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The Kithain, Gallain & Others of the Nine Worlds |
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The Others of Midgard |
Kithain
Boggans
Honest souls, most Trolls have good relations to Boggans. This is somewhat
surprising when considering that the Boggans resisted the Troll invasions
of England. Those years are usually long forgotten now and the Boggans
recognize that the Trolls are their first and best line of defense.
For their part, the Trolls like the Boggans, since it is difficult to
not like those who are so willing to help. Their penchant to gossip
can cause some strain however, since Trolls are very private individuals.
Eshu
Of all the kiths, the Trolls and Eshu are perhaps the farthest apart
in their culture of origin. This does not mean they have not come to
an understanding however. The Trolls were once wanderers as well and
although not all Trolls go viking today, they remember the time they
once did. The Eshu are impetuous however, and so must be watched so
they don’t endanger those around them. On the other hand, they don’t
always take kindly to being told not to follow their impulses.
Nockers
Of all the kiths, the Trolls and Nockers seem to understand each other
the least. Their organization is completely different from one another
and more to the point, so are their value systems. The Nockers could
care less about physical ability or talk of duty and honor. They live
to create. To them, the Trolls are stupid thugs who serve the purpose
of making sure they are safe to work in peace. From the Troll perspective,
Nockers are rude and disrespectful of anything that anyone might hold
to be important. It is hard to avoid dealing with them, since they do
provide weapons and armor that the Trolls use, but any interaction beyond
simple business transactions is generally to be avoided.
Pooka
Cute? Sometimes. A pain in the ass? Almost always. Pooka lie, it is
just what they do and nothing will ever change that. Not only does this
make is almost impossible to actually carry on a conversation with a
Pooka, they also have the habit of trying to make those around them
the butt of their jokes. For some reason that Trolls are often at a
loss to understand, Pooka target them frequently.
Redcaps
At their best, Redcaps are thugs. At their worst they are monsters.
Redcaps are bloodthirsty and always hungry. The thing is, besides the
Trolls, they are also the best commoners on the battlefield. So although
no Troll will ever really admit to dealing with or even respecting Redcaps,
they sometimes do.
Satyrs
Trolls see Satyrs as little more than hedonists. Worse than the Eshu,
they break any rule they feel stifles them, unthinking of the consequences.
They revel in their ability to make others lose control, something else
that makes Trolls uncomfortable around them. Still, there is no denying
it is hard to say no to an attractive Satyr when they make an offer.
Sidhe
The Sidhe make it known to everyone that they consider themselves the
rightful ruler of the Kithain. The fact remains, however, that they
fled and abandoned the commoners for six centuries. The Accordance War
made them rulers again, but the Trolls are wary. Although they may be
noble, they are not above deceit and intrigue, which no Troll will countenance.
The Sidhe see the Trolls as nothing more than loyal lapdogs, which the
Trolls allow them to believe.
Sluagh
The keepers of secrets, the Sluagh were the first to meet the Trolls
when they ventured out of Scandinavia. Perhaps because of this, the
Trolls have grown to have something of an understanding with the Sluagh.
Since they keep their activities quiet, they rarely deal with Trolls
directly. Although there have been times Trolls have required Sluagh
services, it is not something to be proud of.
Gallain
Nunnehi
Things never went well when the Trolls first encountered the Nunnehi
all those years ago and relations have not improved very much. When
the Kithain arrived in North America, the Nunnehi saw them as invaders
and tried to defend themselves. The Trolls, seeing the Kithain in danger,
went to the war with the Nunnehi. Ever since then, they have viewed
each other as enemies and aggressors. All in all, it is really a shame.
The Trolls have much in common with the number of the Nunnehi tribes,
but in most cases, it is too late to repair the damage now.
Clurichaun
These Irish Gallain are all right, they tend to be friendly and outgoing.
They can’t hold their liquor however, to the great annoyance for any
full blooded Troll. More than one Troll has shut up a belligerent or
melodramatic Clurichaun by pointing out that their Irish red headed
beauties descend from Viking invaders.
Selkies
The skin changers have a place in the Trolls heart, because the legend
of the seal people exists in Scandinavia as well as in Ireland and North
America. The Selkies are honored guests and traveling companions on
the sea, bringing their beautiful faces and warmth to both Halls and
ships. Trolls are often attracted to them, but are almost always shy
in the face of beauty, knowing that they are considered monstrous by
many.
Mer
If the people of the north dream of the Trolls, the Trolls dream of
the Mer. Amazing creatures truly at home in the sea, the Mer are haughty
and alien to anyone born on land. The Trolls have long traveled the
seas, but are still not one with the water the way these Gallain are.
Any Troll who even sees one of the unearthly and beautiful Mer is considered
lucky.
Adhene (Denizens)
These strange creatures from the Tenebrous Realms have only recently come into contact with the Kithain. There is some debate about just what the Adhene are or where they have come from. The Sidhe believe they are the sole creation of the Fomorians, which they call the Frost Giants and should therefore be considered hostile. The Sidhe may believe they have the answers to all things, but those Adhene the Trolls have found appear to have more complex motivations that the Sidhe would ascribe to them.
Acheri
These monsters have been encountered infrequently by the Trolls, which
is all the better for them. These plague bearers represent everything
that the Trolls have been raised to despise: deceit, gluttony and corruption.
Aonides
From the same culture as the Satyrs, these muses run as hot blooded
as their fellow Greeks, if not more. These creatures are extremely passionate
and look for others who display the same passion. Because of the reserved
nature of Trolls, the Aonides often dismiss them, although the Trolls
do find these Adhene mesmerizing.
Fir-bholg
Born of the ancient and brutal dreams of early Ireland, these Adhene
are similar to the Trolls. These creatures have a dangerous feral edge
that makes them a possible threat to the Kithain. Of all the Adhene,
the Trolls understand the Fir-bholg the most.
Fuath
Dangerous and unpredictable, the bestial Fuath are a threat to the Kithain.
The Trolls have had the most direct contact with these Adhene, although
very little talking is involved.
Keremet
These undead Adhene are a puzzle to the Trolls. Are they being punished
for something they did in life? Are they poor souls trapped against
their will? The Trolls have had too little contact with the Keremet
to have any real answers to these questions.
Moirae
It was when the Trolls first encountered the Moirae that they began
to question the supposed origin of the Adhene. It is clear that regardless
of whatever name these creatures have, they serve the Norns. All Moirae
are treated with a great deal of respect and it is considered an honor
to gain the favor of one.
Naraka
The Trolls have almost no contact with these Adhene from the far side
of the world.
Vampires
Vampires, called the Children of Lilith by other changelings and
Draugr by Trolls, are the hungry dead who have returned to feed on the
living. Trapped on Midgard after death, it is often considered a mercy
to end the creature's existence and allow the soul of the human it once
was to continue its journey. The Trolls know well that this is not an
undertaking to be taken lightly, however, and that draugr can be very
powerful and dangerous. According to Norse legend, draugr are also shapeshifters,
which stems from the fact that the Gangrel have established themselves
in Scandinavia. The Gangrel are often unaware of the Trolls, finding
themselves more concerned with the threat from the Get of Fenris.
Werewolves
The dealings with the Get of Fenris far outweighs any the Trolls
have with other werewolves. The Trolls often find their opinion of these
others tainted by their close contact with one of the most violent of
a violent group. Werewolves are considered violent and dangerous and
dealt with extremely carefully.
Mages
Humans who have the ability to use magic are an unknown factor.
Not owing allegiance to one particular Aesir or even to any deity of
any pantheon, Mages appear to be self-serving. They also have an insatiable
hunger for some forms of Glamour and have been known to drain Halls
and the Freeholds of other Kithain. Because of this fact, Trolls are
reluctant to have involved dealings with them. Trolls encounter Dreamspeakers
the most often, but the Verbena, although often portrayed as Wiccan,
use blood magic very similar to the magic of the North.
Wraiths
Wraiths are the subject of some debate between Trolls. In the course
of history, the places the dead describe to those who had encountered
them sounds like Hel, but they are traditionally arranged in military
units like the dead in Asgard. As Trolls do not experience death in
the same way mundanes do, it is unlikely they will ever be able to place
wraiths comfortably in their belief structure. Recently, however, the
few Wraiths that have been able to contact the Trolls report horrific
events in the lands of the dead, making more and more believe that they
are the spirits in Hel. Although obviously not the valiant dead, Wraiths
who approach Trolls are often aided. Those who make the mistake of haunting
Trolls are quickly banished by runic wards.
Mortals
In the time before the Shattering, humans were viewed as a lesser
species. Even then however, the Trolls maintained a close relationship
with them, as they offered tribute to the Trolls in return for protection
and good favor. Even then the Trolls mated with humans to produce the
first Kinain. Now the Trolls are dependent on humans for their survival.
Even the most jaded Frost Troll depends on humans for her Glamour.
Trolls live in a human society now, they work, to go school and love humans. As Changelings, Trolls are half human themselves. Without them, the Trolls and all the others who remained would not have survived the Shattering. No matter how superior a Troll may feel because of his physical strength or abilities, he must accept that Trolls and humans are bound together until the Fimbul Winter and Ragnarok itself.
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