Firbolgs were a rare lineage of Fey-like Mortalkind in Somnum. Distant cousins of Giantborn who wandered the primeval forests of the Vivid Realms, they stood among the tallest of their kind, often reaching between seven to eight feet in height and weighing close to three hundred pounds. Despite their great size, however, they were typically soft-spoken and carried themselves with quiet dignity. Their skin was colored in tones of muted blues and pinks, and their hair often grew long and thick, ranging from deep browns to shades of red or gray. Firbolgs’ ears were slightly pointed, and their heavy features gave them a solemn, contemplative appearance. They matured slowly compared to other smallfolk, reaching adulthood around thirty years of age, and their natural lifespans stretched to about five centuries.
Firbolgs lived in extended family groups that centered around forest homes. Children were raised by both parents as well as the broader clan, and every member of the community contributed to teaching and nurturing the young. They avoided strict hierarchies, preferring to work through quiet consensus, and honored the balance of their surroundings above all else. Their societies most often grew within deep forests, where the trees provided shelter, food, and a living boundary from the outside world.
Firbolg traditions placed value on harmony with nature, humility, and stewardship. They avoided drawing attention to themselves, and shunned ostentatious wealth or displays of pride. They considered the forest sacred, and their lore taught that no one should take more from it than was needed. The destruction of trees or the waste of living things was a grave taboo, but no fault was greater than that of personal greed or want. They considered themselves hidden shepherds of their lands and sought not to dominate nature, but ensure that it prospered according to its own law.
Among outsiders, firbolgs practiced utmost discretion. They avoided boasting of their strength or size, and sometimes concealed their true nature to keep their forest homes hidden from harm. They maintained a quiet distance from most other smallfolk, preferring to observe rather than engage. Even in the face of an intrusion, they employed magic to divert or confuse the interlopers; even when direct action was needed, they preferred to assist creatures in leaving their forests before resorting to violence. In the broader societies of Somnum, they were often seen as gentle giants, both strange and noble, and occasionally mysterious in their reclusive ways.
Firbolgs had natural magic that aided their inclination towards stealth. They could communicate with animals and plants, insulate the sound of their footsteps or cover their tracks, as well as limited ability to become invisible. They also had magic that could cloak themselves in Illusion to appear as other types of smallfolk, appearing up to three feet shorter and allowing them to easily blend in with Human and Elvenkind. Their strength was great, allowing them to carry extremely heavy loads with their powerful builds, though some criticized their lack of aggression in battle.
In addition to speaking the language of beast and leaf, Firbolgs spoke the tongues of the lands they lived near, though among themselves they often preferred Giant, the ancient language of their heritage. Most also learned Elven, as the language stayed in tune with nature while allowing them to communicate with many outsiders. Their speech carried a deep, slow cadence, sometimes compared to the steady rhythm of wind through trees or the roll of distant thunder.
Firbolgs considered the concept of names to be strange and identified themselves as they did animals or plants; through deeds, habits, or other actions. By the same token, their tribe names typically referred to the concept of their "home". When dealing with other smallfolk, however, they adopted names rooted in elven or giant culture, and referred to their ancestral home by whatever the surrounding folk used. As such, a firbolg might call themselves "Meliel Mana Thalor" or "Gorath Astralwood", or just refer to a nickname given to them by outsiders.
Adventurers among firbolgs were uncommon, and were generally exceptional folk designated to undertake a mission to protect their clans or outcasts who violated clan laws. Their innate communion with forests and sheer size made them natural fits for the Druid, Ranger, and Fighter Adventuring Classes. Clerics and Paladins of nature were also found among them, serving as wandering guardians of balance. Firbolg adventurers who chose other paths tended to be unusual personalities, influenced by contact with other cultures or greater divine powers.