Half-trolls

Half-troll of Far Harad, as depicted in The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game

"Gothmog the lieutenant of Morgul had flung them into the fray; Easterlings with axes, and Variags of Khand, Southrons in scarlet, and out of Far Harad black men like half-trolls with white eyes and red tongues."

—The Lord of the Rings, Vol. III, The Return of the King, Book V, Ch. IV, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"

"Half-trolls" or "troll-men" was a term used to describe a group of Men from Far Harad who served the Dark Lord Sauron and resembled Trolls. They were said to have black skin, white eyes and red tongues.

They were mentioned only once, in a passage that stated they were under the command of Gothmog (who was the lieutenant of Morgul during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields), alongside the other man-allies of Sauron. The half-trolls were driven out of the Pelennor Fields by the Swan-knights of Dol Amroth along with many Orcs and Variags.

While this term was used only in relation to a mannish group with 'trollish' traits, it is possible that half-trolls (in which these men were compared to) actually do exist, even if only in folklore. If true half-trolls did exist, it is possible they were members of a hybrid race, being bred in a similarly way to the half-orcs of Saruman.

In adaptations

The Hunt for Gollum

In the non-canonical and non-profit movie The Hunt for Gollum, the Orc chieftain Goblok attacks Aragorn. He is said to be a half-troll on a website by the cast member that played him.

Video games

A half-troll swordsman in ROTWK

• Half-trolls appear in The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II. Goblins, Orcs and Uruk-hai were all created for the express purpose of war by dark powers. It is from this wicked tradition that the half-trolls were born. By crossing a troll and an orc there came into existence a rare but hefty breed of warrior. While trolls are strong but stupid, and goblins are numerous but frail, the marauders were strong and clever enough to eke out an existence wandering the empty wastes of the north. As a race hunted by the clever Dúnedain Rangers, the marauders never found peace on their own, and as such their numbers remained few. It was in this way that the goblins pressed the half-trolls into the service of war. The marauders were welcomed into the caverns of the Misty Mountains upon the condition that they would don the twisted metal armor of the goblin army and fight when they were called upon. Now the goblins deploy the marauders where they fight best: in open battle against large opponents such as cavalry. When wielding a giant gnarled pike set for a charge, the brutal half-trolls are imposing and smart enough to use their weapons effectively. The half-troll swordsmen, who only appear in the game's expansion, The Rise of the Witch-king, are similar to the marauders but have swords instead of pikes. They have helmets and armor that are the same as the marauders', but more knight-like than goblin-Like.

• In Third Age: Total war, they are available to the Harad faction and are advanced light infantry known as troll-men of Harad.

• Half-trolls appear in The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game as part of the Mahûd faction of the Harad army. Revered by the Mahûd for their physical prowess, they are used alongside Haradrim hosts during the Great War of the Ring.

Gallery

Half-troll marauders in the BFME games as part of the goblin faction

Half-troll swordsman in The Rise of the Witch-king

Strategy Battle Game Half-trolls