics in the balanced, while making up for all the game. It is tied very closely to long rests. No disadvantages of playing a large creature. race has an infinite amount of hit points. So C. It is not about being balanced. It is about there need to be some kind of limit to the having fun playing the game. amount regeneration available to the player. The real question, when using this approach is, The most obvious way to do regeneration is is it fun having the large creatures in the game, to modify the hit dice mechanics, like allowing or will envy of combat effectiveness be a you to spend a hit dice at the start of your turn, detriment to the fun. I don’t think so, but your as a free action. However I don’t feel it scales table may be different from mine. well at very low levels or high levels for that matter. OTHER RACES Instead I opted for getting an amount equal to your level back every turn. It stretches out Originally I was planning to include minotaurs the hit points at low levels and scales better at as well but decided not to, to keep it simple. high levels. Unfortunately I am not good at Some may ask about . Looking at the describing the rule short and concise. Fire and stat block I came to the conclusion that its acid damage makes even more difficult, so the invisibility, fly and shape change ability would description of the regeneration is a bit clunky. make it way too powerful as a player race.

Half-ogres are the offspring of ogres and a few other races besides orc. It could be argued that the other races should have half-ogre variants too. In my mind these races would be too similar to be worth the effort. I don’t think that many players would specifically like to play a -ogre rather than an orc-ogre. I decided to make up a new race of half- trolls. These half-trolls half-orcs, would be a mix of orc and troll features, and their regeneration wouldn’t be as powerful.

ABILITY SCORE CHANGES You will notice that the ability score increases and decreases are the modifier used in the monster manual. The half-troll is the average of orcs and troll stats.

TROLL SUBRACES In earlierSample editions there were multiple races of file trolls. I like the idea of multiple races, because I

Ogres and Trolls