Session 4: The Bridge Troll Problem
A troll named Grog and his cousins have set up residence under the East Bridge and are refusing to let anyone cross unless they pay a toll of ‘something that was never yours to keep.’ Nobody in town knows what this means. Commerce is grinding to a halt.
Grog is enormous, grey-green, and currently sitting under the bridge eating something that was probably a hat. He looks up at you with eyes the color of old moss. ‘Something that was never yours to keep,’ he says, by way of greeting. ‘That’s the toll. Everyone’s got one. Find it. Pay it. Cross.’
DM NOTE
Grog is not malicious — he’s applying a law he genuinely believes in, from a troll tradition about the weight of unearned things. He cannot be bribed with gold. He cannot be intimidated (he’s a troll). He can be reasoned with. The toll is different for each person: something they hold onto that was never truly theirs — a grudge, a borrowed identity, a promise made on someone else’s behalf. Players who engage with this honestly get to cross freely and earn his respect. Players who try to cheat get thrown into the river (3d6 bludgeoning, it’s cold, they’re fine).
Grog — Combat Block (If It Comes to That)
| Stat | Value |
| Creature | Troll (MM p.291) — modified |
| HP | 84 (8d10+40) |
| AC | 15 (natural armor) |
| Key Attack | Multiattack: Bite (1d6+4) + 2× Claw (2d6+4) |
| Regeneration | Regains 10 HP at start of turn unless took acid or fire damage this turn |
| Tactics | Grog is reluctant to fight — will warn the party twice before attacking. If brought below 30 HP by non-fire/acid, he retreats under the bridge and sulks. He does not pursue. |
| Note | Killing Grog earns XP but loses them a future ally. He knows things about the mountains and has contacts among the river creatures. |
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