Jotunn

Jotunn (or giants) are a variety of species native to Essaria. They live on floating islands in the sky, both natural and artificially crafted. There are many types of Jotunn, ranging from the shorter and less intelligent hill giants to the mighty storm giants that rule over sky and sea.   The term "giant" was colloquially given to the Jotunn by the ground-dwelling species of Essaria.   It is unknown whether the Jotunn have always lived in the sky, or if their sky-dwellings are the product of Pliscian interference. Nevertheless, records do show that the Pliscians and the Jotunn had dealings more similar to their relationship with the Dragons than to the other humanoid species of Essaria.  

Islands of Clouds

While many giants have descended to live on the surface of Essaria, the majority of Jotunn remain on their skyborne islands. These are kept aloft by a material known as aetherium, which is abundant in the natural landforms that reside in Essaria's skies. The magical interaction of aetherium with the sky creates thick cumulus clouds, which often keep the floating islands hidden from the ground, or give them the appearance of floating directly on the clouds themselves.   The Jotunn have learned to mine and utilize aetherium to create their own artificial islands. Typically smaller than the naturally occurring islands, many a giant has built a castle or citadel as a personal residence.  

Strict Hierarchy

Though many of their cousins who have since descended to the surface world do not follow it, Jotunn in their sky islands follow a strict caste system known as the ordning or slækt. More than a simple social ranking system, the slækt represents a form of identity to all giants and where they fit into Jotunn society. Each Jotunn is ranked when they come of age. Typically, the greater Jotunn find higher positions, but it is a common misunderstanding that all giants of the same subspecies fall within the same slækt category. It happens commonly enough that an outsider may misconceive, but an especially smart or resourceful lesser giant may find themselves higher in the slækt.