firbolg

Firbolgs are a reclusive race of giant-kin who prefer to avoid contact with other sentient races. They are both the most intelligent and the most powerful of the giant-kin.

Firbolgs resemble large humans but with more bovine features, such as large horns and a muzzle, and often a thick coat of fur that covers their skin. Most firbolgs do not have a tail, but sometimes a child is born with one. Usually their speech patterns are slow and their voice low.  Firbolgs who live in secluded communities known as herds are typically over 10 feet (3 meters) tall, averaging a height of about 10.5 feet (3.2 meters). Their townfolk brethren are often somewhat smaller in stature as the lineages have usually gotten mixed with other races over the years. Firbolgs tend to be on the heavier side with males weighing about 650 pounds (290 kilograms) and females about 500 pounds (230 kilograms).

Abilities

The average firbolg is stronger than a forest bear.  Beyond sheer physical strength, they have innate magical abilities. Firbolgs are said to be resistant to magic. They could sense the presence of magical auras innately. They also have the power to change their physical appearance, including making themselves larger or smaller. They sometimes use this magical power to blend in or interact with smaller races. 
They have excellent vision at night and can perhaps see in the dark.  Some sages claim that firbolgs have regenerative abilities. Other sages report that firbolgs could make themselves turn invisible, however, there doesn't seem to be any data backing these claims. They are also said to be able to communicate to a limited effect with both plants and animals of their forest homes. 
Firbolgs enjoy quiet time in the woods, in harmony with nature. The forests are sacred to them and symbolize the heart of the earth and the adaptability of life. They see themselves as the forests' caretakers.
Firbolgs often consider greed to be one of the worst vices. The herds believe that one should only ever take what one needs and no more. They see 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 and whimsy. 
Firbolgs believe that charity is a virtue but also believe that it was harmful for the recipient to know the identity of the provider; because of this they appear to be reclusive amongst the other races, although they are quite sociable with established friends. They are extremely honest and could not lie without feeling physical discomfort, even if the lie was by omission. A firbolg merchant can be trusted to only sell products of esteemed quality and nothing less. 
Firbolgs tend to be over-confident and fearless, except for a pervasive phobia of humanoid mobs. They see the wearing of armor as cowardly, and thus do not usually wear armor, nor is it common for them to carry shields. 
Firbolgs are cautious and shrewd in their dealings with outsiders.They distrust most humans and humanoids. Among non-giants, they are neutral with druids, elves, and fey. They are on good terms with storm giants, whom they look up to and often try to emulate, but they avoid much of the

other giant races. 

Combat

If provoked, firbolgs are formidable opponents, skilled both in physical combat and druidic magics. They prefer massive weapons, such as two-handed swords and halberds. They are strong enough to wield most human-made weapons in a single hand.
In battle, firbolgs fight tactically and rely especially on the importance of teamwork. They are adept at batting away or catching projectiles, and have excellent throwing arms, like most giantkin do. They could easily toss a large rock weighing around 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kilograms), if provoked to do so.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Firbolg pregnancies are typically about two years long. This is much longer than other giant-kin, who have pregnancies roughly equivalent to humans.

Growth Rate & Stages

Firbolgs reach adulthood at about 30 years, and could live as many as 500 years. Some scholars postulate that this long life is because firbolgs have fey blood, but most giant races have naturally long lifespans.

Lycanthropy

Firbolgs are known to be highly susceptible to almost all forms of lycanthropy.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Firbolgs have a family-centered, clan-based society. They most often live in settlements in remote hilly or forested areas. Their settlements are usually farmlands with strongholds including wooden structures, built from the trees around them, with defensive towers with catwalks between them. Rarely, they inhabit cavern complexes dug into the hillsides. They use their magic to ensure that their homes remain a secret to outsiders- These clan settlements are often small, with between about four and sixteen members, often with a shaman or druid, and live separate from each other. A few firbolg clans are nomadic. A typical firbolg home is a huge one-story log building with strong walls. A large fireplace with multiple openings warms a central common room.
As caretakers of the woods, they carefully and resourcefully live off the land, making sure to ensure balance. During summer, they store excess nuts, fruits, and berries, so that they could provide food to the forest animals during winter. Although they farm, it was only to supplement their diets; they prefer a more hunter-gatherer lifestyle, rather than the brigand/raider lifestyle of many other giants. Their hunting grounds are usually spread out in a 20‑mile (32‑kilometer) radius from their clan homes. They eat small portions of meat with most meals, and reserve large roasts of meat for special celebrations.
Most firbolg herds prefer isolation from other races, avoiding their politics and struggles. If intruders enter 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  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.
In the northerns areas of Faerûn, firbolgs have become more accustomed to townlife and living amongst other humanoids. 
Firbolgs seem to have a natural tendency toward druidic magics, and many of their chieftains are thus druids. Others become rangers or fighters. Other adventuring vocations are rare; but not entirely unheard of. 
Firbolg communities are 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.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Firbolgs have extremely keen eyes and can see in low light. They also have darkvision that enables them to see up to 60 feet in the dark.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Firbolgs have their own tongue, but also speak Common, Giant, and Elven. Sometimes, firbolgs who interact with outsiders tend to take elven names. The traveler Volothamp Geddarm reported that firbolgs had no names for themselves or their homes, but there are many named firbolgs and herds in the region of Hartsvale in the North. Town-dwelling firbolgs tend to have both first names and surnames, often relating to nature in one way or another.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• giant

Scientific Name

homo gigans taurus

Lifespan

up to 500 years