Ice Troll

Probably a product of magical tinkering, the ice troll is smaller and brighter than the common troll and looks much like it, except for its semitransparent, icy-cold skin.

Ice trolls know their weaknesses and seldom fight at a disadvantage. Instead of charging blindly they pick off weak foes one at a time, aiming to take them alive. Each claw deals 1d8, and attacks may be split between foes. One in ten uses a weapon, adding +4 damage for Strength.

Regeneration works only in water, at 2 hit points per round, so they make their stand in shallow, ankle-deep pools, often lined with nets to snare attackers. At 0 hit points an ice troll drops to recover rather than dying. Its brittle limbs come off on a natural 20 with an edged weapon. A severed limb in water regenerates 2 hit points per turn; out of water it crawls up to 30 feet toward the nearest water in range. A limb that cannot rejoin within 24 hours dies, but if it keeps wet, the troll grows any missing part back in seven days.

Fire and acid alone stop regeneration, and a troll at 0 hit points burned by either dies for good. Fire deals double damage. Cold and cold spells have no effect, and only magical weapons or missiles can hit it.

Groups of 7-12 live near open water in arctic and subarctic lands. Less hardy than their larger cousins, they cooperate closely, led by the smartest, who keeps them safe and fed. They never stray from their lakes and rivers, so they build clever traps baited with treasure taken from earlier victims. Lairs near settlements hold the whole hoard plus 5-20 human or demihuman prisoners fed on grain and vegetables so meat is always at hand; livestock is a lesser fallback. Mating occurs in spring with a single birth in late fall, and an oversized tribe splits to find a new lair.

Arctic ice trolls hunt remorhaz and even ambush lone frost giants. Smiths and enchanters use their blood when making rings of cold resistance and frost brand swords.