'Giants' (English (UK): [ˈdʒʌɪənt])

"I never thought I'd come to meet one of their kind; those colossal, ancient beings. When they found me, my heart raced with a most terrible fear, but when I looked into their eyes, I saw no hatred, just a wary, wizened vigilance..."

Created by Tybris (Me)

Towering in stature, primal in appearance, and esoteric in nature; 'Giants' well and truly live up to their reputation as the first race born of the 'Ascended'. They are an ancient, long lived species; their lives spanning centuries, or even millennia in some cases. Their aspects reflect the imagination of their makers and the primeval nature of the world they were once born into. They appear hewn from the land, flesh, and the elements themselves; with a considerable measure of variety present among their numbers. Some tower above their kin, possessing craggy, stone like skin and a mountainous countenance, others bear a likeness more akin to molten rock with manes of fire for hair, others are more diminutive in stature; their flesh earthen and root-bound like the hills and forests they roam among, and so on.
Many of the younger races consider the Giants to be fickle beings. Some are too sedentary, others too brooding, others too confounding in their dispositions. Often, these notions are applied across all the variations of Giants present across the world. The truth is that whilst there are measures of legitimacy to be found in each of these opinions, the Giants are as varied in mind as they are in body. There are those who hold a temperament that is as flowing as the rivers they dwell near, those whose hearts burn with a molten passion, those with a resolve as unflinching as the frozen plains they live amidst, and much more besides. The lack of understanding the younger races hold towards these venerable entities is not without cause, however. Many of the Giants prefer their own company, and seldom venture beyond the borders of their moots without good reason. They are also, predominantly speaking, wary of outsiders; often addressing their presence and intentions with scrutiny at best, and hostility at worst. As such, the chances of every-day mortals coming across Giants are slim. Even if one came across one, there is no real guarantee of a positive encounter. Most rely upon hearsay and speculation, for better or worse.
This being said, if there is one thing most can agree upon when regarding the giants, it is that they are often exemplars of the paths they choose to take. Seldom will you find a better smith than a fire giant, a better farmer than a river giant, a better seer than a storm giant; and so forth. They are folk of exceptional dedication towards their pursuits, and they are quick to abhor those who disturb such. Few have the gaul to attempt to deny the talents of a giant towards their particular craft. Many would consider it to be a foolish, and false effort. It is far more common for the younger races to express either admiration, disconcertion, or envy towards the works of these primal beings, should they have the fortune of encountering them.
Those who garner their kinship will find loyal allies in the giants, but those who garner their ire will often be subjected to the myriad means through which the various kinds of giants may exact their retribution. From duplicity, to malicious magics, to martial might, they will make their quarries painfully aware of their displeasure.
These aged beings are capable of great and terrible things; but even their ancient magics and eminent wisdom have been unable to put a halt to the calamity the world now faces...

Basic Information

Anatomy

Anatomically speaking; all the species of Giants share some commonalities between them. They all possess two arms, two legs, and a generally humanoid physique by mortal standards. The musculature and skeletal structure will vary in shape, size, and durability based on the kind of giant in question, however. Mountain giants are known to be the heaviest and most enduring in this regard; whilst hill giants lie on the other end of the spectrum; for example. Each species of giant will sport its own unique traits and anatomical quirks, however. Fire Giants possess flesh of molten rock, whilst river giants, for example, bear fish-like scales across their bodies. Facially, the giants vary greatly from species to species. Storm giants possess sleeker, more streamlined features; whilst ice giants possess countenances which are far more harsh and defined, for example. Some will possess only two eyes, whilst others could possess as many as six. They all generally have a single nose, two ears, and a single mouth, but the shapes of such will differ considerably from species to species. Finally, all giants are marked by a myriad of runes and patterns across their bodies; the shapes and styles of such varying from species to species.

Biological Traits

The giants are a varied lot, and the biological traits present among them vary drastically from sub-species to sub-species, with precious few traits being exhibited among all varieties. The attributes which can be observed among all sub-species of giants are as follows:
-They are all exceptionally long lived, with most giants easily living for several centuries, and some managing to survive well over a millennia. The most enduring of them may even manage two, if they are fortunate.
-Giants universally possess a potent aptitude for magic in some form or another.
-Giants are, at least to some degree, humanoid in shape.
-The giants are a race with three primary sexes. Male, female, and intersex. There are those can also be born without any defining sexual characteristics or body parts whatsoever. They are acknowledged and respected equally by their kinsmen. The giants do not acknowledge gender in the same fashion, however. It is largely viewed as a fluid concept to them, with most adopting whatever identification they resonate with most. Seldom is this met with scrutiny among the giants. They are generally more concerned with fulfilling their pursuits, and that of their companions.

Genetics and Reproduction

Giants partake in conventional sexual reproduction in order to garner offspring. Due to the exceptional lifespan of giants, however; their gestation periods are considerably longer than some of the other mortal races. The average pregnancy of a giant lasts four and a half, to five years in length. It is this lengthy period of childbearing that prompts many giant communities to be fiercely protective over those who are with child; more so than many other races.

Growth Rate & Stages

Giants go through all the traditional stages of life expected of a mortal race; though the perceptions surrounding these periods of development vary from sub-species to sub-species. There are some giants whose societies believe giants reach the varying stages of maturity at a similar rate to those of the young races like humanity, then there are those who believe that, by virtue of their long lives, their kind subsequently require longer to truly achieve maturity and mastery over their chosen path. Most giants firmly believe, however, that a giant is assuredly an adult by the time they have reached the age of fifty, if not before. Thereafter, they will have centuries to learn and develop, and in time, teach those destined to come after.

Ecology and Habitats

The optimal environment for a giant to live in varies to a vast degree based upon the sub-species of giant. Fire giants, for example, will be most at home around volcanoes and other blisteringly heated locales, whilst river giants will be, unsurprisingly, most content by rivers. Giants, regardless of sub-species, interact with their environment in a fashion befitting of sentient life. They will tame it to their designs and use it to their advantage where they can. This being said; giants, more so than many other mortal races, hold a deep respect for the world around them. This is no doubt to the influence of the 'Wild-Tender' upon them. Wherever possible, they will strive to advance their aims without causing undue harm to the world they dwell upon.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Giants are universally omnivores, though each of the sub-species is capable of deriving sustenance and energy through their own, unique means. Most, if not all, will hunt and store their food in fashions befitting of sentient life; whilst others will also supplement their diets with the fruits of foraging, or farming, or both. Some examples of these more unique forms of sustenance are as follows:
-Storm giants consuming lightning that strikes from the heavens.
-Fire giants consuming flame, or the heat from lava, in order to sustain themselves.
-Ice giants nourishing themselves on ice or permafrost.
-Hill giants photosynthesising.
And so on.

Biological Cycle

The biological cycle of the giants depends almost entirely upon which sub-species of giant you are regarding. Fire giants, for example, revel in the heat of the summer, but become far more conservative and lethargic, hill giants are known to change the hue of their roots, sprouts and blossoms based on the changing of the seasons, and ice giants, in contrast to their flaming cousins, are known to be at their most active during the winter months. There are precious few traits that are shared unanimously between the giants in this regard, and most of them are assuredly mundane in their nature. For example, though they are natural venerable beings, they are still almost universally affected by the passage of time.

Behaviour

The behaviour and psychology of the giants depends almost entirely upon which sub-species one is regarding. The variance between sub-species is considerable. This being said, there are a few traits which appear to manifest across the board. These are as follows:
-Giant communities maintain a strong sense of companionship towards one another, and are, usually speaking fiercely protective over their own.
-Whilst rivalries will undoubtedly exist between different sub-species of giants, and sometimes, these rivalries will become violent; all giants retain some degree of kinship with one another. If they are not given good cause to do otherwise; giants will traditionally choose to side with one another over other mortal races during disputes or times of contention.
-Giants are renowned for their wary disposition towards outsiders and other mortal races. How this wariness manifests shifts from sub-species to sub-species, and from community to community; but it can range from vigilance and distrust to outright hostility dependent on the circumstances. Those who earn their trust, however, will find loyal compatriots in the giants.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Though giants are inherently communal creatures with a deep-set compassion towards their own, the specifics of the social structures observed among them vary considerably from sub-species to sub-species, and from culture to culture. Whilst moots may have some similarities between one another; they are far from the same. Some will exonerate the strongest giants as those most fit to lead, others will look to their crafters and scholars to lead, others will exalt their elders, and so on. What can be said for certain, however, is that regardless of a community's social structure; no giant's voice goes unheard within it. Even the most fledgling members of a community will not go unheard.

Domestication

Being sentient beings; giants cannot be domesticated. Any attempts to "tame" them are no doubt steeped in immoral practices, and the results are often tragic.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Like any mortal race, they have the potential to be utilised in a plethora of ways, and as such, they have the potential to yield all manner of results from their toil. Alas, the notion of exploiting mortals is an immoral one at best, and an abhorrent one at worse; depending on the means and methods employed. Such often begets tragedy...

Facial characteristics

The facial characteristics and features of giants vary considerably based upon which variety of giant you are referring to. Whilst they will all, to some capacity, possess the organs necessary to utilize the senses, the variation between these sub-species are considerable. In addition to that which could be considered 'conventional', many giants will also possess arcane patterns or runic markings upon their face. These often correspond with the impressions upon their bodies.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Giants can be found all across the world; though the specific kind of giants will vary based on the region and environment in question. One would be unlikely to find a fire giant dwelling in temperate plains, for example. Not without good reason, at any rate.

Average Intelligence

Giants are generally considered to be intelligent creatures by mortal standards, though the younger races sometimes conflate some sub-species with their markedly duller, distant cousins; 'Trolls'. The scope and fashion in which this intelligence manifests will vary from individual and individual, and from sub-species to sub-species, but there are few giants that can be truly considered to be lacking in intellect.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Despite what their prodigious forms may suggest; Giants, traditionally, are far from dull in their senses. When concerning matters of perception; Giants are surprisingly proficient. The nature and scale of such advantages varies from sub-species to sub-species. Storm giants possess the keenest eyesight, fire giants have the sharpest sense of smell, stone giants are blessed with the most enhanced hearing, and so forth. Whilst their senses are assuredly commendable; there are other mortal races who will surpass them in specific methods of perception.
In addition to their conventional attributes; Giants are also remarkably attuned to the arcane forces of the world. This is no doubt a by-product born from the influence of 'The King among The Stars' upon their creation. Though the methods through which they channel such forces may be archaic, few would dare to deny the potency of their craft...

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Giants have no symbiotic or parasitic species associated with them.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

The naming traditions of the giants depend entirely upon the sub-species of giant in question and the culture they linger among. Traditionally, however, the names giants take are archaic and steeped in meaning, regardless of the culture the name stems from.

Major Organizations

Whilst certain giants can be found amidst the ranks of several organisations across the world, the giants themselves have no major organizations that exist outside of individual communities. With regards to such, the closest things the giants have in terms of organisations, are their moots: These represent both locales of significance to a particular sub-species of giants, and the gathering of all the various communities of a specific group of giants in order to discuss matters of great import. Giants are fiercely protective over their moots, and to aggress upon one is to invite terrible retribution.

Beauty Ideals

The beauty ideals of the giants depend entirely upon the sub-species in question. The traits they prefer differ drastically from group to group.

Gender Ideals

Giants do not perceive gender in a binary context. It is often regarded as fluid, with most giants opting to subscribe to whatever permits them to best identify with and actualise themselves.

Courtship Ideals

The courtship ideals of the giants differ from sub-species to sub-species, and from community to community. Some will favour lengthy processes of curating and nurturing affections, whilst others much prefer swift, and passionate exchanges building up to a suitably vibrant conclusion.

Relationship Ideals

The relationship ideals of the giants vary greatly from sub-species to sub-species, and from community to community. There will be those, like mountain giants, who believe the ideal bonds are those which last as long as the mountains upon which they live and that such bonds are often monogamous, then there will be those like the river giants who are far more flowing and liberal in their outlooks. Even within these archetypes, however, there is a spectrum of different dispositions and opinions to be found.

Average Technological Level

Though the attained technological level of the giants will vary from sub-species to sub-species, they are all widely considered to be advanced in their knowledge and their crafts; despite the antiquated and primal aesthetic of their designs. The weapons and armour forged by fire giants, for example, are considered to be some of the finest crafts across all the world.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Giants prefer to speak their own, olden tongue, but depending on the geographic location of any particular community, it is not unheard of for them to learn the languages of those cultures surrounding them. For example, hill giants understanding the language of the 'Aldori' would be more likely than one would initially think.

Common Etiquette Rules

The common etiquette observed among giants depends almost entirely upon the sub-species and community in question. That which the fire giants find acceptable will be a far cry from that which the ice giants do, and so on. This being said; there are a few aspects which appear throughout all of giant-kind. They are as follows:
-Maintaining a healthy respect for one's elders, providing they have not given you reason to do otherwise.
-Protecting one's community from the malevolence of outsiders.
-Respecting the decisions of the moot.
-Remaining loyal to your own.

Common Dress Code

The dress code of the giants depends entirely upon which sub-species and community is being regarded. There are no universal aesthetics to this race beyond the notion that their attire often appears antiquated or primal.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Whilst all giants share the same primordial heritage to their culture, the culture of a giant will depend entirely upon their sub-species, geographic location, and who they were raised among. One would be hard pressed to find a hill giant, for example, living as though a fire giant, or amidst the frigid ice of northern 'Jia-Yuan'. Ultimately, the culture of a giant is defined by more than their history, or any innate aspects to their nature.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Beyond levying reverence towards the Ascended, particularly those who gave life to their particular sub-species, the customs and traditions of the giants will vary drastically from community to community, and from sub-species to sub-species. The heritage and celebrations of the river giants are markedly different from those of the fire giants, despite their common ancestry.

Common Taboos

What any particular group of giants consider taboo will depend almost entirely upon their culture, community, and sub-species, but if one thing can be said for all giants; it is that the betrayal of one's kin is abhorrent. After all they have endured, to wound your fellow giants in such a fashion would be considered a cruelty of the highest order. Conversely, when a giant is taken from their kin, or otherwise lost, it is considered a matter of great sorrow. Death is but one of the dour fates that may inspire such, and to some giants, it is far from the worst, despite their ancient history.

History

The history of the Giants is one tragedy, tribulation, and triumph. Theirs is a tale inescapably tied to the 'Ascended', and all they have endured and wrought across the world. It begins in secrecy; the first of them given life by a triad of rebellious Ascended who wished only to fulfil their desires and cherish their creations in fashion forbidden by their master, 'The Demiurge'. When, in spite of their success, they were rebuked for their efforts; this triad took the first giants to the furthest reaches of the world so that they might dwell and develop in peace.
Such was not to be.
Incensed at the defiance of their agents, 'The Demiurge' marched forth to the far reaches and confronted this intransigent triad, and when they found their answers wanting, they culled the giants to the last.
For many a race, this would have been the end of their tale...
But not for the giants. No. Instead they would be granted new life following the usurpation of The Demiurge by their Ascended aides. Reborn and granted another chance at life; one free of the looming shadow of that tyrannical presence. This rebirth would give rise to a plethora of new sub-species of giants, species which would go on to be the giants we recognise in the modern day. They would be free to venture across the world and find their place among this new age.
They would go on to experience and create much beauty, and they would also endure their share of tribulation and hardship, something which would only mount as the centuries wound on.
For many, this new lease on life was seized with both hands, and they would go on to flourish in their own fashions; but none of them would ever manage to forsake the wariness they held towards outsiders. Some lingering echo of their past tragedy informs their vigilance, and the actions of certain communities throughout history have only compounded upon such.
Theirs is a legacy defined by tragedy and that which they have done to overcome it, or seek retribution for it. There are numerous tales to be told regarding the various communities of giants spanning across the world, but they are better recounted in regards to those specific groups.
Alas, these stories stand to be lost to the ruin the world now faces, as will all others, if it cannot be undone. Before long, the giants will be faced with a choice. To weather this calamity in isolation and cling to the vigilance of old, or stand against this malice astride those who have yet to fall, hoping that whatever follows will be free of the machinations and ambitions that prompted their solitary existence in the first place.
Time will tell, as ever it does, but if this malevolence finds victory, there will be no third chance for their kind...

Historical Figures

There are numerous giants that have had an important mark upon the world's history; from great warriors to wizened scholars, to ingenuitive craftsfolk and everything which lies in-between. None, however, have been more important to this venerable race than 'En'. The first of their kind. A communal leader twice over. Once before the slaughter of their kind in that primeval era of creation, and once again after their rebirth. It is, in no small part, thanks to En that the giants have been able to secure their place in the world so thoroughly.
En achieved much through the course of their life times. They were a craftsman, a guide, a great thinker and a powerful warrior through the course of their life. For many giants, to be considered to have even held a torch to the legacy of En is perhaps the highest honour one can receive. For many, this notion drives them to pursue their aspirations with a fervour many would consider startling.

Common Myths and Legends

Giants feature in numerous myths and legends throughout the world's history, from tales of mystery and adventure; where they often feature as gatekeepers, aides or obstacles, through to stories of great conflict, where they often appear as devastating combatants or potent mystics, through to smaller scale chronicles in which they most commonly feature as an object of wonderment or intrigue from the perspective of a younger race.
Among their own, however, the most common myths are of their rebirth, the war among the divine, and the prophetic journeys of the first of their kind; 'En'. The legends of this heroic figure span across all the sub-species of giant; and regardless of their natures, they all offer due respect towards them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

As a rule of thumb, giants are generally wary and distrusting of outsiders and the younger races therein. One must garner their trust before they will be willing to offer anything more than their vigilance towards you. Those who fail to do so, or obtain their ire will be educated on just how malicious these aged beings are capable of being towards those they hold contempt for. Those who achieve this bond of trust will find loyal allies and sturdy supporters in the giants, however.
Naturally, the nuances of the above will depend upon the sub-species, community, and individual in question; but the broad strokes still stand.
When concerning romantic inter-racial relations; giants can, and in rare cases, have achieved intensely powerful bonds with the younger races. Theirs is an ardent love, but is often without a sexual element. The differences in physique are but one of the reasons which render such activities impractical best and lethal at worst.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• 'The Ascended'

Scientific Name

Gigantus

Lifespan

Between eight hundred to one thousand and two hundred years.

Conservation Status

The Giants are not presently under any form of conservation. They, for the most part, maintain their defences and well being on their own.

Average Height

The average height of the giants depends entirely upon the sub-species in question. There will be those like the hill giants, who seldom reach above ten feet in height, through to those like the mountain giants who easily reach past thirty feet in height, and everything in between.

Average Weight

The average weight of the giants depends entirely upon which sub-species is being regarded, and the nature of the individual. River giants, for example, tend to be more slender and light than some of their cousins, whereas fire giants have a tendency to be considerably heavier and more musclebound. Even within these stereotypes, however, there is a considerable measure of variation.

Average Length

The average length of the giants depends entirely upon the sub-species in question. The same sentiments applied to the height and weight of giants are applicable here, though there is an argument to be made that one would be most unlikely to study the length of such a species.

Average Physique

The average physique of a giant varies drastically from sub-species to sub-species, and even within such parameters there is still a considerable amount of variation. There will be giants who are positively colossal in their physical forms, and giants who are, by their species' dispositions, diminutive and weak by comparison. What is considered weak for a giant, however, is still impressively strong by the measures of the younger races, however.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The body tint and colouring of giants depends entirely upon the sub-species of giant an individual hails from. Fire giants have skin akin to cooled magma, with veins and runes of fire, river giants have scaled flesh and hues of blue and green to their beings, hill giants have earthen tones to their bodies, and so on and so forth. Giants also feature runes, arcane patterns, or other forms of inscription upon their flesh; though the shapes and designs of such vary from sub-species to sub-species.

Discovered by

'Dalla, Keeper of The Wild'