Scattered groups of troll still survive in less populated areas in Denmark, incl. Bornholm, West Jutland, and certain smaller islands and islets. Their diet seems to consist of mainly berries, fish, mussels, potatoes, and mushrooms, and they collect amber and beautiful seashells which they exchange with their northern relatives for gold, animal hides etc. through very intricate trade routes across (or perhaps below) Kattegat. They were heavily persecuted during the Middle Ages and are therefore very fearful and suspicious of man which is probably why they usually live in deep underground dwellings and only appear above ground for a longer period on equinox (Dan. jævndøgn) when they meet at old heathen sites, the so-called "jættehøje" (Engl. dolmens, literally 'giant hills'>, to perform their songs to the sun but they are always very careful not to leave any conspicuous traces as they are well-aware of humans' uninhibited and indiscrete curiosity in this part of Trolldom. As for physical characteristics they are likely to be smaller, more sturdy and have a darker complexion than the other Scandinavian trolls, probably due to their subterranean existence, and can therefore easily be mistaken for dwarfs (in case one should be as fortunate as to meet both during one's life time...).
These early ancestors of the trolls of Scandinavia settled in the Dark North shortly after the last ice age but disappeared with the spread of modern humans. Also called Jotuns (or 'jætter' in Danish), they were said to be creatures of a very fierce temper who spent most of their life in these cold and forbidding regions fighting over the few existent food resources, and local myths in all of the Scandinavian countries still tell about whole islands and mountains that were thrown many miles to chase other giants away. At least three giants are known to have existed between 12000 and 9000 BC:
The Frost Giant Known from the Edda as the inhabitant of Jotunheim, the Frost Giant was a very lonely creature of enormous size who, when he was particularly hungry (and unhappy) could eat several large Swedish mountains. Some of these he spit out and they landed in the Baltic Sea where they became the Aaland Islands. It is said that his lonely howl could even scare the cold arctic winds...
The Sea Giant Another lonely creature who inhabited undersea caves in Norwegian fjords and was a very good swimmer, although no match to whales which is why he soon disappeared. He is said to have survived on the misty Faroe Isles until historical times, but noone really knows.
The Earth Giant The most likely direct ancestor of modern trolls, the earth giant had the best food resources of all the troll giants, but his enormous size and hunger - his diet is said to have consisted of "everything within reach" - made him quite immobile and therefore very vulnerable to sudden climactic changes, and he was soon replaced by smaller and more flexible kinds of troll with a more environmental-friendly appetite.
Troll Seasons
Spring
When the snow melts and the first flowers appear on the ground, the trolls leave their caves to look for wood and begin repairing their dwellings after the long hard winter
Summer
When the wind from the mountains grows warmer and the landscape returns to greenness, the season of play begins and old friends meet again.
Autumn
When the leaves change colour it is time to prepare for the long winter, go fishing or hunting, gather mushrooms and berries and secure their storage before the first snowdrops fall.
Winter
As blizzards ravage the forest and mountains, the trolls gather around the fire in their caves, talking about the year that was and making plans for the next
From The Secret Denmark
These early ancestors of the trolls of Scandinavia settled in the Dark North shortly after the last ice age but disappeared with the spread of modern humans. Also called Jotuns (or 'jætter' in Danish), they were said to be creatures of a very fierce temper who spent most of their life in these cold and forbidding regions fighting over the few existent food resources, and local myths in all of the Scandinavian countries still tell about whole islands and mountains that were thrown many miles to chase other giants away. At least three giants are known to have existed between 12000 and 9000 BC:
The Frost Giant Known from the Edda as the inhabitant of Jotunheim, the Frost Giant was a very lonely creature of enormous size who, when he was particularly hungry (and unhappy) could eat several large Swedish mountains. Some of these he spit out and they landed in the Baltic Sea where they became the Aaland Islands. It is said that his lonely howl could even scare the cold arctic winds...
The Sea Giant Another lonely creature who inhabited undersea caves in Norwegian fjords and was a very good swimmer, although no match to whales which is why he soon disappeared. He is said to have survived on the misty Faroe Isles until historical times, but noone really knows.
The Earth Giant The most likely direct ancestor of modern trolls, the earth giant had the best food resources of all the troll giants, but his enormous size and hunger - his diet is said to have consisted of "everything within reach" - made him quite immobile and therefore very vulnerable to sudden climactic changes, and he was soon replaced by smaller and more flexible kinds of troll with a more environmental-friendly appetite.
Troll Seasons
Spring
When the snow melts and the first flowers appear on the ground, the trolls leave their caves to look for wood and begin repairing their dwellings after the long hard winter
Summer
When the wind from the mountains grows warmer and the landscape returns to greenness, the season of play begins and old friends meet again.
Autumn
When the leaves change colour it is time to prepare for the long winter, go fishing or hunting, gather mushrooms and berries and secure their storage before the first snowdrops fall.
Winter
As blizzards ravage the forest and mountains, the trolls gather around the fire in their caves, talking about the year that was and making plans for the next
From The Secret Denmark
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