Troll, Steppe (Warrior)

Family: Troll

Large giant, lawful neutral

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	8 (-1)	17 (+3)	9 (-1)	9 (-1)	6 (-2)

Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 68 (8d10 + 24)
Speed 30 ft.
Skills Animal Handling +1, Perception +1
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Giantish, Ledean
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Special Traits

• Bred to the Saddle. When mounted, steppe trolls have advantage on melee attack rolls against any unmounted creatures that are Large or smaller.
• Keen Sight. The steppe troll has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
• Regeneration. The steppe troll regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the troll takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the troll’s next turn. The steppe troll dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.
• Sturdy Bow. The steppe troll relies on its prodigious strength to bend its greatbow. Such a weapon adds a creature’s Strength modifier to its damage and can only be wielded by a creature with 18 or higher Strength.

Actions

• Multiattack. The steppe troll makes two saber or two greatbow attacks.
• Lance. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) piercing damage. This weapon has disadvantage against opponents within 5 ft.
• Saber. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
• Greatbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, range 80/320, one target. Hit: 15 (2d6+4) piercing damage.

Tactics

Steppe trolls prefer to fight from the saddle and, unlike their more primitive cousins, they do so with weapons, riding down and striking foes with long heavy lances and curved sabers. Although they hunt with their massive bows, they regard ranged combat as cowardly. If badly hurt, Steppe trolls will use time to their advantage, such as taking the Dodge action while they regenerate.

Description

This large humanoid’s knobby, greenish-brown skin is visible only on its hands and face, for the rest of its body is covered with wrought chain and still leather, from which hints of elaborate tattoos peek out. The considerable bulk of their knotted muscles is further exaggerated by the severed heads with which they decorate their armor.

Tribal Nomads. Steppe trolls live in nomadic clans on harsh windswept steppes, driving herds of horses and oxen between their seasonal homes on the grasslands. Although livestock raids and skirmishes between war-bands are part of their life, steppe trolls have a code of honor and even hospitality not shared by their savage distant cousins, the common trolls.

Wary Traders. Steppe trolls are suspicious of outsiders but will trade with humans who travel in peace through their lands. However, they are wary protectors of their horses – greatly prized for their size and strength – and deal harshly with those who would steal them.

Mystic Errantry. Although the tribal steppe trolls live in clans and are usually encountered in groups close to their homeland, occasionally a young warrior will be sent by their tribe’s shaman on an arduous quest, forbidden to return until they have accomplished some great task or deed as commanded by their gods.