Trolls

 

Trolls are some of the most mis-understand and mysterious creatures in the kingdom. There are two very distinct species of Trolls. The best known is the common ground Troll, or just a Common Troll. These Trolls can be found in almost any area of the Kingdom but are far more numerous in mountainous regions or dense forests. These Trolls are quite small, with an adult standing no more than eight inches in height. While small, these Trolls can be very aggressive, which has led to the demise of many Common Trolls.

The Common Trolls can be very demanding and will defend their area with great vigor. They crave money and are not shy or in any way seclusive creatures, seeking out people to exploit. They generally live in small burrows and will move often depending on weather and the number of people in an area.

Common Trolls primary diet consists of small rodents, insects, and vegetables. They fashion their clothes from scraps of fabric and leather collected in their territory. With their small size they have no forged weapons or tools but will often carry a sharpened spear which they will use both for hunting and self-defense.  The Common Troll is hunted by a number of predators, including bobcats, wolves, bears and others. There is no interaction between the two species of Trolls.

The second species of Trolls is told of in stories and myths. They are often spoken of as dangerous and terrifying creatures. This is primarily due to their size which can be very intimidating. The Mountain Troll can grow to a height of nearly thirty feet. These massive creatures live exclusively in the western areas in the Green Mountains. They will spend their entire lifetime in the dense forest of the mountains. They are not social creatures and come together only when mating. The female will raise the young alone and the young will remain with the mother for the first five to six years.

While these creatures are quite large, they are extremely elusive. They are masters and camouflage and concealment. Some people have attempted to observe Mountain Trolls but found it all but impossible. Though slow, they can easily outmaneuver and evade almost any creature in the forest.  While young Mountain Trolls can be preyed on by mountain lions, bears or wolves, the adult Mountain Troll has no natural enemies. 

A Mountain Troll's diet consists of fruits, vegetables and small game such as rabbits, squirrels and opossums. In some rare cases a Troll will take down a deer or elk, but these animals are generally to fast and attentive for the Trolls to easily hunt.

While they have the strength to forge tools and weapons, Mountain Trolls do not forge or create any tools. They will have a large spear or club which when combined with their massive strength can be very deadly. A Mountain Troll will create a loin cloth from the hides of animals they hunt. Since they hunt smaller animals, they combine numerous pelts, but even then their clothing is quite sparce. 

The Common Troll will speak very well and in certain areas they will learn portions of Elvish and Goblish (The Goblin Language). The Mountain Troll will have no language and communicates through body language and a series of grunts and moans. Many believe this is an indication the Mountain Trolls are less intelligent, but in fact they are far more intelligent than most believe. 

Both Common and Mountain Trolls dislike cold weather and will migrate to lower altitudes during the winter months. In rare cases less scrupulous people have attempted to capture Trolls to use as a side show attraction. Mountain Trolls are normally very passive but will become extremely aggressive and violent when confined. They will fight to the death in an attempt to escape and will refuse any food while in captivity. Common Trolls do not become violent but like their larger cousins they will refuse to eat or drink and will generally die with three to six days. 

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The Outlaw Queen

A 3rd Kingdom Novel

Now Available

eBook or Audio Format

Paperback and Hardcover - coming very soon.

Stepping back beyond the Classical Age by some 200 years, one will find the Age of the Great Queens. Before the Wizard Wars, the kingdom was led by a number of powerful and brilliant women. The first, Queen Eunice, took the throne upon the death of the king. She reigned for fifteen years and was considered a fair and just ruler. Soon afterwards, Queen Hester ascended to the throne. Hester's reign lasted fifty years, one of the longest reigns of any monarch. Her time has been recorded as one of peace and great prosperity.

Queen Megan never ascended to the throne, but after the first war with the Eastern Raiders, Megan was overwhelmed with the horrific casualties and the struggles of those who had been injured in battle. She was solely responsible for a major medical reform which insured the proper care and long-term treatment of battlefield injuries.

Queen Catherine also never sat upon the throne, but her desire to expand the kingdom’s knowledge and education system continues to be felt even today. Her greatest legacy, the Library of Lady Catherine, remains a center of learning and knowledge. The last of the great queen’s was Airien. The times were troubled and filled with uncertainty, treachery and famine. She was the wife and queen to Felix II and they had a son, Felix III. Airien was a strong, intelligent and vibrant woman. She would be forced to deal with severe famine, betrayal, threats to both herself and her infant son, and a new war with the eastern raiders.

This is her story…

Available Now from Amazon

3rd Kingdom now on Audio

I am very pleased to announce that all 3rd Kingdom novels are now available in additional formats. All titles are now available in both hard-cover and audio formats. KDP now offers AI audio versions of these titles. I have attempted to price the audio titles at a very affordable rate ranging from $4.99 up to $8.99. - Enjoy. 

 

Conqueror: The King's Final Decree  Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Tom Raley (Author), Independently Published (Publisher), Virtual Voice (Narrator)

The King's Final Decree - Audio Version

You can find links to all other titles from the links on the left of the website. As always, if you enjoy the stories, please leave a rating and a review or comment. These are very much appreciated, and are very helpful.

New Release

 Execution Games

Who deserves mercy, and who death?

Four convicted killers, all sentenced to death, await their fate in the horrific confines of the northern dungeons. Life is brutal and hope all but extinguished when they are summoned before the governor. Expecting their sentences to be carried out, they instead find the governor struggling with a moral dilemma. Who has the right to take the life of another? The governor, under intense pressure from the magistrates and his own daughter, decides on a most unconventional solution. He will allow fate to decide who lives, and who dies.

The Northern territory's annual festival is underway, and this year it coincides with the Festival of the Arrow, the archery championship of the entire kingdom.  The convicted men, if they choose, will ride in a wagon used as the target for the long range archery competition. If they survive the two day ordeal, they will earn their freedom. They each reflect on how they got here, what awaits them should they earn their freedom, and how they are to deal with the onslaught of dozens of potentially lethal arrows showering down upon them.

Emotions are raw, the fear tangible, and the stakes literally life and death. How will each cope, and who if anyone will fate allow to survive, the execution games.

 Will be available 2/20/2024 in eBook, Paperback and Hardcover.

Pre-Order you eBook copy today.