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Wood trolls represent Aethoria's most enigmatic and biologically sophisticated troll subspecies, standing 10-12 feet tall when fully upright. These forest denizens have evolved from the same ancestral stock as mountain and desert cousins into perfect woodland predators with startling adaptations that blur the line between animal and plant. Their remarkable symbiotic relationship with forest homes and higher cognitive functions have earned them near-mythical status among those dwelling at ancient woodland edges.
Current estimates place the population between 1,500-2,000 individuals distributed throughout major woodland regions: the Great Greenwood (Central Continent), Elderwood (Northern Reaches), Verdant Expanse (Southern Continent), Whispering Forest (Eastern Borderlands), and Shadowed Groves (Western Peninsula). Ancient old-growth forests support approximately one troll per 30-50 square miles, with territories following natural forest features like streams, ridge lines, or distinctive tree stands, remaining remarkably stable with some documented ancestral areas maintained by successive generations for hundreds of years.
The typical wood troll possesses powerfully muscled frames with proportionally longer arms and legs than other troll subspecies, allowing both quadrupedal movement through dense undergrowth and efficient climbing of even the largest trees. Skin ranges from mossy green to mottled brown with patterns perfectly mimicking forest light and shadow. Most distinctive is their semi-symbiotic relationship with forest flora—mature specimens develop crown-like growths of bark, antler-like structures, and living plants emerging from head, shoulders, and upper back.
This "living crown" contains specialized sensory organs enhancing environmental awareness. Faces combine typical troll features (pronounced brow ridge, jutting lower jaw with tusks, wide nose) with refined characteristics including expressive eyes showing obvious intelligence and facial musculature capable of complex expressions. Hands show greatest divergence with elongated fingers ending in retractable claws ideal for climbing and four opposable digits enabling sophisticated tool manipulation. Feet feature specialized pads distributing weight while moving and contain symbiotic fungal networks connecting directly to forest mycelium—essentially linking the troll's nervous system with the forest's underground communication network.
Wood trolls have evolved the most diverse and adaptable metabolic systems of any troll subspecies, combining predatory hunting with omnivorous gathering and limited photosynthetic capabilities through plant symbiosis. A mature wood troll requires approximately 400-600 pounds of mixed nutrition monthly, obtained through sophisticated combinations of hunting, gathering, and forest management. Most remarkable is their ability to derive nutrients directly from the forest's mycelial network through symbiotic fungi in feet and living matter in crown growths.
Wood trolls display the highest cognitive capabilities of any troll subspecies, with intelligence rivaling and sometimes exceeding many sapient species. Their cognition incorporates both individual thought and connection to distributed forest ecosystem awareness. They possess excellent memory, sophisticated planning capabilities, remarkable problem-solving skills, and demonstrate tool use ranging from simple to complex implements. Communication occurs through vocalizations, body language, scent markers, physical signs, and mycelial network communication between trolls connected to same forest systems.
Unlike extreme regeneration of mountain cousins or reinforced carapaces of desert trolls, wood trolls have moderate natural healing supplemented by unique botanical symbiosis. Wounds are quickly covered by accelerated plant growth forming natural poultices and bandages, often incorporating medicinally active species precisely suited to injuries. Wood trolls actively manage territories through selective pruning and planting enhancing forest health, creating small clearings encouraging successional growth, deliberate cultivation of medicinal plants, protection of seed-producing trees, and removal of invasive species.
Reproduction occurs through complex cycles tied to ancient forest rhythms, corresponding to significant forest renewal following major disturbances like fires, storms, or disease events. Gestation lasts 18-20 months producing single births, with females creating elaborate birthing bowers high in oldest tree canopies. Development stages span: Sproutling (0-10 years, initial growth with basic mobility), Sapling (10-30 years, independent exploration establishing territories), Grove-Walker (30-75 years, territory consolidation with full crown development), and Ancient (75-200+ years, advanced symbiotic development with profound forest manipulation abilities).
The Sylvan Guard classifies wood trolls as Complex Threat Rating 3-5 (depending on age and symbiotic development), recommending specialized teams of 8-12 experienced rangers with standard protocol emphasizing avoidance rather than confrontation. Historical interactions show sophisticated context-dependent behavior: forestry operations harvesting sustainably and respecting boundaries are often tolerated, small hunting parties taking only necessary amounts are generally permitted passage, but destructive clear-cutting invariably triggers aggressive response.
The Sylvan Accord of 2715 PC3 established protected forest reserves where trolls remain undisturbed in exchange for safe transit corridors through the Great Greenwood. Recent decades show increasing territorial expansion incidents with new activity in previously safe regions, potentially due to forest recovery from Second Calamity damage, increased logging pressure, climate shifts affecting forest health, evidence of coordination among older specimens, and possible reactions to Arcane Convergence of 2945 PC3. Most concerning are reports of multiple trolls operating cooperatively—behavior previously unrecorded outside mother-offspring pairs, suggesting potential social development beyond historically observed patterns.
Information compiled by the Imperial Academy of Natural Studies.