Homebrew Half-Giant Species Details

Half-giants are widely known for their physical abilities, and for their ability to deal heavy damage to foes during combat, but they are typically shunned by many people for their hulking figures and often simplistic views on life and goals. This is not to say that half-giants are stupid, as many of them, especially storm half-giants can have great intellect, but because of their ability to muscle through problems, they typically do not worry too much about details, and feel they can just plow right on to their goals.

The main thing a half-giant wants in life is acceptance from giants, humans, or both. Some Half-Giants attempt to gain acceptance by accomplishing heroic deeds. Half-giants who are raised among the giant culture will attempt to gain acceptance by honing their combat skills to perfection. Adventuring typically allows them to hone their combat skills and accomplish heroic deeds at the same time, so most Half-Giants who get the chance to will gladly join an adventuring party. 

In the beginning the World was populated by many creatures and they lived together in relative harmony. Infinitely varied they were; contrived of all the gods' imaginations. Each was beautiful and special in its own way. And the gods walked among them, blessing all the creatures of the Earth.

One the most impressive of these creatures was the race known as, the Giants.

Of god-like stature and possessing great power, the Giants were unmatched save perhaps, for the Dragons. They were so powerful, in fact, that they became arrogant and dismissive, even treating the gods with disdain. Weary of the constant annoyance, the gods withdrew their favor from the Giants and left them to admire themselves in solitude.

As the years went by, however, the Giants began to die out. Less and less children were born to them and those that survived were struck down by a mysterious illness. Desperate for salvation the Giants pleaded with the gods for help.

But the gods would not help.

Angered by the Giants bloated self-importance the gods ignored the Giants plea for help and proclaimed that they could rot for all they cared.

But one god took pity on the Giants. Kord; bringer of storms and violence. It had been Kord more than anyone who had shaped the Giants into what they had become; investing them with great physical strength and voices like thunder. As such he searched the Giant race for one, just one, being who was willing to be humble; possible proof that the Giant race could be better than they were. He found it in the shape of a runt; a giant who was almost half as small as any other giant. The runt proved himself to Kord and earned the redemption of his race. But the rest of his people refused help and cast him out, along with a handful of others who sided with him. Gradually the disease continued to wreak havoc upon the Giants and grew progressively worse; dead giants began coming back to life as vicious, dull witted beasts. Eventually they had to be eradicated by the gods. It is thought that none survived.

The runt and his followers survived, however, untouched by the disease. Urged on by Kord they bred with other races to ensure that they did not die out. The interbreeding led to smaller Giants but prolonged the survival of the Giant race. These new 'Giants' became powerful, possessing new inherent traits from their secondary parents. Eventually the Giants split into tribes that scattered all over the world, each of the lineage of the Giants of old. They eventually became known as Giants, not 'half-breed' or 'New Giant', as knowledge of the first Giants passed away.

Half-Giant Traits

Half-Giants share a number of traits with their giant heiritge

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Half-Giants have lifespans where they mature in their mid 20s and usually live to around 250 years old

Alignment

Half-Giants are heavily influenced by their giant counterparts

Size

Goliaths are between just under 7 to just over 8 feet tall and weigh between 300 and 360 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant.