Are trolls merely mindless animals, or are they sentient? I began to wonder after seeing a mod in progress that features armored trolls. http://www.imperial-library.info/obbooks/bridge_note.shtml would seem to indicate some level of intelligence, low though it may be.

It seems like they have a low IQ, even lower then that of goblins. Like the example you gave, at least one can write somewhat, but for the most part, they seem very, very, stupid.

it seems they have some kind of low grade intellect, i would say they are sentient, if they can write then that is showing some potential.

Kind've like modern day politicians.

I won't say more, me not like breaking forum rules.

Thing is, I suspect that particular troll was a genius, comparatively. I'm not really sure that trolls would be capable of making armor. Most likely making weapons wouldn't occur to them with teeth and claws like that, although they did have clubs in Arena. I suppose they might obtain weapons and armor from goblins or something.

The Grahl (ice trolls on Solstheim) do have limited intelligence, enough to make a deal with Krish and then betray him.

I imagine that particular troll was just an anomaly. He's the Albert Einstein of trolls. Consider this. Most trolls will mindlessly attack the player upon sight. They are primal creatures. This troll, however, was not only intelligent enough to understand some written language, but was attempting to form an enterprise. No average troll would have the need to enact a "brijj tole", as they have no need for the common currency. This troll was making an attempt to assimilate into "civil society" by trying to earn Septims, something he would not have any use for. He was a visionary. His inability to spell is no way to judge his intelligence. He was an innovative thinker. Ignorance of written language does not mean idiocy. For all we know, he was dyslexic.

It also takes a rather developed mind to grasp the idea that life is not worth living.

I think that troll was purely an easter egg, as the troll from the billy goat's gruff story, with the three goats trying to get across the bridge, only to knock him off when the third gets across. I'd say don't look into too much, and assume they're pretty much just animals (at least the OB kind)

Well http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentient in trolls is debatable, as the definition of sentience is disputable. Trolls are clearly not http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentient, with the possible exception of the Brijj Tole Troll. They can clearly feel pain and suffer, which is one of the definitions of sentience. If you are going by the Hindu definition of sentience, then Trolls are highly sentient, probably 5th lvl (on a scale of 1-6, water being 1, humans being 6)

edited for punctuation

If we assume the Horror at Dive Rock and her offspring from Solsthiem are related to Trolls, then some of their kin are able to use strong Chameleon spells (which may or may not be genetic) and fight using the severed limbs of slain enemies, using them as crude tools.

It's possible they're of an average ape level intelligence, but not sapient.

I dont know about that... Brijj Tole troll might not be such an anomaly. As for the argument that he was visionary because he was charging for septims--- I could dispute that as well. Gold is pretty shiny afterall. Having lots of shiny things could make him seem sixy in troll society, if such a thing exists. (which I think there are enough subtle hints to suggest such-- but something akin to cave-man like society.)

More telling, is the fact that Brijj Tole troll has grasped the abstract notion of written language. Humans didnt use written languages for THOUSANDS of years. While apparent that he did not CREATE the language, the fact that he can employ one (however poorly) suggests that not only that trolls have limited sapience, but that they are also capable of being educated.

Capable of being "Reformed" is a whole other ball of wax though.