Homebrew Demigiant Species Details

Almost nothing is known about the exceedingly rare demigiants, existing mostly as legend and folklore. Despite the name and many physical similarities, there is no known direct relation to giants or half giants. In fact, up to an age between four and six, a demigiant might be wholly confused for a human child, at least until they begin to rapidly grow in size and musculature dwarfing their parents in short order. More bizarrely,  demigiants seem to only require one human parent of either sex, and only inherit his or her features. A demigiant whose parentage is that of a human and elf, for example, will lose all traits of their elven bloodline. Demigiants, having no known society of their own, adopting the culture and background of the community that raises them.

Fiercely Loyal

Only one quality has ever been consistently recorded in the legends of demigiants. Loyalty.

Folktales tell of a hulking ten foot woman that saved her garrison in an ambush, shielding them from a hail of arrows for over and hour with just her exposed back. Another tale tells of a behemoth man that, when a terrible illness befell his youngest child and his prayers went unanswered, singlehandedly climbed the mountain of Celestia to demand healing favor from Ilmater.

If you find yourself in the good graces of a demigiant, you can trust that you've found a lifelong guardian and friend.

Hard to Miss

For a demigiant, it is difficult to live a life free from gawking stares and poorly concealed whispers. Everywhere they go, their massive towering frame, larger than even a Goliath's, is impossible to miss. Even the laziest demigiant seems to keep an inhuman level of dense, heavy muscle, preventing them from doing the simplest of tasks like fitting through a doorframe, or sitting in a chair.

Some demigiants are insecure about their size, constantly hunched and ignoring the prying eyes of staring crowds. Others embrace their natural strength, doing feats of strength wherever they go, and letting others know they are the strongest in the room.

Natural Protectors

Given their massive size, steadfast loyalty, and difficulty fitting in, demigiants tend towards and are well fitted for protecting the company they keep. It's not uncommon for a demigiant to take a job as a bodyguard for a noble or other royalty, or a hired hand for a wealthy gang leader. Others choose a simpler life, using their skills to chop lumber and keep their fellow loggers safe from fallen trees, or in the mines helping to prevent deaths when a mineshaft collapses.

This instinct towards loyalty and protection makes them easy targets for duplicity from someone they trust. But betraying a demigiant is likely only to work once, and only if you manage to keep your torso in one piece afterwards.

Demigiant Names

Having no known culture of their own, Demigiant names reflect the culture in which they were raised. Since they must always have one human parent, Common, Dwarvish or Elvish are fairly typical, but circumstance and background result in a wide variety of names.

Demigiant Traits

Though mysterious, demigiants are known to share a few traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Due to their rarity, the lifespan of a Demigiant is unclear. Some rumors say they age similarly to humans, others claim several centuries. They enter adulthood in their late teens.

Size

Demigiants are between 8 and 10 feet tall and weigh between 420 and 780 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Giant's Guard

You can intercept an attack against a nearby ally. When an ally within 10ft is targeted by a spell or attack, you can use your reaction to move to their space, and they are moved directly behind you. You take the damage instead of your ally. Roll a d10 and add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Menacing

You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Demigiants almost never have their own communities, and adopt the language of the community that raised them.

Hard to Miss

Given your huge presence, you have disadvantage on stealth rolls.