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Fantasy Friday! 5 Kinds of Trolls in Denaria (and Why They’re Dangerous!)

I’ve written a lot about the main cast of characters in The Bow of Destiny. However, there are some extras that need mentioning – the ones do all the dangerous, dirty, violent, evil work. No, not the villains – at least not today. Instead, I’m referring to the trolls who inhabit Denaria.

troll

Screenshot from the video game Pigskin 621 AD

Screenshot from the video game Pigskin 621 AD

While I don’t want to reveal much about the origins, I do want to share more about the different kinds that appear in the book. Denarian trolls come in several different varieties. These trolls appear often and really get things done – if your point of view is from those of the villains – by wreaking havoc whenever, and wherever, they’re told. These ravenous hordes can be divided into 5 distinct types divided into lesser and greater classes:

  1. Kobolds are one type of lesser troll who stand waist and chest high and are often used as scouts and trackers. They have good noses and can be a real nuisance because of their abilities. While they are not large, they are scrappy and can attack in numbers. They are usually lightly armored with some sort of boiled hide and carry a variety of weapons from small bows to knives to short swords. Their physical appearance varies somewhat but they generally have almost dog-like snouts as well as dark, close-set eyes and have coarse hair all over their bodies. Quick and sneaky, these trolls can be a hand-full as demonstrated several times.
  2. goblinGoblins are also lesser troll of about the same size as kobolds except they are more, well, like goblins. They’ve got tusks with less snout and and bigger, pointed ears. As you can imagine they have sharp hearing and also make great scouts when on the hunt. However, their eyesight isn’t so great during the day and they are a bit more stout which makes them a bit tougher in a fight. They are usually outfitted with hide armor and carry bows, knives and short, curved swords.
  3. Getting to the greater trolls we come to the hobgoblins which are slender and snake-like in the face with some interesting fangs. They trolls are quite intelligent so they are used for complex tasks and command of other trolls. They are quick and deadly in a fight if you don’t keep your guard up, normally using a tulwar and wearing hide armor with the occasional metal plate attached. An officer often carries a whip to enforce his commands. They stand about the height of a human or an elf in Denaria.
  4. Next among greater trolls are bugbears. As you can imagine they have a bearish appearance with bigger eyes and sport tusks like goblins. Generally a bit taller than humans, they are burly and rely on their weight and strength in a fight, often using clubs for weapons. They sport shaggy fur and wear a mish-mash of hide, chain and plate armor they scavenge from victims and other trolls.
  5. ogreLast among the greater trolls is the ogre. This creature is nearly as big as a giant like Ralda and very strong as well. They have a thick hide and are not very intelligent but tend to fight just because they seem to like it almost as much as eating. They tend to carry a large club but aren’t that accurate when using it but they are deadly if they get a grip on you.

As to danger, well, you can guess that these minions like to cause trouble and never miss a chance to attack when they have a numeric advantage. Those groups without a bright hobgoblin might just attack regardless of numbers. While they can be confused and cowed with displays of power, they aren’t apt to show any mercy and just walk on by the casual traveler. They won’t just size you up and decide if you’re worth their trouble – you are always worth the trouble of an attack. That’s why it’s best to travel in numbers when in known trolls territories. They have nasty temperaments and love a chance to pillage and plunder.

As you can imagine, they make great shock troops for Magdronu and is magical captains though they aren’t often trusted with more complex objectives. They are good for one main use: mayhem. In a few other cases, the more cunning types such as hobgoblins, goblins and kobolds may be used for some specific missions for which they are specially instructed and trained.

In regard to their origins, trolls have a murky history. It’s clear that they are creations of Magdronu but the details are lost in time. However, some of that story is part of the larger history of Denaria’s conflict between Eloch and Magdronu. The purpose is of trolls is clear just not their origin – or is that just something to find out.

the-bow-of-destiny-by-p-h-solomonTo find out more about The Bow of Destiny, click over to one of these online retailers:

Amazon

  BarnesandNoble      Smashwords

ibooksdownload      Kobo

About the Author

IMG_4154-EditP. H. Solomon lives in the greater Birmingham, AL area where he strongly dislikes yard work and sanding the deck rail. However, he performs these duties to maintain a nice home for his loved ones as well as the family’s German Shepherds. In his spare time, P. H. rides herd as a Computer Whisperer on large computers called servers (harmonica not required). Additionally, he enjoys reading, running, most sports and fantasy football. Having a degree in Anthropology, he also has a wide array of more “serious” interests in addition to working regularly to hone his writing. The Bow of Destiny is his first novel-length title with more soon to come.

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Artwork of trolls from Microsoft Clipart. The screenshot of the troll is from the very old video game Pigskin 621 AD.

Fantasy Friday! The Bow of Destiny’s Main Character

Note: Fantasy Friday is a new feature for Archer’s Aim. This is a re-post, but for those interested, it’s useful. I’ll work on some new, fantasy-related posts to mix in with some of my older ones like this as well as some posts about new books in the coming months. Please feel free to share on social media or re-blog these posts. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Today is a continuation last week’s series about The Bow of Destiny. Today, it’s all about the main character and what makes the book go. But first, here’s the book trailer:

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Athson is the main character of The Bow of Hart and a rather complex one at that. He suffers from fits over the violent memories surrounding the sack of his home Depenburgh that left him an orphan. These events were precipitated by an attack of trolls who are commanded by Corgren, a wizard in service to Magdronu, a dragon seeking for prime control of the world of Denaria.

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AthsonAfter elves discovered Athson wandering in the Auguron Forest they took him in only to realize later that he suffered the aforementioned fits as well as hallucinations about a Mountain Hound he called Spark. But over the years, these affects have been muted with the help of an elven medicine named Soul-ease.

But Athson also holds a few other secrets that he won’t reveal so easily and this leads him into trouble. As a grown man, he’s become a ranger among the elves and is sent with his mentor, Gweld, into the largely unpopulated western Auguron region. It’s here that events conspire to drag Athson unwillingly into a quest.

Along the way, Athson gains several new friends and companions – some he likes and some he doesn’t. Often, Athson also struggles with what’s real and not since he losses – or forgets – his medicine several times. Other events leave Athson confused and grieving while he struggles to find the Bow of Hart. But along the way, Athson finds his secrets are hard to keep hidden. Additionally, he’ll find himself facing hidden information and danger from Corgren, Magdronu and trolls all of which will test his resolve and grasp on reality.

Book blurb:

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Uncertain what is real.

Athson has seen things that aren’t there and suffered fits since being tragically orphaned as a child at the hands of trolls and Corgren the wizard. When a strange will mentioning a mysterious bow comes into his possession, he’s not sure it’s real. But the trolls that soon pursue him are all too real and dangerous. And what’s worse, these raiders serve Corgren and his master, the hidden dragon, Magdronu, who are responsible for the destruction of his childhood home. Athson is drawn into a quest for the concealed Bow of Hart by the mystic Withling, Hastra, but Athson isn’t always sure what’s real and who his enemies are. With Corgren and Magdronu involved, Athson must face not only frequent danger but his grasp on reality and the reasons behind his tragic past.

TBOD SF ContestCover

The Bow of Destiny has been selected as a semi-finalist in the Authorsdb 2015 Cover Contest (finalist selections are still pending). As such, I’ve left the book at it’s sales price of $2.99 to celebrate!

Reviews

Read samples from Amazon or Goodreads and find out why other people are saying things like this about the book:

“Overall, this has become one of my favorite fantasy books and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.”

– C. P. Bialois

“an excellent read…wittingly told…I love the style”

– E. J. Nate via email response

“I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to step into the magical and special world that you have created. It is a solid and well-crafted work that you should be so thrilled with.”

  • Katie King via email response

To find out more about The Bow of Destiny, click over to one of these online retailers:

Amazon

IMG_4154-EditAbout the Author

P. H. Solomon lives in the greater Birmingham, AL area where he strongly dislikes yard work and sanding the deck rail. However, he performs these duties to maintain a nice home for his loved ones as well as the family’s German Shepherds. In his spare time, P. H. rides herd as a Computer Whisperer on large computers called servers (harmonica not required). Additionally, he enjoys reading, running, most sports and fantasy football. Having a degree in Anthropology, he also has a wide array of more “serious” interests in addition to working regularly to hone his writing. The Bow of Destiny is his first novel-length title with more soon to come.

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The Bow of Destiny Featured on Speculative Cantina

Speculative Cantina

NOTE: This is an interview I was part of back in December 2015. I had a lot of fun with it so listen in and check out my trailer below:

I’m excited to that I’ll be interviewed during an hour-long show today on Speculative Cantina by S. Evan Townsend at 5PM Central Time. The interview will cover The Bow of Destiny and conclude with a reading from the book by me. Because of the interview I’ve put the book on sale at all locations for just $0.99 so listen in and have a look at the book. The sale will run through Sunday after which time the price will go back to $4.99.

Here are all the book links: 

Amazon   BarnesandNoble      Smashwords  ibooksdownload      Kobo


The Bow of Destiny

Enter a World of Magic, Mystery, Elves and Dragons in this Epic Fantasy SeriesBOD Final

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Uncertain what is real.

Athson has seen things that aren’t there and suffered fits since being tragically orphaned as a child at the hands of trolls and Corgren the wizard. When a strange will mentioning a mysterious bow comes into his possession, he’s not sure it’s real. But the trolls that soon pursue him are all too real and dangerous. And what’s worse, these raiders serve Corgren and his master, the hidden dragon, Magdronu, who are responsible for the destruction of his childhood home. Athson is drawn into a quest for the concealed Bow of Hart by the mystic Withling, Hastra, but Athson isn’t always sure what’s real and who his enemies are. With Corgren and Magdronu involved, Athson must face not only frequent danger but his grasp on reality and the reasons behind his tragic past.


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IMG_4154-EditAbout the Author

P. H. Solomon lives in the greater Birmingham, AL area where he strongly dislikes yard work and sanding the deck rail. However, he performs these duties to maintain a nice home for his loved ones as well as the family’s German Shepherds. In his spare time, P. H. rides herd as a Computer Whisperer on large computers called servers (harmonica not required). Additionally, he enjoys reading, running, most sports and fantasy football. Having a degree in Anthropology, he also has a wide array of more “serious” interests in addition to working regularly to hone his writing. The Bow of Destiny is his first novel-length title with more soon to come.

Sign-up to receive my free ebooks today.

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