Firbolg

Firbolg tribes cloister in remote forest strongholds, primarily in Midamis Forest, they frequently in quiet harmony with the woods. When provoked, firbolgs demonstrate formidable skills with weapons and druidic magic.

Humble Guardians

Firbolgs love nothing more than a peaceful day spent among the trees of an old forest, or knee deep in the mud of an ancient swamp. They see forests and other ancient, natural locales as sacred, representing the heart of the world and monuments to the durability of life.   In their role as caretakers, firbolgs live off the land while striving to remain in balance with nature. Their methods reflect common sense and remarkable resourcefulness. During a bountiful summer, they store away excess nuts, fruit, and berries. When winter arrives, they scatter everything they can spare to ensure the animals of the wood survive until springtime.   To many firbolgs, there is no greater fault than greed. The firbolgs believe that the world remains healthiest when each creature takes only what it needs. Material goods, especially precious gems and gold, frequently have little appeal to them. What use are such things when winter lingers and food runs short?

Natural Druids

Firbolgs have a talent for druidic magic. Their cultural reverence for nature, combined with their strong and insightful minds, makes learning such magic an instinctive part of their development. Almost every firbolg learns a few spells, typically those used to mask their presence, and many go on to master nature magic.   Firbolgs who become druids serve as stronghold leaders. With every action the tribe takes, the druids weigh not only the group’s needs, but the effect each action will have on the forest and the rest of the natural world. Firbolg tribes would rather go hungry than strain the land during a famine.   Frequently the most powerful of these druids go on to lead Midamis, providing fair and reasoned leadership.

Shepherds of Midamis

As caretakers of the land, firbolgs prefer to remain out of sight and out of mind. They don’t try to dominate nature, but rather seek to ensure that it prospers and survives according to its own laws. Those governing Midamis strive to ensure that the forest itself remains untainted by its neighbours such that the creatures living there may thrive and prosper.   Firbolgs use their magic to ensure, as far as possible, that all creatures that dwell in the forest are protected and preserved. This approach has brought them into occasional conflict with the Tieflings of Nightwell, their neighbours.   These confrontations seldom come in the form of direct conflict, as most firbolgs prefer a subtle, gentle approach to prevent damage to their territory. They employ their magic to make the forest an unappealing place to explore by temporarily diverting springs, driving away game, stealing critical tools, and altering trails to leave hunting or lumber parties hopelessly lost. The firbolgs’ presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster invaders decide to move on, the better.   If these tactics fail, the firbolgs of Midamis will take more direct action. They will quietly observe, seeking to understand the motives of their adversaries. They will endeavour to forge friendly relations and reduce their desecration of the forest as far as possible using diplomatic means. however, should that be insufficient, they will martial their forces and the strength of the forest to strike out against the interlopers. This is an action of final resort and has, to date, never been done.

Adventurers from Necessity

As guardians of Midamis, few firbolgs would dream of leaving their homes or attempting to fit into other societies. An exiled firbolg, or one whose clan has been destroyed, might not have a choice in the matter. Most adventuring firbolgs fall into this latter category.   Outcast firbolgs can never return home. They committed some unforgivable deed, usually something that put their homeland at risk, such as starting desecrating a part of the forest, or showing disregard for its rare and beautiful creatures. These firbolgs are loners who wander the world in hope of finding a new place to call home.   Orphaned firbolgs are those whose clans or homelands have been destroyed. They become crusaders for nature, seeking to avenge their loss and prevent the further destruction of the natural world.   A few rare firbolgs are entrusted by their clan with an important mission that takes them beyond their homes. These firbolgs feel like pilgrims in a strange land, and usually they wish only to complete their quests and return home as quickly as possible. They are usually among the younger, more feisty-hearted of the forests who feel a need to see the remainder of the world. These firbolgs are encouraged, and largely do, return swiftly after the completion of their goal or once they have satisfied themselves sufficiency with the outside world.   Fewer firbolgs still decide they do not wish to live within the forests and prefer a more cosmopolitan life, taking up residence in some of the larger cities of the continent, notably Bassonne and Cinderbrok. Even in these cities, however, they tend to live as close to nature as they can.