History of the Nyform trolls

Far to the North where the winter storms whip the weather-beaten coasts, you

will find a long and narrow country. Here you see dark forests with moonlit

lakes, deep fjords surrounded by mighty snowcapped mountains, and long

rivers and cold streams cascading down the mountain sides.

Nowadays this country is covered by snow and ice only six months a year. A

long, long time ago, however, there existed a massive glacier that brooded

over the entire country for thousands of years.

As the climate gradually warmed and the glacier slowly retreated to the

North, Man to the South of the glacier followed in its wake. Looking at this

country and finding it to be magnificent, they considered themselves to be

its first inhabitants. People settled there and named it Norway. They were

themselves called 'nordmenn' (Men of the North).

It did not take them long, however, to realize that on this land there were

various other creatures hiding out in the forests and mountain sides. People

did not know what these creatures were, but they were generally believed to

have supernatural powers, and they came to be known as trolls.

The trolls would come out of their hiding-places only after sun-set, and

they would disappear before the morning sun arose in the East. Direct

exposure to the sun could cause them to crack, turn into stone and possibly

burst. On occasion the trolls would evidently forget to hide from the sun,

The trolls were mostly seen on bright moonlit nights, or during stormy

The trolls had very distinct features. They had long crooked noses, only

Some trolls were giants, and others were small. There were stories of two-

headed as well as three-headed trolls, and even a few had only one eye in

growth all over their heads and noses.

Although they were shaggy and rough-haired, and most looked frightening,

they were also known to be good-natured and naive. So naive in fact that

encounters are common in the fairy tales.

Most trolls lived to be hundreds of years old. However, because of the

trolls extremely shy nature, their true origin, their lifestyle or what

surprises they might pull has always been a mystery.

The ability to transform themselves counted among the trolls many

supernatural skills. The fairy maidens - called "Hulder" - could transform

into incredibly attractive young ladies. However, they could not get rid of

their tails. Hunters and farmers sons, who were lured to the mountains by

The wrath of the trolls was boundless. It was therefore considered very

important not to make them your enemy. If a farmer did provoke a troll, his

livestock might be subject to disease or harmful sickness, or worse things

rewarding.

Now, even in modern times it is well advised to keep a good standing with

the trolls, since you never know when you will meet one yourself. The next

time you go to the dark forests and the mighty mountains with their deep

lakes and roaring waterfalls, just remember, they probably mean no harm. But

be aware. In the twilight hours you are no longer alone.

Then it is only you . . . and all the trolls.