Language: Old Norse
Introduction
Have you ever wanted to see what a merchant with god like powers, the capabilities to match a dragon, and the mind of a crazy quality checker? That full line up describes the majority of most Glugasky (Glug-a-Sky). Giant is a strange language, and the races names are even stranger. Standing tall and thin, these giants rarely are seen by mortal men. And prefer to stay to there own or at least thats our understanding at the champions of pyrus headquarters. It could just be they don’t much care for the ignorance of us nobles. Giants are all kind of like that.
Ambermound “Giantsbane” of clan Helmshaper
Cities
Here we will show the maps of the kingdoms, duchies and lands throughout each of the ages.
Note
No known map has ever been found for the cloud giant lands. However there are three noted clans amongst the cloud giants that run the largest cities.
Grunaga
A city depicted as an ugly smashed together design of artists and sailors that is almost artistic in its depcition of horrendous overcrowding of buildings. Thus the city is depicted as having grand statues of jotuns, dragons, uliveres, orcs, and many other creatures, as one house stacks onto another. One business appears and another grows atop of it, a city that continues to move and never has a continous population. Noted for its busy streets, loud merchants and many dark alleys to get lost within. Grunaga was depicted as a city of a hundred voices all heard within the grand chambers at the center. Through a almost chaotic storm of designs and winding streets, a core can be found with a simple and bright golden jotun architecture district where the majority of the Grunaga clan conduct business with various nations. At the center, a large spire with Himin depicted as holding a sword in one hand and a bag of coin in the other. It is said to be so bright that in the middle of the darkest nights the Kaupmadr use it to guide them to the city by shining bright light spells throughout the sky until it reflects back.
Imperlias
The largest of the three clans, for their expertise in both warfare and reproduction. It is said that the Imperlias statues that can be found deep in the underdark and in some older strongholds are the exact depictions of how the clan appeared. Giving a more stone giant width, and a storm giant's height. This clan was noted to be almost four thousand strong when it was last seen. And no records remain of the city ever having been defeated or destroyed. Leading many scholars to believe that the city itself still flies amongst the clouds.
Zephyros
A small city of only two thousand cloud giants that was said to specialize in cloud crafting directly. As their city was founded around a strange red cloud that was kept at the central stronghold within a powerful anti magic glass dome. Many believe that the Zephyros had made deals with the fiends of Mors and Abadon to use this clouds magic in their crafting. Causing many of the goods created to be extremely powerful, however, also making them extremely volatile toward the attuned. As each item crafted had a personality of its own that rivaled the fiends that many believed they were based on. Each of the artifacts created were twisted items that caused all to fear them.
Selvia
Though only numbering around five hundred, the clan of Selvia was known for its strange population. Having the largest concentrated star crafter population due to its proximity to the storm giant's capital. Thus many believed the clan of Selvia specifically monopolized the half breed giants in order to gain power in the ranks of all giants. Also noted that Himin himself is said to have founded this clan.
Technology periods
Here we shall discuss the main technological discoveries by this race.
Glugga Rynstr (In common Cloud Crafters)
One of the few races known to be able to harness the magic of the world directly from the air. The cloud giants stand as the only race able to build large floating cities in the sky. However, the runic arts of the cloud giants do not stop there. The race is known to be able to shroud their cities in such fine magic that even the gods cannot see within. Giving them the original name as “The Forgotten Clans”. It is said that like the cities, the cloud giants also crafted weapons and armor that seemed to meld to the body and make the item unusable to all others. Granting them the ability to craft extremely powerful magical items, beyond what any other race even in modern history has managed.
Stiarna Rynstr (In common Star Crafters)
Though this title was given rarely to cloud giants, the term was believed to only be given to those of half cloud and half storm giant descendancy. Which was a rare occurrence in the race's history. However, those with this bloodline were said to be able to grab falling stars from the sky through use of strange magic. And craft them into one of a kind magical items. Though this craft would be handed down later to another race. The items created by the original star crafters are said to be almost on par with the twelve lords items. Many scholars even believe that the star crafters were the ones to craft the twelve lords items themselves.
Hierarchy
Here we shall discuss how the overall ladder of power is designed in this race's territories.
Gangleri (In common High King)
A title given to the heir of house Ogeron who ruled the cloud giants. Thus making it one of the most respected and feared amongst giants. For the Ogeron bloodline in modern times is still considered cursed.
A unique note to this title is that amongst the cloud giants it has never passed down beyond Himin himself. As many have speculated for a long time, Himin could be a lich in a non-traditional sense or immortal by a gift from his family's blood.
Vinir (In common Clan Head)
Though a title that is inherited typically by the next in line. Cloud giants would usually pass this on to the wealthiest of the clan. Meaning even cousins far removed from the main family would be able to inherit if they were capable. Thus during the time of Kaldr Penningr a new head of the clan would be chosen. Granting them full authority on where the cloud city flew and what it would achieve.
Vikingr (In common, Sky Pirate)
Also known as sky pirates in common, the Vikingr were an elite military unit even amongst the storm giants main military units. They specialized in capturing, infiltration, and raiding. It should be especially noted that while many believed the storm giants to be conqueror's this was incorrect. The truth of the matter is that storm giants cannot reproduce fast enough to replace many of there numbers, let alone expand. Thus they became extremely well trained in hit and run tactics. Causing the storm giants to be the most adaptable military of the older races.
The title Vikingr would come from the term Sky Pirates as the lesser races saw big clouds flowing down to the ground with twenty to thirty vikingr aboard. They would quickly attack, tie there victims down with a strange ore called rodinn stone, and vanish within minutes of the initial attack. They were also nicknamed the “Wolves of the Clouds” for these tactics.
Kaupmadr (In common, Sky Merchant)
A known class of cloud giants that is believed to be the lifeblood of the nation. Well known for being groups of races flying under a core cloud giant group on large sky ships, those who bore the mark of a ruby volcano on there skin were allowed free passage within any port area of the cloud giant lands. Many believe that while the other giants had grown far stronger militarily, the good relations between the cloud giant Kaupmadr class is what would lead to its vast defensive capabilities. As even the lesser races would continue to offer trade throughout the wars, some even noted that dragons of lower clans could be seen amongst the kaupmadr. Creating a sort of merchant of death class amongst the cloud giant culture that acted as mercenaries in times of war, and merchants in times of peace. It is believed the old giant saying of "A man who is king of his ship bows to no ruler" came from the Kaupmadr Kebbles "The Shoe Nosed" a kobold known to take after a red dragon. Though as he was noted to say this to one of the Imperlias's Vinir, it was also noted that Kebbles "The Shoe Nosed" was later renamed Kebbles "The Limped Nose" as he had his legs taken from him and allowed to walk only on his nose.
Nobility
Here we shall discuss notable noble houses through the time periods.
Grunaga
The clan sigil of a blue background with Faltharn's blade at the center with a gold coin on either side. The clan was noted for its one and only powerful ruler the son of Ogeron himself, Himin Grunaga. A cloud giant who would later become known as "The Last Cloud Gangleri" as he watched the other giants all fall throughout the histories. It is believed that Himin would never truly have any children and seemed to refuse to continue his line out of a strange pact or oath that he had made for greater power. Himin and his clan were noted to have the largest city of all the clans, however as the city was never truly found the only records we have of its true size is that of the depictions of the many slaves and kaupmadr that arrived in the city. It was noted to be the largest port amongst the giant territories, and had connections and trades with every major power in the world during the first age. However, the city is depicted as having been built by sailors and a large cooking pot of artists as it was called. With designs of dragons and uliveres clashed right on top of one another. Seemingly like the city was growing atop itself with every passing year. The clan of Grunaga mostly consisted of giants sworn to Himin directly, so while the great Gangleri had no children, succession was never in question. The clan seemed to house the largest population of kaupmadr, and depending on the time of day was said to have a population of either a few thousand to by mid day in the hundreds of the thousands.
Imperlias
The clan sigil was shown as a cloud giant hand holding the head of a blue dragon on a blackened background. This house was known for its larger warriors and willingness to declare war on any who would stand in their way. At least if the fight was in their favor, for clan Imperlias never attacked other giants, and only focused its raiding power on those mortal races foolish enough not to accept their trade. However, it should be noted that at some point they did declare war on Mov'asi, the king of the dragons. Noting that they managed to raid the mountain stronghold of Mov’asi and mortally wound him.
Zephyros
The clan sigil is a winged horse on a blue background. Many believe the clan was the first to breed pegasi into the world. However, others note that they also traded in rare and exotic monsters from deep within the underdark. The clan is known particularly for there white hair and wind based magic.
Selvia
The clan uses a white cloud with a red lightning bolt exploding from it on a gray background. Many believe the entire clan is fully made of half breeds. Allowing for no non pure cloud giants amongst their ranks. Thus granting those from this clan stronger magic and authoritative capabilities as is noted amongst the scholars at the time. Not much else was written on the clan, other than that Selvia was noted as the only clan to have met the Thri-Kreen race.
Military
Himin Grunaga
Noted as having an army of around 20,000 Vikingrs, around 1,000 sky ships, 12,000 kaupmadr and 4,000 slaves that can be mobilized
Wars
Here we shall discuss the notable wars for each period and who they were against.
Note
The cloud giants are noted as one of the few amongst their species to avoid war avidly. Thus no bodies or proof of combat has ever been discovered amongst the cloud giant histories. Many believe the flying races, though few and far between, would be the only species allowed to trade and visit the lands of the cloud giant clans. One note that was taken down by the discovery in the far southern ice caps of a large temple to some strange bird-like creature. Was a depiction of toth or an ancient predecessor of the toth trading with the cloud giants and worshiping at their feet. But the cloud giant is depicted as carrying a strange gnarled staff in each hand and holding their arms open wide to almost embrace the traders. (see below - link to art)
Events/Holidays
We shall begin to discuss notable holidays and events in this culture. Explaining further on where they come from and what goes on during them.
Kaldr Penningr (cold coin)
An event in which upon the head of the clan's death, a great celebration would be held where all members of the clan would return to celebrate. Gold and valuables would be spent at alarming amounts to prove their ability amongst the clan. Then it is said that after one year of this celebration, the people of the clan would take a vote. Those who spent the most and those who brought the most valuable trade goods would be put up for consideration. And on the last night of the year when the moon was at its highest, the shouts would ring out and whosoever name was the loudest would become the next clan head. Granting them the riches of all who participated to spend as they wished. Though traditionally the coin would be returned and the items put on display for all to see.
Religious beliefs
Here we shall discuss the different religious beliefs in this race's history throughout the periods.
Note
Giants are one of the few mortal species who have no pantheon they worship, although the five sons of Ogeron Grunaga are considered to be the closest thing to religious icons in the giant world. But even then, giants saw the gods themselves as nothing other than powerful enemies like the dragons they fought against time and again. Instead they worshiped at a trade of sorts, creating living sentient gods from items or the environment itself.
Truthfully, Cloud Giants worshiped the sky more than anything. As the sky gave them the clouds, and their cities strength. But no god would come of it or at least that we know of.
Known diseases
Here we shall discuss known diseases to be active and/or discovered or cured during the different time periods of these races
Dirt Foot
A disease that was extremely rare, but said to make it so that a cloud giant could not retain their ability to walk on the clouds. Thus those with this rare disease would see their feet start to turn brown and eventually would find themselves sinking into the floors of land. Those who would gain this disease found it incurable, thus forcing many to resign themselves to the stone or hill giant lands. The disease eventually causes the entirety of the victims skin to brown to a dirt like color and shrivel in height. A fully infected cloud giant would look almost identical to their hill giant cousins.
Anatomy
Here we shall both provide a design as well as an explanation of the anatomy of the race in question.
(image of )
Ability score increase
The cloud giant being more of the friendly type takes a +2 to charisma.
Age
The average lifespan from what we have found is around 6,000 years of age in a cloud giant but due to the many wars seems to have shortened unnaturally as of late to around 4,500.
The cloud giant comes of age around 1,800 years and thus spends what many lesser mortals see a millennia in adolescence
Phenotypes
Typically shown with white hair, fluffy white beards, and blue grey skin tone. The cloud giant is in many ways similar to its cousin race of the storm giant.
Height and Weight
Roughly 18ft to 25ft tall the cloud giants tower over all others.
With weight to match of around 5,000lbs the cloud giant is massively heavy for someone who resides in the skies.
Alignment
Typically the alignment of a cloud giant is something of a form of good, though due to the modern day rules and laws, lawful is a tad rarer if you run into a cloud giant. Thus many are seen as neutral or chaotic good for their more primitive beliefs and views.
Speed
The average walking speed of a cloud giant is 60ft due to their larger height.
Founding
Here we shall explain when the race came to be, how it came to be, and whom it is credited to and where.
The youngest and quietest of the children of Ogeron Grunaga, Himin Grunaga known mostly for his beauty and passion for all living things. Of all Ogeron’s children, Himin was the least remembered or paid attention to. Preferring to take a small faction of The Protector faction with him during the War of the Storm and stay neutral. Himin would gain the ire of all sides but due to his ability to shape the clouds to his whim, Himin would build a small island in the sky and have it continuously moving, never to be found.
To this day, cloud giants still exist and Himin still sits upon his throne as king and alfather to all the giant races. He is the last of the heirs of Ogeron and the only one that the High King was never able to slay. It is said however, that Himin has only managed this by staying away and never letting his kingdom remain in the same place. Thus, few mortals even know of where he exists or if he is actually real. Though many believe that it was Himin who would create the art of building Aasimar as they were the protectors of his realm.
Not much is known outside of this, and no proof has ever been found that Himin still lives but no records show of his death and even followers of the High King have yet to find anything in the ancient texts that might prove of his death or destruction like his siblings.
Comments