Half-Giant

Race Description

Whether they are the direct offspring of a small Giant and a Human parent like Brun of Hartsvale, or simply Humans with ancient Giant blood in their veins, these characters openly manifest the strength of their heritage for all to see. They boast impressive height and width, and many even appear as colorful as their forebears.

Half-Giants share no traditions or customs, only a deep-rooted self-doubt that emerges during their upbringing and fills their hearts with estrangement. Among Humans, their size may be feared or even celebrated, but it is never considered normal. Meanwhile, among True Giants, their smaller stature is a source of disdain and mockery. Proving their worth and seeking a place to belong is every Half-Giant's quest from the moment they are born.

Appearance

Half-Giants are much taller and wider than Humans, but they are considered runts even in the presence of Giant-kin like the Firbolgs, who tower above them. Half-Giants with strong ancestry can have skin tones and physical resistances matching those of their forefathers, but many simply look like very strong, very tall Humans. Half-Giants can live to be 150 years old.

Relations

As very few have ever met enough Half-Giants - or knew they have met them and not just a large Human - to recognize them as a unique people, acceptance of Half-Giants will vary according to how strongly the blood of Annam is manifested in their appearance and the stance of the local culture towards an individual’s physicality.

In the Savage North, if lacking in any outlandish features, a Half-Giant would simply be considered a particularly large Human barbarian. In the more civilized south, however, a figure boasting a Fire Giant’s appearance and fiery red skin would certainly be treated with fear and apprehension by ordinary folk and with hostility by Dwarven populations.

Due to their proud heritage, Half-Giants can be haughty and full of themselves, especially those who decide to embrace the blood of Annam in their veins. However, such self-importance can quickly turn to mockery should they ever encounter a True Giant on their travels, as they are likely to consider the Half-Giant a mere pretentious runt.

Alignment

Half-Giants inherit the adaptive nature of their Human side and a hint of the temper from the particular Giant heritage they possess. Together, this unlikely melting pot of traits helps decide which values and principles they cling to during their upbringing, which, for good or ill, will determine where they find themselves on the alignment spectrum.

Half-Giant Lands

Among Humans, Half-Giants have no place of their own, but most can be found living among the Damaran and Illuskan populations in the north of Faerûn, as these were once the territories of the Giant empire of Ostoria in ages past. In recent years, however, some have been carving out a home for themselves on the island of Arelith in the Trackless Sea, within the mountain fortress of Jotunhold.

A few can also be found living among True Giants, but this is a very rare occurrence, as the diminutive size of a Half-Giant would never allow them to climb the ranks of the local Ordning beyond the very bottom, where they start and remain as runts. Thus, most are encouraged by circumstances to seek out their own fortune on the road.

Religion

Unless born in a Giant community or in lands where the worship of Giant deities remains strong even among Human populations, such as Hartsvale, few Half-Giants are introduced to the Giant gods during their upbringing. However, many, if they care for it, will seek them out as they pursue the roots of their ancestry. As a result of this disconnect, paired with the prejudice they face from True Giants, Half-Giants make for poor clerics of the Jotun pantheon. Otherwise, Half-Giants will simply inherit the polytheistic nature of the Human communities they were born into.

Language

They speak Common and the local language of they region they were born at. Half-Giants who decide to claim their ancient heritage also find reason to learn the Giant tongue.

Names

Half-Giants will be given names according to the culture they were born into, be it Giant or Human. In the case of Half-Giants from Human communities, they may eventually adopt a new name to better represent their ancestry if they feel inclined to.

Adventurers

Due to their strength and endurance, Half-Giants are natural adventurers. They set out towards danger to prove their worth, to fill their pockets with spoils and loot - sometimes with added heroics or villainy, since Half-Giants are by nature prone to committing deeds worthy of bardic songs - and, often, to learn more about the True Giants they descend from, a quest many find worth pursuing.

Alone or in bands of like-minded individuals, Half-Giants will always be at the forefront, where they can use their prodigious size as a tool of intimidation. Half-Giants get along well with other half-breeds who might share their sense of disconnect and outcast sentiment, but old grudges and racial enmities might put them at odds with Dwarven and Gnome adventurers.

Subraces

• Requires: Major Award
• Base Race: Human
• ECL: +3

Fire Half-Giant

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With boisterous ways and bravery to a fault, half-giants with fire giant blood draw attention wherever they travel, usually earning them, for good or ill, a reputation quickly.

• +4 STR, -2 DEX, +2 CON, -2 CHA
• 5% Immunity to Physical Damage
• 50% Immunity to Fire Damage
• 20/- Resistance to Fire Damage
• 25% Vulnerability to Cold Damage
• Bonus Feat: Darkvision
• Bonus Language: Giant
• Size: Large
• Starts knowing the Fire summoning stream

Bloodline:

• Bloodline of the Priest: +2 WIS, -2 STR / Effective Stats: +2 STR, +2 CON, +2 WIS, -2 DEX, -2 CHA
• Bloodline of the Fire Praetor: CHA +4, STR -2, DEX -2 / Effective Stats: +2 STR, -4 DEX, +2 CON, +2 CHA

Frost Half-Giant

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By nature, frost half-giants tend to inherit the more brutish traits of their ancestry, but it does not make them any less cunning than the other half-bloods.

• +2 STR, -2 DEX, +4 CON, -2 CHA
• 5% Immunity to Physical Damage
• 50% Immunity to Cold Damage
• 20/- Resistance to Cold Damage
• 25% Vulnerability to Fire Damage
• Bonus Feat: Darkvision
• Bonus Language: Giant
• Size: Large
• Starts knowing the Water summoning stream

Bloodline:

• Bloodline of the Shaman: +2 WIS, -2 CON / Effective Stats: +2 STR, +2 CON, +2 WIS, -2 DEX, -2 CHA
• Bloodline of the Frost Skald: CHA +4, CON -2, -2 DEX / Effective Stats: +2 STR, -4 DEX, +2 CON, +2 CHA

Cloud Half-Giant

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Cloud half-giants are known to possess handsome features and a particular admiration for riches like their forefathers in their opulent sky palaces.

• +2 STR, +2 WIS, +2 CHA
• 5% Immunity to Slashing and Bludgeoning Damage
• 10% Immunity to Piercing Damage
• 10% Immunity to Electrical Damage
• Bonus Feat: Darkvision
• Bonus Language: Giant
• Size: Large
• Starts knowing the Air summoning stream

Bloodline:

• Bloodline of the Fog: DEX +2, CHA -2 / Effective Stats: +2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 WIS

Stone Half-Giant

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Descendants of stone giants may sport earthen skin and an affinity for artistic pursuits, as well as a timid demeanor.

• +2 STR, -4 DEX, +4 CON
• 5% Immunity to Piercing and Bludgeoning Damage
• 10% Immunity to Slashing Damage
• Bonus Feat: Darkvision
• Bonus Language: Giant
• Size: Large
• Starts knowing the Earth summoning stream

Bloodline:

• Bloodline of the Stone Augur: -2 CON, +2 WIS / Effective Stats: +2 STR, -4 DEX, +2 CON, +2 WIS

Storm Half-Giant

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Half-giants with storm giant blood are often green or violet like their forebears, and by virtue of their ancestors' high seat in the Ordning, tend be quite proud of themselves and their lineage

• +2 STR, -2 DEX, +2 CON, +2 CHA
• 5% Immunity to Physical Damage
• 25% Immunity to Electrical Damage
• 10/- Resistance to Electrical Damage
• Bonus Feats: Darkvision, Amphibious Character
• Bonus Language: Giant
• Size: Large
• Starts knowing the Air and Water summoning stream

Bloodline:

• Bloodline of the Sage: +2 WIS, -2 CHA / Effective Stats: +2 STR, +2 CON, +2 WIS, -2 DEX