Firbolg
The Firbolgs are an old part of Wolf Fera history. Our annals tell of their ancient form: When they were bloodthirsty warriors who fought to feed the soil with the blood of their fallen friends and foes. Fanatical nature worshippers who served the Giants loyally. When the Elder Dragons came and the Giant Empires turned to ash, they disappeared and we were happy for it. We cared little for their kind and what conflict could've emerged if they tried to subjugate us. When they once again returned, we thought it was heralding a time of chaos for Wolf kind with the Elders attacking. However, it shocked us when they came to our aid instead. And they came not bearing weapons but with food, drink, warm clothes, and even shelter. Now because of that aid, countless threats search for them now. And now the Fera must put aside what grievances we had before and defend them. Because we dare not allow the Firbolgs to adopt the old ways again.
Basic Information
Anatomy
When the Firbolgs were first around, they appeared to be no different than humans at first with the same skin hue as them and a narrowed nose similar to goblins. However, in the millenniums after the fall of the Giants and Firbolgs receding into nature, their appearance changed as well into the Fathtril. Their human-like skin hues shifted to shades of blue and even green. Their noses lost their shape and became enlarged, usually a shade of red or pink at the tip. Their ears vary between cow-like ears or humanlike ears. Due to giant blood running through their veins, they are strong, able to carry and lift twice as much as an ordinary person.
Some changed even more drastically, becoming a plantkin known as Thristril that takes the shape of a humanoid. They are often made of whatever plants are common in their environment and often colorful as well, especially in the facial region. They've lost access to their giant blood, making them not as strong but the plant that makes them up allows them to use photosynthesis to keep themselves nourished.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Thistril Firbolg have the ability to see in dim light as if it were bright light. This is likely due to the dark conditions both Firbolg ancestries sometimes faced within the depths of nature where they hid, especially in forests where the thickets would block out the sun.
Civilization and Culture
History
The Firbolgs were born as an offshoot of Giants same as the Goliath. In the beginning, they were a warrior faction who drew power from their faith in nature similar to the rarely encountered Druids and Rangers. While the Wolf Fera were servants, the Firbolgs and Goliaths were capable warriors. The former usually served as warrior shamans to invoke nature's wrath on their enemies if they could. The Firbolgs of the past revealed in the brutality, believing that the dead they left would feed the soil.
The fall of the Giant empires destroyed any notion of that. The Firbolgs believed the decadence and despoiling of nature that the Giants were known for was what brought the Elder Dragons and their destructive wrath to their empires. In the ashes of the empires, the Firbolg decided to look for a different path. They withdrew into the depths of forests, the tops of mountains, or any place where nature could hide their existence.
And that is where the Firbolg dwelled until the Elders and their forces came crashing down on Avestra. Even as the Eternals pushed them back, the threat to nature forced the Firbolg out of hiding. H They offered sanctuary to countless people driven from their homes by the chaos and even defended them, though not in a way that could kill them. Whatever warriors were around when the Firbolgs first disappeared, many appeared to adopt pacifistic tenents to escape their blood-soaked past.
Across Avestra, these gentlefolk make themselves known, living amongst nature in the nations across the realm. However, some that showed themselves were vastly different from even their kin that they traveled with. They appeared to be made of plant matter, claiming that to truly connect with nature, they gave up their physical bodies and allowed their souls to be attached to these plants. Now, they live forever, or as long as their soul can manifest in the plantkin body until it yearns for the after life.
With Goliaths and Fera tribes calling for aid in the east and threats on all sides, a chilling conversation has begun to spread across Firbolg tribes that still believe in their tenets: Is it time for the Firbolg to once again pick up a weapon? To adopt their old warrior ways and fight back against these threats? The argument for and against such an action has garnered factions on both sides. Countries in times of peace and war both watch the Firbolg with interest as the impact of their final choice could send ripples that affect Avestra for generations to come.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Wolf Fera and Firbolgs are attempting to put aside past grievances in the face of threats they both face. The latter offers shelter and the former offers protection, letting the Firbolg keep their pacifistic tenets intact. The Goliaths do the same but some have been pushing for the return of the old Firbolgs, to see them join them on the battlefield against their creator and former masters.
The Giants of Jovun and Muspel see the current state of the Firbolgs as nothing short of disgusting. Rumors spread that captured Firbolgs are being tortured and changed with magic into their old selves but no success has been granted thus far. Whatever the case, these two factions of Giants and the Firbolgs will most likely never be able to reconcile their differences and it is up to the protectors of the Firbolgs to stand against them if the Firbolgs will not defend themselves.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Fathtril, Thistril
Lifespan
500 years
Average Height
7-8 feet
Average Weight
240-300 pounds
Related Organizations
Comments
Author's Notes
If playing an Avestra game in 5e, the Firbolg race would be the easiest to use for the giantkin ancestry. If playing in a Pathfinder 2e game, the Ghoran ancestry or Leshy ancestry would fit the Thistril ancestry.