Trolloc Hordes

Lore & Background

Created during the time before the Breaking, Trollocs are a twisted race bred by the Shadowspawn to serve as soldiers. They possess the strength and speed of large predators but lack human intelligence or conscience. Their skin is tough, their senses are acute, particularly smell, allowing them to track prey through darkness or chaos. Unlike humans, they do not fear death, making them fearless in combat where normal armies might break. Throughout history, these hordes have been the vanguard of invasion, pushing against the borders of the civilized world. They are mindless tools, incapable of independent thought beyond following orders given by their Myrddraal commanders. Despite being unable to channel the One Power themselves, they are often used as shields or distractions for more powerful Shadowspawn like Forsaken. Their presence marks the spread of evil, turning fertile lands into barren Blight where nothing can grow.

In Their Own Story

The air grew thick with the smell of rot and old blood as the first horn sounded from the dark treeline. Shadows detached themselves from the trees, moving not with human gait but with a predatory loping stride. Eyes glowed like embers in the gloom, reflecting no light yet seeing everything. A pale figure stepped forward, its face hidden beneath a mask of bone and leather, raising a hand to silence the growls rising from the masses behind it. The ground trembled as thousands of feet struck the earth in unison, a rhythmic pounding that signaled the end of peace for the village beyond the ridge.

Reader's Guide

The Trolloc Hordes operate under a strict hierarchy dictated by the Shadow itself. At the top sit the Forsaken, who command Myrddraal, also known as Fades. These pale, tall figures issue silent commands that Trollocs obey without question. Fear and pain are the primary tools used to maintain discipline within the ranks. The horde has no internal politics or rebellion; their only purpose is conquest and destruction for the Dark One. Their goals remain constant throughout the Third Age: expand the Blight, raid border nations, and weaken the Light's defenses before Tarmon Gai'don. They serve as the foot soldiers of the Shadow, absorbing casualties that would cripple any human army. While they lack strategy, their sheer numbers and relentless nature make them a terrifying threat to the Borderlands. Key leaders are always Myrddraal, though some Forsaken lead directly in major campaigns. There is no conflict within the horde itself, only blind obedience. Their impact on the world balance is devastating; they drain resources from nations like Shienar and Kandor just by existing as a constant military threat. Every raid forces humanity to divert power away from rebuilding or magic study toward survival.

Did You Know?

• Trollocs cannot speak human languages fluently, communicating mostly through growls and gestures.
• They possess rapid healing abilities that allow them to recover from wounds that would kill a normal man.
• Myrddraal command them using a combination of telepathy and the inherent fear they instill in Shadowspawn.
• Their origin is tied directly to the Dark One's prison, emerging from the Blightlands surrounding Shayol Ghul.