
### **The Stone Giants: When Mountains Come Alive**

In the deep forests and high mountains of Scandinavia, where ancient pines block out the sun and mist clings to the valleys, there are places where humans do not go. Paths that end abruptly. Bridges that lead nowhere. Caves that smell of rot and old bones.

These are the domains of the **Trolls** (Old Norse: *troll*)—enormous, brutish creatures of immense strength and limited intelligence, who **hate humans, sunlight, and church bells** with equal fervor. They are the original nightmare of the Nordic wilderness: **giants who eat people, steal livestock, and can hurl boulders like pebbles**.

But for all their terrible power, trolls have one **fatal weakness**: **sunlight**. When the first rays of dawn touch a troll's skin, the creature **turns to stone instantly**—becoming just another boulder in the landscape, forever frozen in its final moment.

The Norse knew to fear the night, when trolls roamed. But they also knew to wait for morning, when the sun would save them.

### **What Trolls Look Like: Big, Ugly, and Dangerous**

Trolls vary wildly in Norse folklore, but certain features are consistent:

#### **Size:**
- **Massive**: Most trolls are described as much larger than humans—anywhere from 8 feet to the size of a mountain
- **Jötunn-sized**: Some trolls are actually considered a type of **giant** (Jötunn) in Norse mythology

#### **Physical Features:**
- **Grotesque appearance**: Warty, lumpy skin; often covered in moss or lichen
- **Long noses**: Exaggerated, bulbous, sometimes with multiple nostrils
- **Multiple heads**: Some trolls have **two, three, or even six heads**
- **Tails**: Often depicted with tails (in later folklore)
- **Thick, matted hair**: Unkempt, filled with twigs and dirt
- **Missing teeth** or jagged, broken fangs
- **Four fingers** instead of five (in some traditions)
- **Smell terrible**: Reek of earth, decay, and unwashed flesh

#### **Gender Differences:**
- **Male trolls**: Brutish, violent, stupid, often living alone
- **Female trolls** (*trollkoner*): Sometimes more cunning, occasionally appearing almost human-like (in some stories, beautiful)

#### **The Common Features:**
Regardless of variation, almost all trolls share:
- **Incredible strength**
- **Stupidity or limited intelligence**
- **Hatred of humans and Christianity**
- **Vulnerability to sunlight**

### **The Powers and Abilities of Trolls**

Despite their lack of intelligence, trolls are **dangerous foes**:

#### **1. Superhuman Strength**
- Can **uproot trees** with ease
- **Hurl massive boulders** as weapons
- Crush bones in their grip
- Described as having the strength of **20 men** or more

#### **2. Regeneration**
- Some trolls can **regrow lost limbs**
- Wounds heal rapidly
- Only sunlight or fire can kill them permanently

#### **3. Magic (Limited)**
- Can create **illusions** to confuse travelers
- Some can **shapeshift** into rocks, trees, or animals
- Female trolls sometimes have **prophetic abilities**
- Can place **curses** on enemies

#### **4. Connection to Stone**
- Can **blend into rocky environments**
- Some can **move through stone**
- Turn to stone during the day (both curse and camouflage)

#### **5. Long Lifespan**
- Trolls can live for **centuries**
- Some are said to be as old as the mountains themselves

### **Troll Behavior: What They Do (and Don't Do)**

#### **What Trolls Love:**
- **Eating humans** (especially children)
- **Stealing livestock** (particularly sheep and cattle)
- **Collecting treasure** (gold, silver, magical items)
- **Sleeping during the day**
- **Tormenting travelers**

#### **What Trolls Hate:**
- **Sunlight** (turns them to stone)
- **Church bells** (the sound causes pain or drives them away)
- **Thunder** (associated with Thor, their ancient enemy)
- **Christianity** (they're associated with the pagan past)
- **Clever humans** (who outwit them with riddles or tricks)

#### **Troll Intelligence:**
Most trolls are depicted as **stupid and gullible**:
- Easily tricked by clever humans
- Fall for simple riddles
- Can be convinced that night is actually day (causing them to go outside at dawn)
- Make poor decisions

However, **female trolls** and **mountain kings** are often more intelligent and cunning.

### **Famous Troll Tales: Folklore and Sagas**

#### **The Three Billy Goats Gruff**

The most famous troll story worldwide:

A **bridge troll** lives under a bridge, demanding payment (or eating) anyone who crosses. Three goats want to cross:
- The **smallest goat** says a bigger one is coming—troll lets him pass
- The **medium goat** says an even bigger one is coming—troll lets him pass
- The **biggest goat** arrives and **butts the troll off the bridge** into the river

**The Moral:** Even the stupidest bully can be outmaneuvered through cleverness and teamwork.

#### **The Troll Who Wanted to Build a Church**

A Norwegian folk tale tells of a troll who offered to **build a church** in exchange for either the **sun and moon** or for the builder to guess the troll's name.

The townsfolk agreed (confident they'd win the bargain). The troll worked incredibly fast, and the church neared completion. Panicked, a man overheard the troll's wife singing a lullaby that revealed the troll's name: **Vaarud**.

When the man shouted the name, the troll **flew into a rage and smashed himself against the church**, turning to stone as the sun rose.

**The Moral:** Even powerful creatures have weaknesses, and knowledge is power.

#### **Thor's Battle with Trolls**

In Norse mythology, **Thor** is the trolls' greatest enemy. He regularly ventures into **Jötunheimr** (land of giants/trolls) to battle them.

In one tale, Thor kills the troll **Þrúðgelmir** with his hammer **Mjölnir**. In another, he outsmarts a troll family by keeping them talking until sunrise, turning them all to stone.

Thor represents **civilization and order** battling against the **chaos and wildness** of the trolls.

### **The Sunlight Weakness: Why Trolls Fear Dawn**

The most iconic troll trait is their vulnerability to **sunlight**:

#### **The Transformation:**
- The moment sunlight touches a troll, **instant petrification**
- The troll becomes **solid stone**, frozen in its final position
- This is **permanent**—the troll cannot un-petrify
- The resulting stone is indistinguishable from natural rock

#### **Why Sunlight?**
Several theories from folklore:
- Trolls are creatures of **chaos and darkness**, antithetical to the sun (symbol of order and life)
- They're made from **living stone**, and sunlight "completes" their mineral transformation
- The sun is associated with **divine power** (particularly Christianity), which trolls cannot withstand
- It's a **natural balance**—trolls are incredibly powerful, so they needed a weakness

#### **The Strategy:**
Heroes in folklore often use this weakness:
- Keep trolls talking until dawn
- Lead them on chases that last until sunrise
- Trick them into leaving their caves early
- Use mirrors or reflective surfaces to bounce sunlight into caves

### **Types of Trolls in Norse Folklore**

#### **1. Mountain Trolls** (*bergtroll*)
- Largest and most powerful
- Live in caves and mountain peaks
- Territorial and aggressive
- Sometimes described as having multiple heads

#### **2. Forest Trolls** (*skogtroll*)
- Live in dense forests
- Often covered in moss and bark
- Can blend into trees
- Smaller than mountain trolls but still dangerous

#### **3. Bridge Trolls**
- Guard bridges and demand tolls
- Eat those who can't pay
- Famously stupid
- The "Billy Goats Gruff" type

#### **4. Cave Trolls**
- Hoard treasure in caves
- Often depicted as monstrous and bestial
- Guard entrances to underground realms

#### **5. Troll Women** (*trollkoner*)
- Sometimes more intelligent than male trolls
- Can appear beautiful to lure travelers
- Possess stronger magical abilities
- May have children with human men (changelings)

### **Trolls vs. Giants (Jötnar): What's the Difference?**

In Norse mythology, the line between **trolls** and **Jötnar** (giants) is blurry:

| **Trolls** | **Jötnar (Giants)** |
|------------|---------------------|
| Usually stupid and brutish | Often intelligent |
| Turn to stone in sunlight | No sunlight weakness |
| Smaller (though still huge) | Enormous (world-sized) |
| Associated with wilderness | Associated with primordial chaos |
| Folkloric creatures | Mythological beings |
| Eat humans | Interact with gods as equals/enemies |

Some scholars believe **trolls are a folklorized version of Jötnar**—the ancient giants made more relatable and less cosmic for common folk tales.

### **Trolls in Modern Culture: From Terror to Comedy**

The troll has undergone a **dramatic transformation** in modern media:

#### **Traditional Scary Trolls:**
- **The Hobbit** (J.R.R. Tolkien): Three trolls try to eat Bilbo and company
- **Troll Hunter** (Norwegian film): Documentary-style film about hunting trolls
- **Harry Potter**: Mountain trolls as dangerous creatures

#### **Friendly/Funny Trolls:**
- **Frozen**: Trolls as wise, friendly stone creatures
- **Trolls (DreamWorks)**: Colorful, musical, cute creatures
- **The Moomins**: Troll-inspired lovable characters

#### **Internet Trolls:**
The term "**internet troll**" comes from Norse mythology—people who lurk under digital "bridges" (comment sections) and harass passers-by, much like bridge trolls demand tolls.

### **Symbolism: What Trolls Represent**

#### **1. The Untamed Wilderness**
Trolls embody the **dangerous wild places** beyond human civilization—the forests, mountains, and caves where humans venture at their peril.

#### **2. Pre-Christian Paganism**
With the rise of Christianity, trolls became associated with the **old pagan ways**—hence their hatred of church bells and crosses.

#### **3. The Shadow Self**
Psychologically, trolls represent our **base, brutish impulses**—strength without wisdom, appetite without restraint, rage without reason.

#### **4. Nature's Power**
Trolls are **living landscapes**—they're literally made of stone and earth, representing nature's indifferent power.

#### **5. The Importance of Dawn**
The troll's weakness to sunlight symbolizes **light overcoming darkness, knowledge defeating ignorance, civilization pushing back chaos**.

### **How to Survive a Troll Encounter: Folklore Wisdom**

If you meet a troll in the wild:

#### **1. Keep It Talking Until Dawn**
Trolls love to brag and are easily distracted by conversation. Keep them talking until the sun rises.

#### **2. Use Riddles**
Trolls are not clever. Pose impossible riddles or logic puzzles to confuse them.

#### **3. Invoke Christianity**
Make the sign of the cross, ring bells, or show a crucifix (in Christian-era folklore).

#### **4. Trick Them About the Time**
Convince them it's still night when dawn is approaching, luring them into sunlight.

#### **5. Don't Fight Directly**
A troll's strength is overwhelming. Use intelligence, not force.

#### **6. Travel During the Day**
The safest time to travel through troll country is in full daylight.

### **Lessons from the Trolls: What They Teach**

- **Brute Strength Isn't Everything:** Trolls are powerful but easily outsmarted
- **Light Defeats Darkness:** Dawn always comes, and with it, hope
- **Stay Calm Under Pressure:** The heroes who survive trolls keep their wits
- **Nature Is Dangerous:** The wilderness must be respected and navigated carefully
- **Stupidity Is a Weakness:** The trolls' lack of intelligence is their downfall

### **A Final Warning: Not All Stones Were Always Stones**

Next time you're hiking in Scandinavia and you see a strangely shaped boulder—one that looks almost like a figure frozen mid-stride, one with features that seem too deliberate to be natural—ask yourself:

**Was this always stone? Or did this used to be something else?**

The forests and mountains are dotted with peculiar rock formations. The locals know their stories. They know which boulders have names. Which cliffs were once trolls caught by the sun.

And on foggy mornings, when the mist makes everything look uncertain, when shadows move at the edge of your vision—remember:

**Trolls still exist. They're just very, very good at staying in the shadows until dark.**

> *"When the sun sets, the trolls wake. When the moon rises, they hunt. But when dawn breaks, they freeze—and the mountains grow a little taller with new stone. Beware the night. Pray for dawn. And never, ever trust a boulder that wasn't there yesterday."*

May the sun rise quickly. May your paths avoid troll country. And may you never hear the heavy footsteps of something massive approaching in the dark.

Because by the time you see the troll, **it's already too late to run**.

Unless you can keep it talking until sunrise.




Trolls: The Mountain Giants Who Turn to Stone in Sunlight


### **The Tiyanak: The Crying Terror of the Philippine Forests**

In the deep, shadowy recesses of the Philippine jungles, there’s a cry that echoes through the trees—a sound that chills the blood of even the bravest. The **Tiyanak**. To the untrained ear, it might sound like a helpless baby in distress, calling out for someone to come to its aid. But that’s when the danger begins.

### **First Impressions: The Tiyanak's Appearance and Traits**

The Tiyanak is a creature often described as a **small, child-sized figure**—but don’t be fooled by its innocent appearance. Its face, when seen up close, is anything but childlike. With **wide, hollow eyes**, a **mouth filled with sharp, jagged teeth**, and claws that can tear through flesh, the Tiyanak is a predator with an uncanny ability to lure its victims. 

While it may initially seem like a defenseless child, this monster is far from helpless. Its skin is often reported as **decomposing** or **bloated**, adding to its disturbing presence. Some stories tell of the Tiyanak’s limbs being unnaturally long or disproportionate, further enhancing the unsettling nature of this creature.

### **How the Tiyanak Hunts: Luring the Unwary**

The Tiyanak’s hunting method is disturbingly simple yet effective: **it mimics the cry of an infant** to attract nearby humans. Often heard in desolate places like **forests**, **caves**, or the outskirts of villages, the sound will echo through the trees, growing louder and more desperate as it pulls in the unsuspecting traveler. Many reports claim that it sounds **exactly like a baby**, which makes it almost impossible to resist. **Once close enough**, the Tiyanak reveals its true form.

In some accounts, it has been said that it will **transform into a small child** just to get closer, and in others, it remains hidden in the shadows, attacking when its prey is near. But the result is always the same: **victims who follow the cry are never seen again**.

### **The Tiyanak's Strengths and Abilities**

- **Master of Mimicry**: The Tiyanak's primary weapon is its **ability to mimic** the cries of an infant or a small child. This sound is so convincing that it has caused countless people to venture into danger, only to be ambushed.
  
- **Ambush Predator**: Once its victim is in range, the Tiyanak will **spring out of hiding**, often slashing with its claws or using its unnatural strength to overpower them. The creature’s size and apparent vulnerability work to its advantage, lulling victims into a false sense of security.

- **Supernatural Endurance**: Many reports say the Tiyanak is **difficult to kill**, with some suggesting that it is a type of **undead spirit** or cursed creature that cannot easily be dispatched by conventional means.

### **Signs of the Tiyanak: How to Identify Its Presence**

You may not always hear the Tiyanak's cries before it strikes. But there are often subtle clues that indicate its presence in the area:

- **The Silence of the Forest**: Just before the Tiyanak’s cry is heard, the forest will often fall eerily silent. The birds and insects that normally fill the air with noise will disappear, making the space feel unnaturally still.
  
- **Faint Footprints**: Some report seeing the Tiyanak’s **small, childlike footprints** around the area, often near muddy streams or along poorly traveled paths. But be wary, as these prints are sometimes deliberately misleading, leading victims in the wrong direction.
  
- **Distorted Cry**: As you get closer, the baby’s cry will **grow distorted**, sometimes shifting into a screech or a laugh that sounds more like a mocking taunt than a cry for help.

### **Behavioral Patterns: The Tiyanak's Methods**

The Tiyanak is not a creature of impulse; it is a **predator that plans its attacks carefully**. It waits for the right moment when its prey is most vulnerable—whether it’s a **lone traveler**, someone **seeking solitude**, or even those grieving a loss.

- **Vulnerable Victims**: The Tiyanak has an affinity for those **in emotional distress**, such as grieving parents or individuals lost in the wilderness. The cry of a child echoes through the night, offering them false hope.
  
- **Solitary Attacks**: Unlike some monsters that prefer to hunt in packs, the Tiyanak typically hunts alone. It thrives in **solitary, isolated environments** where it can use its cries to trick one individual at a time.

### **How to Survive a Tiyanak Encounter**

- **Trust Your Instincts**: If you hear a baby’s cry in the wilderness, do not approach it without caution. Often, the cry will sound perfectly genuine. Your best option is to **avoid investigating** and continue on your way.

- **Do Not Follow the Cry**: The Tiyanak’s cry can cause confusion, even to the most experienced travelers. **Never follow the sound**—stay focused on your surroundings and keep a steady course. The moment you veer off the path, you risk falling into the creature’s trap.

- **Create Distance**: If you happen to come across the Tiyanak, **create distance immediately**. Run and do not look back. The Tiyanak’s pursuit can be relentless, but it is not particularly fast in open areas.

- **Burning Herbs**: Some stories suggest that certain **herbs or plants**, like **sage or lavender**, when burned, can ward off evil spirits, including the Tiyanak. If you must travel through areas known for Tiyanak sightings, it may be wise to carry these with you.

### **Final Warnings**

The Tiyanak is not a creature to be taken lightly. The forests of the Philippines hold more than just shadows—sometimes, they hold a predator waiting to strike. If you ever find yourself in an area where a baby’s cry echoes through the trees, remember that it may not be a cry for help at all.

Survival depends on **staying alert** and not allowing the Tiyanak to manipulate your emotions. Trust in your instincts, avoid the sound, and stay on guard. Your life could depend on it.

forest creatures

Trolls: The Mountain Giants Who Turn to Stone in Sunlight

Tiyanak: The Crying Terror of the Philippine Forests