the implications of the desert troll.

 

When we think of Norse Mythology we think of the "nor-" prefix for the North, that these colder climes specifically inspired or fostered the Norse Lore. And yet, as we look at the Norse Cosmology with its whole fiery world of Múspellsheimr, the raging volcanos of Iceland's Midgardian landscape, the lava tube cavern of Surtshellir, the geysirs & hot spring pools, we find many heat-centric constructs. Add the Viking explorations of the Mediterranean into arid Northern Africa & the Middle East, such encounters had to open up hotter climates to be contextualized within their Heathen Worldview.

To NorsePlay: When Odin, Vili, & Vé create the Nine Worlds, this accounts for all Midgard's landscapes and attendant weathers, which includes the deserts. These same areas would also have attendant Landvættir, the spirits that occupy that land, plus Álfar, Hulderfolk, Dvergar, all as forces that support & interact with most portions of Midgard. Just like any open meta/physical real estate, this would include the transitive idea of adversarial Desert Trolls. The desert, whether barren sandy Saharan dunes or cactus & scrub Sonoran, is an adversarial environment. The heat & lack of resources will eventually kill you, just as much as a blizzard & freezing temperatures will, so embodying this threat would be the same Trolls you would find in such wilderlands, ergo Desert Trolls. So whether as a metaphor or as a metaphysical being that manifests, either way, the desert is going to troll you.

[Desert Troll screenshot from sci-fi fantasy videogame Elex. Note the desert horny toad/tortoise adaptive skin.]

#    #    #

Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires' Norse Gods and Giants at age seven. Since then he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the Map of Midgard project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay. If you have employment/opportunities in investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer, do contact him.