GoCorral

Subraces

Giantkin come in many varieties. All giants are descended from the first giants and cyclopes birthed from Gaia. While the different subraces have diverged over time, they all maintain the general humanoid shape, large size, and powerful musculature iconic of giants.

Elemental Giants: Elemental giants are the most pure connection to the first giants of Gaia. There are five sub varieties of elemental giants, each with a different connection to an elemental force. In order of size the five elemental giants are Hill, Stone, Fire, Frost, and Storm. Hill giants are about 9 feet tall while storm giants can be almost 30 feet tall. The size of an elemental giant dictates their hierarchy, with the tallest at the top of their leadership structure.

Each breed of elemental giant has a small magical power associated with their elemental. Hill giants are normal, possessing no special powers besides their strength. Stone giants can meld into the rocks and stone, becoming a part of the landscape around them. Fire giants can withstand any heat. They used this talent and their natural strength to develop unique smithing techniques. Frost giants can live outside in the cold with no maladies. Lastly, storm giants can fly and have control over the weather in their area.

Cyclopes: Cyclopes are the most similar to the ancient patrons of the giantkin. They stand about 15 feet tall, have a single eye, and often forego all luxuries except for the most simple clothes. Unfortunately, cyclopes have drifted far from their forefathers in morals. They still possess great skill at the forge, but modern cyclopes also enjoy the taste of humans. They must resist the temptation or a cyclops risks incurring the wrath of adventurers and human civilization. Those that indulge in human flesh forge terrifying weapons and armor to aid their hunger. Additionally, cyclopes have the power of the evil eye. Any who lock eyes with a cyclops in anger are cursed with misfortune.

Ettins: Ettins are two headed giants. They stand about 13 feet tall. Their two heads have independent personalities and often argue with each other. This constant unwanted social interaction makes ettins prefer solitude. They typically reside in caves and only emerge to acquire food. This love of solitude makes ettins a dying breed as they rarely encounter each other to procreate. Ettins’ hatred of social interaction extends to the briefest of meetings with other races. A simple greeting can engage an ettin and lead to violence.

Ogres: Ogres are the smallest and most common giantkin. They stand about 8 feet tall with heads that slope forwards on their broad shoulders. Ogres have long limbs that give them increased reach in combat. Ogre social groups are small as they are too stupid to sustain larger groups. Any large gathering of ogres inevitably leads to misunderstandings, disagreements, and violence.

Their stupidity also leads ogres into being the most frequently witnessed of the giantkin. They have no fear of adventurers and civilization. Ogres often raid villages with no foresight to the consequences. Their subrace would’ve been wiped out long ago if they didn’t mature so quickly. Most giants have gestation and maturation periods similar to humans. Ogres have a longer gestation period, but mature at a much greater pace, reaching full size in only four and a half years. This rapid growth rate allows for ogres to quickly replace their population numbers that eliminate themselves through ignorant actions.

Trolls: Trolls are the most savage of the giantkin. Standing at 8 feet tall they have long limbs similar to ogres. Trolls have long pointed ears and noses and green skin. Their injuries regenerate rapidly unless burned with fire or acid. Trolls can even regrow entire limbs if left alone for sufficient time. Their regeneration serves them well in combat as no injury lasts longer than a minute.

A troll’s diet is entirely carnivorous. They spend most of their waking time looking for meat to consume. Trolls care little where their sustenance comes from. Sheep, birds, or humanoids, all are prime material to feed a troll’s hunger. They are almost animal-like in their intelligence, being the only giantkin subrace to use no weapons and go without clothing. Trolls can speak, but typically give in to their battlelust whenever another living being is present.