Firbolg

Summary

Exceedingly rare on Vrashyn, Firbolg are the offspring of Satyr and Giantkin couples, so they speak Sylvan rather than Elvish in this setting. Rather than living among one society or the other, Firbolg guard the mountain forests of Northwest Laivra from those who would do harm to their inhabitants. All Firbolg are biologically female, and many of them worship and emulate the goddess Artemis.

Appearance

Firbolg are a bit larger than most races, having tough giant's skin with a unique bluish hue. Their hair, eyes, and skin vary depending on their specific heritage: Firbolg can have a Firbolg, Goliath, or proper Giant parent and their appearance changes accordingly. Their most distinctive feature is their red, snout-like noses, which don't seem to come from either parent. Because they can stay warm without the need for much clothing, Firbolg usually only need thin fur coverings in cold weather.

Culture

Firbolg culture is dominated by concern for the forests and woodland creatures. It is unknown exactly how this association came to be, but it is believed that the earliest Firbolg escaped persecution by fleeing into the woods, forming a society with others who shared a similar past. There, they learned compassion for the native life. Firbolg share their average alignment--neutral good--with Artemis, the Latris hunting goddess worshipped by most Firbolg. Firbolg are trilingual, speaking Common, Giant, and Sylvan.

Livelihood

Firbolg are split between those who protect the forests and those who venture forth to see the world. Most choose the former, becoming both a huntress and a priestess, sworn to chastity and a life lived in service of the forest. Good-aligned Firbolg take no pleasure in hunting despite their expertise, seeing it as a purely survival-based activity. In line with these beliefs, they refuse to eat animals they didn't personally kill. Firbolg who find that this life is not for them are free to go, but they are generally not allowed to return once they have experienced a year or more in the outside world.

Upbringing

Within a few years of birth, the Satyr parent usually brings their Firbolg offspring to the forest to be raised by their own kind. This practice has less to do with disgust than piety, as Latris believe that Firbolg are born to be servants to Artemis. Firbolg children grow up learning the ways of the forest, taking an additional (greek-sounding) name when they complete their training. Though Firbolg huntresses swear an oath of chastity, they and most other Firbolg are attracted to women and form lifetime romantic bonds. This trend exists in both Firbolg women and trans men, the latter of whom are more common among this race than others.

Relations with Others

Firbolg are secretive and prefer to keep their interactions with the outside world, and even each other, to a minimum. They have a mutually positive relationship with their Satyr cousins who respect their devotion to Artemis. They also have a place among the Giants, though shared territory is often the extent of this relationship.

Druid Girl Portrait by LeskaArt

Racial Features

Ability Score Increase Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Age As humanoids related to the fey, firbolg have long lifespans. A firbolg reaches adulthood around 30, and the oldest of them can live for 500 years.
Alignment As people who follow the rhythm of nature and see themselves as its caretakers, firbolg are typically neutral good. Evil firbolg are rare and are usually the sworn enemies of the rest of their kind.
Size Firbolg are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 240 and 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Firbolg Magic You can cast detect magic and disguise self with this trait, using Wisdom as your spellcasting ability for them. Once you cast either spell, you can’t cast it again with this trait until you finish a short or long rest. When you use this version of disguise self, you can seem up to 3 feet shorter than normal, allowing you to more easily blend in with humans and elves.
Hidden Step As a bonus action, you can magically turn invisible until the start of your next turn or until you attack, make a damage roll, or force someone to make a saving throw. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Powerful Build You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Speech of Beast and Leaf You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with beasts and plants. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
Languages You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan, and Giant.

Population Map