Giants

Example

## Common Knowledge

Large humanoid peoples with multiple subraces spread across Temporis. Giants are an ancient race associated with the protection of nature, specifically mountains and caverns though subraces may stray from those natural formations.

## Biology

All giants, including subraces, are at least 10 feet tall and often are much taller than that. Overbright giants have very muted skin tones in the brown to grey range and darker hair. They can have any colour eyes but tend towards darker shades. Other subraces may have slightly more variation with their colouration.

## Culture/Religion

The giants consider themselves to be the protectors and champions of the Overbright, alongside the Dove-Folk, as the most powerful non-winged beings living there. Giants tend to form militaristic societies, thanks in part to their biological hardiness, but often fall prey to xenophobia and paranoia. Following recent events, the Giants of the Overbright have achieved a mildly-uncomfortable peace with the Dove-Folk.

Much of Giant society falls under the control of their military. Their officers specifically wield control over their economy, particularly within the bounds of their craftspeople and farmers. Despite their militaristic nature, most giants still hold nature and its preservation in high regard.

## History

The race of Giants were originally created by Protection to guard the natural locations on the material plane such as mountains and caverns. They spread from the largest mountain range on Orelisle, now known as the Crinoid Mountains, to other mountain ranges and caverns. Those still living on what would become the Crinoids found an entrance to a large sky-land eventually called the Overbright. They decided to move as a group up into this sky-land so as to easily watch over the land below. Some decided to stay behind on the land but kept in touch with their brethren.

As the Pionus, who the giants both taught and learned from, spread across the land the giants were not needed for teaching and the Pionus knew to not destroy the land they lived off of. Thus, the giants turned inward and began to experiment with the knowledge they had gained from the Pionus, specifically the use and power of runes. They wished to master these powerful symbols and over time the runes they learned from the Pionus were transformed into the giants’ own extremely potent runic language. They continued to expand their abilities and knowledge until, eventually, they discovered the ability to alter their own natures and decided to expand their affinity for earth and rocks to other natural elements. As the Ents already had a monopoly on plant life the Giants altered themselves to have an affinity for lightning and ice, which created the Storm Giants and Yeti respectively.

They then tried to alter other aspects of a giant, specifically their fighting ability and durability like they saw in the smallfolk but these attempts had unfortunate side effects. They were successful in creating a giant subrace that is extremely durable but these giants, called Cyclops, only had one eye and were extremely aggressive and territorial. The Giants gave up on trying this particular formula and most of the Cyclops moved to the land as it had more space so they could keep to themselves. The second attempt to make stronger giants ended in the creation of Ogres. This subrace was a disappointment as they are still very aggressive and territorial, though not to the extent of the Cyclops, but also extremely unintelligent. They are also very small compared to their other giant cousins, they were also mostly shunted to the surface where they roam endlessly. The Giants stopped trying to alter themselves in this way and returned to just nature altering and they may have created more subraces beyond the known four.

They continued to live peacefully for many years as the races on the surface expanded and some even settled in the Overbright. When the Dove-Folk first appeared in the Overbright they waged a war with the Giants over the land and lost horribly. The emergence of Venti was a much more peaceful event as they were not as hostile as the Dove-Folk and got along peacefully in their own small areas. Then between the years of 10011 and 10013 approximately half of the Overbright Giant population died without any particular cause. The Giants began researching to figure out why but didn’t make very much headway. After the Planar War a powerful individual named Belladonna took advantage of their confusion and cursed the entire Overbright Giant population to go to war with the Dove-Folk and many died on both sides. This war ravaged the Giant race and there are now very few left and thus they have condensed their entire population into one large area to try and save what they have. In the year 10019 the Binturian Party held a mediating event to try and sooth the Giants and Dove-Folk, they succeeded but not necessarily how they expected to. The Giants and Dove-Folk decided to work together as the Binturian Party had insulted both side’s pride during this party and came to a relatively agreeable peace as the King of the Dove-Folk and the Head Ambassador of the Giants were rather friendly at this point. The Giants have had a peaceful year since.

## Known Locations

Nearly all giants in the modern world are found in the Overbright, a bright and cloudy demiplane high above the Material Plane.

The only known Storm Giants live lives of luxury on an archipelago far to the east, where they spend their days conjuring hurricanes, tropical storms, and other extreme weather systems, and hurling them into the sea for their amusement.

No Yetis are known to still exist, though ruins of their civilization and people can be found in the western wastelands of Ӧrӕfin.

Cyclops and Ogres can be found in the Overbright and the Material Plane.

## Notable Individuals

Head Ambassador Bunlos, a powerful giant diplomat, spearheaded the negotiations with the Dove-Folk to bring their most recent war to an end in 10,019. He is on notably good terms with King Martin of the Dove-Folk

Lesser Ambassador Itrus was another ambassador involved in the peace talks, though he was significantly less forgiving towards his foes.

Colonel Cruzos, a successful officer in the giant military, physically attended the peace talks. For the food. And nothing else.

## Sub-races

There are a few different subspecies of Giant known and probably more that are unknown due to distance or secrecy.

### Yeti

The Yetis of the frozen northern tundras of Orelisle were a proud, strong, and stalwart people. Some of their ruined civilizations can be found amidst snow-covered mountains in the wake of their mysterious disappearance.

### Storm Giant

These giants are unlike the giants of the Overbright as they are made of clouds, wind, and lightning. Simple but kind, though dangerous in their ability to create storms and their tendency to do so just because they like to watch them.

### Cyclops

Unnaturally aggressive giants, characterized by their massive lone eyeball. Most Cyclops keep to themselves, only emerging from their hideaways to terrorize the smallfolk unfortunate enough to be nearby. Cyclops often utilize this intimidation factor to great affect, extorting food and luxuries from those under their thumb in exchange for safety.

### Ogre

The most common subrace of Giant, many Ogres survive by bumbling about across the Material Plane. Much like their cousins, the Cyclops, Ogres are incredibly territorial and hostile to those who would dare impede upon their spaces. Unlike Cyclops, however, Ogres demonstrate a somewhat lower average intelligence than any other Giant species. Many groups on the Material Plane capture and enslave Ogres for their own nefarious purposes.

## Further Information

* Overbright
* Penskruignman (or the islands)
* Dove-Folk
* Venti