I like to draw on the original folklore and more recent takes (which usually originate in D&D or anime) but try to give it a twist by recombining. These three are interesting because they kind of have the same role in folklore: “savage,” brutish and larger/stronger than people, who’ll bully you or kill you if you go into their territory. Probably originated as early “civilized” people’s way of talking trash about tribes with less technology who were furrier/hairier, or maybe even Neanderthals vs. homo sapniens. In stories, heroes defeat or trick these brutes to win treasures and rescue people, etc. But of course it’s more interesting these days to think about it from their point of view.
Ogre: originally French, same origin as “Orc” (from the man-eating god Orcus of the lost Etruscan civilization). Big, hairy, huge hands and heads, eats kids and adventurers for breakfast, don’t go in their homes. Most famous new version: Shrek. My take would be: once a noble people who were mutated and bred by wizards to be guards, shock troops and servants. If they were left alone, they’d be kind of like Klingons or Warcraft orcs, but they’ve been forced (through magic or breeding) into thinking all they can do is serve as muscle. Beige to dark green skin tones.
Troll: originally Scandinavian, and a little less hostile to humans, smaller than the others, more into hiding in the wild places. Original version turned into stone in the sunlight. D&D version was very different: distorted physique (long dragging limbs, huge nose, pits for eyes) and super-fast regeneration, have to kill with fire or acid. Known for guarding bridges. Most famous new version: probably World of Warcraft trolls, which are D&D trolls + Caribbean culture for some reason. My take would be: skinny and lanky like D&D / WoW trolls, if they stand all the way up they’re 1.5x as tall as a human. More cunning, selfish and hate humans, and the regeneration idea is cool. Maybe same kind of personality as DBZ Piccolo, but look way creepier. Blue/purple/black skin tones. LIve in small family-based tribes, deep in the wilderness.
Oni: originally Japanese, definitely not worshipped by Japanese people, little kids in Japan do Setsubun every February and throw beans at a grown-up dressed as an Oni to drive them away, because they’re evil spirits. Original version was big and muscular, wears animal skins, wields huge iron club (testubo). Skin color is important traditionally: blue and red, and then the powerful black ones. Always have horns. Most famous new version: probably “cute Oni” that look more like elves with horns, as in Re:Zero and Tensura. My take would be: size of a large, buff human, tough bodybuilder types, male and female. No more Bisho Oni. Horn shape depending on clan — long graceful horns are sword Oni who are snobby, little yellow & black cone horns are the rank and file bruiser Oni. Red and Blue Oni have opposite personalities (hot/cool) and often in relationships, but they’re all kind of bad-tempered. Black Oni are super-rare nobility. Unlike Ogres or Trolls, Oni have their own kingdom and society.
