Buy me a coffee“Ragnhilder Troll: The Storm-Seer Matriarch of Fjords and Thunder”
A Ragnhilder Troll is an ancient, rune-scarred matriarch who commands thunder and prophecy from her storm-lashed fjord cave, her voice echoing with the fury of forgotten gods.
An ancient troll matron steeped in storm magic and runic prophecy, the Ragnhilder Troll rules the fjords with thunderous wrath and divine foresight, her voice said to echo the counsel of the old gods themselves.
Appearance
A towering female troll of immense age and power, the Ragnhilder Troll’s skin resembles wet granite veined with faintly glowing runes. Seaweed and lichen tangle in her braided hair, and jagged tusks curve like weathered ivory. Her eyes gleam with lightning-blue fire, and each movement carries the weight of centuries. When she speaks, mist coils from her mouth like storm breath, and the air hums with static energy.
Behaviour
Proud, deliberate, and eerily intelligent, the Ragnhilder Troll behaves less like a beast and more like an elemental oracle. She shuns meaningless violence, but when provoked—or when the omens demand—she unleashes her fury with terrifying precision. She speaks in riddles and prophecies, often addressing mortals as fleeting sparks in an endless storm.
Habitat
Ragnhilder Trolls dwell in storm-battered fjords, cliffside caves, and glacial valleys of the far north. They carve runic totems into the surrounding stone, claiming entire mountain passes as sacred ground. Thunder and rain mark their presence, and travelers often hear her chanting on the wind long before they see her.
Modus Operandi
These trolls prefer to manipulate rather than charge into battle. They summon tempests, collapse cliffs, and call lightning to scatter foes before closing in with brutal, rune-empowered strikes. When hunting or defending their domain, they rely on terrain, mist, and prophetic insight—often ambushing intruders precisely where the fates decree.
Motivation
Driven by a divine hunger for knowledge and dominion, the Ragnhilder Troll seeks to read the will of the old gods through storm and stone. She hoards runes, relics, and secrets of ancient magic, believing herself a chosen voice of divine chaos destined to awaken the world’s primal powers once more.
Ragnhilder Troll 5e 2024
Ragnhilder Troll, Pathfinder
Ragnhilder Troll 3.5
Ragnhilder Troll
Huge Giant (Troll), Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 231 (22d12 + 88)
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 (+6) | 10 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Con +8, Wis +6, Cha +5
Skills Arcana +4, Intimidation +5, Perception +6, Religion +4
Damage Resistances cold, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities thunder
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Giant, Primordial, understands Draconic
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +4
Innate Storm Magic
The Ragnhilder Troll’s bond with elemental tempests grants it innate spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It can cast the following spells innately, requiring no material components:
- At will: thaumaturgy, gust, detect magic
- 3/day each: call lightning, thunderwave, augury
- 1/day each: control weather, lightning bolt, divination
Runic Prophecy (Recharge 5–6)
As a bonus action, the troll invokes the glowing runes carved into her skin. Until the start of her next turn, she has advantage on all attack rolls and saving throws, and her weapon attacks deal an extra 2d8 lightning damage.
Regeneration
The troll regains 15 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If it takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn’t function until the end of its next turn.
Aura of Tempest
Storm energy radiates around the troll.
Creatures that start their turn within 10 feet of her must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away and take 7 (2d6) lightning damage. The area within 20 feet counts as difficult terrain for flying creatures.
Actions
Multiattack
The Ragnhilder Troll makes two attacks: one with its Stormclaw and one with its Runestone Hurl.
Stormclaw
Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) lightning damage.
Runestone Hurl
Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 60 ft., one target.
Hit: 16 (2d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage. The stone bursts with runic light; the target and all creatures within 5 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be deafened until the end of their next turn.
Thunderous Roar (Recharge 6)
The troll bellows with storm-charged fury. Each creature of its choice within 60 feet must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature that fails is also stunned until the end of its next turn.
Reactions
Storm Rebuke (3/Day)
When struck by a melee attack, the troll releases a crack of lightning. The attacker takes 11 (2d10) lightning damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Legendary Actions
The Ragnhilder Troll can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The troll regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Move. The troll moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Crackle of Fate (Costs 2 Actions). The troll targets one creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be marked by runic lightning until the end of its next turn. While marked, the next attack against it has advantage.
Runic Surge (Costs 3 Actions). The troll channels the storm within. It immediately regains 20 hit points and releases a pulse of divine energy; all creatures within 10 feet must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (3d6) lightning damage.
Tactics
The Ragnhilder Troll is a calculating battlefield predator that wields elemental fury with prophetic precision. It opens combat by invoking call lightning or control weather to shape the terrain, then drives enemies apart with Thunderous Roar. Against organized foes, it uses Runic Prophecy to empower its melee strikes and Runestone Hurl to punish distant opponents. When wounded, it retreats into fog or high ground to regenerate, emerging again like a living tempest to crush those who remain.
Troll, Ragnhilder (Runetouched Storm-Seer)
This towering troll matriarch looms like a living tempest, her granite skin veined with glowing runes. The scent of ozone and rain surrounds her, and her voice rolls like distant thunder.
Ragnhilder Troll CR 10
XP 9,600
CN Huge giant (cold, electricity, troll)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 90 ft., low-light vision; Perception +16
DEFENSE
AC 23, touch 10, flat-footed 21 (+2 Dex, +13 natural, –2 size)
hp 157 (15d8+90); regeneration 10 (acid or fire)
Fort +15, Ref +7, Will +10
DR 10/magic
Immune sonic
Resist cold 10, electricity 10
SR 21
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee 2 claws +18 (2d6+8/19–20 plus 1d8 electricity), bite +16 (2d8+4)
Ranged runestone hurl +12 (3d6+8 bludgeoning plus thunderburst)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks aura of tempest, runic prophecy, thunderburst, thunderous roar (DC 20)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; concentration +12)
At will—detect magic, gust of wind, prestidigitation (as thaumaturgy)
3/day—call lightning (DC 16), lightning bolt (DC 17), augury
1/day—control weather, divination
STATISTICS
Str 27, Dex 14, Con 22, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 14
Base Atk +11; CMB +21; CMD 33
Feats Cleave, Great Fortitude, Improved Critical (claw), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception), Vital Strike
Skills Intimidate +12, Knowledge (arcana) +10, Knowledge (religion) +10, Perception +16, Survival +14
Languages Giant, Auran, Common; understands Draconic
SQ rune-carved flesh, storm sight, troll cunning (+2 bonus on opposed Perception and Sense Motive checks)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Aura of Tempest (Su) Storm energy swirls in a 10-foot aura. Creatures entering or starting their turn within the area take 2d6 electricity damage (Reflex DC 18 half) and must succeed at a DC 18 Strength check or be pushed 10 feet away.
Runic Prophecy (Su) As a swift action once every 1d4 rounds, a Ragnhilder Troll can ignite her runes in stormlight. For 1 round, she gains a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and AC, and her melee attacks deal an additional 2d8 electricity damage.
Thunderburst (Su) A stone hurled by a Ragnhilder Troll detonates with runic thunder. All creatures within 5 feet of the impact point must succeed at a DC 18 Fortitude save or be deafened for 1d4 rounds.
Thunderous Roar (Su) Once every 1d6 rounds, the troll can bellow with elemental fury. All creatures of her choice within 60 feet take 8d6 sonic damage (Fortitude DC 20 half) and are stunned for 1 round on a failed save.
Regeneration (Ex) The Ragnhilder Troll regains 10 hit points each round as long as it has at least 1 hit point. Acid or fire damage suppresses this regeneration for 1 round.
Storm Sight (Su) The Ragnhilder Troll can see clearly through rain, snow, mist, and fog as if it were clear air.
ECOLOGY
Environment cold mountains, coastal fjords, or storm-wracked cliffs
Organization solitary, matron (plus 2–6 trolls), or seer conclave (2–3 Ragnhilders)
Treasure standard (runestones, torcs, carved totems, scrolls, and ritual fetishes)
Ragnhilder Trolls are rare and intelligent descendants of troll seeresses who bargained with storm spirits in ages past. Their minds are lucid and cunning, their runes glowing with the divine echo of thunder gods long forgotten. Revered and feared by lesser trolls, Ragnhilders act as prophets and war-mothers, uniting troll tribes under their storm-bannered rule.
Legends claim their carved runes are fragments of an elder tongue that can command lightning itself. Many scholars believe they represent a transitional form between true trolls and the storm giants of myth.
COMBAT
A Ragnhilder Troll fights with ruthless intelligence, using the terrain and weather to her advantage. She begins combat by calling lightning or conjuring storm winds, scattering foes with her Thunderous Roar and Aura of Tempest. Against ranged attackers, she hurls runestones that burst into thunderous shockwaves.
In melee, she activates Runic Prophecy and unleashes devastating claw strikes charged with lightning. If pressed, she retreats briefly to regenerate before returning to the fray like the storm’s resurgence. She avoids unnecessary slaughter, viewing battle as a divine omen rather than simple bloodshed.
TYPICAL ENCOUNTERS
- A Ragnhilder Troll ruling a troll tribe from a lightning-scarred mountain temple.
- A solitary storm-seer carving prophetic runes into sea cliffs.
- A bound oracle forced to divine the future for a frost giant jarl.
Ragnhilder Troll
This tall, gangly humanoid stands nearly 9 feet tall. Its stone gray skin and hair blends in with the surrounding cliffs. It carries a large rock in one hand.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
Ragnhilders are a breed of trolls acclimated to rocky environs. Their natural coloration provides camouflage within their preferred terrain.
A typical adult ragnhilder stands 9 feet tall and weighs 500 pounds. Females are slightly larger than males. A ragnhilder’s rubbery hide is stone gray. The hair is usually black or gray.
Ragnhilders speak Giant.
| Troll, Ragnhilder | |
| Large Giant | |
| Hit Dice | 4d8+24 (42 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 16 (-1 size, +2 Dexterity, +5 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+11 |
| Attack | Claw +6 melee (1d6+4) or macahuitl +6 melee (3d6+6/19-20) or rock +4 ranged (1d6+4) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d6+2); or macahuitl +6 melee (3d6+6/19-20) and bite +1 melee (1d6+2); or rock +4 ranged (1d6+4) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./10 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Rock throwing |
| Special Qualities | Darkvision 90 ft., Low-Light Vision, regeneration 5, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +0 |
| Abilities | Strength 18, Dexterity 14, Constitution 23, Intelligence 6, Wisdom 9, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Hide +5* |
| Feats | Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot |
| Environment | Any hills or mountains |
| Organization | Solitary or gang (2-8) |
| Challenge Rating | 4 |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Usually chaotic evil |
| Advancement | By character class |
| Level Adjustment | +4 |
Combat
Ragnhilders are weaker than normal trolls, and as a result are more likely to rely on manufactured weapons to inflict pain. They often wield primitive weapons, such as macahuitls (Obsidian-edged clubs that functions in all other ways like a greatsword). They are also accomplished rock throwers.
Regeneration (Ex): Fire and acid deal normal damage to a ragnhilder. If a ragnhilder loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Rock Throwing (Ex): The range increment is 60 feet for a ragnhilder’s thrown rocks.
Skills: *Ragnhilders have a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks when in rocky environments. This bonus on Hide checks increases to +8 when the ragnhilder is immobile.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #158 (1990).
Origins and Nature
Ragnhilder Trolls are believed to descend from ancient troll seeresses who communed with the storm gods during the first age of giants. When those gods withdrew from the mortal world, their power lingered in the fjords and mountains, awakening these trolls with sentience and runic insight.
Unlike common trolls—creatures of hunger and regeneration—the Ragnhilders are touched by elemental intelligence. Their minds are lucid, strategic, and often burdened with fragments of divine memory. Each one carries an individual “rune mark” that manifests as glowing sigils along their arms, horns, or tusks, representing their attunement to storm, fate, and prophecy.
Role in Troll Society
Other trolls fear and revere them. To lesser trolls, a Ragnhilder is a prophet-mother — a being who can still the hunger of their kin with a single word, or call down thunder to punish disobedience. They are the keepers of trollish oral lore, preserving fragments of ancient languages and runic songs thought lost since the fall of the jotunn empires.
Tribes that follow a Ragnhilder become organized and dangerously strategic, fighting in coordinated ambushes guided by her foresight. She may interpret omens through lightning strikes, blood patterns, or echoes within mountain storms.
Intelligence and Culture
Ragnhilder Trolls possess genuine intellect and magical literacy. They understand runic theory, elemental hierarchies, and even fragments of divine cosmology. They inscribe runestones to mark territorial boundaries or divine portents, and some are known to parley with druids, giants, or shamans who respect their storm-given wisdom.
Their language blends Old Giant and Primordial, creating a tonal, rhythmic speech that sounds like rolling thunder. Many compose prophetic chants that other trolls repeat as half-understood hymns.