[MSPA] - Troll HC

[Trolls]

Trolls are a race of semi-parasitic, Insect-like Humanoids that are Violent by nature. They live radically varying Lifespans based off of the color of their blood, a Hemospectrum which has impacted their entire Social Structure. While all Trolls share some standard physical traits (Grey Skin, Yellow Sclera, Orange Horns, Black Hair), individual Physiology can vary drastically from Troll to Troll even within the same Caste of the Hemospectrum. This is largely in part to the Hormones of their Lusus and their Dietary and Environmental upbringings, factors which also dictate things such as Physical Sex and Secondary Specialized Characteristics (Wings, Claws, Tails, etc.).

Trolls are capable of a speech pattern known as ‘Complex’ Polyphonic Overtone, allowing them to create two separate notes while vocalizing and speaking. Alternian Language uses this dual-tone to convey more complex thoughts, tones, and inflections, making it difficult (if not entirely impossible) for Humans to speak Alternian Proper. Most Alternians opt into learning English if they are going to come into contact with Humans, as it’s a simpler fix.

(Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC9Qh709gas )

Complex Polyphonic Overtone allows for 1-3 simultaneous thoughts to be communicated between Trolls in a very short period of time. While this sounds like incomprehensible garbage to any party who cannot speak Alternian Proper, this has allowed for shorter Social Interactions and is largely necessary to prevent conflict from prolonged exposure to one another.

This has lead to the necessitation of things like Typing Quirks and Trollian Slang to supplement the lost subtleties of Alternian Proper.

[Puns and Wordplay]

Due to the inability to speak multiple layers of English, Trolls have adapted types of Wordplay to help get their intentions across. While the most common of these are Portmanteaus of words that closest resemble the Alternian Proper they’re attempting to replace (Legislator + Lacerator = Legislacerator, a Lawyer/Bounty Hunter/Executioner), less common ‘vocal quirks’ are the use of Puns or Plays on Words due to the inability to use Lineage-Specific Polyphonic Sounds while speaking.

The use of Puns and Wordplay is considered extremely casual and somewhat childish for the most part and is largely used between Friends to communicate intention and play. One would never use Puns or Wordplay in the presence of one above your own Caste unless a prior relationship existed, or in an ‘Official’ setting such as a meeting or legal hearing.

Due to this, when Puns and Wordplay are used by Highbloods (such in the case of Her Imperious Condescension), it can be seen as a Threat; the use of casual language from a Tyrian to castes lower than their own is meant to disarm and discomfort the hearer, much the same way a venus fly trap releases sweet smelling pheromones to put its prey at ease.

Such manner of speech serves a dual purpose, however, in the disconnect between Trollian and Human cultures in making Trolls who use gratuitous Puns and Wordplay seem like less of a mental, and by extension, physical threat. This allows for a greater chance of underestimation, and is largely something Trolls lean in towards and embrace.