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Half-giant communities

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
the_peacebringer
Nov 18, 2004 9:42:18 I know half-giants tend to copy the cultures that surround them as they are a relatively young race, but half-giants must have small communities, either part of the CS or in smaller villages.

Now maybe I lack imagination, but what does a half-giant community look like? I have difficulty imagining a half-giant bouncer coming home to his half-giant wife who tends to their half-giant 4 months old babe, living on the crummy first floor of an apartment building ( "Keep it down, up there, if you don't want me to come up! *Grumbles to his wife* Damn neiborghs and their loud music..."), paying his taxes to the SK, etc.

I'm looking to expand on half-giant communities in my campaign and I need flavour... any thoughts?

Thanks
PB
#2
pringles
Nov 18, 2004 11:45:53 Half-giant usually are slave or slave-soldier or gladiator. Its rare to see a free half-giant. As for a community of half-giant, I think its impossible cause they rely to much on the other race. So you cant have a village of just half-giant.
#3
Sysane
Nov 18, 2004 11:48:48 In my old campaign I developed a land that was east of Silt Sea called the Sundered Regions. One the high lights was a small tribal nation of Half-giants and B'rhog's. They spawned a third race dubbed H'rhog's (half-giant/B'rhogs). They basically had a barbaric sort of culture.

I know that doesn't really answer your Half-giant's of the Tyr region question, but thought it was worth contributing to the thread. :P
#4
jon_oracle_of_athas
Nov 18, 2004 11:57:37 An alternative theory would be that half-giant communities would evolve very quickly, since the half-giants take inspiration and impulses from all the other races in the city-states, adopting the best customs of each race. Though, since the half-giant intellect is limited, they would probably not see synergistic benefits and be able to spawn new, improved systems based on all the different impulses they have. They would copy or imitate without necessarily understanding what they're doing, thus evolution would be limited to the evolution of their neighboring races.
#5
zombiegleemax
Nov 19, 2004 0:49:46 Since Half-Giants are mental chameleons, I think they would also take on the traits of whatever cultures they are near or traded with. If it was a Half-Giant community near Kled, the giants would try to act like dwarves, if the community was near the ringing mountains, they might try to be like halflings... or at least emulate their culture.
#6
zombiegleemax
Nov 20, 2004 11:50:29 Considering how much more a half-giant needs to live (food, shelter) and how uncreative they are, it would be nearly impossible for them to have a community on their own... but considering that dark sun is filled with oddities...

A Half Giant community would probably need a few things

-an example, who since all the half giants emulate him/her/them, they would probably be well respected, something like royalty
-a lot of food, most likely a farming community, which means they would need healthy land...
-Shelter. Big shelter.
-a reason to stay. I think half giants are more comfortable when they have someone to emulate, so I think they would need a reason to stay in a community of primarily other half giants.
#7
jon_oracle_of_athas
Nov 25, 2004 17:07:49 Were you thinking about half-giant communities in cities or in the wastes?
#8
zombiegleemax
Nov 25, 2004 20:49:54 Wastes, or otherwise isolated.
#9
jon_oracle_of_athas
Nov 26, 2004 3:21:11 Ok, my view was based on a half-giant community in a city, akin to Chinatown. I too believe half-giant communities in the wild would face a number of challenges as outlined above. A strong leadership would be required, either by a half-giant or a member of another race. I highly doubt anarchosyndicalism would be a beneficial system of government in a half-giant community! (Remember the Quest for the Holy Grail...)
#10
zombiegleemax
Nov 26, 2004 11:47:05 Each Half-Giant would have a job (they are worth too much as laborers or warriors to not get conscripted) and would be influenced by their bosses so there would be some stability, but as a community I imagine fads would wildly sweep through the community. Sorta like teenage Japanese on steroids and crack.

Half-Giants are SO emulative... say one guy some back from an adventure with a cool helmet, and if he's charismatic, then everyone will start to fabricate and wear helmets like they allways have been. Then say the helmet guy heads off to another adventure, and for a week or so the helmet thing is still cool. Then a female half-giant harem guard comes home with a brand new black dress that was made for her and she looks so good because noone makes dressy clothes sized for a half-giant that all the female half-giants start trying to assemble dresses. Now the black dress chick isn't upset that everyone is copying her, she's like 'YA! Dresses are great!' and joins in the dress making fervor. So by the time the half-giant guard of a charismatic templar with a walking stick finally found a log big enough to walk around with it, all the half-giant chicks are wearing long dresses, and all the guys are still wearing helmets. And when the die my hair red guy shows up, the helmets are forgotten so everyone can show off their red hair.

I think that is why you rarely see Half-Giant communities every really doing much other than living with larger human communities, because they really do need people that are not half-giants to stay on course.
#11
the_peacebringer
Nov 26, 2004 15:15:03
Ok, my view was based on a half-giant community in a city, akin to Chinatown. I too believe half-giant communities in the wild would face a number of challenges as outlined above. A strong leadership would be required, either by a half-giant or a member of another race.

Yep, sort of Halfgiantown... but what does a community like that looks like? I know half-giants are quite unimaginative but there can be exceptions out of thousands of half-giants living a CS. Besides, bieng a half-giant, who would you favor emulating: some dwarven adventurer wearing a cool hat or the charismatic half-giant with a strong sense of self (for half-giant standards)? All I'm saying is exceptions are possible, which means, half-giant leaders must exist (although they are few).

As for challenges of the wastes, I guess you guys are right, so half-giants found in the wastes would probably be slaves (as a group) lucky enough to have found a very large oasis near rocky hills with caverns that aren't occupied and be aggressive enough to kill charismatic individuals of other races before they opened their mouth... good luck. But still, it is possible. I can see a half-elven or dwarven outcast taking the leadership of a half-giant tribe, otherwise, they'd have to be a chaotic primitive tribe of hunters and gatherers and posibly raiders. Eventually, though, other races (ex-slaves, mostly) would mingle with the tribe. Either that or the tribe would die.

PB
#12
jon_oracle_of_athas
Nov 26, 2004 18:52:55
All I'm saying is exceptions are possible, which means, half-giant leaders must exist (although they are few).

Definitely. Leviath the Calm is such a figure to name one.
#13
jon_oracle_of_athas
Nov 26, 2004 18:54:55
But still, it is possible. I can see a half-elven or dwarven outcast taking the leadership of a half-giant tribe, otherwise, they'd have to be a chaotic primitive tribe of hunters and gatherers and posibly raiders. Eventually, though, other races (ex-slaves, mostly) would mingle with the tribe. Either that or the tribe would die.

Or imagine if the half-giants become influenced by evil humanoids such as gith or belgoi, possibly even join these humanoids. Or they could mingle with a tribe of b'rogh. Certainly interesting combinations. Not to mention if they come into contact with a drake that tolerates their presence!
#14
zombiegleemax
Nov 26, 2004 20:41:23 And it isn't just that Half-giants will copy a cool hat, it's that they will emulate and dress like people that are charismatic and in a leadership position. I have used it to a great comical effect in my campaigns..

Jon is right, the likelihood of half-giants copying evil communitites is just as likely (more likely given the temperment of the Tablelands) I like to have half-giants be the muscle behind realativly weak humanoids.

Here's a fun scenario: Half-giants could follow a Charismatic Nikaal that also has alot of Silt Runners. When the Nikaal's gang comes across a caravan, the half-giants toss the Silt Runners over the caravan walls and on top of the mekillot. The Half-giants will wear scaley skins to be more like the lizard men they are with too. heh
#15
jon_oracle_of_athas
Nov 27, 2004 4:11:55 The point that BigBubba makes is along the lines of what I thought would be interesting with the drake. Half-giants running around in scales, painting their bodies the color of the drake, hoarding what the drake hoards, and futile attempts at mimicking a breath weapon.
#16
zombiegleemax
Nov 27, 2004 15:58:47 LOL

Imaging a bunch of half-giants following around a water drake. They catch you, tie you down, gather around and swig water and all of them spit on you!

Eeewww!
#17
flip
Nov 27, 2004 19:30:04
LOL

Imaging a bunch of half-giants following around a water drake. They catch you, tie you down, gather around and swig water and all of them spit on you!

Eeewww!

that was an image I didn't need.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 the_peacebringer Nov 18, 2004 9:42:18	I know half-giants tend to copy the cultures that surround them as they are a relatively young race, but half-giants must have small communities, either part of the CS or in smaller villages. Now maybe I lack imagination, but what does a half-giant community look like? I have difficulty imagining a half-giant bouncer coming home to his half-giant wife who tends to their half-giant 4 months old babe, living on the crummy first floor of an apartment building ( "Keep it down, up there, if you don't want me to come up! Grumbles to his wife Damn neiborghs and their loud music..."), paying his taxes to the SK, etc. I'm looking to expand on half-giant communities in my campaign and I need flavour... any thoughts? Thanks PB
#2 pringles Nov 18, 2004 11:45:53	Half-giant usually are slave or slave-soldier or gladiator. Its rare to see a free half-giant. As for a community of half-giant, I think its impossible cause they rely to much on the other race. So you cant have a village of just half-giant.
#3 Sysane Nov 18, 2004 11:48:48	In my old campaign I developed a land that was east of Silt Sea called the Sundered Regions. One the high lights was a small tribal nation of Half-giants and B'rhog's. They spawned a third race dubbed H'rhog's (half-giant/B'rhogs). They basically had a barbaric sort of culture. I know that doesn't really answer your Half-giant's of the Tyr region question, but thought it was worth contributing to the thread. :P
#4 jon_oracle_of_athas Nov 18, 2004 11:57:37	An alternative theory would be that half-giant communities would evolve very quickly, since the half-giants take inspiration and impulses from all the other races in the city-states, adopting the best customs of each race. Though, since the half-giant intellect is limited, they would probably not see synergistic benefits and be able to spawn new, improved systems based on all the different impulses they have. They would copy or imitate without necessarily understanding what they're doing, thus evolution would be limited to the evolution of their neighboring races.
#5 zombiegleemax Nov 19, 2004 0:49:46	Since Half-Giants are mental chameleons, I think they would also take on the traits of whatever cultures they are near or traded with. If it was a Half-Giant community near Kled, the giants would try to act like dwarves, if the community was near the ringing mountains, they might try to be like halflings... or at least emulate their culture.
#6 zombiegleemax Nov 20, 2004 11:50:29	Considering how much more a half-giant needs to live (food, shelter) and how uncreative they are, it would be nearly impossible for them to have a community on their own... but considering that dark sun is filled with oddities... A Half Giant community would probably need a few things -an example, who since all the half giants emulate him/her/them, they would probably be well respected, something like royalty -a lot of food, most likely a farming community, which means they would need healthy land... -Shelter. Big shelter. -a reason to stay. I think half giants are more comfortable when they have someone to emulate, so I think they would need a reason to stay in a community of primarily other half giants.
#7 jon_oracle_of_athas Nov 25, 2004 17:07:49	Were you thinking about half-giant communities in cities or in the wastes?
#8 zombiegleemax Nov 25, 2004 20:49:54	Wastes, or otherwise isolated.
#9 jon_oracle_of_athas Nov 26, 2004 3:21:11	Ok, my view was based on a half-giant community in a city, akin to Chinatown. I too believe half-giant communities in the wild would face a number of challenges as outlined above. A strong leadership would be required, either by a half-giant or a member of another race. I highly doubt anarchosyndicalism would be a beneficial system of government in a half-giant community! (Remember the Quest for the Holy Grail...)
#10 zombiegleemax Nov 26, 2004 11:47:05	Each Half-Giant would have a job (they are worth too much as laborers or warriors to not get conscripted) and would be influenced by their bosses so there would be some stability, but as a community I imagine fads would wildly sweep through the community. Sorta like teenage Japanese on steroids and crack. Half-Giants are SO emulative... say one guy some back from an adventure with a cool helmet, and if he's charismatic, then everyone will start to fabricate and wear helmets like they allways have been. Then say the helmet guy heads off to another adventure, and for a week or so the helmet thing is still cool. Then a female half-giant harem guard comes home with a brand new black dress that was made for her and she looks so good because noone makes dressy clothes sized for a half-giant that all the female half-giants start trying to assemble dresses. Now the black dress chick isn't upset that everyone is copying her, she's like 'YA! Dresses are great!' and joins in the dress making fervor. So by the time the half-giant guard of a charismatic templar with a walking stick finally found a log big enough to walk around with it, all the half-giant chicks are wearing long dresses, and all the guys are still wearing helmets. And when the die my hair red guy shows up, the helmets are forgotten so everyone can show off their red hair. I think that is why you rarely see Half-Giant communities every really doing much other than living with larger human communities, because they really do need people that are not half-giants to stay on course.
#11 the_peacebringer Nov 26, 2004 15:15:03	Ok, my view was based on a half-giant community in a city, akin to Chinatown. I too believe half-giant communities in the wild would face a number of challenges as outlined above. A strong leadership would be required, either by a half-giant or a member of another race. Yep, sort of Halfgiantown... but what does a community like that looks like? I know half-giants are quite unimaginative but there can be exceptions out of thousands of half-giants living a CS. Besides, bieng a half-giant, who would you favor emulating: some dwarven adventurer wearing a cool hat or the charismatic half-giant with a strong sense of self (for half-giant standards)? All I'm saying is exceptions are possible, which means, half-giant leaders must exist (although they are few). As for challenges of the wastes, I guess you guys are right, so half-giants found in the wastes would probably be slaves (as a group) lucky enough to have found a very large oasis near rocky hills with caverns that aren't occupied and be aggressive enough to kill charismatic individuals of other races before they opened their mouth... good luck. But still, it is possible. I can see a half-elven or dwarven outcast taking the leadership of a half-giant tribe, otherwise, they'd have to be a chaotic primitive tribe of hunters and gatherers and posibly raiders. Eventually, though, other races (ex-slaves, mostly) would mingle with the tribe. Either that or the tribe would die. PB
#12 jon_oracle_of_athas Nov 26, 2004 18:52:55	All I'm saying is exceptions are possible, which means, half-giant leaders must exist (although they are few). Definitely. Leviath the Calm is such a figure to name one.
#13 jon_oracle_of_athas Nov 26, 2004 18:54:55	But still, it is possible. I can see a half-elven or dwarven outcast taking the leadership of a half-giant tribe, otherwise, they'd have to be a chaotic primitive tribe of hunters and gatherers and posibly raiders. Eventually, though, other races (ex-slaves, mostly) would mingle with the tribe. Either that or the tribe would die. Or imagine if the half-giants become influenced by evil humanoids such as gith or belgoi, possibly even join these humanoids. Or they could mingle with a tribe of b'rogh. Certainly interesting combinations. Not to mention if they come into contact with a drake that tolerates their presence!
#14 zombiegleemax Nov 26, 2004 20:41:23	And it isn't just that Half-giants will copy a cool hat, it's that they will emulate and dress like people that are charismatic and in a leadership position. I have used it to a great comical effect in my campaigns.. Jon is right, the likelihood of half-giants copying evil communitites is just as likely (more likely given the temperment of the Tablelands) I like to have half-giants be the muscle behind realativly weak humanoids. Here's a fun scenario: Half-giants could follow a Charismatic Nikaal that also has alot of Silt Runners. When the Nikaal's gang comes across a caravan, the half-giants toss the Silt Runners over the caravan walls and on top of the mekillot. The Half-giants will wear scaley skins to be more like the lizard men they are with too. heh
#15 jon_oracle_of_athas Nov 27, 2004 4:11:55	The point that BigBubba makes is along the lines of what I thought would be interesting with the drake. Half-giants running around in scales, painting their bodies the color of the drake, hoarding what the drake hoards, and futile attempts at mimicking a breath weapon.
#16 zombiegleemax Nov 27, 2004 15:58:47	LOL Imaging a bunch of half-giants following around a water drake. They catch you, tie you down, gather around and swig water and all of them spit on you! Eeewww!
#17 flip Nov 27, 2004 19:30:04	LOL Imaging a bunch of half-giants following around a water drake. They catch you, tie you down, gather around and swig water and all of them spit on you! Eeewww! that was an image I didn't need.