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. They are extremely rare, very few people have ever met one.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Firbolgs resemble humans, and the males sport great, thick beards. Their thick, tough skin is fleshy pink, and their hair, though it comes in many colours, is usually either red or blonde and worn long. A firbolg's voice is deep and smooth, and they tend to roll their consonants when speaking. Firbolgs are typically over 10 feet tall, averaging a height of about 10.5 feet. While firbolgs from other nations weighed more than 800 pounds, those of Winval were lighter, with males being about 650 pounds and females about 500 pounds.
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 can 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 can make themselves turn invisible. They are also said to be able to communicate to a limited effect with both plants and animals of their forest homes.

Additional Information

Social Structure

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 consider greed to be one of the worst vices. They 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 will find prankish ways of taking valuables from strangers, out of a sense of fun. Firbolgs believe that charity is a virtue but also believe that it is 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 very sociable with established friends. They are extremely honest and cannot lie without feeling physical discomfort, even if the lie is by omission.
Firbolgs have a family-centered, clan-based society. They live in settlements in remote hilly or forested areas. Their settlements are 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 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.

Lifespan

500 years

Average Height

10'6"

Average Weight

500 - 650lbs