Trollmite - By Bill Silvey
Frequency:
Uncommon
No. Appearing: 1-6
Armor Class:
7
Move:12"
Hit Dice: 1-4 hit points
% In Lair: 40%
Treasure Type: Incidental
No. Of Attacks: 2
Damage/Attack: 1-4/1-4
Special Attacks: Nil
Special Defense: Regeneration
Magic Resistance: Standard
Intelligence: Semi-
Alignment: Neutral (Chaotic Evil)
Size: S
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: 25 + 1/hit point
When engaged in combat, particularly against a foe with a
Vorpal Sword, Sword of Sharpness or similar magic weapon, Trolls can shed huge quantities of blood. While flame and acid can destroy a troll, few adventurers give thought to the
ichors that have leaked from the bodies of these abominations. This fluid gives rise to the Trollmite.
A Trollmite is, essentially, a tiny humanoid creature which if examined closely resembles it's greater forebear. If left alone, over the course of a year, it will develop fully into a troll. Although in a larval stage, the Trollmite maintains all of the malice of a full grown Troll, and will attack any who are unfortunate enough to encounter it, scratching, biting, and clawing.
Trollmites are able to use their size to their advantage to steal from unwary adventurers who are too powerful even for a group attack; they have the ability to pick pockets with a 40% chance of success.
With their diminutive size, Trollmites tend to band together for greater protection. However, if one becomes larger sooner than the others, it usually falls upon it's brethren and devours them, thus gaining even more strength.
Trollmites rarely have anything of value, but on occasion will possess a ring (5% chance of magic) or small gem or small sack of coins (1-6) stolen from a victim or passerby. They usually make their lairs in rat or mouse-holes after disposing of the former residents.
Similarly to their larger cousins, Trollmites are able to regenerate non-magical or fire or acid damage at a rate of 1 hit point per round after the 3rd.