Desert giant

Desert giants were once numerous giant-kin of Zakhara. Since the decline of their civilization, they were mostly shepherds often traveling with their herds across deserts.

Description
Desert giants were known to have swarthy and wrinkly skin due to their constant exposure to desert storms. They had dark hair and blue eyes, which turned brown before the giants turned to stone. The females covered their faces in a veil. They typically reached heights of up to tall and weighed about.

Abilities
The sight of these fearsome warriors could cause the stoutest units to turn and flee.

Combat
Desert giants preferred to fight while mounted, usually riding upon gigantic forms of insects, reptiles, undead horses and even the rare roc.

Unlike other giants, desert giants do not hurl boulders, as they are rare in the desert and taxing for the nomadic warriors to carry with them. But during their wanderings when they happen upon a jungle, they will use the trees to make giant spears. Considered cherished items, they are passed from generation to generation. Chieftains often wield great scimitars handed down from their ancestors. Even an unarmed attack from a desert giant can cause serious harm. Some desert giants have the unique ability to return ancestors from a stone state, or they may choose instead to summon stone battle mounts. The returned giants turn to dust and rock when defeated. They are known as sand-shifters due to the way the returning ancestors cast away sand. Only ten percent of desert giants have this ability. The complexion and texture of their skin so closely resemble their natural surroundings, that given sufficient time a desert giant can conceal itself to set an ambush. Some use this tactic after becoming bandits when they have lost their herds, something that is happening as their numbers decrease.

Society
Having no permanent settlements desert giants are often found with or near their herds. They can strip all the vegetation with their passing. Others living in those lands can expect no reimbursement for the damage done, as the giants feel the lands belong to those who can take them. Sultans often offer bribes to get the giants to leave, rather than try to drive off the giants from the valuable farmland.

Desert giants' livelihood is dependent upon the rain. Driving their herds after the rain to the green fields it brings. During droughts, the younger males will seek employment as mercenaries, using their pay to supply food for their tribes. When the drought continues for many years, the Giants are forced to seek refuge in the cities, even when this happens their numbers are minuscule compared to the other races.

Due to their curse, desert giants were said to be immune to all forms of lycanthropy.

History
Desert giants were once numerous denizens of the deserts of Zakhara. Their number decreased due to a curse of the gods, which slowly but steadily turned them to stone. In the past, they had built a great civilization, but it has since succumbed to the ravages of time.

Zakharan sultans of the past sometimes hired desert giants as mercenaries.