this almost feels like powerleveling in that it puts me as having read and enjoyed the comic but here you go:
-troll romance quadrants-
this is a reimagining of human emotions and types of relationships for the alien race of trolls. there are 4 types, each associated with one of the suits and colors of a deck of cards. Red (hearts and diamonds) are "positive", while Black (clubs, spades) are "negative". The idea is that both types of interaction are good and healthy for a person's character development, unless someone crosses a line such as murder, rape, or general non-consent/mutilation.
The troll arc shows this happening through the characters and the use of this made up relationship-describer.
"Moirails" (diamonds, <> ) are like best friends, the ones you can talk about everything from stuff you should get therapy for to bodily functions. Think platonic life partners, bffs who grew up together, and support friends, but with the specific goals of keeping each other alive and emotionally stable. No fucking unless desperate. This is the most crucial relationship for the trolls to have so they don't go off the deep end.
"Matesprits" (hearts, <3 ) is the equivalent of a traditional human bf/gf situation. Trolls in the story are naturally more violent and live in a violent society, so their level of "affection" starts at "you didn't try to kill me upon passing". They don't really get shown as 'loving', but rather this relationship is built around breeding, physical protection, and lust. Mostly genetic matching type mating based on blood color.
Kismesis (spade, <3<) is "hate" based. Think enemies to lovers, hate fucking, rivals, archenemies etc. Unlike red relationships, the involved parties are responsible for regulating their own emotions, but like matesprits, kismesisitudes are for the purpose of making the other person better through physical and verbal exchanges. In a pinch, this is the back up breeding relationship if the government drones come knocking so you don't get culled (killed). Mostly breaking each other's shit for fun, calling them names, and then fucking after.
Lastly, Auspistice (clubs, c3< ). For when you REALLY wanna hatefuck, but you're too likely to literally strangle the life out of someone. This is the only relationship that involves 3 people. Two haters, and the one who enjoys mediating the conflict between them. This is the most theatrical, with most of it being therapy sessions, keeping them at bay from each other and rarely fucking. It tends to be a rarer relationship as most trolls can't regulate their emotions long enough to get a third, and this is the one most likely to fall apart and have two parties go full black (kismises) or the arbitrator becoming someone's moirail.
-random terms-
alternia-the planet of the trolls. the sun extra sucks here.
Pom de la pounce- the guardian creature/parent of this particular character. manifests as a large cat.
LOLCAT- the name of the game planet this character gets thrown onto when entering the game of the story
Equius- the moirail of this character. sweaty muscular mechanic who likes milk and robot maids.
Trollian- in universe chat client
hope that clears things. feel free to tap me for anymore translations, this bullshit lives rent free in my head.
