Giants

Patron Deity

The patron deity for Giants and Half Giants is Brundar, God of Valor

The Giants of Aethria are ancient beings, towering up to 30 feet during their prime in the Age of the Ancients. However, the Sundering devastated their race, reducing many of their kind in both stature and power. Today, the few remaining full-blooded Giants are around 15 to 20 feet tall, while their descendants, known as Half-Giants, stand between 8 to 12 feet.
Full Giants retain their earth-toned skin and glowing eyes, but their diminished power has left their once-immaculate forms marred by cracks and fissures that glow faintly with residual magic. Half-Giants, while smaller, still bear their lineage's imposing physiques, often marked by unique elemental patterns on their skin, reminiscent of stone, ice, or lava. Both Giants and Half-Giants exhibit broad frames and thick, calloused hands, signifying their ancient role as builders and shapers of the land.
Modern Giants and Half-Giants share a blend of pride and humility born of their tumultuous history. They are often introspective, burdened by the loss of their former glory yet steadfast in their duty as guardians of the natural world. Full Giants, in particular, are revered for their wisdom and sense of justice but can be deeply sorrowful as living relics of a bygone age.
Half-Giants, inheriting both the valor of their ancestors and the adaptability of the younger races, are more prone to adventurous spirits. They are typically loyal, honorable, and determined, though their Giant blood often manifests as a fiery temper or stubborn resolve.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The culture of the Giants has evolved significantly since the Sundering. Full Giants, now few in number, live in seclusion, guarding ancient ruins and relics of their people, often serving as spiritual leaders to the Half-Giants who view them as divine emissaries. They pass down stories of the Giants' creation and fall, ensuring their legacy is never forgotten.
Half-Giants, on the other hand, have integrated with the younger races of Aethria, forming nomadic tribes or serving as warriors, builders, and sages. Despite their integration, they retain a deep respect for their Giant heritage, gathering periodically for ancient rituals led by the remaining full-blooded Giants. These gatherings often take place near ancient monoliths or mountain shrines, where they honor Brundar, the God of Valor, through feats of strength, storytelling, and song.
Artifacts from the Age of the Ancients are highly revered among both Giants and Half-Giants. Many embark on quests to recover lost relics, believing them to hold the key to restoring their race’s former stature and unity.

Common Myths and Legends

The Giants of Aethria believe they were molded by Brundar from the bones of the earth and imbued with his valor to protect the land. The Sundering shattered this divine connection, scattering the Giants and warping their once-vast forms.
According to their myth, the Sundering tore the Heart of Valor—the divine artifact gifted by Brundar to the first Stonewarden—into fragments. Without it, the Giants could no longer sustain their towering forms or their unified purpose. Many perished as the magic that sustained them drained into the Aether, while others adapted, giving rise to the Half-Giants.
The prophecy of the Giants speaks of a day when the Heart of Valor will be reforged, restoring the Giants to their former glory. Until then, they see their diminished state not as a curse but as a test of their resilience and honor. Full Giants view their survival as a sacred duty, while Half-Giants embody the hope of a new era, blending the strengths of their Giant and mortal bloodlines.

Parent ethnicities

• The Sentient Races