Giants (Part 3): Fire Giant

I can’t help but imagine these guys like giant Hellboys and I kinda like ’em more like that.

Lore: Masters of War and Craft

Fire giants are much like dwarfs in a few aspects. They are master craftsmen who dwell within mountains or volcanoes. Their metalwork is as legendary as their ruthlessness in battle.

Their forges are heated by the magma they build their cities atop of. If their home is far removed from this intense heat, they’ll mine for coal to burn as a substitute. At remote outposts, they’ll chop down trees to keep their production going. Ever is a fire giant’s forge at work.

As much as frost giants hate the heat, fire giants hate the cold. Adapting to these temperatures is difficult for them, but wholly possible. With enough fur clothing and a hot enough furnace, they can force themselves to manage.

The legacy of the fire giants is war. From birth, they are sung songs of war and glory. Their prowess comes not from violence and power but discipline and training. Their natural strength is complimented perfectly by their skill and tactics. Any one who dare underestimate their militaristic might are doomed to face a bloody and terrible end.

People conquered by the fire giants become serfs to the lords. They work the farms for the giants, raising livestock and growing crops to fuel their war efforts. Other workers, namely the giants who work the forges, work by instinct rather than math or writing. Other serfs fulfill this purpose for them, should the giants deem it necessary. Those not destined for court are taken to work in the mines. Fire giants lower on the ordning watch over these slaves, though they care little for their safety.

While their reputation is fierce, their skill in crafting is far more renown among giant kind. Whether they’re making jewels or treasures or weapons of war, the quality of these works are among the most gorgeous in the world. Even their fortresses are works of art.

This lore is pretty interesting and, better yet, versatile! Wanna do a heist? Have your players rob a fire giant’s fortress! Rebellion story? Have them liberate their slaves and riot! Straight-up war? Make the players choose between frost giants or fire giants in a territorial dispute! Any one of these can make for a fun session!

Design: Ganondorf but Thick…er

Oh, you think I’m joking?

It kinda works, though! That sword and that armor are clearly very impressive works of crafting. You can tell that this dude is a fucking soldier, not a barbarian.

That, and it looks sick. He kinda reminds me of Guts from Berserk. Only, you know, not as awesome.

My only real complaint is the lack of ‘fire’ in the ‘fire giant’. I’m sorry, but having dark skin and red hair isn’t ‘fire’. Why not give them some flame markings on their armor? Or just light their hair on fire because giant magic, why not? Or light their sword on fire because flaming swords are always awesome?!

This is a solid B- design. It isn’t especially impressive, but it’s a passing grade. It may not be the best we’ve ever covered, but it is far from the worst.

Unfortunately, I can only say the opposite about its stats.

Stats: Giant SMASH!!

Oh… wow. There’s nothing here, is there?

No, I’m being serious! This is one of the simplest and most straight-forward enemies we’ve discussed so far! All he’s got is big sword, big rock, and a high AC/HP! The most interesting thing here is its immunity to fire!

Can it still be fun? Yeah, sure. Fighting a giant is scary enough to make it memorable. But there’s nothing to especially challenge the player beyond big numbers. Boring.

Placement

These guys only got less interesting as it went on. The lore is fantastic and the design is okay. But those stats are just so plain and boring that it leaves a sour taste in the mouth. It’s like a sad reflection of my time as a student.

I was never very good in school.

With all that said, let’s put the Fire Giant on the Best of the Bestiary!

1. Beholder
2. Death Tyrant
3. Dragon Turtle
4. Green Dragons
5. Red Dragons
6. Blue Dragons
7. Black Dragons
8. White Dragons
9. Silver Dragons
10. Couatl
11. Behir
12. Aboleth
13. Bronze Dragons
14. Brass Dragons
15. Copper Dragons
16. Gold Dragons
17. Chuul
18. Chimera
19. Death Knight
20. Fomorian
21. Bone Devil
22. Dracolich
23. Faerie Dragon
24. Ankheg
25. Empyrean
26. Efreeti
27. Dao
28. Cloud Giant
29. Drow (all four of ’em)
30. Shadow Demon
31. Marilith
32. Drider
33. Aarackockra
34. Azer
35. Demilich
36. Spectator
37. Marid
38. Cambion
39. Fire Giant <————————–
40. Animated Armor
41. Banshee
42. Basilisk
43. Yochlol
44. Bulette
45. Cloaker
46. Darkmantle
47. Doppelganger
48. Ghoul and Ghast
49. Ettin
50. Pit Fiend
51. Erinyes
52. Chain Devil
53. Bearded Devil
54. Barbed Devil
55. Spined Devil
56. Ice Devil
57. Djinni
58. Nalfeshnee
59. Glabrezu
60. Chasme
61. Barlgura
62. Horned Devil
63. Balor
64. Shadow Dragon
65. Vrock
66. Dretch
67. Goristro
68. Hezrou
69. Manes
70. Duergar
71. Quasit
72. Dryad
73. Flumph
74. Planetar
75. Imp
76. Flameskull
77. Displacer Beast
78. Carrion Crawler
79. Rug of Smothering
80. Bugbear Chief
81. Bugbear
82. Vine Blight
83. Twig Blight
84. Needle Blight
85. Bullywug
86. Ettercap
87. Gas Spore
88. Cockatrice
89. Lemure
90. Solar
91. Deva
92. Cyclops
93. Centaur
94. Ghost
95. Fire Elemental
96. Water Elemental
97. Air Elemental
98. Dinosaurs (All six of them)
99. Earth Elemental
100. Galeb Duhr
101. Flying Sword
102. Crawling Claw
103. Violet Fungus
104. Shrieker
105. Gargoyle