Firbolg (FEER-bolg)

Description

Firbolgs were a reclusive race of Giant-Kin who preferred to avoid contact with other sentient races. They were both the most intelligent and the most powerful of the Giant-Kin. Firbolgs resembled Humans, and the males would sport great, thick beards. Their thick, tough skin was fleshy pink, and their hair, though it came in many colors, was usually either red or blonde and worn long. A Firbolg's voice was deep and smooth, and they tended to roll their consonants when speaking. Firbolgs were typically over 10 ft tall, averaging a height of about 10.5ft. While Firbolgs from other worlds weighed more than 800lbs, those of Volatia were lighter, with males being about 650lbs and females about 500lbs.

Abilities

The average Firbolg was stronger than a Forest Bear. Beyond sheer physical strength, they had innate magical abilities. Firbolgs were said to be resistant to magic. They could sense the presence of magical auras innately. They also had the power to change their physical appearance, including making themselves larger or smaller. They sometimes used this magical power to blend in or interact with smaller races.
They had excellent vision at night and could perhaps see in the dark. Some sages claimed that Firbolgs had regenerative abilities. Other sages reported that Firbolgs could make themselves turn invisible. They were also said to be able to communicate to a limited effect with both plants and animals of their forest homes.

Personality

Firbolgs enjoyed quiet time in the woods, in harmony with nature. The forests were sacred to them and symbolized the heart of the earth and the adaptability of life. They saw themselves as the forests' caretakers. While Firbolgs of other worlds may have had tendencies toward a variety of alignments, those of Volatia were usually lawful good in alignment, although they were seen as -maug- creatures by other Giants, because of the sin of the goddess Othea.
Firbolgs considered greed to be one of the worst vices. They believed that one should only ever take what one needs and no more. They saw no value in material wealth such as gems and gold, but sometimes would find prankish ways of taking valuables from strangers, out of a sense of fun.
Firbolgs believed that charity was a virtue but also believed that it was harmful for the recipient to know the identity of the provider; because of this they appeared to be reclusive amongst the other races, although they were very sociable with established friends. They were extremely honest and could not lie without feeling physical discomfort, even if the lie was by omission.
Firbolgs tended to be over-confident and fearless, except for a pervasive phobia of Humanoid mobs. They saw the wearing of armor as cowardly, and thus did not usually wear armor Nor did they carry shields.
Firbolgs were cautious and shrewd in their dealings with outsiders. They distrusted most Humans and Demi-Humans. Among Non-Giants, they were neutral with Druids, Elves, and Fey. They were on good terms with Storm Giants, whom they looked up to and tried to emulate, but they avoided other Giant races, and actively fought against the other Giant-Kin.

Combat

If provoked, Firbolgs were formidable opponents, skilled both in physical combat and druidic magics. They preferred massive weapons, such as two-handed swords and halberds. They were strong enough to wield most human-made weapons in a single hand. In battle, Firbolgs fought tactically and relied on teamwork. They were adept at batting away or catching projectiles, and had excellent throwing arms, like any Giant did. They could easily toss a large rock weighing around 40lbs to 50lbs.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Firbolg pregnancies were typically about two years long. This was much longer than other Giant-Kin, who had pregnancies roughly equivalent to Humans. Firbolgs reached adulthood at about 30 years, and could live as many as 500 years. Some scholars postulated that this long life was because Firbolgs had Fey blood, but most Giant races had long lifespans. Firbolgs consumed about twice as much as a Human to survive.

Lycanthropy

Firbolgs were known to be highly susceptible to all forms of lycanthropy, though somehow immune to being afflicted with the Wereraven form of the condition.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Firbolgs had a family-centered, clan-based society. They lived in settlements in remote hilly or forested areas. Their settlements were strongholds, including wooden structures, built from the trees around them, with defensive towers with catwalks between them. Rarely, they inhabited cavern complexes dug into the hillsides. They used their magic to ensure that their homes remained a secret to outsiders. These clan settlements were small, with between about four and sixteen members, often with a Shaman or Druid, and lived separate from each other. A few firbolg clans were nomadic. A typical Firbolg home was a huge one-story log building with strong walls. A large fireplace with multiple openings warmed a central common room.
As caretakers of the woods, they carefully and resourcefully lived off the land, making sure to ensure balance. During summer, they stored excess nuts, fruits, and berries, so that they could provide food to the forest animals during winter. Although they did farm, it was only to supplement their diets; they preferred a more hunter-gatherer lifestyle, rather than the brigand/raider lifestyle of many other Giants. Their hunting grounds were usually spread out in a 20 mile radius from their clan homes. They ate small portions of meat with most meals, and reserved large roasts of meat for special celebrations.
Most Firbolg tribes preferred isolation from other races, avoiding their politics and struggles. If intruders entered 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 failed, the Firbolgs would at last confront the outsiders. If the outsiders seemed peaceful, the Firbolgs would peacefully ask them to leave; if the outsiders seemed evil or seemed to have no concern for the forest lands, the Firbolgs might mount a devastating attack. On occasion, they would trade with peaceful folk living nearby in exchange for providing services utilizing their great strength.
Firbolg adventurers were rare and most often were individuals separated from their tribes—orphans, exiles, lone survivors, or the like. A few adventured to gain knowledge. Firbolgs seemed to have a natural tendency toward druidic magics, and many of their chieftains were thus Druids. Others became Rangers or Fighters. Other adventuring vocations were rare; Firbolg monks were completely unknown. About five percent of Firbolgs encountered were shamans.
Firbolg communities were known to rally around individuals who contracted lycanthropy, rather than shun them, using all resources at their disposal to help the afflicted find a cure.

Government

The Firbolgs had rejected the Ordning, the customary social order amongst Giants and Giant-Kin, and preferred 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 promoted the idea that the society was the most important aspect and superseded the individual. Actions were more important than relatives or heritage. If "The Code" was breached, a Firbolg might be enslaved within his or her own tribe or banished completely, although transgressions were uncommon. The implications of "The Code" meant that the Firbolgs would treat all intelligent creatures as equals, and thus they did not exhibit the same superior attitude that other Giants and Giant-Kin displayed. For every decision made, they considered 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.
Firbolgs had a rough form of democracy known as "The Cast". This involved summoning all the Firbolgs in a tribe who then would cast their vote on an issue by using a rune-engraved stone. The actual "Casting" of votes varied from clan to clan. In some cases, it involved literally tossing the stones. At one Firbolg settlement, they had built an enormous scale, and set their votes in the appropriate weighing pan.
Exile was 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 was never permitted to return home. Nearby clans would gather once a year at the Fall Solstice at an enclave to settle any disputes among the clans. Shamans would preside over such events, which often simply were a time of celebration.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Firbolgs had their own tongue, but also spoke Common, Jotun, and Elven. Sometimes, Firbolgs who interacted with outsiders took Elven names.

Size
Medium
Type
Giant-Kin
Alignment
Neutral Good

General Information

Patron Deity
Iallanis
Vision
Low-Light Vision, Darkvision
Activity Cycle
Any
Diet
Omnivore
Average Lifespan
500 Years
Homeland(s)
Feywild, Remote regions of Volatia
Language(s)
Common, Jotun, Elven, Firbolg
Favored Climate
Temperate
Favored Terrain
Hills; Forests

Appearance

Skin Color(s)
Fleshy Pink
Hair Color(s)
Blonde; Red