Chapter Text
When the first 6 trolls were created, the world was silent. They did not yet have their music. Or their color.
It was just a bland expanse for them to explore. So the original six tried to make it fun. They would explore every forest, every cave, every cliff, every river. They tried whatever they could to keep entertained.
Until they saw it all. Then the boredom came. The trolls pleaded to the muses to make the world more interesting. The fourth Muse, Euterpe of Music, loved her creatures. She loved their curiosity, their happiness, their humanity. So she took pity on them and told them that she would grant them each a wish, give each of them a music of their choice.
She went to the first troll, a troll with fins and a block texture, one that her sisters had designed perfectly for the water. She asked him, “What kind of music would you like?”
He responded, “I would like a music that sounds strong, but beautiful and flowing like the sea. A type of music that is so hypnotic, it can make people get caught up in it like the tides.”
Euterpe granted his wish. She created techno music, a music so powerful that it was felt deep within the bones like a strong current, but could also calm them to a ripple.
She went to the next troll, a troll with four legs and a long neck, adapted to heights. She asked him, “What kind of music would you like?”
He responded, “I would like a music slow like the stream, but loose like the dirt and danceable like the wind through my fur.”
Euterpe granted his wish. She created funk music, a music interlocking like the sky and the ground, energetic like the animals running through, and with a rhythmic pulse, like the life in this world.
The third troll was a special one, a troll with four spaced out legs with hooves, a troll designed to run through rocky terrain. She asked her, “What kind of music would you like?”
She responded, “I want a music steady like the shifting ground, whistling like the wind, and harmony like our people. I want music that can go fast and slow like the ups and downs of life.”
Euterpe granted her wish. She created country music, a music with a tempo like the beat of a heart, a voice that could harmonize a crowd, and a soul that could express the woes of life.
The fourth troll was one not like the others, a troll with two legs and two wings, one smaller than the rest. It was obvious that this one was made for flying. She asked him, “What kind of music would you like?”
He responded, “I would like a music that is expressive like a troll, complex like the world, and inspiring to all those who hear it.”
Euterpe granted his wish. She created classical music, a music melodic like peace, invigorating like challenges, and beautiful like the change of life.
The fifth troll was a unique, a troll with two legs and thick dark skin. A troll made to withstand high temperatures. She asked her, “What kind of music would you like?”
She responded, “I want a music loud like our wants, booming like our minds, a music that will never go unnoticed by the world.”
Euterpe granted her wish. She created rock music, a music the likes of which the world has never seen. A music energetic like the troll, expressive like a being, and raw like our hearts.
The last troll was a different one, the troll was much like the fifth one, but with thinner and lighter skin. The troll looked regular at first glance, but Euterpe knew the truth. The last troll had hair that could bend, stretch, and create, much like the troll herself. Euterpe knew this troll would have a truly special request, and she did.
Euterpe asked her, “What kind of music would you like?”
The troll responded with, “I want a music that is happy, expressive, and lifting like the others. I want a music that could unite us all.”
Euterpe was shocked. No being had ever thought to use her gift to unite others. All around them, the other trolls saw and agreed. They all wanted their music to be able to unite the world. So she agreed. She created pop music, a music designed for all the world to sing along.
All at once, the trolls started singing. And then there was color. It spread through the world faster than the eye could see. Now everything was new to explore, and the trolls were happy.
But then, the troll that had asked for the rock music, she asked Euterpe a question. “What if we regret the music we chose? What if we wanted to switch our music.” Euterpe thought for a moment and came up with a solution.
She created The Song of the Stars. The Song of the Stars was a ritual that a troll could do to switch their music. It only required one troll from one of the six original music genres. The ritual had to take place under a blue moon at midnight. If the troll truly wanted to switch their, or someone else's, music, they could.
And for thousands of years, peace reigned the land. If a troll ever felt disconnected from their music and wanted a change, they could. Until one night.
A troll masked in shadows and cloth climbed to the highest peak of the tallest mountain. Under the blue moon, he pulled out a lyre, a keyboard, an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, a record player, and a microphone. He arranged them in a circle around a pedestal carved of rock. There was an inscription on the side, with a carving showing six trolls surrounding a star.
He read the inscription around the rock, and each carved line began to glow. He could feel the power pulsing out of the rock, testing how badly he wanted his wish. He had spent 2 years learning everything he could about the rock, and trekked the long journey to try to get here. All of this just to get back at the person he felt wronged him.
The rock deemed him worthy, for his dedication was not like any they have felt before. They granted his wish, and in the morning...
...every troll was in for a surprise.