Tradition: Norwegian Mythology
Alternative Names: Devil Whale
Category: Whale
The Myth
The Trolual is an enormous whale depicted on ancient ocean maps, particularly in the northern Atlantic around Scandinavia. It has prominent tusks, frills, paws, and large scales covering its body. These whales are said to be as large as mountains, with vegetation sometimes growing on their backs.
When a Trolual sleeps on the surface of the ocean, it resembles a small island. Unwary sailors may land on its back, walk around, or even build a fire before the whale awakens and dives beneath the waves, drowning anyone who remains aboard. Troluals also attack ships directly, crushing and overturning them.
Sailors can distract a Trolual by sounding trumpets, whose noise startles and confuses it, or by throwing barrels into the sea. While the whale plays with the objects, the ship can escape. Despite their enormous size, Troluals are exploited by humans, and according to Münster, Icelanders use their bones to build houses.
The Trolual appears in the tale of Alector, where one emerges off the coast of the Asian Tangut Empire and ravages harbours every full moon. It is eventually defeated and killed with the help of a magical flying hippopotamus.
Sources
“Trolual.” A Book of Creatures, June 8, 2015. https://abookofcreatures.com/2015/06/08/trolual/