Overview

Lol is a light-blue pygmy troll who first appears guarding the former bard arena. He is small enough to reach only Sir Roderick’s midsection, but sufficiently observant to survive employment under Sir Ruprecht, warn visitors about the arena’s unusual rules, and understand a turn-based combat system better than either combatant.

His name rhymes with “troll,” a fact he offers as helpfully as possible. Lol begins with only one person he considers a true friend. He nevertheless treats that single friendship as a greater treasure than a hundred shallow acquaintances.

The Small Troll

Lol’s size separates him from other trolls and influences how nearly everyone treats him. He has messy red hair, enormous ears, a bulbous nose, chipped teeth, and battered shoes that fail to contain all his toes.

He is accustomed to being underestimated and is genuinely touched when Bellissimo refers to him simply as a troll rather than emphasizing his small stature. His response reveals both the loneliness beneath his humor and the importance he places on being recognized as himself.

Arena Security

Lol serves as door guard, night security, and general employee at an arena controlled by Sir Ruprecht. The position is neither safe nor well managed. Lol worries that the statues move at night and knows that the previous security troll did not survive long.

He explains that visitors who want an audience with the owner must first defeat him in mortal combat. The warning is delivered with honesty rather than intimidation. Lol would prefer that pleasant travelers avoid becoming permanent arena decorations.

Sir Roderick’s Arena Battle

When Sir Roderick faces Ruprecht, Lol becomes an unexpected tactical ally. He secretly places a useful countermeasure in Roderick’s pack, warns him when to use an item, and helps Bellissimo provide the only supportive cheering in an arena filled with hostile ghosts.

Ruprecht fires him for the betrayal, though Lol correctly observes that the decision matters only if his employer wins. The exchange captures Lol’s quiet courage: he is afraid of the arena’s owner, but kindness from strangers is enough to make him choose a side.

A Friend to Petra

Lol helps Petra locate the stables and becomes part of the wider company surrounding the bard competition. Jackdaw later sends him to search for her when she disappears, trusting the little troll with a task that matters deeply to the wizard.

After the final conflict, Lol settles at Arach’s manor, where Petra has remained as helper and organizer. The arrangement gives him work, companionship, and a household where unusual bodies and complicated histories are ordinary facts rather than causes for exclusion.

Friendship with Officer Glocke

During the company’s refuge in Jackdaw’s tower, Lol forms an unlikely friendship with Officer Glocke. Both are physically small, energetic, curious, and entirely willing to test magical safeguards that were installed specifically to prevent curious people from entering secret rooms.

Their friendship gives Lol a peer who values action over stature. Together they explore the tower, investigate forbidden spaces, and contribute enough commotion to remind the survivors that the world has not become completely joyless.

First Mate of the Cinder

Lol accompanies Captain Rightbeard and Willow during their expedition. When asked to guard The Cinder, he negotiates the position of first mate. Since he is also the only mate present, the promotion is technically indisputable.

His enthusiasm for anti-piracy demonstrates one of his defining traits: he embraces meaningful belonging wherever it appears. A title, a task, and another person’s trust are enough to make him stand straighter.

Restoration to Full Size

When the final crisis reshapes the land, Lol begins growing as he runs across the renewed grass. He reaches the size of a regular troll and celebrates becoming the person he believes he was always meant to be.

The transformation does not create his courage, loyalty, or worth. Those qualities were already visible when he was small. His restoration instead gives outward form to an identity he had defended long before the world recognized it.

Personality

• Loyal: Risks his position to help people who treated him kindly.
• Practical: Understands arena rules, supplies, stables, and security better than many grander heroes.
• Friendly: Values one sincere friendship more than a crowd of false ones.
• Brave: Acts while frightened rather than waiting to become fearless.
• Literal: Often answers exactly the question asked, which is more useful than it sounds.
• Adventurous: Will investigate almost any forbidden room provided someone else goes first.

Why He Matters

Lol represents the difference between being small and being insignificant. He repeatedly affects events through information, loyalty, and well-timed intervention rather than spectacular power.

His story also mirrors the larger company’s movement from isolation toward chosen family. The troll who begins with one friend ends surrounded by allies, entrusted with ships and searches, restored to his full stature, and welcomed into a permanent home.

One good friend is so much better than a hundred bad ones.

—Lol the Troll

Appearances

• Battle of the Bards — arena guard, tactical ally, and member of the surviving company
• The End of the Quest as We Know It — anti-pirate first mate, restoration, and later life at Arach’s manor
• A Wonderful Week for a Quest — the complete original series

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