New Race: Firbolg

Art by Steve Prescott

Firbolgs are a race of reclusive giants with a deep affinity for nature. Their society is clan-based, with family being of the utmost importance. Although firbolgs tend to be relatively nonviolent, they will do anything to protect their family and those they consider to be as "close as blood." Most firbolgs practice a religion that is a mixture of animism and ancestor worship, believing that everything is connected in a spiritual sense and individuals should respect that connection or possibly upset the fragile balance that exists within nature.

Firbolgs resemble large humans, standing over seven feet tall and possessing wide, compact bodies that give them a burly appearance. Most firbolgs tend to have long manes of hair with males sporting equally long, thick beards. Their attire tends to be rather simple and possesses more earthy tones, such as brown an green. Firbolgs care more about application and utility than anything else. 

FIRBOLG RACIAL TRAITS

+2 Strength, +2 Wisdom, -2 Dexterity: Firbolgs are both strong and wise, but relatively clumsy due to their size. 

Firbolg: Firbolgs are humanoids with the giant subtype.

Medium: Firbolgs are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size. 

Slow and Steady: Firbolgs have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance. 

Low-Light Vision: Firbolgs can see twice as far as a race with normal vision in conditions of dim light. 

Powerful Build: The physical stature of firbolgs lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger. Whenever a firbolg is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for a Combat Maneuver Bonus or Combat Maneuver Defense (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the firbolg is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. 

A firbolg is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature's special attacks based on size (such as grab or swallow whole) can affect him. 

A firbolg can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category. 

Bond to the Land: Firbolgs gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC when in a specific terrain type selected from the ranger's list of favored terrains. This choice is made at character creation, and cannot be changed. 

Stability: Firbolgs receive a +4 racial bonus to their CMD when resisting bull rush or trip attempts while standing on the ground. 

Survivalist: Firbolgs receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception and Survival skill checks. 

Languages: Firbolgs begin play speaking Common and Giant. Firbolgs with high Intelligence scores can choose from: Elven, Gnome, Goblin, and Sylvan.