Your error is caused by a mistake in the code not the save file, but that mistake does not exist in the current Ralph's mod. So it appears that you are either using an improper combination of Ralph's program folder with Aric's original mod folder, or you are using a very old version of Ralph's mod. Though the fact that you mention not getting trolls sounds more like your problem is the first one.
As far as fixing save files, that's not hard if you know what needs to be changed as they are simply text files. I have no idea what changes would be needed; that would require identifying a problem and then comparing the relevant code for the two versions. However, it can be tedious searching and changing everything without getting even a single character wrong.