Homebrew Firbolg (pre fey) Species Details

Firbolgs are the children of Ulutiu and Othea and the halfbrothers of the true giants. Although the various kin breeds have built their own societies all over Faerûn, they have never exhibited the sort of loyalty to their fellow tribes that has kept the Jotunbrud relatively strong over the last several thousand years. In most areas, communication and cooperation between the various kin breeds are almost nonexistent. Although most kin are as fiercely independent as their half-brothers, there are a few who spend their whole lives on the fringe of the various giant societies. These kin still believe that they can one day win acceptance from their powerful half-brothers, a goal most kin abandoned thousands of years ago. Recently, with the coming of the Twilight Spirit and the increased activity among the true giant tribes, the kin of the Spires have taken their first steps toward consolidation and unification, fearing attack. As a consequence, some of the more adventurous kin are beginning to organize and fight back. In fact, it is rumored that a band of verbeegs occupying the northern arm of the Ice Spires has taken to raiding the frost giant steadings in the area and gathering supplies for battle. Surprisingly, these verbeegs are said to have the support of fomorians and even a few voadkyn. According to rumors spreading throughout the various kin steadings in the region, the verbeegs aim for nothing less than clearing all the Jotunbrud from their quarter of the valley.

Firbolgs:

Firbolgs are the most intelligent of the kin. Of all the various giant races, only the firbolgs reject the concept of ordning. Instead, they value free will over all, and the restrictions of rank have no place in their clannish societies. In fact, firbolgs pioneered a crude form of democracy known as the cast. Whenever a decision affecting the clan is necessary, a call goes out to all able members of the tribe to assemble and vote on the issue. To cast their ballots, the firbolgs use flat rocks engraved with their own personal runes. The actual casting of the stones differs from area to area and clan to clan, with some clans throwing the stones into holes dug in the ground and others simply holding the stones over their heads when called to vote. In a large firbolg settlement located in the Cold Mountains, there is said to exist a 50-foot-tall balance scale that the firbolgs use to dramatically display the results of a cast. The kin of this steading vote by placing their stones upon one of the huge pans on either side of the scale, with the heavier side winning the issue.

The Code:

Long ago, the firbolgs developed a stringent code of conduct that governs their actions. Although the code is obviously thousands of years old, its exact origins are now obscured by the mists of time. At the heart of the code is the idea that individuals should be judged based upon their actions rather than upon their birth; to the firbolgs, people´s deeds are the truth of their being. Another of the code´s important concepts is the idea that the individual is nothing without society, and the preservation of society must be of the highest priority of all individuals. Every firbolg clan reacts differently to the code, but all see it as vital to their survival and elevation. Most firbolgs keep the code to themselves, believing it is virtuous to simply live the code rather than preach it. Merely talking about deeds and philosophies rather than living them is sometimes looked upon as a form of cowardice. A firbolg who breaks the code faces grave retribution. Minor transgressions might be settled by spending a period of time as a slave to the tribe. Major transgressions inevitably require banishment. Of course, few of these penalties are ever necessary since the code is so indelibly ingrained into most firbolgs from birth that few could even think of straying.

Most firbolg clans require their members to carry the code with them in a written form. For example, the members of one clan (the Kappebror) write copies of the code on fine parchment and seal them in amulets they wear around their necks, while another (the Helligbror) tattoo the code upon their chests in red dye, and yet another (the Kriggabror) etch the words upon finely made bracers they swear never to remove.

The Firbolg Code (in the original):

Prakt, Strev, Rang, glang byrd. (Bravery, Effort, and Honor over birth.)

This dictum illustrates the firbolgs disdain for the concept of ordning and all it represents. To the firbolgs, actions make the individual. Also, firbolgs see the honor and mettle of an individual as representative of the honor and mettle of a tribe. This is why the concept of bravery is so important to them. If observers should notice a firbolg acting weak or cowardly, they would probably assume the firbolg´s entire clan to be weak and cowardly, perhaps prompting an attack on the clan. The firbolgs believe that the only way to avoid unnecessary wars and battles is to convince all observers that all firbolgs are fiercely brave and capable.

Stomm rang glang du. (The tribes honor above your honor.)

The whole of the clan is more important than an individual member. To honor the tribe or clan, the firbolg must do great deeds and, when given praise, explain that the deed would have been impossible if not for the support, education, and resources of the clan. This provision has also been interpreted to mean that the will of the individual is secondary to the will of the clan. Some renegade firbolgs contend that this is not the case, and that the will of the individual is more important than the will of the clan.

Blod ettin er blod kong. (The blood of a runt is the blood of a king.)

This provision reminds the firbolgs to treat all intelligent creatures equally. Just as Hartkiller was a runt himself, so may the lowest beggar be elevated to the throne.

Gi tusen val nul. (Give one thousand for nothing.)

Firbolgs prize charity as a virtue, though they feel that any charitable act is nullified if the recipient is aware of the contributor’s identity. The act itself is the virtue, not the glory associated with the act. Allowing oneself to take credit for a virtuous action opens the spirit to harm. For that reason, while gregarious with friends, most firbolgs are quiet in public, not wishing to call attention to their often heroic deeds.

Trut zund stommpaart. (Truth is the honor of the tribe).

Much of firbolg society is built around a backbone of truthful communication. Without such communication, the firbolgs believe their entire society will topple. As a consequence, firbolgs don´t lie, by either omission or commission. In fact, a firbolg who lies breaks out in a cold sweat; his voice cracks, his limbs tremble. The very act of dissembling causes great physical discomfort.

Firbolg (pre fey) Traits

Firbolg traits

Ability score increase

your strength goes up by 2 and your  constitution goes up by 2 

Strong arms

you can use 2 handed weapons with one hand and use large weapons as light weapons.

Age

As giant kin you live about 600 years old and reach adulthood at around 25 years of age.

languages

you can speak common and giant. 

Powerful body

you gain Proficiencies in athletics. 

wild connection

you can take 10 minutes to commune with nature and find out about important features in the area.

Naturel builders

You construct buildings and fortifications in half the time as a normal person  and do double the damage against structures.