Firbolg

The firbolg (FEER-bolg ) was a reclusive type of giant-kin that preferred to avoid contact with other sentient races. They were the most intelligent of the giant-kin. Amongst their own kind, they lived in colonies, which were usually found in forests or caverns and watched by guard towers. Although they did farm, they preferred a more hunter-gatherer lifestyle, rather than the brigand/raider lifestyle of many other giants. A firbolg was usually lawful good in alignment, although they were seen as evil creatures by other giants.

Description
Firbolgs resembled humans, and the males would sport great, thick beards. Their skin was fleshy pink, and their hair, though it came in many colors, was usually either red or blonde.

Firbolgs saw the wearing of armor as cowardly, and thus did not usually wear armor.

Physiology
Firbolg pregnancies were typically about two years long.

Society
Firbolgs primarily worshiped the goddess Hiatea.

The firbolgs had rejected the ordning, the customary social order amongst giants and giant-kin, and preferred to exercise free will by using a system called "the code". This was conceived ages ago, although its exact origins have been lost, and a written copy was usually required to be carried by all firbolgs, but the exact implementation varies from one community to the next. It promotes the idea that the society was the most important aspect and superseded the individual. Actions were more important than relatives or heritage. If "the code" was breached, a firbolg might have been enslaved within his or her own tribe or banished completely, although transgressions were uncommon. The implications of "the code" meant that the firbolgs would treat all intelligent creatures as equals, and did not exhibit the same superior attitude that other giants and giant-kin display.

Firbolgs had a rough form of democracy known as "the cast". This involved summoning all the firbolgs in a tribe who then would cast their vote on an issue by using a rune-engraved stone.

Firbolgs believed that charity was a virtue, but also believed that it was harmful for the recipient to know the identity of the provider; because of this they appeared to be reclusive amongst the other races, although they were very sociable with established friends. They were extremely honest and could not lie without feeling physical discomfort, even if the lie was by omission.

Firbolgs lived in settlements in remote hilly or forested areas, and would distrust any outsiders. They built wooden structures with thatched roofs, with defensive towers.

History
The firbolg race was created when Othea, wife of the giant deity Annam All-Father, had an affair with Ulutiu.

Notable firbolgs

 * Tavis Burdun
 * Vander

Notable firbolg clans

 * Helligbror
 * Kappebror
 * Kriggabror

Appearances

 * Cards:
 * AD&D Trading Cards
 * Spellfire: Master the Magic
 * Computer Games:
 * Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
 * Novels:
 * Darkwalker on Moonshae
 * Night Masks
 * The Chaos Curse
 * The Titan of Twilight