Homebrew OG Firbolg Species Details

Firbolgs through the Ages

(As written by James Haeck)

Firbolgs have been giantkin since their inception, but whereas firbolgs in fifth edition are fuzzy, druidic protectors of nature, firbolgs in first edition were mighty, Viking-like warriors. They were explicitly described as the most powerful of the minor giants—presumably referring to giants outside of the Ordning, such as ogres and fomorians. Even back then, however, firbolgs had the power to shrink in size to appear akin to a normal human.

Classic firbolgs were cautious, crafty, and solitary giants with a predilection for illusion magic, and their shamans possessed even greater mastery of illusions. While they favored massive, giant-sized greatswords and halberds to defend themselves, classic firbolgs took great pleasure in “duping humans out of their treasure” by assuming humanoid size and using their illusions to pull one over on credulous adventurers.

This conception of the firbolg remained more or less unchanged throughout first, second, and third edition. Some information was added over the years; for instance, the second edition Monstrous Compendium revealed that firbolgs’ affinity for nature and wild forests and hills arose from their distrust of other mortal races. Since they had no desire to mingle with other people, they simply learned to live amidst nature. By third edition, however, firbolgs had lost much of their illusion magic. The only remnant of their original ability to shrink to human size was a spell-like ability that allowed them to cast alter self once per day. The illusionist firbolgs of yore were fading away as early as 2002.

This dissolution of old abilities and lore was made complete in fourth edition, in which firbolgs underwent a major overhaul. The new firbolgs of fourth edition were no longer cunning and reserved giantkin, but shamans and barbarians from the Feywild who commanded the Wild Hunt. These agents of neutrality, destiny, and death were mighty warriors and shamans, and worshiped three goddesses that together bore some similarity to the Morrígan, a triple goddess of Irish mythology. These three goddesses were the Maiden (Sehanine), the Mother (Melora), and the Crone (the Raven Queen). Once more, in fourth edition, firbolgs were consigned to a Monster Manual without being elevated to a playable race, as they had in third edition. 

OG Firbolg Traits

Your firbolg character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

As giant-kin, 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 9 and 10 feet tall and weigh between 290 and 400 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, but increases to 40 feet in a forest environment.

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.

Rock Catching

You can catch Small, Medium, or Large rocks (or projectiles of similar shape). Once per round, a firbolg that would normally be hit by a rock can make an Athletics check to catch it as a reaction. The DC is 10 for a Small rock, 15 for a Medium-size one, and 20 for a Large one. (If the projectile has a bonus on attack rolls because of magic, the DC increases by that amount. The DC also increases by 5 if you aren't using both hands.) The firbolg must be ready for and aware of the attack.

On your next turn, you may use your action to make a ranged attack with proficiency to hurl the rock back towards your attacker. You have disadvantage throwing large rocks.

Languages

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