Firbolg

Firbolgs are a reclusive race of giant-kin who prefer to avoid contact with other sentient races. They are both the most intelligent and most powerful of the giant-kin.

Description

Firbolgs resemble Humans and the males sport great, thick beards. Their thick, tough skin is fleshy pink, and their hair, though it comes in many colors, is usually either red or blond and worn long. A firbolg's voice is deep and smooth, and they tend to roll their consonants when speaking.   Firbolgs are typically over 10 feet tall, averaging a height of about 10.5 feet. Firbolg males tend to weigh around 650 pounds, and females about 500 pounds.

Abilities

The average firbolg is stronger than a forest bear. Beyond sheer physical strength, they have innate magical abilities. Firbolgs are said to be resistant to magic. They can sense the presence of magical auras innately. They also have the power to change their physical appearance, including making themselves larger or smaller. They sometimes use this magical power to blend in or interact with smaller races.   They have excellent vision at night and can perhaps see in the dark. Some sages claim that firbolgs also have regenerative abilities. Other sages report that firbolgs can make themselves turn invisible. They are also said to be able to communicate to a limited effect with both plants and animals of their forest homes.

Personality

Firbolgs enjoy quiet time in the woods, in harmony with nature. The forests are sacred to them and symbolize the heart of the earth and the adaptability of life. They see themselves as the forests' caretakers.   Firbolgs consider greed to be one of the worst vices. They believe that one should only ever take what one needs and no more. They see no value in material wealth such as gems or gold, but sometimes will find prankish ways of taking valuables from strangers, out of a sense of fun.   Firbolgs believe that charity is a virtue but also believe that it is harmful for the recipient to know the identity of the provider; because of this they appear to be reclusive amongst the other races, although they are very sociable with established friends. They are extremely honest and can not lie without feeling physical discomfort, even if the lie was by omission.   Firbolgs tend to be over-confident and fearless, except for a pervasive phobia of humanoid mobs. They see the wearing of armor as cowardly, and thus do not usually wear armor, nor do they carry shields.   Firbolgs are cautious and shrewd in their dealings with outsiders. They distrust most Demihumans and Humans. Among non-giants, they are neutral with druids, elves, and Fey. They are also on good terms with storm giants, whom they look up to and try to emulate, but they avoid other giant races, and actively fight against the other giant-kin.

Combat

If provoked, firbolgs are formidable opponentss, skilled both in physical combat and druidic magics. They prefer massive weapons, such as two-handed swords and halberds. They are strong enough to wield most human-made weapons in a single hand.   In battle, firbolgs fight tactically and rely on teamwork. They are adept at batting away or catching projectiles, and have excellent throwing arms, like true giants do. They can easily toss a large rock weighing around 50 pounds.

Society

Firbolgs have a family-centered, clan-based society. They live in settlements in remote hilly or forested areas. Their settlements are strongholds, including wooden structures, built from the trees around them, with defensive towers with catwalks between them. Rarely, they inhabit cavern complexes dug into the hillsides. They use their magic to ensure that their homes remain a secret to outsiders. These clan settlements are small, with between four and sixteen members on average, often with a shaman or druid, and live separate from each other. A few firbolg clans are nomadic.   A typical firbolg home is a huge one-story log building with strong walls. A large fireplace with multiple openings warms a central common room.   As caretakers of the woods, they carefully and resourcefully live off the land, making sure to ensure balance. During summer, they store excess nuts, fruits, and berries, so that they can provide food to the forest animals during winter. Although they do farm, it is only to supplement their diets; they prefer a more hunter-gatherer lifestyle, rather than the brigand/raider lifestyle of many other giants. Their hunting grounds are usually spread out in a 20-mile radius from their clan homes. They eat small portions of meat with most meals, and reserve large roasts of meat for special celebrations.   Most firbolg tribes prefer isolation from other races, avoiding their politics and struggles. If intruders enter their territory, they would usually try an indirect approach at causing the "invaders" to leave—driving game away to discourage hunters or redirecting streams or forest trails to confuse parties. If these methods fail, the firbolgs will at least confront the outsiders. If the outsiders seem peaceful, the firbolgs will peacefully ask them to leave; if the outsiders seem evil or seem to have no concern for the forest lands, the firbolgs will mount a devastating attack. On occasion, they will trade with peaceful folk living nearby in exchange for providing services utilizing their great strength.   Firbolg adventurers are rare and most often are individuals separated from their tibes—orphans, exiles, lone survivors, or the like. A few adventure to gain knowledge.   Firbolgs seem to have a natural tendency toward druidic magics, and many of their chieftains are thus druids. Others become rangers or fighters. Other adventuring vocations are rare; firbolg monks are completely unknown. About five percent of firbolgs encountered are shamans.   Firbolg communities are known to rally around individuals who contract Therianthropy, rather than shun them, using all resources at their disposal to help the afflicted find a cure.

Government

The firbolgs embrace to exercise free will by using a system called "the code". This was conceived in ancient times, although its exact origins had been lost, and a written copy was usually required to be carried by all firbolgs, but the exact implementation varied from one community to the next. It promotes the idea that the society was the most important aspect and supersedes the individual. Actions are more important than relatives or heritage. If "the code" is breached, a firbolg might be enslaved within their own tribe or banished completely, although transgressions are uncommon. The implications of "the code" mean that firbolgs will treat all intelligent creatures as equals, and thus they do not exhibit the same superior attitude that other giants and giant-kin display. For every decision made, they consider the effects on the forest and the rest of the natural world. During a famine, they would rather go hungry themselves than strain the land. Exile is often used as a form of punishment for an unforgivable act, such as killing a rare or beautiful animal or starting a forest fire. An outcast firbolg is never permitted to return home.   Neaby clans gather once a year at the autumn solstice at an enclave to settle any disputes among the clans. Shamans will preside over such events, which often simply are a time of celebration.

Religion

In general, firbolgs admire the goddess FIRBOLGDEITY...

Language

Firbolgs have their own tongue, but also tend to speak Giant, Elvish, and the common tongue of their region. Sometimes, firbolgs who interact with outsiders take on elven names.