Ettin

Slow to come to decisions but quick to take offense, ettins are a kind of giant folk possessing two heads. Hundreds of years ago they were a common sight in the fertile valley lands, living in small family groups and taking advantage of the abundant prey with their size and considerable force. However, as human and orcish civilizations pushed northwards, they were outcompeted by the faster, more organized races and pushed northwards. These days ettins are a dying species. The survivors lost what culture and advancements they had, and with slow reproduction and maturation rates, they’ve been unable to repopulate or regather their numbers since the drive north. In another couple hundred years, they may be gone all together.   These days ettins tend to be found living on their own or in pairs in the mountains and remote northern forests. They sometimes keep around or tame smaller creatures by feeding them scraps from their own meals. This provides the ettin with companionship, a sort of warning system, and hunting partners. The creatures get a steady food source and protection. While many of these partnerships don’t last longer than a season or two, and oftentimes are on a hunt by hunt basis, occasionally more serious bonds are formed over successive hunts and showing of trust. Eventually, the two companions may live out the rest of their days in quiet company.   The two heads of an ettin each have their own personality, and they will often debate for quite some time about the proper course of action. While an ettin is not necessarily slow-witted, they do tend to get distracted by their different heads and often end up with severe decision paralysis. Originally this may have helped them avoid making bad decisions in long-past days, but it comes as more of a hindrance in the present as quicker-thinking species can often talk an ettin into circles or team up and overcome it before it has a chance to work out the best plan of action. When extremely confused, their rational minds sometimes shut down and they respond with rage, trying to scare away or destroy the threat before the fog clears. For these reasons, it can be absurdly difficult to talk to or reason with an ettin.