Giant

Giants were humanoid creatures of exceptionally large size.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The appearance of giants varied according to the type of giant (see true giants below) but they were generally humanoid in appearance, just much larger. Their bone structure was more dense than that of humans, giving them extra toughness but slowing them down a little.[2]

Biological Traits

Cloud Giants Ettin Fire Giant Fog Giant Frost Giant Sea Giant Hill Giant Mountain Giant Stone Giant Storm Giant Jungle Giant Reef Giant Titan

Genetics and Reproduction

Like that of a human

Growth Rate & Stages

Offspring reach maturity around 50 years

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivore

Additional Information

Social Structure

Giants, or "jotunbrud" in their own tongue,[10] were intelligent creatures with their own set of cultures and customs. The intelligence varied according to the type of giant (and as with humans, with the individual) but most were at least on a human level of intellect,[2] with the exception of hill giants.[11] Most giants saw themselves as superior to all other creatures.[12] The ordning was one reason for this,[13] but they were also much larger than many other species, so they would talk down to and patronize smaller folk, regarding them as unimportant.[9] Giants lived in tribes or families, but their numbers were limited because of their size, and the difficulty of finding plentiful food.[14]


Ancestry was important to giants. Most giants could trace their lineage back to Annam All-Father, and it was recited formally when introducing oneself to other giants. Once a relationship had been established between giants, whether it was amicable or hostile, this would be continued further down the lineage. Therefore, reciting one's lineage helped to dictate the relationship that would be established. Frost giant skalds (bards) would include lineage in the sagas they wrote.[13]

Facial characteristics

Many male giants have beards and long hair

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Worldwide

Average Intelligence

Surprisingly high intelligence

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Biology

Most giants had superior senses to most humans. In general they could see and hear twice as well. The cloud giant, hill giant and stone giant species had a particularly good sense of smell.[3] Some had the capacity to see well in low light or total darkness as well.[4] They were immune to almost all diseases, and had a slight resistance to poison.[5] A female giant had a pregnancy of between nine and fifteen months, depending on the type of giant.[3] Their offspring reached maturity in around fifty years.[6]
Although their ancestors were immortal, giant life spans decreased with each generation. The life expectancy of a giant in 1366 DR [note 1], seven or eight giant generations removed from Annam, was believed to be between 300 and 400 years depending on race,[7] although later sources stated that storm and stone giants could live several centuries longer on average.[8] The oldest giants were well over 1000 years old.[7] Because their lifespans were so much longer than humans, giants were slow to make decisions and would not be rushed.[9]

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Varies

Courtship Ideals

Like that of humans

Relationship Ideals

Like that of humans

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Common, Giant

Common Dress Code

Little to no clothing sometimes full clothed

History

Giants were inhabiting Abeir-Toril before any of the other humanoid or demihuman races. The first of their kind and the source of the entire species were the sons of Annam All-Father and his wife Othea, who settled on the planet to form a kingdom known as Ostoria. Each of their mortal sons was the progenitor of a different type of giant.[17]


The giants were soon at war with the dragons.[17] This conflict was to last for over a thousand years. There are differing accounts of its conclusion, although the giants believe it was a result of a stalemate in a game of wah-ree between Annam and the dragon god, while dwarven accounts say that the dragons needed to declare peace to conduct a civil war in which the metallic dragons fought the chromatic dragons.[18]

Common Myths and Legends

Some people, especially those who lived exclusively in the cities, did not believe that giants even existed. Others thought they were magically altered humans.[2] A human myth stated that all giants were evil. This rumor was part of the cause of the formation of the Blood Riders.[12] Some giants believed that the stars were dragon queens preparing to scatter dragon eggs across the land.[17] There was a legend that a dragon god lived in the sun and led the dragons in war.[18]
Festivals and events The Grand Feast of the All-Father was celebrated on the first day of the new year. On this day giants would put aside their other responsibilities and have a massive feast celebrating Ostoria's eventual restoration. Ambassadors would be sent from one tribe to another during these feasts to show their unity, and the stormazîn would honor a favored chieftain by dining with that chieftain's tribe.[19]
For many years after the death of Hartkiller, the chiefs of the largest giant tribes on Faerûn made a pilgrimage to the Twilight Vale every year where the Twilight Spirit appeared to them, asking for its help in fulfilling the prophecy of the return of Annam All-Father. The Twilight Spirit appeared as a very large, shadowy giant[20] whose identity was eventually revealed to be Lanaxis in 1366 DR.[21] It is unknown whether this practice continued after Lanaxis' attempt to restore the All-Father failed.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Varies

Lifespan

300-400 years(depending on race

Average Height

Large

Average Weight

10000 lbs

Average Physique

Muscular

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Body tint varies on race the reef and sea giant for example have various blue's and sea greens.